New Mexico awards US$3.3 million to advanced energy companies
Five New Mexico-based companies will receive a total of US$3.3 million from the Advanced Energy Awards Pilot Program, a state initiative that seeks to support technological innovation and its commercialization in the energy sector.
Project selection was coordinated by the Office of Strategy, Science and Technology (OSST), part of the state’s Economic Development Department. In total, proposals from 24 companies were evaluated. Seven were invited to a final round of presentations held April 16 at UNM Rainforest Innovations, where the top five recipients were selected.
Among those selected was Santa Fe-based Carbogenics USA, which received US$440,000 to continue developing a biochar called CreChar, produced from passive biomass such as fire-damaged forests. This material can improve biogas production and reduce carbon emissions.
Firescape Inc. of Albuquerque was awarded US$500,000 to advance the development of technology tools that enable utilities to better manage wildfire risk.
Also in Albuquerque, KiloNewton LLC received US$550,000 for its work on engineering services for solar tracker manufacturers to improve the competitiveness of renewable energy.
White Rock-based Spiritus Technologies PBC was a top recipient at US$925,000. The company is working on direct carbon capture technology from the air, with the goal of reducing emissions on a large scale.
VastVision Technologies, also of Albuquerque, received another US$925,000 to develop wireless sensors capable of detecting hydrogen gas leaks, electrical faults and environmental conditions in real time.
In addition to the selected companies, Dash2 Labs, of Albuquerque, and The Trollworks, of Silver City, both finalists, each received US$10,000 in support to continue their development.
Three of the companies that will receive the funding -KiloNewton, Spiritus Technologies and VastVision Technologies- had already obtained state support previously. This new investment seeks to consolidate previous advances and strengthen their growth.
The pilot program is managed jointly by OSST and Rainforest Innovations of the University of New Mexico. The companies will receive resources as they meet established technical goals over the next year.
