The Environmental Assessment and Optimization (EAO) Group focuses on building tools to reduce the environmental impacts of energy systems. One focus is on understanding greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) from fossil energy systems. We also build optimization tools to improve the environmental and economic performance of energy systems. Our approach includes building engineering-based, bottom-up life cycle assessment (LCA) models to generate rigorous estimates of environmental impacts from energy extraction and conversion technologies. In optimization areas, we focus on renewable-fossil hybridization and integration.
Satellite plumes of methane emissions map overlays taken by Prisma and WorldView 3.
Time lapse skyward view of gas emissions.
Comparative results of hourly electricity grid operations of a Mountain Northwest (top) and Coastal Pacific (bottom) integrated energy system for the week with the peak electricity demand. Results presented include appliance investment optimization. Note that the Coastal Pacific system peak occurs during the summer, when electrified gas demands are low, whereas the Mountain Northwest system peak is further exacerbated by electrification during a time when renewables output is low.
In the News
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A US oil-drilling hotspot is kicking out far more methane than we thought
A new study of the Permian Basin in New Mexico shows it leaked the greenhouse gas at double the expected rate from 2018 through 2020.
March 28, 2022
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Study: Methane leaks from U.S. oil-and-gas region worse than estimates
Methane leaks from a major U.S. oil-and-gas producing region are far higher than prior estimates, new research shows.
March 25, 2022
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Methane leaks in New Mexico far exceed current estimates, study suggests
An analysis found lead of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, from oil and gas drilling in the permian basin were many times higher than government estimates.
March 24, 2022
