| A strategy assessment to decarbonize road transport in AlbertaThe objective of this work is to contribute to finding answers to key questions for the decarbonization of road transport in Alberta. These questions are: 1) What is the GHG mitigation potential of hydrogen vehicles? 2) What’s the market share of hydrogen vehicles in different sectors? 3) What is the impact of policies like carbon price, zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) sales mandate, and incentivization? Our study found that the ZEV sales mandate is the most effective way of transitioning the road transportation sector to ZEVs. The market shares of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) were found to be highest in 2050. Carbon price and incentivization do not have a significant effect on the cost or market share of ZEVs and in decreasing energy demand and GHG emissions. The emission factors of H2-FCEV ATR with 91% carbon capture are lowest at lower carbon prices. The carbon price scenarios have the most significant impact of all the scenarios on social costs. University of Alberta | Activity | 2023-04-26 | Minza Haider, Matthew Davis, Kumar, A. |
| Assessment of environmental and energy footprints of utility-scale flywheel energy storage systems. University of Alberta | Activity | 2021-11-29 | "Rahman Mustafizur", Eskinder Gemechu, Olufemi Oni, Kumar, A. |
| Assessments of technologies developed under future energy systems University of Alberta | Activity | 2018-10-03 | Harshadeep Kukkikatte Ramamurthy Rao, Eskinder Gemechu, Kumar, A., Davies, E. |
| Comparative life cycle assessment of an battery electric vehicle and a hydrogen fuel cell vehicleComparative life cycle assessment of an battery electric vehicle and a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. NSERC/Cenovus/Alberta Innovates Associate Industrial Research Chair in Energy and Environmental Systems Engineering TAC Meeting University of Alberta | Activity | 2022-11-30 | Dipankar Khanna, Eskinder Gemechu, Kumar, A. |
| Development of a techno-economic model for the assessment of cost of bitumen using steam-solvent extraction technology.Development of a techno-economic model for the assessment of cost of bitumen using steam-solvent extraction technology. University of Alberta | Activity | 2022-10-26 | Mustakimul Hoque, Olufemi Oni, Kumar, A. |
| How to assess the life cycle sustainability of technologies for future energy system? University of Alberta | Activity | 2018-09-25 | Eskinder Gemechu, Kumar, A. |
| Life cycle assessment of an electric vehicle: the impact of driving pattern and climatic conditions on the environmental performance. University of Alberta | Activity | 2021-11-29 | Dipankar Khanna, Eskinder Gemechu, Kumar, A. |
| Life cycle assessment of high-performance mono-crystalline titanium dioxide nanorod based perovskite solar cells University of Alberta | Activity | 2020-09-22 | Harshadeep Kukkikatte Ramamurthy Rao, Eskinder Gemechu, Ujwal Thakur, Shankar, K., Kumar, A. |
| Life Cycle Assessment of High-Performance Monocrystalline TiO2 Nanorod Based Perovskite Solar Cells University of Alberta | Activity | 2022-07-28 | Shankar, K. |
| Life cycle assessment of mono-crystalline TiO2 nanorod array based halide perovskite solar cells University of Alberta | Activity | 2019-05-07 | Harshadeep Kukkikatte Ramamurthy Rao, Eskinder Gemechu, Kumar, A., Shankar, K. |
| Life Cycle Assessment of Monocrystalline TiO2 Nanorod Array Based Halide Perovskite Solar Cells University of Alberta | Activity | 2020-05-10 | Harshadeep Kukkikatte Ramamurthy Rao, Eskinder Gemechu, Kumar, A., Shankar, K. |
| Life cycle environmental and techno-economic assessment of perovskite solar cells. University of Alberta | Activity | 2021-07-16 | Harshadeep Kukkikatte Ramamurthy Rao, Eskinder Gemechu, Ujwal Thakur, Shankar, K., Kumar, A. |
| The environmental performances of alternative materials for hydrogen production via photocatalytic water splitting University of Alberta | Activity | 2020-12-01 | Jayranjan Maurya, Eskinder Gemechu, Kumar, A. |
| The techno-economic assessment of alternative materials for hydrogen production via photocatalytic water splitting. University of Alberta | Activity | 2021-09-20 | Jayranjan Maurya, Eskinder Gemechu, Kumar, A. |
| The techno-economic assessment of alternative materials for hydrogen production via photocatalytic water splitting. University of Alberta | Activity | 2021-11-29 | Jayranjan Maurya, Eskinder Gemechu, Kumar, A. |
| Life Cycle and Techno-Economic Assessments of Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production | Publication | 2022-08-24 | Jayranjan Maurya |
| Life cycle environmental and techno-economic assessments of monocrystalline titanium dioxide nanorod-based perovskite solar cells | Publication | 2021-01-04 | Harshadeep Kukkikatte Ramamurthy Rao |
| The Development of a Bottom-up Transportation Model for Assessment of Policies on Energy and EmissionsThe increasing anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have led to implementation of various mitigation policies in order to limit the adverse impacts of climate change. However, it becomes challenging as the growth in energy demand outbalances the GHG mitigation measures. The transportation sector is predominantly reliant on fossil fuels and is responsible for 24% of direct GHG emissions globally.
This study assesses low-carbon energy transition pathways for road transport in a fossil fuel-dependent jurisdiction. In this research, a novel assessment framework is developed to analyze long-term energy transitions in the road transport sector considering sectorial activities, vehicle costs, market shares, energy use, and GHG emissions to 2050. The vehicle categories include cars, sport-utility vehicles, pickup trucks, vans, school buses, intercity transit buses, urban transit buses, and light, medium, and heavy freight trucks. Each fuel's full energy supply chain was modelled, including resource extraction, conversion, transmission and distribution, and fuelling, allowing for final and primary energy analysis. The framework was applied to the road transport sector in Alberta, Canada, one of the most emission-intensive regions in Canada. Nine scenarios on the effect of carbon prices, zero-emission vehicle mandates, and financial incentives on vehicle costs and market shares, energy use, greenhouse gas emissions and social costs to 2050 were evaluated. The findings show that carbon price and zero-emission vehicle incentives do not effectively increase the market adoption of zero-emission vehicles on their own; zero-emission vehicle mandates are needed to transition the sector to zero-emission vehicles fully. It was found that the increase in carbon price from $0/tonne to $350/tonne increases the market share of zero-emission vehicles by 11% in 2050 and incentivizing the zero-emission vehicles increases the share by 9% in 2050. Assessing the current policies in Alberta, including $170/tonne carbon price by 2030 and zero-emission vehicle sales mandate in current policy scenario, it was found that these policy measures resulted in a 67% increase in the share of zero-emission vehicles in 2050. However, when the ZEV sales mandate was applied to all sectors, it resulted in a 90% increase in the market share of zero-emission vehicles in 2050. The market penetration potential for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles is lower than battery-electric vehicles in all categories. The system-wide GHG emission footprints of hydrogen and battery electric vehicles are significantly below conventional gasoline and diesel vehicles in all cases. It was found that the GHG emission footprint of hydrogen vehicles supplied by auto-thermal reforming with 91% carbon capture was lower than for battery electric vehicles powered by a primarily natural gas-based power grid (53.6% and 83.2% natural gas-based electricity generation in 2030 and 2050). The findings on the effectiveness of carbon prices vs incentives vs vehicle mandates should be considered by government policymakers who are aiming to reduce GHG emissions from road transport and will inform infrastructure planners and other energy stakeholders.
| Publication | 2023-06-30 | Minza Haider |
| Development of life cycle GHG emissions of high-performance mono-crystalline titanium dioxide nanorod based perovskite solar cells University of Alberta | Activity | 2020-10-14 | Harshadeep Kukkikatte Ramamurthy Rao, Eskinder Gemechu, Ujwal Thakur, Shankar, K. |
| The life cycle energy and environmental footprints of high-performance monocrystalline titanium dioxide nanorod-base perovskite solar cells University of Alberta | Activity | 2020-11-23 | Harshadeep Kukkikatte Ramamurthy Rao, Eskinder Gemechu, Ujwal Thakur, Shankar, K., Kumar, A. |
| A comprehensive assessment of the integration of solvent and steam for the extraction of bitumen through the development of novel process modelsSolvent-steam bitumen extraction technology has the potential to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. It is based on gravity drainage, wherein a steam and vaporized solvent mixture is used to extract bitumen from a reservoir. This can reduce the environmental impact compared with processes that use only steam for bitumen extraction [i.e., steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD)]. No techno-economic analysis of solvent-steam extraction has been made available in the public domain. In this study, a process simulation model was developed to assess costs. A capacity of 25,000 B/D of bitumen was considered with hexane as the solvent. Sensitivity and uncertainty analyses were conducted to assess how the supply cost of bitumen produced with diluent (dilbit) changes with changes in input parameters. The supply cost for the base case scenario is 55.5 CAD/bbl at a 10% internal rate of return (IRR). The scale factor was estimated to be 0.80, which suggests that oil production will be economically viable on a large scale. Capital cost, solvent price, and transportation and blending cost affect the supply cost. The most probable supply cost range is 53.0–65.4 CAD/bbl at a 90% confidence interval. The results also indicate that dilbit supply costs from the solvent-steam process are economically attractive compared with the current oil price. University of Alberta | Publication | 2024-01-19 | Mustakimul Hoque, Olufemi Oni, Kumar, A. |
| A review of Canadian wood conversion technologies for the production of fuels and chemicalsCanada has 347 million ha of forest cover, contributing to the potential large availability of wood-based resources. Although Canada's forest sector contributed $23.7 billion to the national nominal gross domestic product (GDP) in 2019, the GDP contribution of the wood product manufacturing subsector shrank by 6%. To reposition the Canadian forest industry, new forest management practices and wood-based conversion technologies should be applied. In this context, the use of woody biomass in biorefineries to produce clean energy, fuels, and chemicals is becoming increasingly significant. There is a need to understand the current status and challenges of the wood-based biomass conversion technologies that have been and are being developed in Canada. This information will help decision-makers in formulating and implementing forest sector-related policies for a sustainable bioeconomy in Canada. This study is focused on a review of Canadian woody biomass conversion technologies. Our critical review identified considerable potential biomass conversion technologies specialized for woody feedstock, all in the Canadian setting. We focused on the prospects of revitalizing Canada's pulp and paper industry through the integration of pre-treatment processes and biochemical technologies. The thermochemical conversion pathway was identified as the dominant route for woody feedstock valorization. The review also identified pathways with the potential to diversify the existing product mix that generates products from wood streams, such as chemicals and biomaterials. Most of the biochemical and thermochemical research done in institutional and multi-institutional research collaborations from laboratory scale to industrial scale will boost the chances of the commercialization of a wood-based biorefinery in Canada. University of Alberta | Publication | 2023-07-06 | "Sreekumar A", Vinoj Kurian, Kumar, A., Omex Mohan, "Mvolo C" |
| A review of how life cycle assessment has been used to assess the environmental impacts of hydropower energyA review of how life cycle assessment has been used to assess the environmental impacts of hydropower energy University of Alberta | Publication | 2022-10-01 | Eskinder Gemechu, Kumar, A. |
| Assessing the cost competitiveness of electrolytic hydrogen production from small modular nuclear reactor-based power plants: a price-following perspectiveAssessing the cost competitiveness of electrolytic hydrogen production from small modular nuclear reactor-based power plants: a price-following perspective University of Alberta | Publication | 2023-04-11 | Ayodeji Oluwalonimi Okunlola, Matthew Davis, Kumar, A. |
| Developing a framework to evaluate the life cycle energy and greenhouse gas emissions of space heating systems using zeolite 13X as an adsorbent materialThe wide use of fossil-based space heating systems results in significant greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Using solar energy for space heating can help reduce GHG emissions. However, solar energy generation is intermittent and needs to be stored for continuous supply. The zeolite 13× adsorbent heat storage system for space heating is a promising alternative. There is limited research on the life cycle GHG footprint of this type of adsorbent storage system. In this study, we developed a framework that integrates engineering design with life cycle assessment to evaluate the energy and emission performances of a zeolite 13×-based heating system charged by a solar air collector. A simulation model was developed for this adsorbent storage system. The life cycle GHG emissions of the residential heating system are estimated to be 0.1160 kg CO2 eq per kWh of the heat delivered over a 20-year lifetime. The operational phase contributes 74 % of the overall emissions because of the energy required by the humidifiers. The material production stage accounts for 25 %, mainly attributed to the upstream emissions in manufacturing photovoltaic thermal (PVT) air solar systems. The net energy ratio (NER), the ratio of energy output to fossil energy input, is 2.9. The continuous days without sunlight, the adsorbent vessel length-to-diameter ratio (L/D), and the pellet diameter of the zeolite 13× storage appear to be the parameters most sensitive to both emissions and NER. The uncertainty analysis shows emissions and NERs of the space heating system in the range of 97.2–152.3 g CO2 eq/kWh and 2.4–3.0, respectively. Compared with other alternative heating systems, the adsorbent system has better GHG performance. The research highlights the importance of selecting a suitable space heating system given the high influence of operational energy on the life cycle emissions and the range of electricity generation emissions in different provinces. University of Alberta | Publication | 2023-11-02 | T V Tran, "Gemechu E", A O Oni, "Carrier Y", "Tezel H", Kumar, A. |
| Developing a techno-economic model to evaluate the cost performance of a zeolite 13X-based space heating systemA zeolite-based heating system charged with air solar collectors was designed.
A techno-economic model of the zeolite 13X space heating system was developed to estimate the storage cost.
The levelized cost of energy storage is $0.06 per kWh over a 20-year lifespan.
The estimated capital cost scale factor of the zeolite-based space heating system is 0.761.
Sensitivity analysis suggests that zeolite pellet diameter is one of the key inputs affecting the design and the cost. University of Alberta | Publication | 2021-09-06 | Ngoc Khanh Thy Tran, Olufemi Oni, Eskinder Gemechu, Matthew Davis, Kumar, A. |
| Development of a framework to assess the greenhouse gas mitigation potential from the adoption of low-carbon road vehicles in a hydrocarbon-rich regionThis study developed a novel assessment framework to analyze long-term energy transition in the road transport sector in which various technology options, market shares, policy measures, costs, and greenhouse gas emissions are considered in a single framework analysis. A data-intensive model was developed with the Low Emissions Analysis Platform (LEAP) and used to analyze policy scenarios up to 2050 for Alberta, Canada, a hydrocarbon-rich province with an emission-intensive energy sector. Three key policy measures – carbon pricing, zero-emission vehicle sales mandate, and incentivization – were analyzed in nine individual and combined policy scenarios. The transition to both hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles and battery electric vehicles was assessed for
all vehicle categories. Each fuel’s full energy supply chain was modeled, including resource extraction, conversion, transmission and distribution, and fuelling, allowing for final and primary energy analysis. The findings show that carbon price and zero-emission vehicle incentives do not effectively lower greenhouse gas emissions on their own; zero-emission vehicle mandates are needed to transition the sector to a low-carbon energy system. The system-wide greenhouse gas emission footprints of hydrogen and battery electric vehicles are significantly below conventional vehicles in all cases. Scenarios biased towards battery electric vehicles had the most favorable results. The greenhouse gas emission footprint of hydrogen vehicles supplied by auto-thermal
reforming with 91% carbon capture was lower than for battery electric vehicles powered by a primarily natural gas-based power grid. The findings on the effectiveness of carbon prices, incentives, and vehicle mandates should be considered by government policymakers aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, infrastructure planners, and other energy stakeholders. University of Alberta | Publication | 2024-01-12 | Minza Haider, Matthew Davis, Kumar, A. |
| Investigating the techno-economic and environmental performance of chemical looping technology for hydrogen productionInvestigating the techno-economic and environmental performance of chemical looping technology for hydrogen production University of Alberta | Publication | 2023-01-19 | "Anaya K", Olufemi Oni, Kumar, A. |
| Life cycle assessment of a battery electric vehicle and a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle: The impact of driving pattern and climatic conditions on environmental performanceLife cycle assessment of a battery electric vehicle and a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle: The impact of driving pattern and climatic conditions on environmental performance University of Alberta | Publication | 2017-01-01 | Dipankar Khanna, Eskinder Gemechu, Kumar, A., Nafisa Mahbub |
| Life cycle assessment of earth-abundant photocatalysts for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen productionHydrogen (H2) can play a critical role in global greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation. Photocatalytic water splitting using solar radiation is a promising H2 technology. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) and carbon nitride (g–C3N4)–based photocatalysts are the most widely used photocatalytic materials because of their activity and abundance. Several attempts have been made to improve the photocatalytic performance of these materials in terms of their activity level, life span, response to visible radiation, and stability. However, the environmental impacts of these modifications are often not included in existing studies. This research, therefore, develops a cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment (LCA) framework to evaluate and compare the GHG footprints of four alternative pathways: TiO2 nanorods and fluorine-doped carbon nitride quantum dots embedded with TiO2 (CNF: TNR/TiO2), g-C3N4, and g-C3N4/BiOI composite. Unlike most studies that focus only on certain stages such as laboratory-scale photocatalytic fabrication, this study includes utility-scale cell production, assembly, operation, and end of life to give a more accurate and precise environmental performance estimation. The results show that g-C3N4/BiOI has the lowest GHG footprint (0.38 kg CO2 eq per kg of H2) and CNF: TNR/TiO2 has the lowest energy payback time (0.4 years). In every pathway, energy use in material extraction processes makes up the largest GHG contribution, between 83% and 89%. Sensitivity and uncertainty analyses were conducted under the impact of various input parameters on the life cycle GHG emissions of hydrogen production. Photocatalytic water splitting is highly feasible for adaptation as a mainstream hydrogen production pathway in the future.
University of Alberta | Publication | 2023-05-31 | Jayranjan Maurya, Eskinder Gemechu, Kumar, A. |
| Life cycle assessment of high-performance monocrystalline titanium dioxide nanorod-based perovskite solar cells University of Alberta | Publication | 2021-07-23 | Harshadeep Kukkikatte Ramamurthy Rao, Eskinder Gemechu, Ujwal Thakur, Shankar, K., Kumar, A. |
| Techno-economic assessment of titanium dioxide nanorod-based perovskite solar cells: from lab-scale to large-scale manufacturing Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have shown remarkable progress in recent years. Different materials and structures have been developed to improve the photoconversion efficiency and operational stability of PSCs. However, the economic and technical impacts of materials and design choice on the large-scale deployment are not well addressed in the literature. In this research, a pathway for producing titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanorod-based perovskite solar modules was established and their manufacturing cost was estimated through the development of data-intensive, bottom-up techno-economic models. Material, utilities, and equipment requirements from available laboratory data to a mass production annual capacity of up to 21 MW were estimated through the development of scale factors. The minimum sustainable price and levelized cost of electricity were calculated. The direct manufacturing cost of the reference PSC module was estimated at $80.23/m2 and $0.73/W with a production capacity of 3.5 MWp. These costs decline to $47.15/m2 and $0.43/W at 21 MW production capacity. Material costs dominate the overall costs, fluorine-doped tin oxide glass being the most expensive material. The perovskite solar cell panels, when installed in residential homes in Alberta, Canada, were calculated to have a competitive levelized cost of electricity ranging from 7 to 17 cents per kWh. However, the cost was found to be extremely sensitive to the module efficiency, lifetime, and the solar insolation at the location of installation. University of Alberta | Publication | 2021-06-18 | Harshadeep Kukkikatte Ramamurthy Rao, Eskinder Gemechu, Ujwal Thakur, Shankar, K., Kumar, A. |
| The development of a GIS-based framework to assess the technical hydrogen production potential from wind and solar energyThe development of a GIS-based framework to assess the technical hydrogen production potential from wind and solar energy University of Alberta | Publication | 2022-06-04 | Ayodeji Oluwalonimi Okunlola, Matthew Davis, Kumar, A. |
| The development of a techno-economic model for the assessment of the cost of flywheel energy storage systems for utility-scale stationary applications
• A techno-economic assessment was performed for flywheel storage systems.
• A bottom-up cost model was developed to assess the levelized cost of flywheel storage.
• Composite and steel rotor flywheels were assessed for frequency regulation.
• The steel rotor flywheel has a lower capital cost and levelized cost of storage.
• The costs of composite and steel rotor flywheels are $190 and $146/MWh, respectively. University of Alberta | Publication | 2021-06-15 | M M Rahman, Eskinder Gemechu, Olufemi Oni, Kumar, A. |
| The development of techno-economic assessment models for hydrogen production via photocatalytic water splittingThe development of techno-economic assessment models for hydrogen production via photocatalytic water splitting University of Alberta | Publication | 2023-02-02 | Jayranjan Maurya, Eskinder Gemechu, Kumar, A. |
| The development of techno-economic models for assessment of cost of energy storage for vehicle-to-grid applications in a cold climateThe development of techno-economic models for assessment of cost of energy storage for vehicle-to-grid applications in a cold climate University of Alberta | Publication | 2022-09-21 | M M Rahman, Eskinder Gemechu, Olufemi Oni, Kumar, A. |
| Assessment of technologies developed under Future Energy Systems University of Alberta | Publication | 2021-05-03 | Kumar, A. |
