The net-zero transition requires carbon capture followed by sequestration or utilization (also known as CCUS).  The transition must be carefully planned, considering the future carbon emission trends as well as the potential improvements in the capture, sequestration, and utilization technologies. Moreover, the net greenhouse gas reduction benefits will depend on the simultaneous changes in the energy production technologies (such as power plants) and the associated systems.

This work aims to optimize this transition planning considering these diverse factors. The goal is to first develop a well-defined framework to study such problems. This requires integrating knowledge of technology and engineering with sustainability. The proposed optimization framework will be used to study the transition planning for India with 2070 as the net-zero target. 

The work is computational in nature. It will require understanding the sustainability-related issues regarding CCUS and developing a systematic method to determine the optimal transition pathway.