Greg Keoleian’s Story of Pioneering Life Cycle Analysis for Sustainable Systems

Gregory Keoleian’s journey from a curious high school student interested in environmental issues to a leading expert in life cycle modeling for sustainable systems is marked by a blend of curiosity, dedication, and innovative thinking. Born in Detroit and raised in the suburbs of Garden City and Farmington Hills, Keoleian’s early interests in the environment were the foundation of his future career. As the Peter M. Wege Endowed Professor of Sustainable Systems, Professor of Sustainable Systems at the School for Environment and Sustainability, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the College of Engineering, and Tech Lead for Life Cycle Analysis at the new Electric Vehicle Center at the University of Michigan (U-M), Keoleian holds several distinguished titles that reflect his significant contributions to the field.

A Foundation in Chemical Engineering

Keoleian’s academic path began at U-M, where he earned degrees in chemistry (BS) and chemical engineering (BS, MSE, PhD). During his summers as an undergrad, he worked on the assembly line at Ford’s Rouge and Wixom plants. “Those experiences paid well and helped cover my undergrad tuition,” he recalls. While working as a biochemist studying muscular dystrophy for one year, he was offered a NIOSH traineeship. Keoleian returned to U-M to pursue graduate studies in chemical engineering and environmental health sciences.   

This training, including the mathematical modeling skills he gained, and his doctoral research on PCB contamination were foundational in shaping his future research. “I later discovered the need to look upstream from the generation of pollution and waste in order to solve it – to look at it in the design stages of products,” he says.

Pioneering Life Cycle Design

In the early 1990s, Keoleian began life cycle modeling and developed a life cycle design framework for the EPA, setting the stage for his career. Environmental impacts of products are evaluated from production through to their end of life, and design strategies are integrated to minimize negative impacts while also meeting other requirements such as cost and performance.

His work as a postdoc at U-M’s School for Natural Resources further cemented his role in this field. Keoleian co-founded the National Pollution Prevention Center for Higher Education, focusing on integrating pollution prevention into the curriculum. This initiative evolved into the Center for Sustainable Systems, a permanent center at the university. “We recognized that prevention and a ‘less is better approach’ isn’t enough. You need to create and apply systems analysis tools that can achieve environmental, social, and economic sustainability goals,” he says.

Interdisciplinary Research & Teaching

Keoleian’s passion for interdisciplinary research and teaching is evident in his work. As co-director of the Center for Sustainable Systems and the MI Hydrogen Initiative, he emphasizes the importance of systems analysis in tackling sustainability challenges. “I enjoy working across disciplinary boundaries, seeking solutions that can align the technology, policy, markets, and consumer behavior to accelerate positive outcomes,” he explains.

In 2007, he launched the Engineering Sustainable Systems dual degree program between the College of Engineering and the School for Natural Resources and Environment (now SEAS) to train a new generation of engineers in sustainable systems. “I find great satisfaction in collaborating with colleagues, research staff, and especially students, where we apply system analysis methods to a wide range of topics ranging from automobiles to building infrastructure, including lighting, appliances, and more.”

The National Pollution Prevention Center (NPPC) was a precursor to the Center for Sustainable Systems and a collaboration between SEAS (School of Natural Resources at the time), the College of Engineering and the Business School (now Ross). This experience helped shape Keoleian’s interdisciplinary research expertise. The NPPC focused on integrating pollution prevention into higher education spanning from accounting to chemical engineering. Similarly, his life cycle research has included collaborations across campus with Public Health and Medicine to Public Policy and the School of Information.

Life Cycle Assessment

At the core of Keoleian’s work is life cycle assessment. He explains, “Life cycle assessment is a comprehensive, science-based method for measuring the environmental performance of products, looking across their life cycle from production to use to retirement.” His pioneering work in this field has influenced countless studies and informed industry practices.

One of his seminal projects was a comprehensive life cycle study of a mid-sized vehicle, conducted with Ford, GM, and Chrysler, as well as various material industries. “We modeled a mid-sized vehicle with 20,000 parts and components, collecting data from assembly and engine plants,” he recalls. This study set a benchmark for the industry and basis for improving environmental performance.

Keoleian was the first to develop comprehensive life cycle models of several emerging technologies, including photovoltaics, e-books, LEDs, wireless charging, and autonomous vehicles. His work spans diverse areas, always with the goal of improving sustainability and informing design and policy.

Visionary Insights on Sustainability

Keoleian’s vision for sustainable transportation was evident 30 years ago when he made a controversial prediction about internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. “We organized the Industrial Ecology of the Automobile seminar series bringing together industry, government, and NGOs that led to a Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) book that concluded the current conventional ICE vehicle is not sustainable,” he recalls. Despite initial resistance from the industry, Keoleian’s conclusions have proven to be forward-thinking and accurate as the automotive industry now transitions toward electric vehicles.

Much of his life cycle modeling research focuses on accelerating climate and sustainability solutions across energy, mobility, built environment, water, and food systems. Keoleian served on U-M’s President’s Commission on Carbon Neutrality (2019-2021) and was named to the Reuters Hot List of the world’s top climate scientists in 2021. 

Keoleian emphasizes that “we are running out of time to decarbonize these systems to avoid the most adverse effects of climate change and irreversible damage to the planet’s life support system.” 

Hydrogen Ecosystems & Electric Vehicles

Keoleian’s recent work on hydrogen ecosystems and electric vehicles highlights the societal benefits of his research. He compares hydrogen fuel cell vehicles with battery electric vehicles, showing the efficiency of renewable electricity in driving wheels. “Our cross-campus research team evaluated energy efficiencies and intensities for passenger and freight across ground, air, and marine transportation and compared results with electric alternatives. This work is critical, given the large scale of industry and government investments to decarbonize transportation,” he says.

His work at U-M’s new Electric Vehicle Center aligns with his commitment to sustainable transportation. “Growing up in Detroit and working on the assembly line, I appreciate the EV Center’s vision to make Michigan the E-Motor Capital,” he says. “We want to be leaders in innovation and the clean energy transition for transportation.”

Future Directions & Impact

Keoleian continues to push the boundaries of sustainability research, exploring new technologies and methodologies. His studies range from dishwashers to diets, always aiming to inform industry, consumers, and policymakers. “I want to have an impact,” he asserts. “Our work is to identify opportunities for advancing sustainable technology and systems which requires understanding the economics, the role for industry and government policy, and consumer choice decision-making.”

As a tech lead in the EV Center, Keoleian values the collaborative environment and the insights from industry experts including former graduates and leaders like Alan Taub. “We are currently comparing the life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of alternative vehicle types and electric powertrains such as PHEVs and BEVs to inform industry and consumer decisions. Other topics being researched are battery material supply chains and total cost of ownership of EVs.”

Greg Keoleian’s adventurous approach to life and science has made him a pioneering force in sustainable systems. His dedication to interdisciplinary research, practical application, and impactful outcomes continues to shape the field and inspire future generations of engineers and sustainability experts.

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