U.S. Department of Energy Marine Energy Collegiate Competition (MECC)
Team Name: The University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Why this competition?
The University of New Mexico is excited to compete in the U.S. Department of Energy Marine Energy Collegiate Competition (MECC) because it will offer the team real-world experience exploring innovative marine energy solutions to address power needs throughout the country. As the world becomes more interconnected and as regional issues become national issues, the team believes it is essential to view energy needs holistically. Although Albuquerque is far from a coast or any large body of water, the team recognizes the importance of scarce resources and hopes to demonstrate through the MECC how energy from water can be used to power communities at local and global levels.
Project description
With a rich history of agriculture, Albuquerque was originally built around acequia systems, which are flood irrigation systems that allow farmers to grow crops during periods of extreme drought. The acequia system is communal, thus ensuring everyone’s water needs are met.
For their MECC project, the University of New Mexico team wanted to harness this history and culture to create a near-shore aquaponics farming alternative using water power for desalination. This system would aim to relieve the heavy water burden required to grow crops while giving coastal communities access to fresh, sustainably produced food, even during times of drought.
Game plan
Attempting to design an apparatus within the food, water, and energy nexus requires the team to approach the project with a wide lens. The team will start by identifying the interactions within the system and establishing the relationships among different resource, business, and managerial aspects of the product. From there, the team will be split into business and engineering subteams. The engineering team will focus on designing the desalination aquaponics system, ensuring environmental benefits and implementing proper controls, while the business team will be responsible for market research and branding.
Team strengths
Before entering this competition, the students had already assembled as a group with a desire to improve the future of the planet. The University of New Mexico team’s students are passionate and excited to learn about their aquaponics farming system. Being from a desert, they have no preconceptions of what the blue economy “should” look like and can approach the design challenge with an emphasis on social and cultural perspectives.
Team hurdles
The team has little experience with coastal economies. They worry that they run the risk of being too idealistic, without having the real-world understanding and context necessary to produce a practical design.
Competition objectives
The team prioritizes learning, as well as having fun. They are dedicated to using this competition as an opportunity to grow as both individuals and a group.
Social media accounts
Instagram: @theGlobalDevelopmentCo
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