New Mexico State University Engineering Students Investigate New Thermal Power Technology
LAS CRUCES, N.M. — In 2019, Joshua Epel, energy advisor to NMSU Chancellor Arvizu, and Dann Epel, the U.S.-based representative for Ectogrid, a Swedish company owned by the German electric utility, E.ON., approached the NMSU College of Engineering to partner on a project. Samah Ben Ayed, assistant professor, who teaches thermal science-related courses, like thermodynamics, heat transfer, HVAC systems, and renewable energies — and does research in energy efficiency in HVAC systems — was a perfect fit for leading the project.
The company wanted to determine the feasibility of using a small thermal grid to produce energy for a group of net-zero buildings using their technology. A thermal grid performs the same functions as a traditional electric grid: Thermal energy can be shared between buildings or generated at a central station for distribution to facilities equipped with heat pumps or cooling machines. Energy that isn’t used is stored for later use.