While the changes that would result from implementing blockchain solutions are worth studying, we also need to gain a deeper understanding of how these blockchain solutions are to be operated and by whom. For more details and project results, see the full paper and accompanying presentation.

Project leads:
Dr. Sara Saberi, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Dr. Joseph Sarkis, Worcester Polytechnic Institute

This project aims to address the data and analysis gaps by developing a metric-based framework to quantify energy and environmental implications of AI applications in the production of some of the most common energy-intensive chemicals. For more details and project results, see the accompanying presentation.

Project lead:
Dr. Yuan Yao, Yale School of the Environment

Principal investigator Prof. Miguel Jaller will quantify energy use and carbon emissions in retail distribution arising from recent changes to e-commerce during the pandemic. The research will use a retail sector energy and emissions calculator model, based on life cycle assessment, that incorporates factors such as warehousing, upstream freight, retailing store facilities, packaging, last mile distribution, customer transport, and data centers/computers/networks. Prof. Jaller and his research team will explore changes with respect to distribution structures, and innovations in vehicles, fuels, energy, and distribution technologies, and proposed corporate initiatives and commitments.

Project lead(s):
Dr. Miguel Jaller, University of California, Davis.
Ms. Sarah Dennis, Doctoral Student, University of California, Davis.
Mr. Anmol Pahwa, Doctoral Student, University of California, Davis.