This online course provides a clear and practical introduction to industrial and building decarbonization, focusing on strategies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve energy efficiency. It highlights electrification, energy efficiency measures, alternative fuels, and carbon capture technologies as key levers in the transition to a low-carbon future.

You will explore the step-by-step process of transitioning buildings and industrial facilities to all-electric and low-carbon systems, including assessing electrical infrastructure, integrating high-efficiency technologies, and using demand-side management to optimize energy use. Core topics include industrial process heat electrification, thermal energy storage (TES), and the role of distributed energy resources (DERs). You will also learn how to apply smart controls, bidirectional energy flows, and flexible load management strategies to support grid stability and reduce costs.

The course includes real-world applications and case studies covering heat pump deployment, electrification of industrial processes, and selecting low-GWP refrigerants. It also addresses sector-specific challenges in steel, cement, refining, chemicals, and commercial buildings. Strategies to manage peak demand, integrate storage, and phase implementation for cost-effective results are also explored.

You will gain insight into the policy and regulatory landscape shaping decarbonization, including incentives such as 45Q carbon-capture credits and DOE electrification programs, along with guidance aligned with ASHRAE, ENERGY STAR®, and DOE standards.

This course is designed for engineers, architects, energy managers, HVAC professionals, and industry leaders committed to advancing electrification, decarbonization, and sustainability in the built environment. It serves as a practical resource for those leading the transition to low-carbon, high-performance systems.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the fundamental principles of industrial and building decarbonization, including strategies to reduce carbon emissions, enhance energy efficiency, and transition from fossil fuels in industrial processes, heating, cooling, and hot water systems.
• Identify and explain key components of industrial electrification, such as process heat decarbonization, alternative fuels (hydrogen, biofuels), and demand-side energy management, while addressing infrastructure considerations like electrical grid capacity, load flexibility, and energy storage solutions.
• Analyze strategies for improving system performance in industrial and commercial applications, including thermal energy storage (TES), carbon capture, bidirectional energy flow, and smart grid integration, to enhance energy reliability, emissions reduction, and cost savings.
• Explore emerging technologies such as electric boilers, heat pumps for high-temperature applications, low-carbon hydrogen, and advanced carbon capture and utilization (CCUS) to support low-carbon industrial transformation.
• Understand regulatory and economic considerations, including 45Q tax credits for carbon capture, Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) incentives, ASHRAE and DOE standards, ENERGY STAR® certifications, and lifecycle cost analysis, to evaluate the financial and policy landscape driving industrial decarbonization.
• Evaluate technical, environmental, and operational challenges of decarbonization, including grid capacity constraints, peak demand mitigation, emissions compliance, refrigerant management, and phased implementation strategies that align with sustainability, resilience, and economic feasibility objectives.