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Clean Energy Update
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The New Mexico Clean Energy Update offers the following reports in MP3 streaming and download.

Report Series Two – Produced April through June 2008 (each report is 5 minutes)

1. Clean Energy from the Perspective of the Next Generation

Today’s kids will inherit the energy system we leave them. What do kids have to say about energy, and the role it plays in their future? Features interviews with:

  • Susan Berry, Earth Sciences Teacher, Grant Middle School, Albuquerque
  • Grant Middle School sixth grade students from Susan Berry’s Earth Science class

2. The New Mexico Schools Energy Conservation Model

New Mexico schools are leading the way with new models for encouraging energy efficiency and conservation practices. We’ll look at how schools are saving energy and money. Features interviews with:

  • Ron Rioux, Energy Conservation Coordinator, Albuquerque Public Schools
  • Edward Briggs, Principal, Grant Middle School, Albuquerque Public Schools
  • Louise Martinez, Energy Program Manager, New Mexico Energy Conservation and Management Division
  • Cecelia Jerkatis, Coordinator, Rebuild New Mexico

3. Energy Infrastructure and Clean Energy

As New Mexico transitions from a fossil energy-based economy to a renewable energy economy, what changes must take place in energy infrastructure to produce, transport, deliver and consume energy? Features interviews with:

  • Robert Foster, Program Manager, Institute for Energy and the Environment, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces
  • Jeff Nelson, Manager, Solar Technologies Group, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque

4. The Smart Electric Grid

What if the U.S. had an electric grid that not only delivered power, but could compensate for the variable energy output of renewables, and provide two-way communication between the utility and consumer? That would be a smart grid. We’ll examine what’s ahead in smart grid technology. Features interviews with:

  • Kurt Yeager, Executive Director, Galvin Electricity Initiative
  • Jeff Nelson, Manager, Solar Technologies Group, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque

5. The Energy/Water Connection

For production of electricity from today’s fossil and nuclear sources, energy and water consumption are inextricably linked. But what about electricity from renewable sources? We’ll explore what is called the energy/water nexus and the impact of clean energy production on water consumption in this arid state. Features interviews with:

  • Reese Fullerton, Deputy Cabinet Secretary, New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department
  • Mike Hightower, Distinguished Member of the Technical Staff, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque

6. Biofuels and Water

Biofuels produced from domestically grown crops are proposed as one solution to America’s growing dependence on petroleum imports. But how does the production of biofuels impact America’s water supplies? We’ll look at the relationship between biofuel production and water consumption and what it may mean for the future of biofuels. Features interviews with:

  • John D’Antonio, New Mexico State Engineer
  • Mike Hightower, Distinguished Member of the Technical Staff, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque

7. Biodiesel from Waste Oil and Algae

For the production of biodiesel there are two feedstocks – algae and waste cooking oil – that don’t compete with food production or consumption of fresh water for crops. We’ll examine new approaches for biodiesel production in New Mexico. Features interviews with:

  • Douglas Lynn, Executive Director, Center of Excellence, Carlsbad, New Mexico
  • Claude Convisser, President, Plant Oil Powered Diesel Fuel Systems, Inc.
  • Mike Hightower, Distinguished Member of the Technical Staff, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque

8. Algae to Biodiesel

Algae is a promising feedstock for the production of biodiesel. What does it take to produce high yields of biodiesel from algae? Lots of sunshine and saline water.  Carlsbad, New Mexico has both. We'll look at development of the algae-to-biodiesel demonstration project in Carlsbad. Features interviews with:

  • Mike Hightower, Distinguished Member of the Technical Staff, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque
  • Douglas Lynn, Executive Director, Center of Excellence, Carlsbad

9. Auto recyclers

Reusing the resources and energy used in the original manufacturing of an item is what recycling is all about. Auto recyclers coined the term recycling, and have been doing it longer than anyone. Hear what they have to say about reclaiming energy resources from old cars. Features interviews with:

  • George Schroeder, Environmental Health Manager, Bernalillo County
  • Sandy Blalock, President, Automobile Recyclers Association

10. Affordable Green Housing

Green housing is usually associated with upscale or custom-built homes. In order to go mainstream, green housing must be affordable to moderate income families. Hear what New Mexico developers are doing to make housing green and affordable. Features interviews with:

  • Kim Shanahan, Co-owner, Vermejo Park Construction
  • Michael Daly, President, Mesa Del Sol

11. Making a Home Green and Affordable

What does it take to make a home both green and affordable? And what are the advantages of owning a green home? In this edition, we'll hear answers from an architect and a builder of affordable green homes. Features interviews with:

  • Steven Dent, Associate Professor of Architecture, UNM School of Architecture and Planning, and partner, Dent & Nordhaus, AIA
  • Kim Shanahan, President of the Santa Fe Area Chapter of the New Mexico Home Builders Association, and co-owner of Vermejo Park Construction.

12. Recycling Carbon Dioxide

Can we pull carbon dioxide out of the air and convert it back into the same hydrocarbons we use to fuel cars, trucks, trains, planes and ships?   Well, we may in the future.  In this edition we’ll hear about an innovative technology that provides the first step: separating carbon dioxide from air. Features Interviews with:

  • Jeff Martin, Senior Advisor to the Director’s Office, Los Alamos National Laboratories
  • Jim Miller, Chemical Engineer, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque

13. Sunshine to Transportation Fuel

How can synthetic fuels be made using the same energy source and materials that Mother Nature used to create oil—sunlight, carbon dioxide and water?  We’ll hear in this final edition of this series of the New Mexico Clean Energy Update. Features Interviews with:

  • Jim Miller, Chemical Engineer, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque
  • Jeff Martin, Senior Advisor to the Director’s Office, Los Alamos National Laboratories
  © Vision Trust, Inc. 2008