NM Energy Manufacturing Consortium is an agent for progress for New Mexico’s economy. The consortium champions growth and vitality of New Mexico’s economy by assisting in the development of new energy-related businesses and nurturing the existing ones with feedstock from among the state’s resources – intellectual capital, technology, supply chain, and others.
The Consortium consists of three divisions: The Research Alliance, Manufacturing Deployment, and Workforce Development. These divisions work together in sync to broaden the energy manufacturing industry in the state of New Mexico.
The Research Alliance is comprised of three core members – University of New Mexico’ (the lead member), New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (New Mexico Tech) and New Mexico State University – and is enhanced by ad hoc support from the three national laboratories in the state – Los Alamos National Lab, Sandia National Labs and the Air Force Research Lab. UNM’s Center of High Technology Materials (CHTM) will lead and manage the Research Alliance. The charter of the Alliance is to enable the commercialization of energy-related technology created in or brokered through their respective institutions. Additionally, the Research Alliance leverages the cross-institutional engagement where complementary partnering strengthens their collective value as a premier repository of intellectual capital. The creative and brilliant minds, state-of-the-art equipment, exceptionally equipped user facilities and the common goal of pushing the boundaries for new and evolving technology will be a major player in the creation of a manufacturing industry and in the growth of the New Mexico economy. As members of the Research Alliance conduct research for energy applications, identify commercial value in the research, and demonstrate that the technology resulting from the research can become a manufactured product, they can propose commercialization of the technology as a candidate product. Candidate products are subsequently passed to the Manufacturing Deployment division.
Manufacturing Deployment will receive all candidate products from the Research Alliance or independent sources through an intake process. It will advance that candidate product to the next level of acceptance which has the best marketability and the greatest commercial relevance, subsequently moving it to the most appropriate energy manufacturing company. Manufacturing Deployment will apply best practices that facilitate rapid deployment of the product, based upon specific criteria to determine marketability, manufacturing readiness and commercialization. Market analysis will be conducted to predict the market strength of the product. Additionally, various testing and evaluation processes will be used to assess manufacturing readiness. The outcome of the market analysis and the level of manufacturing readiness will determine whether a candidate product has a predictably strong market position and commercial relevance. A Go or No-Go plan of action will be developed for each candidate product. A Go plan will include identifying a qualified manufacturer, technology licensing, product or process verification and validation, and certification of the manufacturing facility, and so forth. A No-Go plan will be created based upon the identified deficiencies. All activity will be managed/coordinated by the Consortium and executed by third party entities.
Workforce Development supports the Research Alliance and Manufacturing Deployment, and it also enables the business success for the energy manufacturing companies. Its charter is to identify the skills and skill levels required for specific jobs and to collaborate with the proper parties to help fill the skills gaps for energy manufacturing companies. This strategy will facilitate the creation of a pipeline of future employees with requisite job skills. This directed pipeline can begin in elementary school and go through high school to trade school and university –bachelors to doctorate degrees – in myriad fields that support a thriving energy technology industry. This division will collaborate with public schools, higher education, and energy-related businesses.
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The synergetic relationship between the Consortium and the Institute is managed in their respective by-laws and a Memorandum or Understanding.
