Analyzing Low-Carbon Energy Impacts and Industry Solutions
Adam Ali SM ’25 is a Graduate Research Assistant with the MIT Energy Initiative, pursuing a Master of Science in Technology and Policy at MIT. With a background in Petroleum Engineering and Business Administration from Louisiana State University, he blends technical expertise with strategic business acumen to impact the energy sector. At MIT, his research focuses on leveraging advanced software like GenX to analyze the economic impacts of carbon-free energy on the electric sector.
What is the focus of your research? What sort of knowledge and disciplines does it bring together? How will it make an impact?
My research examines the transition to 24/7 low-carbon electricity procurement and its impacts on the energy market, including effects on wholesale electricity prices, carbon premiums, emissions, and grid reliability. As both private and public entities intensify efforts to reduce Scope 2 emissions and capitalize on incentives from recent legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the push towards switching from a volumetric (annual) to an hourly (24/7) accounting framework has gained momentum. Under the guidance of Dr. John Parsons at the MIT Center for Energy & Environmental Policy Research (CEEPR), we are assessing the consequences of this shift. Our findings aim to inform policymakers and regulators on key considerations for developing frameworks that support these voluntary commitments in the evolving power market.
Shell Techworks Experience:
Summer of 2024, I interned at Shell Techworks as a Systems Engineer within their Systems Analysis team. Techworks is Shell’s innovation center based in Boston, MA that focuses on developing new technologies and solutions across Shell’s business. I also learned to sail on the Charles River during the summer at the MIT Sailing Pavilion.
During my internship, I was fortunate to work on three separate projects. The first project involved conducting a systems analysis for retrofitting a refinery with Shell’s proprietary Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS) technology. This analysis included integrating the benefits of 45Q tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The second project was a techno-economic analysis for multi-lateral drilling and electrifying Shell’s drilling and completion operations, offering valuable insights on optimizing resource extraction while minimizing environmental impact. The third project required reviewing and analyzing policies to identify potential gaps in the management of maritime operations.
How does the internship connect to your current research and future plans?
This internship provided me with a practical application of systems thinking, techno-economic analysis, and policy evaluation—skills that I am developing through the Technology and Policy Program (TPP). The hands-on experience at Shell Techworks not only complemented my academic work but also the ongoing research at the MIT Center for Energy & Environmental Policy Research (CEEPR).
