Sustainable engineering
Sustainable engineering focuses on developing infrastructure and technology in ways that do not deplete nonrenewable resources, thereby promoting sustainable development. This field addresses the urgent need to transition away from fossil fuels, which are finite and contribute to environmental degradation, toward renewable energy sources like solar and wind power. Innovations in electric vehicles exemplify sustainable engineering, as they reduce reliance on gasoline and minimize air pollution. The movement towards sustainable practices is reflected in initiatives like Tesla's decision to share its electric vehicle technology to encourage wider adoption.
Furthermore, sustainable engineering encompasses the development of renewable energy facilities, such as solar farms and wind farms, which harness natural resources without contributing to climate change. Countries such as India and Germany are leading the way in adopting these technologies, with solar and offshore wind farms becoming increasingly prevalent. By recognizing the interconnectedness of global systems, sustainable engineering seeks to mitigate negative impacts across borders and promote a healthier planet for future generations. As advancements in technology continue, the potential for sustainable solutions in energy production and transportation is expanding, paving the way for a more sustainable future.
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Sustainable engineering
Sustainable engineering is an effort by engineers to promote sustainable development. Sustainable developmen involves creating and advancing society's infrastructure without depleting additional nonrenewable resources. This means shifting energy-production systems such as power plants and transportation and manufacturing away from fossil fuels and other nonrenewable resources. Good examples of sustainable development include electric cars and solar and wind farms.
Overview
Most people acknowledge that humanity needs to change the way it works with technology and industry. Fossil fuels, such as oil, coal, and natural gas, are in limited supply yet much of the world's industry still depends on them. If our civilization does not advance to the point where we are using resources that are not finite and our other resources begin to run out, the consequences will be unimaginable. This is where sustainable engineering comes in.
Sustainable engineers acknowledge this problem through practical means. They move our world's infrastructure forward in a way that is not fueled by finite resources such as fossil fuels. Instead, they are fueled by resources such as wind power, solar power, or electricity. Social engineers encourage people to look at the world as a global system, where actions in one part of the world could have negative consequences in another. For example, one nation's need for inexpensive electricity might cause acid rain that damages the crop harvest of another nearby nation. Another example is China's continued practice of shark finning, which severely damages the ocean ecosystem relied upon by other nations.
One potential leap forward in sustainable engineering is the current revolution in electric cars. Cars that run on normal engines, which are fueled by gasoline and lubricated with oil, are a huge drain on the environment. Each combustion engine is like a small power plant by itself. It consumes irreplaceable resources and creates air pollution that accelerates global climate change. In response to this, several companies worldwide have begun to market electric cars. These cars run on batteries, use no oil or gasoline, and give off no exhaust. They are undeniably better for the environment, and far more sustainable. However, current companies cannot produce enough electric cars to make a sizable dent in the gasoline-driven market. In the interest of sustainable engineering and development, electric-car market-leader Tesla has released all its patents, making the technology it uses to make its vehicles public and free for other companies to use. Though it may lose money, Tesla hopes that other companies will begin using its technology to produce electric cars for the benefit of the environment.
Another area driven by sustainable engineering is the generation of electricity itself. Coal-fired power plants are not sustainable for future generations. Sustainable alternatives have been found in wind farms, both on land and at sea, and in solar power. India, for example, has implemented solar farms into several of its states. Solar farms are arrays of millions of solar panels that are spread out in an area that is sunny the majority of the time, such as in India's deserts. Unlike fossil fuels, the world will never run out of solar energy, making it sustainable indefinitely. Additionally, unlike coal-burning power plants, solar panels do not produce greenhouse gases and advance climate change. Finally, unlike nuclear power plants, solar panels do not melt down or generate nuclear waste. The number of new solar tiles being installed doubles every two years in countries such as India and China. As technological advancements in the future make them cheaper and more efficient, this number will continue to increase.
Similar to solar farms, wind farms are being relied upon more often as traditional energy prices rise and wind-power technology grows more efficient. Wind farms are tracts of land with many wind turbines on them, normally in very gusty areas. On these farms, wind is turned into electricity through wind turbines, which are giant windmill-like structures with blades placed high in the air. These structures are hundreds of feet tall, and their blades are often longer than one hundred feet. The wind catches the blades and spins them, which in turn moves a turbine. The turbine generates electricity, which is sent to a power plant. While wind farms take up a great deal of space, they have the potential to produce a significant amount of electricity. Like solar power, wind is not a limited resource and harnessing it does not increase global climate change.
A new type of solar farm that is growing in international popularity is the offshore wind farm, which is built in the water. Sometimes the turbines are even placed on top of giant floating platforms. These wind farms take advantage of the vast space and powerful winds found the ocean. Germany has been successful with its offshore wind farm. South Korea is also in the process of erecting a massive 500-turbine offshore wind farm in the name of sustainable engineering.
Tyler J. Biscontini
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