Funded Projects | Sustainability at Michigan Tech

PET Polymer Chemical Deconstruction for Recycling Value - Handler

Professor Robert Handler

Dr. Robert Handler, in a project funded by the Department of Energy Small Business Innovation Research, is working to develop a new method to chemically deconstruct PET polymers into smaller oligomers that could be recycled back into plastic production with no loss in material properties. A life cycle assessment model will estimate the environmental impacts and a techno-economic model will estimate economic impacts of this recycling system.

Biomass 2-methylfuran Production - Handler

Professor Robert Handler

Dr. Robert Handler, in a project funded by the Department of Energy Small Business Innovation Research, is developing a method to produce 2-methylfuran (2-MF) from biomass, which can be used as an intermediate for several high-value chemical and pharmaceutical products. The project will develop a full process model of the biomass conversion process, and produce life cycle assessment and techno-economic models to estimate environmental and economic impacts.

Energy Service Transitions in Forest Dependent Rural Communities - EPA STAR

In a project titled, "Drivers of Energy Service Transitions and Impacts on Well-being in Forest Dependent Rural Communities," a group of Michigan Tech researchers are studying energy transition pathways that enhance the well-being of underserved rural communities through improved public health, economic opportunity, and energy justice. This project was awarded via the Environmental Protection Agency's Science to Achieve Results (EPA STAR) program and is being conducted in partnership with the Center for Energy and Environment. Michigan Tech researchers involved in this project include Dr. Chelsea Schelly (Social Sciences), Dr. Judith Perlinger (Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering), Dr. Ana Dyreson (Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering), Dr. Jenny Apriesnig(Business), Dr. Sarah Green (Chemistry), Dr. Shiliang Wu (Geological and Mining Engineering & Sciences), and Dr. Jiehong Guo (Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering).

Just Energy Transitions Project Logo

The Western Great Lakes Electric Nation Project

Native Sun Community Power Development is the lead organization on a project funded by the Department of Energy on “Expanding Regional EVSE Access with Tribal Nations based in Community Priorities.” CISR researchers Chelsea Schelly (Social Sciences) and Ana Dyreson (ME-EM) are collaborators on this project. The primary goal of this project is to advance deployment of EV charging infrastructure in Tribal Nations across Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. Dr. Schelly’s role involves supporting engagement efforts, and Dr. Dyreson is supporting efforts to track and quantify the benefits of EV charging infrastructure deployment. This ongoing project is an example of the kind of collaborative, engaged, and impactful work that CISR researchers support through their relationships with external partners like Native Sun.

RAISE CET

Dr. Chelsea Schelly is collaborating with partners at The Pennsylvania State University and the Philadelphia Energy Authority on a Research Advanced by Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering (RAISE) project funded by the National Science Foundation Clean Energy Technology initiative titled “RAISE: CET: Design and operation of community-informed equity-based virtual power plants for achieving impact in Philadelphia”. The goal of this project is to construct new models for equity-based design and control of virtual power plants (VPPs) that incorporate the unique conditions and priorities of residents in disadvantaged communities who may not have the financial means to otherwise participate in and benefit from a VPP. Dr. Schelly will be leading the social science research on this project, which will involve engagement with residents and their local energy authority to better understand how shifts in energy consumption behaviors could be valued in VPPs in ways that advance energy justice for low income residents.

ORAU Energy and Community Resilience Workshop

Oak Ridge Associated Universities provided support for Dr. Shardul Tiwari (EEP PhD graduate) and Dr. Chelsea Schelly to host an on-campus workshop on energy and community resilience in May 2023. The workshop brought almost 30 collaborators to campus to gain insights regarding local and regional resilience challenges and share information regarding past and ongoing work. The report from the workshop is accessible here.