Energy

Greater than 80% of our global energy demand is met by the combustion of fossil fuels. By the year 2030, this energy demand is expected to grow by 50%. The nonrenewable nature of fossil fuels, the co-production of greenhouse gas, particulate, and heavy metal emissions during combustion, and the political instability incited by dependence on non-domestic energy sources demand a more sustainable approach to energy development. Yale Environmental Engineering faculty are addressing these global challenges by applying their core disciplinary skill sets in biotechnology, chemistry, and process engineering to develop the next generation of biofuels, extract energy from waste materials, and lower the energy costs of water treatment and delivery. A strong interdisciplinary environment encourages the integration of science and engineering with economics and policy to ensure the sustainable development of new energy technologies.