Recent global developments highlight that although energy system transitions are in progress, their nature and pace vary considerably by region. These transitions are unfolding amidst persistent geopolitical uncertainties and energy market volatility. The relative competitiveness of carbon mitigation and removal technologies in the energy sector has been reshaped by several factors, including shifting levels of ambition in climate change commitments, technological innovations (e.g., energy storage), and rapid cost reductions in certain low-carbon technologies (e.g., photovoltaic systems). However, other technologies, such as carbon capture and storage, have yet to realize their full potential.
Joule Bergerson,
University of Calgary
In this dynamic landscape, engineers are challenged not only to develop new energy technologies that reduce environmental impacts at competitive costs but also to create more effective methods for evaluating, managing, and integrating emerging technologies and processes. Much of the current research in this area relies on isolated assessment techniques that often fall short in capturing a technology’s full life cycle—whether over its operational lifetime, across upstream and downstream supply chain activities, or through robust forecasting from early-stage development to commercialization.
To address these gaps, integrated assessment approaches are essential for evaluating technologies at each stage of research, development, and deployment. Such tools can inform both policy and investment decisions more effectively. While systems tools remain underutilized, they hold considerable potential to drive innovation—enhancing process design, guiding RD&D priorities, ensuring alignment with sustainability goals, and mitigating unintended environmental consequences.
This talk introduces recent advancements in the systems assessment toolkit and demonstrates their application to emerging technologies, such as carbon conversion. These tools can help identify high-impact technologies—or combinations thereof—that offer substantial life cycle benefits, supporting more strategic and sustainable energy transitions.
Joule Bergerson is a professor in the Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering at the University of Calgary’s Schulich School of Engineering, the Tier 2 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Energy Technology Assessment and a member of the Royal Society of Canada College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists. She directs an interdisciplinary and collaborative research team in the development of new methods for energy technology assessment, contributing to the development and broader use of systems tools such as life cycle assessment in the energy sector.
Bergerson aims to make an impact through this work by releasing new tools and data to the public, to improve decision-making, especially in policy contexts. This includes the adoption of research results directly into policies such as California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard and policy relevant tools (e.g., U.S. GREET model). Researchers on Bergerson’s team collaborate with scientists, engineers, governments, and business leaders to develop and refine techniques particularly for assessing emerging energy technologies. These techniques help prioritize research and development activities, by identifying technologies – or optimal combinations of technologies – that could provide particularly large life cycle economic and environmental benefits.