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Environmental technology (envirotech) or green technology (greentech), also known as clean technology (cleantech), is the application of one or more of environmental science, green chemistry, environmental monitoring and electronic devices to monitor, model and conserve the natural environment and resources, and to curb the negative impacts of human involvement.

The term is also used to describe sustainable energy generation technologies such as photovoltaics, wind turbines, etc. Sustainable development is the core of environmental technologies. The term environmental technologies is also used to describe a class of electronic devices that can promote sustainable management of resources.

Purification and waste management

Main article: Recycling

Examples

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

A view across a reverse osmosis desalination plant in Spain.

Water purification: The whole idea/concept of having dirt/germ/pollution free water flowing throughout the environment. Many other phenomena lead from this concept of purification of water. Water pollution is the main enemy of this concept, and various campaigns and activists have been organized around the world to help purify water. [1] and involves the process of removing contaminants whether chemical, biological, gases or suspended solids from water, to make it suitable for human consumption . The purification process may be physical, biological or chemical. Physical water purification involves methods such as distillation, sedimentation or filtration. Biological processes use active carbon or sand filters. In the biological processes water can be purified through ultraviolet light, chlorine or flocculation.

Air purification

Air purification: Basic and common green plants can be grown indoors to keep the air fresh because all plants remove CO2 and convert it into oxygen. The best examples are: Dypsis lutescens, Sansevieria trifasciata, and Epipremnum aureum. [2] Besides using the plants themselves, some species of bacteria can also be added to the leaves of these plants to help remove toxic gases, such as toluene. [3] [4]. It represents the process through contaminants and pollutants are removed from the air making clean and healthy for breathing. The process of air purification may be performed using these common methods including; mechanic filtration, ionization, activated carbon adsorption, photocatalytic oxidation, and ultraviolet light germicidal irradiation.

Sewage treatment

Sewage treatment is conceptually similar to water purification. Sewage treatments are very important as they purify water per levels of pollution. The most polluted water is not used for anything, and the least polluted water is supplied to places where water is used affluently. It may lead to various other concepts of environmental protection, sustainability, etc. [5] It involves the process of removing impurities from the polluted water 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; filtration, activated carbon treatment, lagooning, reverse osmosis, and sand filtration.

Environmental remediation

Environmental remediation is the removal of pollutants or contaminants for the general protection of the environment. This is accomplished by various chemical, biological, and bulk methods. [6] it refers to the process through which contaminant or pollutants in soil, water and other media are removed to improve environment 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.

Solid waste management

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. [7] 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

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 [8].

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 [9].

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

Sustainable energy

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 our current 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:

  • reducing air pollution and methane from biomass
  • virtually eliminating fossil fuels for vehicles, heat, and electricity, left in the ground.
  • widespread use of public transport, battery and fuel cell vehicles
  • more wind/solar/water generated electricity
  • reducing peak demands with carbon taxes and time of use pricing.

Since fuel used by industry and transportation account for the majority of world demand, 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. Greasestock is an event held yearly in Yorktown Heights, New York which is one of the largest showcases of environmental technology in the United States. [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] 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. [15]

Examples

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

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

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. [16]

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 [17]

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.

 

Artificial Intelligence in Renewable Energy

Abstract

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in renewable energy is becoming increasingly important as the world's demand for sustainable energy solutions grows.AI can optimize the operation of energy systems by managing and forecasting renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, more efficiently.

Potential Benefits

Resource optimization: AI optimizes the layout and operation of renewable energy facilities by analyzing large amounts of data about environmental conditions.

Energy efficiency: AI predicts energy supply and demand patterns to reduce waste and improve the efficiency of energy production and distribution.

Grid Management: AI algorithms assist in balancing grid loads, taking into account the volatility of renewable energy sources.

Maintenance and durability: AI's predictive maintenance extends the life of renewable energy equipment by anticipating potential failures.

Challenges

Despite the potential of AI to revolutionize renewable energy technologies, challenges remain in its implementation, such as the need for data processing power, data privacy, and security issues.

Industrial applications

Solar energy: applying machine learning techniques to predict the availability of sunlight and improve the efficiency of photovoltaic systems.

Energy storage: AI determines the optimal timing of energy storage and release, with a key focus on managing the intermittency of renewable energy.

Future Outlook

The role of AI in renewable energy is an active area of research and development, potentially influential enough to significantly improve the scalability and sustainability of renewable energy solutions. However, continued advances in AI technology and data analytics are needed to fully realize these benefits.

Energy conservation

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

Egain forecasting is a method using forecasting technology to predict the future weather's impact on a building. [18] 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. [19] 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

This image shows how solar panels can be used

Solar power, or solar energy, is a renewable and sustainable form of energy produced from the sun's light. [20] It is captured using photovoltaic (PV) cells, which use the photovoltaic effect to turn sunlight into power directly. “The efficiency of the photovoltaic (PV) cells that make up a solar panel is calculated on the basis of energy from sunlight that is converted into electricity by semiconductors. An efficient solar panel is one that generates more electricity by occupying less space.” [21]

Moreover, solar power has numerous benefits, making it an increasingly popular option for renewable energy generation worldwide. There are countless reasons why people are using solar power instead of electricity. "The main reason is pretty simple: solar PV is different from every other source of electricity, in ways that make it uniquely well-suited to 21st-century needs." [22] For starters, solar energy is unlimited and limitless, with the sun providing more energy to the Earth in an hour than the whole world population uses in a year.

In addition, solar panels may be installed on various surfaces, including roofs, unoccupied ground, and aquatic bodies, increasing their adaptability and accessibility. [23] “Since 2008, hundreds of thousands of solar panels have popped up across the country as an increasing number of Americans choose to power their daily lives with the sun’s energy. Thanks in part to Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) investments, the cost of going solar goes down every year.” [24] As evidenced above, it appears that an increasing number of Americans are switching to solar energy to power their everyday life, signaling a trend toward more sustainable and ecologically friendly energy sources. This trend is most likely motivated by several causes, including growing knowledge of climate change, worries about energy reliability, and a desire to minimize reliance on fossil fuels. As a result, these solar power systems can be used to help lessen environmental impact and combat climate change. 

Computational sustainability

This section is an excerpt from Computational sustainability.

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. [25] [26] 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. [27] 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. [28] [29] Smart grids implement renewable resources and storage capabilities to control the production and expenditure of energy. [30] 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. [31] [32]

Education

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

References

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  2. ^ Kamal Meattle on how to grow fresh air Archived 2011-06-06 at the Wayback Machine TED (conference)
  3. ^ EOS magazine, February 2017; Azalea's with extra bacteria can help to degrade toluene
  4. ^ "Bacteria on Hedera helix able to help degrade exhaust gases from Diesel engines running on Diesel". Archived from the original on 2017-09-01. Retrieved 2017-07-09.
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  12. ^ " Greasestock 2008 Archived 2008-05-29 at the Wayback Machine". Greasestock Archived 2008-05-29 at the Wayback Machine . Retrieved May 20, 2008.
  13. ^ Max, Josh. " Gas-guzzlers become veggie delights at Greasestock in Yorktown Heights Archived 2011-08-05 at the Wayback Machine". Daily News. May 13, 2008.
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  19. ^ United States Patent 6098893 Comfort control system incorporating weather forecast data and a method for operating such a system (Inventor Stefan Berglund)
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  21. ^ "What is solar panel energy efficiency?". Enel X. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
  22. ^ Roberts, David (2015-04-28). "A solar future isn't just likely — it's inevitable". Vox. Retrieved 2024-04-09.
  23. ^ “Since 2008, hundreds of thousands of solar panels have popped up across the country as an increasing number of Americans choose to power their daily lives with the sun’s energy. Thanks in part to Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) investments, the cost of going solar goes down every year.”
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  29. ^ 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.
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Gomes, C., Dietterich, T., Barrett, C., Conrad, J., Dilkina, B., Ermon, S., ... & Zeeman, M. L. (2019). Computational sustainability: Computing for a better world and a sustainable future. Communications of the ACM, 62(9), 56-65.

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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.

Further reading

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

External links

Wikiversity has learning resources about Appropriate technology Designs
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