NM CSETP
Contents
The Need for R&D/Tech Transfer/Commercialization in NM
On Innovation
For a broad overview of roles and realizing potential improvements and innovations in renewable energy from IHS Markit and Energy Futures Initiative with an emphasize on the need for R&D see their report:
- “Advancing the Landscape of Energy Innovation” - Feb 2019, 229 page
For the prospects of a technology hub in New Mexico see the book:
Jump-Starting America: How Breakthrough Science Can Revive Economic Growth and the American Dream” – Johnathan Gruber & Simon Johnson, PublicAffairs – April 9, 2019 368 pages and website at:
From the website, Albuquerque is 53rd on the list of candidates for Top Technology Hubs. Santa Fe fails to meet the three parameters:
- House price upper bound $265,000
- Working Population lower bound, 100,000
- Percent College Grad lower bound 25%
Los Alamos is a complete no show.
These parameters are meant to determine if there’s cheap housing, a decent population with a significant percentage well educated. Rochester, NY is the poster-child.
On the Need for NM R&D/Commercialization
- R&D at state level is not at the levels it needs to be.
- Best approach might be via NM departments: Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, EMNRD (http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/) and Economic Development Department, EDD (https://gonm.biz/)
- Then NM Tech and NMSU are most likely approachable since they have extension service missions. May need to visit to start discussions.
- Not a crazy idea…
- NM is the only state without manufacturing for renewables.
- MLG Governor has the same sentiment.
More Thoughts on the Need for NM R&D/Commercialization
- NMSU Los Cruces should be the first place to approach, with NM Tech Socorro second.
- Approach as an individual professional engineer with an interest in what plans they might have to support R&D and the NM economy
- What areas of research and commercialization might they support, see above.
- What additional resources and NM govt. support would help.
- How could I help etc.
- Don’t use the 350 organization to get an audience, it might be prejudicial to the cause.
- Paul Biderman is familiar with the university system in NM and might be a good colleague to invite.
- Robb couldn’t supply names of contacts at NMSU.
NM has no money for this, even with O&G revenues that might last 10 yrs.
Sandia NL and LLNL together have formed the Livermore Valley Open Campus – a university in Livermore, California. Research is done, students are educated and they may collaborate with nearby universities.
Sandia has research centers for PV, Wind and Storage, therefore going to their Partnership people might be promising for proposing the institution. Sandia in Alb would be in a position to pull off their staff to participate – go to Partnership offices to talk.
Sandia has lots of non-weapons research. Robb works with the storage guys – biggest in country.
State would have to put some money in to start and to cover on going costs. So in Alb need to work with UNM.
1st Approach: see https://www.sandia.gov/working_with_sandia/technology_partnerships/
Has some infrastructure and staff but it’s not like Livermore Valley.
2nd Approach: Sarah Cotrell Propst, NM EMNRD, EDD.
Be careful that 350 brand doesn’t trigger eco-politics at the outset. We can use PV etc as a hook and avoid the agriculture and chemistry needs initially. Let’s see what Paul thinks. Robert to bring Paul Biderman over for lunch at El Castillo to evaluate, ‘connive and scheme’.
On Policy Discussions
From VOX David Roberts reporting on Jul 11, 2019:
“The climate change policy with the most potential is the most neglected”
Petrochemical Substitutions
Much of modern civilization is built on the products from the oil and gas extractive industries. Plastics in protective equipment, supplies etc. are critical to a viable modern health care system. Trains, boats, planes and automobiles rely enormously on plastic parts of one kind or another. Lubricants based on mineral oils keep everything moving. Chemical dyes and paints color our world. Nylon fibers carpet our homes and clothe our bodies. In order to get off fossil fuels, leaving it in the ground will also starve the chemical industries for these products. We need alternatives, somethings that will substitute for feedstocks derived from oil and gas. 13% of petroleum is used in chemical manufacturing, i.e. not burned.
To begin with…
Natural rubber production (latex) worldwide in 2017 amounted to more than 13.5 million metric tons. Synthetic rubber production worldwide in 2017 amounted to some 15.05 million metric tons.
These natural fibers can be grown:
- sisal
- cotton
- seagrass
- jute
- silk
- coir
- wool
- flax
Natural polymers/plastics can be made by fermentation
- polyhydroxybutyrate-valerate, or PHBV – made in a bacteria/fermentation process
Bio-lubricants can be derived from vegetable oils
- Bio-lubricants are derived from vegetable oils and other renewable sources. They usually are triglyceride esters (fats obtained from plants and animals. For lubricant base oil use, the vegetable derived materials are preferred.
Renewable energies will be needed to run the processes that will convert these sources into commercial products. Successful leaders in these industries will probably make a killing! Development times tho’ can take decades so starting now may not be too late.
We need an advanced technology research and development center to make New Mexico a leader in this field. Take a chunk of the FFI cash for funding, search experts in these sciences and technologies, grow them locally or get them to move to northern New Mexico in our own Research Triangle (Santa Fe, Los Alamos and Albuquerque)! Spinoff successes will create great job opportunities in solar powered pilot plant and manufacturing projects.
