Low Carbon Energy Technologies

Multidisciplinary approach to scientific and engineering research on Low Carbon Energy Technological innovations, coupled with crosscutting work on policy, markets, and regulation

Multidisciplinary approach to scientific and engineering research on Low Carbon Energy Technological innovations, coupled with crosscutting work on policy, markets, and regulation

Low Carbon Energy Technologies can be applied across the energy system. The Colorado School of Mines has directly relevant science and technology expertise that spans from fundamental chemistry through reactor engineering. There are on the order of 30-50 faculty actively engaged with areas related to one or more aspects of the Low Carbon Energy Technologies chain.

Most, if not all, CO2 reduction to fuels or chemicals depends on catalytic hydrogenation or dehydrogenation processes. Thus, the design, synthesis, and implementation of selective catalysts are essential aspects of CO2 utilization for the production of value-added chemicals. As a practical matter, cost-effective and timely technology development depends on closely coordinated multidisciplinary research and engineering.

Through collaboration and research Colorado School of Mines and the Payne Institute are connecting the technical expertise on campus related to Low Carbon Energy Technologies with industry, government and civil society to increase awareness of the opportunities related to CCUS. Maintaining the focus of the University as a leader at the frontiers of science and engineering, related to earth, energy and environmental stewardship.

For more information about the Low Carbon Energy Technologies Initiative at the Payne Institute for Public Policy, please contact our Deputy Director, Gregory Clough, at gclough@mines.edu.

NEWS

Colorado’s leadership on reducing methane more important than ever 12/18/2024

Colorado’s leadership on reducing methane more important than ever

Erin Tullos, Stephen Curry, and Payne Institute Accelerated Methane Program Manager Simon Lomax write about how in the wake of the 2024 election, federal officials are expected to reassess the nation’s approach to energy, environmental and climate policy.  Colorado’s expertise in regulating methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, will continue to play a critical role on the national and global stage. In fact, Colorado’s continued leadership on methane may be more important now than ever before.  December 18, 2024.

Can we please have a nuanced discussion of development and fossil fuels? 12/13/24

Can we please have a nuanced discussion of development and fossil fuels?

Payne Institute Fellow Todd Moss writes about how he was quoted in a New York Times piece that presents a pernicious strain of black-or-white thinking about climate and poverty. It’s pernicious both because it’s widespread and because it’s false: The real debate on climate and poverty is not 100% renewables now vs climate deniers. And while posing these two extremes as the only choices for global development might make good clickbait, it’s terrible for civil discussion or constructive policymaking. If we’re going to make faster progress on clean energy development, we need to call this false binary out. December 13, 2024.

Five Bipartisan Actions on Energy Security as Trump Returns to the White House 12/4/2024

Five Bipartisan Actions on Energy Security as Trump Returns to the White House

Payne Institute Director Morgan Bazilian, Accelerated Methane Program Manager Simon Lomax, and Roger Pielke, Jr. write about how Republicans and Democrats can meet in the middle on the complex set of issues that comprise energy policy – from emissions, to affordability, to reliability, to national security and geopolitics. In fact, for almost two decades, the U.S. has been a global energy leader, even as power has shifted back and forth between the two major political parties. December 4, 2024.

Mines researchers prioritize responsibility with carbon capture and storage 12/3/2024

Mines researchers prioritize responsibility with carbon capture and storage

Payne Institute Faculty Fellow Jessica Smith is part of a team of Mines researchers are working in partnership with local stakeholders to curb these emissions in southern Colorado—and provide a model for similar efforts across the nation as states aim to meet greenhouse gas reduction goals and work toward a net-zero carbon future.  December 3, 2024.

Kickstarting VCM crediting for orphan oil wells 11/20/2024

Kickstarting VCM crediting for orphan oil wells

Payne Institute Sustainable Finance Lab Program Manager Brad Handler and Student Researcher Anne Welch write about how voluntary carbon market (VCM) credit issuances are getting underway for plugging orphan oil wells. Having the credits in hand will now let developers educate and get feedback from buyers and others in the ecosystem—a critical step in establishing the activity as a credible and attractive source of carbon offsets.  November 20, 2024.  

Policy, Regulatory, and Market Viability (Part 2)

DEMYSTIFYING HYDROGEN – Policy, Regulatory, and Market Viability (PART 2)

Payne Institute CCUS Program Manager Anna Littlefield and Student Researcher Siddhant Kulkarni write about how hydrogen is emerging as a cornerstone of global energy policy, with nations across the world setting ambitious goals to integrate hydrogen into their clean energy strategies.  In Part One of this two-part commentary, they explored the production pathways and associated ‘color wheel’ of hydrogen, in addition to applications and methods for transporting and storing hydrogen. Building on that foundation, here we explore the policy incentives, regulatory frameworks, and the viability of hydrogen markets.  November 13, 2024.

What could the Trump administration’s mineral policy look like? 11/12/2024

What could the Trump administration’s mineral policy look like?

Payne Institute Communications Associate Gregory Wischer and Director Morgan Bazilian write about how the incoming administration would likely implement a mineral policy to increase US mineral production—especially extraction—while supporting American workers and companies. Specifically, this mineral policy could include imposing tariffs, streamlining permitting, and financially incentivising domestic mineral projects.  November 12, 2024.  

Gas Pathing: Improved Greenhouse Gas Emission Estimates of Liquefied Natural Gas Exports through Enhanced Supply Chain Resolution 11/5/2024

Gas Pathing: Improved Greenhouse Gas Emission Estimates of Liquefied Natural Gas Exports through Enhanced Supply Chain Resolution

Selina A. Roman-White, Deeksha Mallikarjuna Prasanna, Amber McCullagh, Payne Fellow Arvind P. Ravikumar, David Thomas Allen, Kavya Chivukula, Harshvardhan Khutal, Paul Balcombe, Gregory Ross, Payne SFL Program Manager Brad Handler, Director Morgan Bazilian, and Fiji C. George write about how the utilization of greenhouse gas (GHG) life cycle assessments (LCAs) of liquefied natural gas (LNG) has increased over the past decade. In this study, a novel framework for improved supply chain-specific LCAs for GHGs is presented using a gas pathing algorithm aligned with how gas is purchased, sold, and transported within the U.S.   November 5, 2024.  

Insights into the New Hydrogen Economy 11/1/2024

Insights into the New Hydrogen Economy

Payne Institute Fellow William J. Nuttall, Joseph B. Powell, Karim L. Anaya-Stucchi, Adetokunboh T. Bakenne, and Andy Wilson wrote a new book that offers a comprehensive exploration of the future of the hydrogen industry. It builds upon insights gathered from a series of expert workshops and follow-on activity. International experts from various fields, including industry, public policy, and academia, engaged in dialogue and knowledge exchange, resulting in invaluable findings and observations.  November 1, 2024.

Carbon Credits for Mitigating Orphan & Idle Oil Well Methane Emissions 11/1/2024

Carbon Credits for Mitigating Orphan & Idle Oil Well Methane Emissions

Payne Institute Faculty Fellow Jim Crompton, Sustainable Finance Lab Program Manager Brad Handler, and Student Researcher Vandan Bhalala write about how it is well understood that permanently plugging old, abandoned oil and gas wells in the U.S. can make a big impact in our nation’s efforts to combat global warming.  Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, public funding has increased to properly plug many orphan wells.  November 1, 2024.

Demystifying Hydrogen: Production Pathways, Applications, Storage & Transportation (Part 1) 10/24/2024

DEMYSTIFYING HYDROGEN – PRODUCTION PATHWAYS, APPLICATIONS, STORAGE & TRANSPORTATION (PART 1)

Payne Institute CCUS Program Manager Anna Littlefield and Student Researcher Siddhant Kulkarni write about how as global efforts to decarbonize the economy intensify, hydrogen is emerging as an important component of the clean energy transition.  Hydrogen offers a versatile, low-carbon solution that addresses the limitations of electrification in sectors like heavy industry and transportation, making it a critical tool in the global push toward sustainability.  October 24, 2024.

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