New Mexico State University engineering students are preparing for careers in the growing clean energy workforce while helping local businesses uncover opportunities to save energy, reduce costs, and advance sustainability.
Through the College of Engineering and the Building Training and Assessment Center, students gain industry-recognized credentials through in-person and online micro-credential courses and practical experience, while partnering with New Mexico companies to improve energy efficiency. The efforts are part of an ongoing initiative supported by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy that began in October 2024.
BTAC is led by engineering faculty Samah Ben Ayed, Abdessattar Abdelkefi and assessment lead Jalal Rastegary. Together, they guide the BTAC mission to advance energy efficiency in residential and commercial buildings through workforce training, energy assessments, and research.
"As a hub for the university, students, local businesses and working professionals, BTAC bridges theory and practice to drive measurable energy savings," Ben Ayed. said "These experiential experiences support local businesses with actionable assessments."
The program is designed for science, technology, engineering and mathematics students, and working professionals seeking to advance their skills and knowledge in the energy industry.
Among their recent field experiences, NMSU engineering students conducted energy assessments at two Santa Teresa manufacturers: CN Wire, a manufacturer of copper wire, and Northwire, a manufacturer of technical wire and cable solutions.
One student who participated in the Santa Teresa assessments was mechanical engineering student Marina Fountain.
"I gained valuable insights into how buildings receive energy ratings and the many ways energy efficiency can be improved," she said.
Working alongside faculty mentors and industry professionals, students conduct facility assessments, analyze energy use patterns, and develop recommendations to help companies reduce energy consumption and improve operational efficiency. Assessment recommendations may address a range of building systems, including lighting, HVAC and ventilation, roofing, and other energy-related systems where upgrades can improve efficiency and reduce operating costs.
The walk-through portion of the energy efficiency assessments provides an opportunity for local industry leaders to collaborate directly with students and faculty, while identifying strategies to improve operational efficiency.
"We value the opportunity to engage with the next generation of engineers and industry professionals. Their participation brought fresh perspectives and reinforced the importance of collaboration between academia and industry," said Orhan Kaya, electro mechanic and maintenance section manager at CN Wire.
Through these partnerships, participating businesses gain valuable insights into energy performance while helping students develop practical skills that are highly sought after in today's workforce.
"Early outcomes have been promising," Rastegary said. "Every student who has participated in this program has secured a position shortly after graduation. We are preparing students for successful careers."
To learn more about energy efficiency micro-credential courses, research projects or participation opportunities, visit https://btac.nmsu.edu/index.html
The full article can be seen at https://newsroom.nmsu.edu/news/nmsu-students-help-businesses-improve-energy-efficiency-through-doe-initiative/s/ce7ea1fc-7202-423c-8b2c-f0d48b2bad05
