MIT Energy Initiative

Researchers from MIT's Plasma Science and Fusion Center are using AI-enhanced simulations and machine learning to predict how plasma will behave in fusion devices, revealing more efficient ways to generate fusion energy. This research aims to predict a given technology's performance before its piloted so smarter design choices can be made, if necessary. Learn more about the team's efforts to advance fusion: https://lnkd.in/exeHJBN7

? The energy of the future: Meet Javier Gil '26. Javier helped transform carbon dioxide into useful by-products, as a part of the MITEI energy undergraduate research opportunities program. This work can improve the efficiency and economic value of carbon capture technologies. Here, Javier, a chemical-biological engineering major at MIT, shares how his work is contributing to the fight against climate change. #aroundMIT #energy #carboncapture #energytransition #energyofthefuture

The instantaneous effect of neutron bombardment does not suppress superconducting magnets' abilities and, therefore, should not negatively impact fusion reactor operations, shows new MITEI-funded experiments. These results confirm that companies, like MIT spinout Commonwealth Fusion Systems, can continue with current fusion plant designs. "This is now one less thing to be concerned about," states lead author Alexis Devitre, from the MIT Plasma Science and Fusion Center. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eZ9BrQGY

Hydrogen ingress poses a major challenge to metal durability in?hydrogen energy systems and corrosive environments. A new MITEI-funded research shows how?ultrathin nano-cloaking liquid films?can?significantly reduce hydrogen penetration into steel, helping to prevent embrittlement. These films could be?integrated with advanced coatings?to enhance long-term hydrogen protection in?pipelines, geothermal systems, and hydrogen infrastructure. Read the full study: https://lnkd.in/ey5kgnAa

Liquid air energy storage (LAES)—a little-known but proven technology—could be the lowest-cost solution for ensuring a reliable power supply on a future grid dominated by intermittent, carbon-free energy sources, reveals a new model developed by an MIT-led team. According to MIT PhD candidate Shaylin Cetegen, a primary advantage of LAES is that it’s clean. “There are no contaminants involved,” she says. “It takes in and releases only ambient air and electricity, so it’s as clean as the electricity that’s used to run it.” An LAES system can be built largely from commercially available components, does not rely on expensive or rare materials, and can be sited almost anywhere, including near other industrial processes that produce waste heat or cold that can be used by the LAES system to increase its energy efficiency. Learn more about this technology and the team's findings: https://lnkd.in/eCHNJJw8 #energystorage #energy #research

MITx course: Sustainable building design: Classes start Tuesday, March 18th The building sector represents a large percentage of overall energy consumption, and contributes 40% of the carbon emissions driving climate change. In this course, learn how to design comfortable indoor environments while reducing energy use and associated climate change effects. Register: https://lnkd.in/eqDSsG-d

?? You can't get to a robust clean energy portfolio without nuclear, argues Jacopo Buongiorno. This week's podcast episode discusses the role nuclear plays in achieving a clean energy mix & the lessons?we've learned to make nuclear power safer. Available in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. #energy #podcast #whatifitworks #nuclear #fission

Zoe Fisher is studying materials for fusion power plants. She began her journey at MIT during the nuclear science Freshman Pre-Orientation Program—an experience that would spark her interest in fusion research. Now as a second year doctoral student, Fisher is expanding on her master's thesis exploring how defects alter the properties of ceramics upon radiation. This work can have significant implications for superconductors and the insulation of fusion plants. Learn more about Fisher's MIT experience: https://lnkd.in/eE_DcEJT

Carolyn Ruppel has been named MITEI's deputy director of science and technology, effective March 10. Most recently, Ruppel was the acting senior science advisor to the U.S. Geological Survey and a senior-rank geophysicist. She is also an MIT alumna, has been a visiting scientist in the MIT Earth Resources Laboratory, and previously collaborated on a published study with MITEI. “Carolyn’s understanding of the complexity of the energy transition, as well as the urgency of our work, and her knowledge of MIT, make her the ideal person to join me in working with faculty, scientists, and students across the Institute to decarbonize our energy systems,” said William Green, MITEI director. https://lnkd.in/ey-ZgSKE

How do you keep a country running when 1000s of missiles and drones are aimed at its power grid? Last night at MIT, Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, former CEO of NPC UKRENERGO, joined Mariana Budjeryn, Senior Research Associate at Harvard's Belfer Center, for a powerful conversation on energy resilience in wartime. ??February 24, 2022 Mr. Kudrytskyi opened with the story of Ukraine’s planned disconnection from the Russian grid, a process set in motion in fall 2021. When Ukrainian officials asked Russia to agree a date, the response was February 24, 2022.? At 1am that night, Ukrainian grid operators disconnected the last 750 Kv line connecting Ukraine to Russia.? At 4am, Russia launched its full-scale invasion. There is little doubt that Russian authorities timed this to exploit Ukraine’s energy vulnerability. ?Load Shedding & Grid Stability Russia’s 1st major attack against Ukraine’s electrical grid on Nov 15 2022 aimed to cut connections between power generation in the west of the country and demand-heavy regions in the east. A nationwide blackout occurred on Nov 23 following another massive attack. But since then, despite 20 major Russian attacks on Ukraine’s grid, Ukraine has prevented another nationwide blackout by dynamically adjusting power loads—reducing nuclear plant output in the west & strategically cutting consumption in the east before missiles hit. ??Protecting & Restoring the Grid Physical defenses: Sandbags & specially designed protective structures shield transformers from missile debris and shockwaves. Rapid restoration: Ukraine is now replacing infrastructure faster than Russia can destroy it. Despite being hit by 331 missiles and 229 drones between Sept 2022 and Feb 2025, Ukrenergo has kept the lights on. Supply chain resilience: Many of Ukraine’s transformers have been damaged by Russian strikes & had to be replaced. With no stock of large transformers available from the U.S. or Europe, Ukraine turned to domestic manufacturers, repurposed old equipment. ??Decentralization Before the war, 95% of Ukraine’s power came from just 15–20 large plants—efficient in peacetime but perfect targets in war. Now, Ukraine is moving toward a decentralized grid with 100s of smaller, distributed power sources that will be harder to target & quicker to restore. ??Cybersecurity Despite a tenfold increase in cyberattacks since the invasion, Ukraine’s grid has not suffered a single perimeter breach since Feb 2022. Anticipating cyberwarfare, Ukrenergo invested over $100M in cybersecurity, created an industrial security operations center & physically separated critical infrastructure from the internet. Initially, European partners feared that integrating Ukraine’s grid would expose them to cyber threats—but instead, Ukraine has been a cybersecurity donor, strengthening Europe’s defenses. This event was organized by MIT-Ukraine at the MIT Center for International Studies (CIS), in partnership with MIT Energy Initiative & MIT SSP (Security Studies Program)