11/15/2024
By Danielle Fretwell

The Francis College of Engineering, Department of Industrial Engineering, invites you to attend a Doctoral Dissertation Proposal defense by Mahsa Ghandi on: Sustainable and Resilient Future: Advanced Life Cycle Assessment Tools for Infrastructures and Energy Systems

Candidate Name: Mahsa Ghandi
Degree: Doctoral
Defense Date: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 11 a.m-1 p.m
Location: Perry Hall, Room 415

Committee:
Advisor: Jasmina Burek, Assistant Professor, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, UMass Lowell

Committee Members*
1. David Claudio, Associate Professor, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, UMass Lowell
2. Arghavan Louhghalam, Associate Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering, UMass Lowell
3. Cordula Schmid, Associate Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering, UMass Lowell

Brief Abstract:
The urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while enhancing the resilience of infrastructure calls for innovative approaches in sustainable design and energy systems. Traditional Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) tools, while essential for evaluating environmental impacts, often lack the flexibility to address the complexities of early-stage design, regional climate variations, resilience features, and real-time changes in energy systems. My research aims to advance LCA methodologies by developing parametric and dynamic LCA models to address these limitations, with applications in resilient building design and networked geothermal systems (Net-Geos). The first case study focuses on Miami, Florida, a region with high energy demand, frequent hurricanes, and diverse socio-economic conditions. Using parametric LCA combined with Monte Carlo simulations, I explore the trade-offs between conventional and resilient building designs, investigating how features like reinforced materials and energy-efficient systems influence environmental and economic performance. Prelimi- nary results show that resilient buildings reduce operational GHG emissions by 1–18% and replacement emissions by 12%, demonstrating that resilience measures, despite higher initial costs, lead to long-term benefits. This case study in Miami serves as a foundation for scaling the research to other U.S. climate regions prone to natural hazards, providing actionable insights for climate-resilient housing across different climate zones.

In addition to resilient buildings, my work extends to the innovative concept of Net-Geos, which connect multiple buildings through shared underground loops to balance heating and cooling demands across urban neighborhoods. By integrating real-time data from pilot projects in Massachusetts, I am developing a dynamic LCA model to assess the environmental, economic, and social impacts of these systems. Early studies show that Net-Geos can reduce GHG emissions by 26% compared to traditional HVAC systems, largely due to their energy-efficient operation and ability to share excess thermal energy between buildings.

My research bridges the gap between traditional LCA methods and the evolving needs of sustainable design by providing advanced LCA tools for both resilient building design and dynamic energy systems. The combination of parametric LCA for building design and dynamic LCA for Net-Geos equip stakeholders with data-driven insights to optimize environmental performance, reduce costs, and enhance resilience. This work aims to promote broader adoption of sustainable building practices and geothermal systems, contributing to the transition toward net-zero emissions while ensuring the benefits of clean energy solutions reach all communities.