Advancing Low Carbon Transition in Industry

12 units · Graduate

Intermittent: 12 units As a widely used and globally traded product, steel is essential to modern life, but its production is highly energy intensive and accounts for roughly 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions. This project course will work with a major U.S. and Pittsburgh-based steel producer to assess technology pathways for decarbonization. Students will learn and apply engineering economic approaches as well as perspectives from organizational processes and business strategy to analyze and compare decision alternatives for the company. Skills to be acquired include deep understanding of industrial processes and decarbonization technologies, engineering cost analysis, business strategy and organization, the role of public policy and stakeholder engagement, and project workflow management and presentation skills. The course will involve regular interaction with the executive sponsor and technical lead, experts on steelmaking history, technology, and climate policy, and instructors and students in a parallel course at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. There will be several field trip opportunities to see iron and steel production facilities and steel industry history and technology development.