Numerous innovative technologies are emerging that promise to assist organizations in transitioning away from fossil fuels and achieving significant decarbonization. The challenge lies in determining which technologies to implement and the optimal timing for their adoption.
MIT has set an ambitious goal of eliminating direct campus emissions by 2050, necessitating prompt decisions regarding technology adoption. This pressing challenge was the focus of the recent class 4.s42 (Building Technology — Carbon Reduction Pathways for the MIT Campus).
This course brought together undergraduate and graduate students from various disciplines to explore different technologies and propose the best pathways forward for decarbonization. It culminated in a final report and presentations to MIT’s Climate Nucleus on May 9.
“Our mission is to develop a comprehensive document detailing how MIT can achieve its decarbonization goals by 2050,” states Morgan Johnson Quamina, an undergraduate in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. “We are assessing the technologies available, their potential implementation timelines, and the urgency with which actions must be taken. The final report presents numerous scenarios for both partial and full technological implementation, complete with timelines and recommendations.”
The course was guided by Professor Christoph Reinhart, who invited other faculty members to present on various low- and zero-carbon technologies, including advanced nuclear reactors, deep geothermal energy, and carbon capture systems.
The work of the students is an extension of MIT’s Campus Decarbonization Working Group, co-chaired by Reinhart and Director of Sustainability Julie Newman. This group is tasked with creating a technology roadmap aimed at decarbonizing MIT’s energy systems.
“This class is an opportunity to harness the creativity and energy of our students to expedite the work of our group,” Reinhart explains. “We aim to visualize how these technologies can be integrated at MIT.”
A Class with Impact
Every Thursday, around 20 students convened from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. throughout the semester to investigate various decarbonization pathways. They delved into energy policies, risk evaluation methods, and anticipated changes to the electric grid in New England.
“The real-world impact of this work is incredible,” shares Emile Germonpre, a master’s student in the Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering. “There’s a palpable difference; students are more focused on solving the problem than on grades. Everyone is intrinsically motivated.”
The sessions began with overviews of ten different technologies, assessing factors such as technical maturity, implementation ease, costs, and emissions modeling impact. After learning, students formed teams to analyze each technology’s feasibility.
“I’ve gained deep insights into decarbonization and climate change,” remarks Johnson Quamina. “This focused learning experience is unique as an undergraduate. Exploring these new technologies and contributing to the community has been invaluable.”
Students also created a model visualizing the impact of various interventions on campus emissions, helping users evaluate different combinations and their effects.
“We developed a physics-based model accounting for every building,” describes Reinhart. “This allows us to assess plans such as building retrofits, rooftop photovoltaics, nuclear energy adoption, carbon capture, and various underground heating systems. We aim to clarify how quickly these changes can be implemented and identify game-changing technologies.”
The class also initiated a preliminary survey to gauge the MIT community’s attitudes toward these technologies, with plans for expansion in the coming semester. The initial findings were presented to the Climate Nucleus during the students’ presentations on May 9.
“This intersection of innovation and real-world impact is unique,” Germonpre reflects. “You’re tackling a tangible project for MIT while investigating technologies that industry leaders hesitate to embrace.”
From MIT’s Campus to the World
The students proposed forming a building energy team to audit and retrofit all MIT buildings. They recommended that MIT commission a comprehensive geological feasibility study for shallow and deep underground heat harvesting, and advocate for discussions with the MIT community and local policymakers about deploying nuclear batteries and geothermal systems on campus.
The modeling tool developed can assist the working group in analyzing various decarbonization paths. For instance, installing rooftop photovoltaics now would lead to immediate emissions reductions, while delaying installation until the regional grid transitions away from fossil fuels would result in less impact.
“When students collaborate, the recommendations tend to be more direct and impactful,” says Reinhart. “There’s a strong sense of urgency; some actions need immediate attention.”
Looking ahead, Reinhart intends to further engage with the Working Group and the class’s recommendations in the fall. He is also collaborating with the Massachusetts Governor’s Office to explore similar initiatives statewide.
The students plan to continue working on the survey throughout the summer while expanding their technology research. They believe the knowledge gained will benefit their future careers.
“Understanding how to implement innovative technologies in buildings and campuses is vital,” concludes Johnson Quamina, aspiring to be a structural or environmental engineer. “This class has also ignited my interest in energy-focused careers.”
Notably, the insights from this class extend beyond MIT, aligning with the institute’s 2015 climate plan which aims to use its campus as a “test bed for change.” The students’ findings can serve as a blueprint for organizations worldwide.
“Our mission transcends MIT alone,” Germonpre states. “We aim to catalyze the maturity of transformative technologies and set an example in decarbonization.”
Photo credit & article inspired by: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
