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Systems Analysis research is conducted within the Sustainable Technology Research Program of the National Risk Management Research Laboratory (NRMRL). NRMRL is the largest research organization under the EPA's Office of Research & Development (ORD). The Systems Analysis research programs grew out of preceding Research & Development programs in pollution prevention, life cycle assessment and computer modeling.
Our mission is to develop and demonstrate cost-effective decision making tools for use by the private and public sectors. Such tools integrate environmental solutions, life cycle concepts, value engineering, environmental engineering, economics, trade-offs and pollution prevention factors. The major technical efforts are organized under research themes:
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Simulation & Design
focuses on developing and demonstrating computerized approaches to achieving environmentally beneficial changes in manufacturing processes and products and measuring the progress achieved Life
Cycle Assessment (LCA)
focused on developing the conceptual model and methodology for conducting LCA; advancing the state-of the practice through various forums; and employing LCA tools and techniques as support to environmental decision-makers in real world operations Sustainability
Metrics
focuses on indicators and metrics (i.e., gauges and measured values) for determining the sustainability of a region, process, or product. Tools under development include general environmental metrics, building metrics, and process metrics. Environmental
Engineering Economics
provides partial or full support for developing the cost engineering aspects of original or ongoing technical efforts |
Tools
Integration for Sustainable Development
focuses on the identification, development, integration, and application of environmental decision-making tools, such as the development of a geographical information system (GIS) based environmental management system Impact Assessment & Measurement
focuses on the research, development and application of environmental impact assessment and progress measurement for environmental decision making, including development of impact assessment methodologies, tools, & supporting data in the areas of chemical & non-chemical environmental impacts, & measurement of progress in preventing pollution Engineering Trade-Offs
is tasked to develop a new, integrated decision-making approach to compare/contrast two or more states of being: a benchmark and an alternative, a change in a production process, alternative processes or products Mine
Waste Technology focus on developing and demonstrating innovative technologies at both the bench- and pilot-scale that treat wastes to reduce their volume, mobility, or toxicity. |