Highlighted Research

Research collaborations take many forms heading to net-zero

Princeton researchers in departments across campus, from Chemistry to Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, are working on research projects in collaboration with ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company. Claire White and Catherine Peters, the George J. Magee Professor of Geosciences and Geological Engineering and Director of the Program in Geological Engineering, are jointly exploring the characteristics and mechanics of key geologies for storing CO2 in the earth, which will prove critical for the U.S. to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Yiguang Ju, the Robert Porter Patterson Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, has worked on projects investigating the combustion properties, flame properties, chemistry effects, and sooting tendencies of fuels under different conditions. This work will help improve efficiency of traditional fuels and lead to insights about newer fuels like hydrogen. David Graves, professor of chemical and biological engineering, and associate laboratory director, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, has been working on reforming hydrocarbons by using heat from plasma for pyrolysis of natural gas to release hydrogen and solid carbon. Instead of being released as CO2, this carbon can be converted to valuable nanotubes.

Investigating production systems and vehicle emissions

NEC Laboratories America supports research conducted by Christos Maravelias. The research aims to develop a multi-level modeling framework of interconnected multi-agent industrial systems. The framework separates the network structure from the underlying local agent models, and was used to show that collaborative planning among agents may lead to improved cost, energy, and environmental performance of the integrated system. This model can optimize behavior of agents that generate, consume, and exchange materials, energy, and emissions globally. NEC also sponsors Mark Zondlo, professor of civil and environmental engineering on laser-based optical gas sensing. This process identifies high emissions of greenhouse gases and air pollutants from vehicles using large datasets obtained by the Princeton Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment. The technology and data from this project will be useful for quantifying and understanding sources of emissions from vehicles, especially N2O, an important greenhouse gas that has not been studied as much as other greenhouse gases in the context of vehicle emissions.

Exploring elements of a net-zero infrastructure

Worley, a global provider of engineering, procurement, and construction services, has co-written a paper with Chris Greig. The paper draws upon Princeton’s Net-Zero America study to explore the practical changes required to develop and deliver the energy infrastructure needed to achieve net-zero ambitions. The paper’s focus is on supply-side energy infrastructure and outlines five shifts in thinking needed to deliver a net-zero transition. Worley also supported a collaborative Net-Zero Australia study to identify plausible pathways and detailed infrastructure requirements by which Australia can transition to net-zero emissions and be a major exporter of low-emission energy and products by 2050. The project report addressed critical questions, such as what physical plant infrastructure and societal changes are needed to decarbonize the Australian economy, including exports, by mid-century. It also considers how these changes impact natural environments, the economy, incumbent infrastructure, and communities. Worley is headquartered in Australia and provides services to private and public asset owners and operators in the energy, chemicals, and resources sectors around the world.

Photo: As the University is taking steps to reach net-zero campus carbon emissions, it is seeking ways to reduce their energy consumption by encouraging researchers to shut fume hood sashes when they are not in use. (Photo by Denise Applewhite, Office of Communications)

Making the switch to a net-zero mindset

As Princeton University undertakes its journey to net-zero campus carbon emissions by 2046, buy-in from the campus community is an integral component of its plan. Besides installing a system of energy-saving and combustion-free technologies powered by renewable energy sources, Princeton is assessing its campus culture around energy use. To this end, the University has engaged Evidn, an international behavioral science company. The company supports the design, delivery, and evaluation of energy-consumption-reduction initiatives to help Princeton reach its sustainability goals.

Evidn is collaborating with Princeton scholars to research factors inhibiting energy transitions and to devise interventions to encourage adoption of new energy technologies. Evidn also engages individuals within more than 25 campus departments and groups to think through energy use behavior and develop solutions.

John Pickering, chief behavioral scientist for Evidn and a non-resident fellow at the Andlinger Center, noted that Princeton can achieve approximately 80% of its campus carbon emissions goal through its current sustainability strategies. The remaining percentage rests on the behavior and decision-making of the campus community.

Evidn’s analysis zeroes in on three areas. One is the use of fume hoods in Princeton’s labs, which can use as much energy as one or more homes. Shutting down the apparatus when not in use can slash energy use on campus. Individual actions can also make a significant difference in event facilities. Enabling systems to run too early before an event or shut down too long afterwards wastes significant energy. Finally, changing individual personal habits offer additional community-achieved sustainability opportunities. Evidn aims to understand and influence those behaviors and decisions.

John Pickering (Courtesy of Evidn)

Research shows superiority of 24/7 carbon-free energy procurement

Google became the first major company to match 100% of its annual electricity purchases with renewable energy in 2017. They decided to go a step beyond carbon offsetting by matching electricity consumption with carbon-free energy generation on the same grids in real time— every hour, every day, everywhere— by 2030. This approach is known as 24/7 carbonfree energy (CFE) procurement. Jesse Jenkins, assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering and the Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment and his research team, studied the impact of 24/7 CFE procurement on electricity systems and carbon goals. Their research confirmed that this approach surpasses 100% annual matching for transforming the electricity sector by driving early deployment of advanced clean, firm technologies and long-duration energy storage. Jenkins’ study also shows that if an organization stops at 95% CFE, it can still drive the deployment of local carbon-free power sources and lower costs. As Google strives towards a 24/7 CFE procurement goal, it contracts with carbonfree energy managers who provide a steady output of carbon-free energy at a predictable price.

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