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Environmental technology

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Environmental technology (envirotech) is the application of technology to improve or monitor the environment or inputs into the natural environment in order to minise adverse environmental impacts. The technology involved can utilise environmental science, green chemistry, environmental monitoring and electronic devices.

Sustainable urban design and innovation: Photovoltaic ombrière SUDI is an autonomous and mobile station that replenishes energy for electric vehicles using solar energy.

The term is sometimes also used to describe sustainable energy generation technologies such as photovoltaics, wind turbines, etc.[citation needed]

Purification and waste management edit

Main article: Recycling

Examples edit

The concept of environmental technology refers to the use of engineering principles to understand and address issues that affect the environment with the aim of fostering environmental improvement. It involves the application of science and technology in the process of addressing environmental challenges through environmental conservation and the mitigation of human impact to the environment.

Environmental technology covers a wide domain of interventions aimed at conservation of the environment including;

Water purification edit

 
A view across a reverse osmosis desalination plant in Spain.
This section is an excerpt from Water purification.[edit]

Water purification is the process of removing undesirable chemicals, biological contaminants, suspended solids, and gases from water. The goal is to produce water that is fit for specific purposes. Most water is purified and disinfected for human consumption (drinking water), but water purification may also be carried out for a variety of other purposes, including medical, pharmacological, chemical, and industrial applications. The history of water purification includes a wide variety of methods. The methods used include physical processes such as filtration, sedimentation, and distillation; biological processes such as slow sand filters or biologically active carbon; chemical processes such as flocculation and chlorination; and the use of electromagnetic radiation such as ultraviolet light.

Water purification can reduce the concentration of particulate matter including suspended particles, parasites, bacteria, algae, viruses, and fungi as well as reduce the concentration of a range of dissolved and particulate matter.

The standards for drinking water quality are typically set by governments or by international standards. These standards usually include minimum and maximum concentrations of contaminants, depending on the intended use of the water.

A visual inspection cannot determine if water is of appropriate quality. Simple procedures such as boiling or the use of a household activated carbon filter are not sufficient for treating all possible contaminants that may be present in water from an unknown source. Even natural spring water—considered safe for all practical purposes in the 19th century—must now be tested before determining what kind of treatment, if any, is needed. Chemical and microbiological analysis, while expensive, are the only way to obtain the information necessary for deciding on the appropriate method of purification.

Air purification edit

Air purification describes the processes used to remove contaminants and pollutants from the air to reduce the potential adverse effects on humans and the environment. The process of air purification may be performed using methods such as mechanic filtration, ionization, activated carbon adsorption, photocatalytic oxidation, and ultraviolet light germicidal irradiation.

Sewage treatment edit

Main article: Sewage treatment

Sewage treatment involves removing impurities from sewage before reintroducing it to natural water bodies or aquifers. Industrial (manufacturing plants) and residential (laundry, bathing, toilets, dishwashing) activities generates sewage and wastewater in the form of grey and black water. The treatment process may involve storage of sewage in containers for solids to sediment, the use of microorganisms to remove dissolved and suspended biological matter, and subsequently, the discharge of the treated water into sensitive ecosystem. Some of the common methods of wastewater and sewage treatment include trickling filters, activated sludge, settlement and lagooning.

Environmental remediation edit

Environmental remediation is the process through which contaminants or pollutants in soil, water and other media are removed to improve environmental quality. The main focus is the reduction of hazardous substances within the environment. Some of the areas involved in environment remediation include; soil contamination, hazardous waste, groundwater contamination, oil, gas and chemical spills. There are three most common types of environmental remediation. These include soil, water, and sediment remediation. [1]

Soil remediation consists of removing contaminants in soil, as these pose great risks to humans and the ecosystem. Some examples of this are heavy metals, pesticides, and radioactive materials. Depending on the contaminant the remedial processes can be physical, chemical, thermal, or biological.

Water remediation is one of the most important considering water is an essential natural resource. Depending on the source of water there will be different contaminants. Surface water contamination mainly consists of agricultural, animal, and industrial waste, as well as acid mine drainage. [2] There has been a rise in the need for water remediation due to the increased discharge of industrial waste, leading to a demand for sustainable water solutions. The market for water remediation is expected to consistently increase to $19.6 billion by 2030. [3]

Sediment remediation consists of removing contaminated sediments using physical, chemical, and biological processes. [1][4]

Solid waste management edit

Solid waste management is the purification, consumption, reuse, disposal and treatment of solid waste that is undertaken by the government or the ruling bodies of a city/town.[5] It refers to the collection, treatment, and disposal of non-soluble, solid waste material. Solid waste is associated with both industrial, institutional, commercial and residential activities. Hazardous solid waste, when improperly disposed can encourage the infestation of insects and rodents, contributing to the spread of diseases. Some of the most common types of solid waste management include; landfills, vermicomposting, composting, recycling, and incineration. However, a major barrier for solid waste management practices is the high costs associated with recycling and the risks of creating more pollution.

E-Waste Recycling edit

The recycling of electronic waste (e-waste) has seen significant technological advancements due to increasing environmental concerns and the growing volume of electronic product disposals. Traditional e-waste recycling methods, which often involve manual disassembly, expose workers to hazardous materials and are labor-intensive. Recent innovations have introduced automated processes that improve safety and efficiency, allowing for more precise separation and recovery of valuable materials[6].

Modern e-waste recycling techniques now leverage automated shredding and advanced sorting technologies, which help in effectively segregating different types of materials for recycling. This not only enhances the recovery rate of precious metals but also minimizes the environmental impact by reducing the amount of waste destined for landfills. Furthermore, research into biodegradable electronics aims to reduce future e-waste through the development of electronics that can decompose more naturally in the environment[7].

These advancements support a shift towards a circular economy, where the lifecycle of materials is extended, and environmental impacts are significantly minimized.

Bioremediation edit

Bioremediation is a process that uses microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, plant enzymes, and yeast to neutrilize hazardous containments that can be in the environment. This could help mitigate a variety of environmental hazards, including oil spills, pesticides, heavy metals, and other pollutants. [8] Bioremediation can be conducted either on-site ('in situ') or off-site ('ex situ') which is often necessary if the climate is too cold. Factors influencing the duration of bioremediation would include to the extent of the contamination, environmental conditions, and with timelines that can range from months to years.[9]

Sustainable energy edit

 
Net Zero Court zero emissions office building prototype in St. Louis, Missouri
Main article: Sustainable energy

Concerns over pollution and greenhouse gases have spurred the search for sustainable alternatives to fossil fuel use. The global reduction of greenhouse gases requires the adoption of energy conservation as well as sustainable generation. That environmental harm reduction involves global changes such as:

  • substantially reducing methane emissions from melting perma-frost, animal husbandry, pipeline and well head leackage.
  • virtually eliminating fossil fuels for vehicles, heat, and electricity.
  • carbon dioxide capture and sequestration at point of combustion.
  • widespread use of public transport, battery and fuel cell vehicles
  • extensive implementation of wind/solar/water generated electricity
  • reducing peak demands with carbon taxes and time of use pricing[citation needed].

Since fuel used by industry and transportation account for the majority of world demand[citation needed], by investing in conservation and efficiency (using less fuel), pollution and greenhouse gases from these two sectors can be reduced around the globe. Advanced energy efficient electric motor (and electric generator) technology that are cost effective to encourage their application, such as variable speed generators and efficient energy use, can reduce the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) that would otherwise be introduced to the atmosphere, if electricity were generated using fossil fuels. Some scholars have expressed concern that the implementation of new environmental technologies in highly-developed national economies may cause economic and social disruption in less-developed economies.[10]

Examples edit

 
The Tesla Roadster (2008) was the first all-electric sports car for sale and in serial production. It can completely recharge from the electrical grid in 4 to 48 hours depending on the outlet used.

Renewable energy edit

Main article: Renewable energy

Renewable energy is the energy that can be replenished easily. For years we have been using sources such as wood, sun, water, etc. for means for producing energy. Energy that can be produced by natural objects like the sun, wind, etc. is considered to be renewable. Technologies that have been in usage include wind power, hydropower, solar energy, geothermal energy, and biomass/bioenergy. It refers to any form of energy that naturally regenerates over time, and does not run out. This form of energy naturally replenishes, and are characterized by low carbon foot print. Some of the most common types of renewable energy sources include; solar power, wind power, hydroelectric power, and bioenergy which is generated by burning organic matter.

Renewable Energy Innovations edit

The intersection of technology and sustainability has led to innovative solutions aimed at enhancing the efficiency of renewable energy systems. One such innovation is the integration of wind and solar power to maximize energy production. Companies like Unéole are pioneering technologies that combine solar panels with wind turbines on the same platform, which is particularly advantageous for urban environments with limited space. This hybrid system not only conserves space but also increases the energy yield by leveraging the complementary nature of solar and wind energy availability.[11]

Furthermore, advancements in offshore wind technology have significantly increased the viability and efficiency of wind energy. Modern offshore wind turbines feature improvements in structural design and aerodynamics, which enhance their energy capture and reduce costs. These turbines are now more adaptable to various marine environments, allowing for greater flexibility in location and potentially reducing visual pollution. The floating wind turbines, for example, use tension leg platforms and spar buoys that can be deployed in deeper waters, significantly expanding the potential areas for wind energy generation[12]

Such innovations not only advance the capabilities of individual renewable technologies but also contribute to a more resilient and sustainable energy grid. By optimizing the integration and efficiency of renewable resources, these technologies play a crucial role in the transition towards a sustainable energy future.

Energy conservation edit

Energy conservation is the utilization of devices that require smaller amounts of energy in order to reduce the consumption of electricity. Reducing the use of electricity causes less fossil fuels to be burned to provide that electricity. And it refers to the practice of using less energy through changes in individual behaviours and habits. The main emphasis for energy conservation is the prevention of wasteful use of energy in the environment, to enhance its availability. Some of the main approaches to energy conservation involves refraining from using devices which consume more energy, where possible.

eGain forecasting edit

Egain forecasting is a method using forecasting technology to predict the future weather's impact on a building.[13] By adjusting the heat based on the weather forecast, the system eliminates redundant use of heat, thus reducing the energy consumption and the emission of greenhouse gases.[14] It is a technology introduced by the eGain International, a Swedish company that intelligently balances building power consumption. The technology involves forecasting the amount of heating energy required by a building within a specific period, which results in energy efficiency and sustainability. eGain lowers building energy consumption and emissions while determining time for maintenance where inefficiencies are observed.

Solar Power edit

This section is an excerpt from Solar power.[edit]
 
Rooftop solar in Hong Kong
 
The first three concentrated solar power (CSP) units of Spain's Solnova Solar Power Station in the foreground, with the PS10 and PS20 solar power towers in the background

Solar power, also known as solar electricity, is the conversion of energy from sunlight into electricity, either directly using photovoltaics (PV) or indirectly using concentrated solar power. Solar panels use the photovoltaic effect to convert light into an electric current.[16] Concentrated solar power systems use lenses or mirrors and solar tracking systems to focus a large area of sunlight to a hot spot, often to drive a steam turbine.

Photovoltaics (PV) were initially solely used as a source of electricity for small and medium-sized applications, from the calculator powered by a single solar cell to remote homes powered by an off-grid rooftop PV system. Commercial concentrated solar power plants were first developed in the 1980s. Since then, as the cost of solar panels has fallen, grid-connected solar PV systems' capacity and production has doubled about every three years. Three-quarters of new generation capacity is solar,[17] with both millions of rooftop installations and gigawatt-scale photovoltaic power stations continuing to be built.

In 2023, solar power systems generated 5% of the world's electricity,[18] compared to 1% in 2015, when the Paris Agreement to limit climate change was signed.[19] Along with onshore wind, in most countries, the cheapest levelised cost of electricity for new installations is utility-scale solar.[20][21]

Almost half the solar power installed in 2022 was rooftop.[22] Much more low-carbon power is needed for electrification and to limit climate change.[17] The International Energy Agency said in 2022 that more effort was needed for grid integration and the mitigation of policy, regulation and financing challenges.[23]

Computational sustainability edit

This section is an excerpt from Computational sustainability.[edit]

Computational sustainability is an emerging field that attempts to balance societal, economic, and environmental resources for the future well-being of humanity using methods from mathematics, computer science, and information science fields.[24][25] Sustainability in this context refers to the world's ability to sustain biological, social, and environmental systems in the long term.

Using the power of computers to process large quantities of information, decision making algorithms allocate resources based on real-time information.[26] Applications advanced by this field are widespread across various areas. For example, artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques are created to promote long-term biodiversity conservation and species protection.[27][28] Smart grids implement renewable resources and storage capabilities to control the production and expenditure of energy.[29] Intelligent transportation system technologies can analyze road conditions and relay information to drivers so they can make smarter, more environmentally-beneficial decisions based on real-time traffic information.[30][31]

Sustainable Agriculture edit

Sustainable agriculture is an approach to farming that utilizes technology in a way that ensures food protection, while ensuring the long-term health and productivity of agricultural systems, ecosystems, and communities. Historically, technological advancements have significantly contributed to increasing agricultural productivity and reducing physical labor.[32]

The National Institue of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) improves sustainable agriculture though the use of funded programs aimed at fulfilling human food and fiber needs, improving environmental quality and preserving natural resources vital to the agricultural economy, optimizing the utilization of both nonrenewable and on-farm resources while integrating natural biological cycles and controls as appropriate, maintaining the economic viability of farm operations, and to foster an improved quality of life for farmers and society at large. Among its initiatives, the NIFA wants to improve farm and ranch practices, integrated pest management, rotational grazing, soil conservation, water quality/wetlands, cover crops, crop/landscape diversity, nutrient management, agroforestry, and alternative marketing.[33]

Education edit

Courses aimed at developing graduates with some specific skills in environmental systems or environmental technology are becoming more common and fall into three broads classes:

  • Environmental Engineering or Environmental Systems courses oriented towards a civil engineering approach in which structures and the landscape are constructed to blend with or protect the environment;
  • Environmental chemistry, sustainable chemistry or environmental chemical engineering courses oriented towards understanding the effects (good and bad) of chemicals in the environment. Such awards can focus on mining processes, pollutants and commonly also cover biochemical processes;
  • Environmental technology courses oriented towards producing electronic, electrical or electrotechnology graduates capable of developing devices and artefacts able to monitor, measure, model and control environmental impact, including monitoring and managing energy generation from renewable sources, and developing novel energy generation technologies.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b "What Are the 3 Main Types of Site Remediation?". www.ancoenv.net. 2022-09-20. Retrieved 2024-04-25.
  2. ^ "The main three types of environmental remediation and reclamation - Anderson Engineering". 2021-02-25. Retrieved 2024-04-25.
  3. ^ LLC, Rationalstat (2023-11-27). "Industrial Wastewater Treatment Market to Reach US$ 19.6 Billion by 2030, Driven by Stringent Environmental Regulations and Growing Demand for Sustainable Water Management Solutions | According to RationalStat". GlobeNewswire News Room. Retrieved 2024-04-25.
  4. ^ "Sediment Remediation • EnvGuide". EnvGuide. 2018-02-27. Retrieved 2024-04-25.
  5. ^ Retrieved June 16th, 2009. "Urban Waste Management". Retrieved June 16th, 2009. http://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/237191468330923040/pdf/918610v20WP0FM0BE0CATALOGED0BY0WED0.pdf
  6. ^ "Advancements in E-Waste Recycling Techniques". Sustainable Review. Retrieved 2023-04-22.
  7. ^ "10 Breakthrough Technologies 2024". MIT Technology Review. Retrieved 2023-04-22.
  8. ^ "What is Bioremediation". www.hawaii.edu. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
  9. ^ "What Is Bioremediation, and How Does It Work (With Examples)?". Investopedia. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
  10. ^ Eric Bonds and Liam Downey, ""Green" Technology and Ecologically Unequal Exchange: The Environmental and Social Consequences of Ecological Modernization in the World-System" in: Journal of World-Systems Research, Volume 18, Issue 2 (http://jwsr.pitt.edu/ojs/index.php/jwsr/article/view/482)
  11. ^ Gifford, Georgia (2016-05-14). "Five energy innovations revolutionising the developing world". Renewable Energy Focus. 17 (3): 97–98. doi:10.1016/j.ref.2016.05.001. ISSN 1755-0084.
  12. ^ Asim, Taimoor; Islam, Sheikh; Hemmati, Arman; Khalid, Muhammad (2022-01-14). "A Review of Recent Advancements in Offshore Wind Turbine Technology". Energies. 15 (2): 579. doi:10.3390/en15020579. ISSN 1996-1073.
  13. ^ Taesler, R. (1990/91) Climate and Building Energy Management. Energy and Buildings, Vol. 15–16, pp 599 – 608.
  14. ^ United States Patent 6098893 Comfort control system incorporating weather forecast data and a method for operating such a system (Inventor Stefan Berglund)
  15. ^ "Global Solar Atlas". globalsolaratlas.info. Retrieved 2022-08-12.
  16. ^ "Energy Sources: Solar". Department of Energy. Archived from the original on 14 April 2011. Retrieved 19 April 2011.
  17. ^ a b Gabbatiss, Josh (2024-01-12). "Analysis: World will add enough renewables in five years to power US and Canada". Carbon Brief. Retrieved 2024-02-11.
  18. ^ "Executive summary – Renewables 2023 – Analysis". IEA. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  19. ^ "Global Electricity Review 2022". Ember. 2022-03-29. Retrieved 2022-04-03.
  20. ^ "2023 Levelized Cost Of Energy+". Lazard. Retrieved 2023-06-14.
  21. ^ "Executive summary – Renewable Energy Market Update – Analysis". IEA. June 2023. Retrieved 2023-06-14.
  22. ^ Norman, Will (2023-06-13). "Through the roof: 49.5% of world's PV additions were rooftop in 2022 – SolarPower Europe". PV Tech. Retrieved 2023-06-14.
  23. ^ "Solar PV – Analysis". IEA. Retrieved 2022-11-10.
  24. ^ "www.computational-sustainability.org". www.computational-sustainability.org. Retrieved 2016-03-25.
  25. ^ Gomes, Carla; Dietterich, Thomas; Barrett, Christopher; Conrad, Jon; Dilkina, Bistra; Ermon, Stefano; Fang, Fei; Farnsworth, Andrew; Fern, Alan; Fern, Xiaoli; Fink, Daniel; Fisher, Douglas; Flecker, Alexander; Freund, Daniel; Fuller, Angela (2019-08-21). "Computational sustainability: computing for a better world and a sustainable future". Communications of the ACM. 62 (9): 56–65. doi:10.1145/3339399. ISSN 0001-0782.
  26. ^ Frenkel, Karen A. (1 September 2009). "Computer Science meets environmental science". Communications of the ACM. 52 (9): 23. doi:10.1145/1562164.1562174.
  27. ^ Hahn, Nathan R.; Bombaci, Sara P.; Wittemyer, George (2022-03-21). "Identifying conservation technology needs, barriers, and opportunities". Scientific Reports. 12 (1): 4802. doi:10.1038/s41598-022-08330-w. ISSN 2045-2322. PMC 8938523. PMID 35314713.
  28. ^ Silvestro, Daniele; Goria, Stefano; Sterner, Thomas; Antonelli, Alexandre (2022-03-24). "Improving biodiversity protection through artificial intelligence". Nature Sustainability. 5 (5): 415–424. doi:10.1038/s41893-022-00851-6. ISSN 2398-9629. PMC 7612764. PMID 35614933.
  29. ^ "CompSustNet: Home". www.compsust.net. Retrieved 2016-03-25.
  30. ^ Guerrero-ibanez, J. A.; Zeadally, S.; Contreras-Castillo, J. (2015-12-01). "Integration challenges of intelligent transportation systems with connected vehicle, cloud computing, and internet of things technologies". IEEE Wireless Communications. 22 (6): 122–128. doi:10.1109/MWC.2015.7368833. ISSN 1536-1284. S2CID 23948355.
  31. ^ Barth, Matthew J.; Wu, Guoyuan; Boriboonsomsin, Kanok (2015-09-01). "Intelligent Transportation Systems and Greenhouse Gas Reductions". Current Sustainable/Renewable Energy Reports. 2 (3): 90–97. doi:10.1007/s40518-015-0032-y. ISSN 2196-3010.
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  33. ^ "Sustainable Agriculture Programs | NIFA". www.nifa.usda.gov. Retrieved 2024-04-27.

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· “AI in Renewable Energy: Powering up for a Greener Tomorrow.” Www.linkedin.com, www.linkedin.com/pulse/ai-renewable-energy-powering-up-greener-tomorrow-neil-sahota. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.

· This is content published by linkedin press, so it should be a reliable source. And it provides an in-depth plumbing of the environmental content

· Wikipedia Contributors. “Sewage Treatment.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 25 Apr. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sewage_treatment.

· This Wikipedia article delves into the section on wastewater treatment in environmental technology and explains this section in detail and is a reliable source.

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, May 16). Water treatment. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drinking/public/water_treatment.html#:~:text=Public%20water%20systems%20often%20use,sedimentation%2C%20filtration%2C%20and%20disinfection.

Further reading edit

  • OECD Studies on Environmental Innovation Invention and Transfer of Environmental Technologies. OECD. September 2011. ISBN 978-92-64-11561-3.

External links edit

 
Wikiversity has learning resources about Appropriate technology Designs
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