Decisions about energy technology and the advancement of innovation can either adversely or positively impact our economy and the environment. Both life cycle assessment (LCA) and techno-economic analysis (TEA) are pillars to the quantitative sustainability research we undertake. We develop novel LCA methods to understand the changing regional and temporal patterns of energy infrastructure and the subsequent environmental outcomes. Our analyses examine project-level economics of both new innovations but also existing technology alternatives that can mitigate impacts. Technology innovation plays a pivotal role in our policy research. We investigate the policies that encourage the development and deployment of more sustainable energy technology innovations. Â