Leaving carbon behind

Leaving carbon behind

Joule Bergerson

Canada Research Chair in Energy Technology Assessment

Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Schulich School of Engineering

Marc Strous

Campus Alberta Innovation Chair in Energy Bioengineering

Department of Geoscience

June 13, 2017

Joule BergersonChemical and Petroleum Engineering

Canada Research Chair in Energy Technology Assessment

PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering & Engineering and Public Policy (Carnegie Mellon University)

Research focused on developing systems level tools to investigate economic and environmental impacts of energy technologies

Key takeaways

Global climate change is an opportunity for innovation and economic growth

Greenhouse gas emission reductions might lead to (partial) electrification of transportation

UCalgary is exploring options to produce climate-neutral fuel and “green” gas

We are also exploring the possibility to source electricity directly from oil and gas reservoirs, using a combination of microbiology and materials science

Many options – how to assess?

Ultra-deep OilsTight Shale Oils

Oil Sands (Bitumens)

Extra-heavy Oils Oil Shale (Kerogen)Condensates

Natural Gas Liquids Heavy Oils

More Oil Substitutes

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What is life cycle assessment (LCA)?

A decision making tool to identify environmental burdens and evaluate the environmental consequences of a product, process or service over its life cycle from cradle to grave. www.nist.gov

LCA continues to evolve…

Traditional Use— To inform policy

New Uses—To inform funding agencies and investors—To enforce policy

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The Oil Climate Index

OCI: 75 global crudes—Selection based on available data

—Every major global region

—24 million bpd

—~25% of global production

3 open-source models using all public data—Upstream - OPGEE – Adam Brandt at Stanford

—Midstream – PRELIM – Joule Bergerson at UCalgary

—Downstream – OPEM – Deborah Gordon at CEIP

Data an ongoing challenge

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Evaluation of GHG emissions – 75 crudes

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http://oci.carnegieendowment.org/

Evaluation of GHG mmission mitigation opportunities

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http://oci.carnegieendowment.org/

Flaring stopped

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http://oci.carnegieendowment.org/

Change the denominator

Evaluation of GHG mmission mitigation opportunities

Concept/idea

Modelling / Lab Experiments

Pilot Testing

Field Trial

Technology Commercialization

Technology Development

Assessment L1

Assessment L2

Assessment L3

Assessment L4

Observation / Question

Hypothesis

Experiment

Research

Analysis

Scientific Breakthrough

Concept / Scientific Development

Basic mass and energy balances

Supply chain, flag materials and hot spots, aid in ranking concepts

RT TACT

Reduced uncertainty on physical systems

Env’l and Econ assessment, market potential, aid in R&D priorities

Resolution to outstanding uncertainties

Scale-up LCA, Risk assessment, Policy barriers

System performance at real scale

Env’l and Econ assessment, Competitiveness, Optimization

Identify key process component, estimate process performance and theoretical limits

Basic inputs/outputs, Identify potential applications, Identify performance benchmarks

RT TACT

CFREF outputs

How to assess earlier?

The systems perspective

Key takeaways

The transition to a low carbon future provides unique challenges and opportunities for Alberta and Canada

Cutting-edge research at UCalgary will enable discoveries and technologies that support Canada’s position in this future

Systems analysis can help ensure that the goals of innovation are achieved while minimizing potential negative unintended consequences