Seven universities in Texas and New Mexico and three national laboratories said they are forming Permian Energy Development Lab (PEDL) to study carbon capture and its beneficial use and the management of methane and emissions. The new lab was revealed March 30 during a panel discussion in Austin at University of Texas, which will be joined by UT-Permian Basin, UT-El Paso, Odessa College, Midland College, New Mexico Tech and New Mexico State. Other partners are National Technology and Engineering Solutions of Sandia in Albuquerque, Houston Advanced Research Center and National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colo.
Brett Holmes of PEDL said lab and field research will begin in November. “All field work will take place in Permian and any future physical facilities related to the PEDL will be located in the Permian,” he said. “The lab will foster collaboration from various scientific fields and leaders across business, government and academic institutions. Its objectives are to conduct advanced energy research, strengthen the regional and U.S. economies, and support energy-intensive communities and the natural resources they depend on… The initiative will ensure that the benefits of the transition to an advanced energy economy are equitably distributed and that workforce and educational opportunities are designed for the next generation of energy professionals.”
The project was initiated by the Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation of Austin. The foundation established the Mitchell Innovation Lab in 2020, and the PEDL is its first initiative. Marilu Hastings is foundation executive vice president and lab director.