In this workshop you will be introduced to techno-economic analysis (TEA) and life cycle analysis (LCA).

A TEA is a quantitative technology assessment method which allows verifying the impact of changes in technological input parameters on economic output parameters such as the net present value, of a levelized cost of electricity. TEAs can be used to compare the economic viability or costs across a set of technologies both at present and in the future. As such, they are invaluable for technology roadmapping purposes and the derivation of R&I targets. An LCA is a quantitative technology assessment method that quantifies potential environmental impacts resulting from a product over all of its life cycle stages. An LCA is often used to enable a hotspot analysis, in which the life cycle stage and/or unit processes that contribute most to a given environmental impact category are identified.
Both methods are confronted with uncertainty on the input parameters. Therefore, typically they involve sensitivity and scenario analyses to verify the robustness of the resulting findings.

In this workshop we will first present our work that has verified whether (1) bringing PV manufacturing (back) to Europe is desirable from an economic and environmental point of view and (2) design for disassembly leads to meaningful environmental benefits over the full life cycle of a ZEB. Secondly, you will have the opportunity to get more familiar with these types of analyses by recreating some of the results that were presented earlier.

Upon completion of this workshop, you will:
1 know of the basics of TEA.
2 know of the basics of LCA.
3 be able to apply the methods to a simplified (part of) a case.

Carbon footprint reduction is a wicked problem. Yet as engineers, we tend to tackle it with technologies that are mostly centered around improving the energy efficiency of processes and products and shifting to renewable energy sources. However, as William Jevons already knew in 1865, technological progress that improves efficiency, results in a faster rate of resource utilization. So maybe this is not enough.

The aim of this workshop is not to get rid of efficiency and renewables, as they absolutely have their value. But carbon footprint reduction is so much more. Therefore, the aim is to broaden our vision and critically reflect on the solutions we are developing, so that what we develop has the right impact. You will be introduced in a hands-on way to new concepts and approaches that go beyond reducing negative impacts and help you create a positive impact.

Upon completion of this workshop, you will walk away with:
1 new insights into the position (and limitations) of efficiency and renewables on the road to carbon reduction.
2 new concepts and approaches that can be used in the development of solutions for carbon reduction.

This workshop delves into the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in reshaping the landscape of sustainability. AI opens up numerous opportunities in a broad range of sectors, promising innovative solutions to pressing sustainability challenges. These opportunities, however, also give rise to many questions on the social and economic implications of AI, as well as new challenges with regard to the environmental impact of training AI models.

This workshop confronts these challenges head-on, dissecting the intricacies of AI training and its carbon footprint, while also offering insights into practical solutions and broader implications. Participants in this course will engage in insightful discussions about the environmental and human trade-offs linked to AI adoption. Through real-world case studies in areas such as manufacturing and agriculture, attendees will gain a holistic understanding of the potential ecological benefits and drawbacks of AI.

Upon completion of this workshop, you will:
1 gain insights into the challenges of using AI as an engineer.
2 learn how to apply AI in a sustainable way in a practical application.

The industrial sector's emissions constitute roughly 20% of global emissions and are notoriously difficult to reduce. In response to urgent climate concerns, decarbonizing this sector has become a crucial challenge in achieving the net-zero target by 2050. This lecture will delve into the primary drivers necessitating this transition and place them within the broader global context of energy. Utilizing interactive calculations from the MIT-developed EnRoad tool, attendees will gain insight into the complexities of this endeavor.

The lecture will commence by contextualizing the global energy landscape before delving into the intricacies of industrial emissions. It will explore key drivers behind the transition to a low-carbon, fossil-free industry, focusing on major emitters such as steel, cement, and chemical production. Concrete examples of decarbonization projects will be provided, with a special emphasis on decarbonizing the steel industry, addressing both energy and process emissions.

Additionally, strategies for CO2 removal, including carbon capture, storage, and reutilization, will be examined, as the pursuit of a net-zero scenario necessitates technological advancements in carbon removal. The importance of collaboration across sectors and stakeholders will be underscored, highlighting the need for coordinated action at various levels, including local, national, and European scales.

Ultimately, this lecture seeks to empower students with the knowledge and tools to drive meaningful change towards a decarbonized, resilient, sovereign, and sustainable industrial sector. It aims to inspire action and provide insights into the opportunities and challenges inherent in decarbonization initiatives, paving the way for a more sustainable future.

On completion of this workshop, you will walk away with:

1. Gaining insight into the current global energy landscape, including its associated emissions and their impact on the climate, as well as comprehending the primary drivers necessary to achieve the net-zero target by 2050.

2. Delving into the unique characteristics of decarbonizing the industrial sector.

3. Identifying and assessing various decarbonization strategies applicable to the industrial sector, encompassing enhancements in energy efficiency, the transition to low-carbon heat provision, the optimization of industrial processes for reduced emissions, the utilization of carbon capture and utilization technologies, and the adoption of electrification in industrial processes. Some insights regarding the transformative potential and barriers to the deployment of the technologies will be provided within a broad context.

The workshop will discuss challenges and provide solutions for Circular Thinking in polymer technology meeting the sustainable development goals along the product life cycle. The workshop will focus on resource input and sustainable product designs, aiming at extended service life and additional functionalities such as design for recycling or design for repair.

A special topic will be the discussion of conflicting targets in product or material design. This will be discussed by the example of photovoltaics, where the polymers play a significant role in the quality, reliability but also recyclability of PV modules. Design for high reliability and good recyclability are to a great extent contradictory goals. Another example are complex multilayer food packaging films, that help to preserve food but are very difficult to recycle.

Another focus will be given to the discussion of recyclability of polymers and polymer products. The difference between theoretical, practical, and actual recyclability will be interactively discussed with common consumer products as examples. Finally, recent advances in recycling technology (mechanical and chemical recycling) will be discussed.

Upon completion of this workshop, you will walk away with:
1 an overview of relevant polymers and where polymers are used.
2 recognition that polymers are a highly valuable material class enabling and driving important technologies to address the UN Sustainable Development Goals (e.g. electric vehicles, electronics, renewable energy, food and water safety, health….).
3 knowledge of how polymer recycling works and how big the influence of product design is on the recyclability.

Better Batteries with Biochar - Mapping the electrochemical behaviour of biochar as anode material for more sustainable battery technology

If we are to meet the pressing environmental challenges our planet faces, we need to find better ways to produce, store and consume energy. Renewable energy storage systems, such as batteries, will be indispensable to guarantee energy access that is both sustainable and affordable.

Current rechargeable batteries, for example those in our phones and laptops and in electric vehicles, are lithium-ion batteries. For multiple reasons, they are not ideally suited as energy storage devices for use in our homes and businesses. What we need is next-generation batteries that can store energy more efficiently, are safe to use, and are not expensive or environmentally harmful to produce.

This workshop explores the use of biochar-based materials in the development of next-generation batteries. Biochar is the by-product of the thermal decomposition of organic material— such as agricultural waste or plant or animal biomass—in the absence of oxygen. Such bio-based carbon precursors present a renewable, green, low-cost, and abundant alternative for current battery technologies and at the same time a valuable up-cycling route of waste materials. Despite its potential, we don’t fully understand the electrochemical behaviour of biochar and its relation to the properties of its feedstock. In this workshop, we hope to bridge this knowledge gap and make biochar a competitive alternative to currently used and explored battery electrodes.

Upon completion of this workshop, you will walk away with:
1 new insights in the role of biochar in anode materials for next-generation batteries.
2 knowledge of the basics of the electrochemical behaviour of biochar in relationship to the properties of its feedstock.

The carbon capture industry is expected to explode by 250 times in terms of capture capacity in the coming decades. This totally new heavy industry however is currently facing hindrances due to high capital and operating costs. The former research of Di Caprio and Leblebici uses AI tools to estimate the overall mass transfer constant from absorption vessel geometry.

This project will consider the exact reverse of our earlier research. We will try to design the absorber geometry by giving the algorithm a carbon source. Common carbon emission points will be used and we use search algorithms and the aforementioned models to estimate absorber size and thus an order of magnitude of the capital investments required for the point source. We aim to get at least the absorber volume, which is the main component defining the capital investment.

Upon completion of this workshop, you will walk away with:
1 basic knowledge of Python machine learning libraries.
2 insights in state-of-the-art carbon capture.
3 basic viability estimation of chemical unit operations.

Tuesday 23 April afternoon

Thor Park, access to the smart world of today and tomorrow

Strategically located business, technology and science park where renowned research institutions, start-ups, growth companies and global players in the energy sector, manufacturing industry and smart city applications come together.

Thor Park’s mission? Contribute to the development and valorisation of smart, sustainable, circular and connected innovations by providing access to specialised ecosystems, the  Open Thor Living Lab, the regulatory sandbox for energy, infrastructure, partners and network.

• Soltech

Soltech is a Belgian company dedicated to the production and applied innovation of Building Integrated PhotoVoltaics (BIPV). Since 1989, they have been interpreting BIPV-related issues into technically and economically viable projects. R&D is a part of their DNA.

Recent projects: offshore floating solar system for the Belgian North Sea

• Sirris

Sirris is the trusted companion of all Belgian companies with an appetite for technological innovation. Simply put, we help companies realise their innovation ambitions with hands-on support. This includes access to qualified multidisciplinary teams, partners and ecosystems, a broad set of industrial labs and tons of specialised inspiration.

Language of instruction

English

Credits

Equivalent to 3 ECTS

General learning outcomes

Upon completion of the summer school CEAD 2024, participants walk away with:

• new insights into the position (and limitations) of efficiency and renewables on the road to carbon reduction.
• new concepts and approaches that can be used in the development of solutions for carbon reduction.
• new knowledge on how AI can contribute in a sustainable way.
• new insights in the green optimization of materials, production and processes in different fields of industry.
• a boost of their intercultural communication skills and critical thinking through international team work.
• a stronger awareness of the global necessity and civic interest of the reduction of the carbon footprint.

Evaluation

• Oral presentation and report of the group work
• Attendance at all activities is mandatory

Validation

After successful completion of the summer school the participant receives a Certificate of 3 ECTS  (approx. 80-90 hours of total study load).