University of Texas announces new energy consortium
In Texas, the University of Texas at Austin said it is leading a new energy consortium in partnership with six New Mexico and Texas universities and two national laboratories for the development of the Permian Energy Development Laboratory. The memorandum of understanding reflects a shared goal of conducting advanced energy research, educating the next generation of energy professionals, and supporting energy-intensive communities and the natural resources on which they depend. The Permian Basin is a unique energy and environmental resource spanning Texas and New Mexico. It is the largest petroleum-producing basin in the United States. It is also a major producer of solar and wind power and has the capacity to launch the next generation of energy resources. “The Permian Basin drives the global landscape of energy technologies, providing significant economic benefits to local communities in the region, the states of Texas and New Mexico, and the United States economy,” said Brian Korgel, Rashid Engineering Regents Chair Professor in the McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering and director of the UT Energy Institute. The new lab’s scientific research and technology deployment efforts will focus on four primary areas of inquiry including advanced energy, fuels and integration, carbon and materials management, water, land and agriculture and economic development. The lab’s community engagement efforts will include short- and long-term programs, including town hall meetings to gather initial input for creating an entrepreneur resource center and scholarship programs to prepare students to work with new energy technologies.
