This sponsored article is delivered to you by NYU Tandon School of Engineering.
Because the world grapples with the pressing have to transition to cleaner energy systems, a rising variety of researchers are delving into the design and optimization of emerging technologies. On the forefront of this effort is Dharik Mallapragada, Assistant Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at NYU Tandon. Mallapragada is devoted to understanding how new power applied sciences combine into an evolving power panorama, shedding gentle on the intricate interaction between innovation, scalability, and real-world implementation.
Mallapragada’s Sustainable Energy Transitions group is serious about creating mathematical modeling approaches to research low-carbon applied sciences and their power system integration beneath completely different coverage and geographical contexts. The group’s analysis goals to create the data and analytical instruments essential to assist accelerated power transitions in developed economies just like the U.S. in addition to rising market and creating economic system international locations within the international south which are central to international climate mitigation efforts.
Bridging Analysis and Actuality
“Our group focuses on designing and optimizing rising power applied sciences, guaranteeing they match seamlessly into quickly evolving power methods,” Mallapragada says. His crew makes use of refined simulation and modeling instruments to handle a twin problem: scaling scientific discoveries from the lab whereas adapting to the dynamic realities of contemporary power grids.
“Power methods should not static,” he emphasised. “What may be an excellent design goal in the present day may shift tomorrow. Our aim is to offer stakeholders—whether or not policymakers, venture capitalists, or trade leaders—with actionable insights that information each analysis and coverage growth.”
Dharik Mallapragada is an Assistant Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at NYU Tandon.
Mallapragada’s analysis usually makes use of case research as an example the challenges of integrating new applied sciences. One outstanding instance is hydrogen manufacturing through water electrolysis—a course of that guarantees low-carbon hydrogen however comes with a singular set of hurdles.
“For electrolysis to provide low-carbon hydrogen, the electricity used should be clear,” he defined. “This raises questions concerning the demand for clear electrical energy and its impression on grid decarbonization. Does this new demand speed up or hinder our capability to decarbonize the grid?”
Moreover, on the gear degree, challenges abound. Electrolyzers that may function flexibly, to make the most of intermittent renewables like wind and solar, usually depend on precious metals like iridium, which aren’t solely costly but in addition are produced in small quantities presently. Scaling these methods to satisfy international decarbonization targets may require considerably increasing materials provide chains.
“We study the availability chains of recent processes to guage how valuable steel utilization and different efficiency parameters have an effect on prospects for scaling within the coming a long time,” Mallapragada mentioned. “This evaluation interprets into tangible targets for researchers, guiding the event of different applied sciences that steadiness effectivity, scalability, and useful resource availability.”
Not like colleagues who develop new catalysts or supplies, Mallapragada focuses on decision-support frameworks that bridge laboratory innovation and large-scale implementation. “Our modeling helps determine early-stage constraints, whether or not they stem from materials provide chains or manufacturing prices, that might hinder scalability,” he mentioned.
As an illustration, if a brand new catalyst performs nicely however depends on uncommon supplies, his crew evaluates its viability from each value and sustainability views. This method informs researchers about the place to direct their efforts—be it bettering selectivity, decreasing energy consumption, or minimizing useful resource dependency.
Aviation presents a very difficult sector for decarbonization as a result of its distinctive power calls for and stringent constraints on weight and energy. The power required for takeoff, coupled with the necessity for long-distance flight capabilities, calls for a extremely energy-dense gasoline that minimizes quantity and weight. Presently, that is achieved utilizing gas turbines powered by conventional aviation liquid fuels.
“The power required for takeoff units a minimal energy requirement,” he famous, emphasizing the technical hurdles of designing propulsion methods that meet these calls for whereas decreasing carbon emissions.
Mallapragada highlights two primary decarbonization strategies: the usage of renewable liquid fuels, corresponding to these derived from biomass, and electrification, which might be applied via battery-powered methods or hydrogen fuel. Whereas electrification has garnered important curiosity, it stays in its infancy for aviation purposes. Hydrogen, with its excessive power per mass, holds promise as a cleaner different. Nevertheless, substantial challenges exist in each the storage of hydrogen and the event of the required propulsion applied sciences.
Mallapragada’s analysis examined particular energy required to realize zero payload discount and Payload discount required to satisfy variable goal gasoline cell-specific energy, amongst different components.
Hydrogen stands out as a result of its energy density by mass, making it a lovely choice for weight-sensitive purposes like aviation. Nevertheless, storing hydrogen effectively on an plane requires both liquefaction, which calls for excessive cooling to -253°C, or high-pressure containment, which necessitates sturdy and heavy storage methods. These storage challenges, coupled with the necessity for superior fuel cells with excessive particular energy densities, pose important limitations to scaling hydrogen-powered aviation.
Mallapragada’s analysis on hydrogen use for aviation targeted on the efficiency necessities of on-board storage and fuel cell methods for flights of 1000 nmi or much less (e.g. New York to Chicago), which characterize a smaller however significant section of the aviation trade. The analysis recognized the necessity for advances in hydrogen storage methods and gasoline cells to make sure payload capacities stay unaffected. Present applied sciences for these methods would necessitate payload reductions, resulting in extra frequent flights and elevated prices.
“Power methods should not static. What may be an excellent design goal in the present day may shift tomorrow. Our aim is to offer stakeholders—whether or not policymakers, enterprise capitalists, or trade leaders—with actionable insights that information each analysis and coverage growth.” —Dharik Mallapragada, NYU Tandon
A pivotal consideration in adopting hydrogen for aviation is the upstream impression on hydrogen production. The incremental demand from regional aviation may considerably enhance the full hydrogen required in a decarbonized economic system. Producing this hydrogen, notably via electrolysis powered by renewable energy, would place extra calls for on power grids and necessitate additional infrastructure growth.
Mallapragada’s evaluation explores how this demand interacts with broader hydrogen adoption in different sectors, contemplating the necessity for carbon capture applied sciences and the implications for the general value of hydrogen manufacturing. This systemic perspective underscores the complexity of integrating hydrogen into the aviation sector whereas sustaining broader decarbonization targets.
Mallapragada’s work underscores the significance of collaboration throughout disciplines and sectors. From figuring out technological bottlenecks to shaping coverage incentives, his crew’s analysis serves as a important bridge between scientific discovery and societal transformation.
As the worldwide power system evolves, researchers like Mallapragada are illuminating the trail ahead—serving to be certain that innovation just isn’t solely attainable however sensible.
