Collaboration Between New Mexico Tech and IMT Mines Alès

A One-Month Research Initiative on Energy Systems and Sustainability

New Mexico Tech (NMT) and IMT Mines Alès,  a French Institute for Engineering and Applied Science, have partnered for an intensive one-month (Feb. 2025) research project as part of the Environment, Energy, Risks Master’s program at IMT Mines Alès. This initiative provided students with hands-on experience in analyzing energy production systems.

Project Supervisors

🔹 Jean-Lucien Fonquergne, Research Engineer at the Petroleum Recovery Research Center (PRRC), New Mexico Tech
🔹 Sandrine Bayle and Miguel Lopez-Ferber, Professors at IMT Mines Alès

🔹 Group 1: New Mexico’s Energy Profile and Transition Pathways

Students: Kyllian Chomet, Hector Bonnet, Ewen Fraval, and PRRC student Gabriel Frimpong

This team conducted an in-depth analysis of New Mexico’s energy landscape, focusing on:
– Energy production trends: Transition from coal to natural gas and renewables;
– Energy consumption, grid stability and environmental sustainability;
– Industry analysis: Current power plants location and mapping;
– Economics: Analyzed production values;

Deliverables:

📄 A comprehensive report on New Mexico’s energy profile and transition pathways
📊 A data-driven assessment using NMT expertise and the latest EIA data

🔹 Group 2: Integrated Energy Systems in the Permian Basin

Students: Sacha Kosztur, Khaoula Tabib, Damien Miladinov

This group had the opportunity to exchange with researchers of the Permian Energy Development Laboratory (PEDL)

This group focused on Permian Integrated Energy Systems (PIES) and the interconnectivity of different energy production methods. Their feasibility study explored:
– Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) and produced water treatment
– Ultra-pure water production from treated produced water
– Hydrogen production from renewables using treated produced water

Deliverables:
🛠 A conceptual framework for PIES, outlining key technologies and interactions
💻 A simulation tool to model energy production, consumption, and system integration

Next Steps: Sharing Research Findings

The results of this collaboration will soon be shared, including:
✔ A full report on New Mexico’s energy landscape and transition
✔ A presentation of the PIES concept and the simulation tool for integrated energy systems, contributing valuable insights to the PEDL group.

 

📢 Stay tuned for updates!