Innovative life cycle framework for the evaluation of emerging energy technologies

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Canada has large energy resources that have the potential to bring substantial and sustained benefits to the country. However, developing these resources in an irresponsible manner could have devastating consequences to the environment both locally and globally. Engineers must not only develop new energy technologies that lower environmental impacts at competitive costs, they must also develop more efficient systems for managing and integrating technologies and processes. New technologies such as carbon capture and storage (CCS) that promise to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the energy sector also add complexity to the economic, environmental and social tradeoffs under consideration. The evaluation of such emerging technologies is further complicated by the fact that unique variability and uncertainty are introduced when evaluating energy technologies prior to commercialization. An integrated assessment framework that includes a life cycle (LC) perspective and the proper treatment of the unique uncertainties present in emerging technologies are required to evaluate such tradeoffs and inform policy and investment decisions in Canada and abroad.