Harshal Kansara

Dr. Harshal Kansara is a postdoctoral research associate in the Manufacturing Energy Efficiency Research & Analysis (MEERA) group at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory. At ORNL, Harshal works on tool development, energy & techno-economic analysis to support the on-site energy program, Strategic Analysis, Better plants and Energy Intensive Industries research.

Harshal obtained his Ph.D. in Sustainability from Rochester Institute of Technology, along with his M.E. and B.Tech. in Mechanical Engineering from RIT and Maharashtra Institute of Technology, respectively. His doctoral research focused on biodegradable materials and waste valorization through thermochemical conversion. Prior to his postdoctoral role, he interned at ORNL supporting the Better Plants & Energy Intensive Industries program as well as collaborated with Cornell University on waste valorization, closing farm nutrient loops, and agricultural waste management.

Harshal’s academic work includes contributions to Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research initiatives on sustainable agriculture. His research interests focus on closed loop manufacturing implementation, biochar applications in manufacturing, energy efficiency optimization, biomass & bioenergy use in industrial sector and techno-economic and life cycle assessment.