ABQ Times

A researcher from The University of New Mexico's Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Jamie Gomez, is part of a team that has secured $36.3 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy for clean-energy projects. Gomez is involved in OxEon’s project focused on advancing electrolysis technologies to improve manufacturing and recycling capabilities for clean hydrogen systems and components.

According to Gomez, "Techno-economic analysis is crucial for the advancement of early and very early-stage engineering projects, especially those that aim for breakthroughs in cost efficiency and scalability." She will be conducting a comprehensive analysis to provide critical insights for the project’s scale-up, focusing on assessing performance, efficiency, and cost implications.

The project aims to foster low-cost manufacturing of solid oxide electrolyzers, which are devices that efficiently split water into hydrogen and oxygen at lower electrical energy requirements compared to traditional systems. This technology is seen as a promising way to transition to a renewable energy economy, with high potential for synergy with renewable energy power generation.

In addition to collaborating with UNM, OxEon Energy is working with several organizations on this project, including the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and others. The overall goal is to scale up solid oxide electrolyzer manufacturing through advanced process automation, providing job opportunities for rural communities at the project manufacturing facility.

Gomez is also involved in a community partnership with Pajarito Powder, a startup company launched by Plamen Atanassov, a former distinguished professor in the department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at UNM. This collaboration aims to enrich the capstone design experience of undergraduate students by applying their skills and knowledge to solve real-world problems through Department of Energy-funded projects.

The projects announced by the Department of Energy are part of a larger initiative to reduce the cost of clean hydrogen and support American leadership in the hydrogen industry. These projects, funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, are expected to create over 1,500 new jobs directly, with thousands more indirectly generated through regional economic activity. Additionally, support will be provided to 32 disadvantaged communities.