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Environmental technology

Environmental technology (envirotech) is the use of engineering and technological approaches 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.

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

Water purification edit

 
A view across a reverse osmosis desalination plant in Spain.

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 mechanical filtration, ionization, activated carbon adsorption, photocatalytic oxidation, and ultraviolet light germicidal irradiation.

Sewage treatment edit

Sewage treatment (or domestic wastewater treatment, municipal wastewater treatment) is a type of wastewater treatment which aims to remove contaminants from sewage to produce an effluent that is suitable to discharge to the surrounding environment or an intended reuse application, thereby preventing water pollution from raw sewage discharges.[1] Sewage contains wastewater from households and businesses and possibly pre-treated industrial wastewater. There are a high number of sewage treatment processes to choose from. These can range from decentralized systems (including on-site treatment systems) to large centralized systems involving a network of pipes and pump stations (called sewerage) which convey the sewage to a treatment plant. For cities that have a combined sewer, the sewers will also carry urban runoff (stormwater) to the sewage treatment plant. Sewage treatment often involves two main stages, called primary and secondary treatment, while advanced treatment also incorporates a tertiary treatment stage with polishing processes and nutrient removal. Secondary treatment can reduce organic matter (measured as biological oxygen demand) from sewage,  using aerobic or anaerobic biological processes. A so-called quarternary treatment step (sometimes referred to as advanced treatment) can also be added for the removal of organic micropollutants, such as pharmaceuticals. This has been implemented in full-scale for example in Sweden.[2]

A large number of sewage treatment technologies have been developed, mostly using biological treatment processes. Design engineers and decision makers need to take into account technical and economical criteria of each alternative when choosing a suitable technology.[3]: 215  Often, the main criteria for selection are: desired effluent quality, expected construction and operating costs, availability of land, energy requirements and sustainability aspects. In developing countries and in rural areas with low population densities, sewage is often treated by various on-site sanitation systems and not conveyed in sewers. These systems include septic tanks connected to drain fields, on-site sewage systems (OSS), vermifilter systems and many more. On the other hand, advanced and relatively expensive sewage treatment plants may include tertiary treatment with disinfection and possibly even a fourth treatment stage to remove micropollutants.[2]

At the global level, an estimated 52% of sewage is treated.[4] However, sewage treatment rates are highly unequal for different countries around the world. For example, while high-income countries treat approximately 74% of their sewage, developing countries treat an average of just 4.2%.[4]

The treatment of sewage is part of the field of sanitation. Sanitation also includes the management of human waste and solid waste as well as stormwater (drainage) management.[5] The term sewage treatment plant is often used interchangeably with the term wastewater treatment plant.[3][page needed][6]

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 environmental 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. [7]

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. [8] 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. [9]

Sediment remediation consists of removing contaminated sediments. Is it almost similar to soil remediation except it is often more sophisticated as it involves additional contaminants. To reduce the contaminants it is likely to use physical, chemical, and biological processes that help with source control, but if these processes are executed correctly, there's a risk of contamination resurfacing. [7][10]

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.[11] 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.[12]

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.[13]

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. [14] 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.[15]

Examples edit

Sustainable energy edit

 
Net Zero Court zero emissions office building prototype in St. Louis, Missouri

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 wellhead leakage.
  • 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.[16]

Renewable energy edit

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 is characterized by a low carbon footprint. 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.

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 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.[17]

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[18]

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 behaviors 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 involve refraining from using devices that 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.[19] 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.[20] 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

 
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.[22] 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,[23] 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,[24] compared to 1% in 2015, when the Paris Agreement to limit climate change was signed.[25] Along with onshore wind, in most countries, the cheapest levelised cost of electricity for new installations is utility-scale solar.[26][27]

Almost half the solar power installed in 2022 was rooftop.[28] Much more low-carbon power is needed for electrification and to limit climate change.[23] The International Energy Agency said in 2022 that more effort was needed for grid integration and the mitigation of policy, regulation and financing challenges.[29]

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.[30][31] 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.[32] 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.[33][34] Smart grids implement renewable resources and storage capabilities to control the production and expenditure of energy.[35] 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.[36][37]

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.[38]

The National Institue of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) improves sustainable agriculture through 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.[39]

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 artifacts 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. ^ Khopkar, S.M. (2004). Environmental Pollution Monitoring And Control. New Delhi: New Age International. p. 299. ISBN 978-81-224-1507-0.
  2. ^ a b Takman, Maria; Svahn, Ola; Paul, Catherine; Cimbritz, Michael; Blomqvist, Stefan; Struckmann Poulsen, Jan; Lund Nielsen, Jeppe; Davidsson, Åsa (2023-10-15). "Assessing the potential of a membrane bioreactor and granular activated carbon process for wastewater reuse – A full-scale WWTP operated over one year in Scania, Sweden". Science of the Total Environment. 895: 165185. Bibcode:2023ScTEn.895p5185T. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165185. ISSN 0048-9697. PMID 37385512. S2CID 259296091.
  3. ^ a b Von Sperling, M. (2007). "Wastewater Characteristics, Treatment and Disposal". Water Intelligence Online. 6. doi:10.2166/9781780402086. ISSN 1476-1777.   Text was copied from this source, which is available under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
  4. ^ a b Jones, Edward R.; van Vliet, Michelle T. H.; Qadir, Manzoor; Bierkens, Marc F. P. (2021). "Country-level and gridded estimates of wastewater production, collection, treatment and reuse". Earth System Science Data. 13 (2): 237–254. Bibcode:2021ESSD...13..237J. doi:10.5194/essd-13-237-2021. ISSN 1866-3508.
  5. ^ "Sanitation". Health topics. World Health Organization. Retrieved 2020-02-23.
  6. ^ George Tchobanoglous; H. David Stensel; Ryujiro Tsuchihashi; Franklin L. Burton; Mohammad Abu-Orf; Gregory Bowden, eds. (2014). Metcalf & Eddy Wastewater Engineering: Treatment and Resource Recovery (5th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill Education. ISBN 978-0-07-340118-8. OCLC 858915999.
  7. ^ a b "What Are the 3 Main Types of Site Remediation?". www.ancoenv.net. 2022-09-20. Retrieved 2024-04-25.
  8. ^ "The main three types of environmental remediation and reclamation - Anderson Engineering". 2021-02-25. Retrieved 2024-04-25.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ "Sediment Remediation • EnvGuide". EnvGuide. 2018-02-27. Retrieved 2024-04-25.
  11. ^ Retrieved June 16th, 2009. "Urban Waste Management". Retrieved June 16th, 2009. http://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/237191468330923040/pdf/918610v20WP0FM0BE0CATALOGED0BY0WED0.pdf
  12. ^ "Advancements in E-Waste Recycling Techniques". Sustainable Review. Retrieved 2023-04-22.
  13. ^ "10 Breakthrough Technologies 2024". MIT Technology Review. Retrieved 2023-04-22.
  14. ^ "What is Bioremediation". www.hawaii.edu. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
  15. ^ "What Is Bioremediation, and How Does It Work (With Examples)?". Investopedia. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
  16. ^ 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)
  17. ^ Gifford, Georgia (2016-05-14). "Five energy innovations revolutionizing the developing world". Renewable Energy Focus. 17 (3): 97–98. doi:10.1016/j.ref.2016.05.001. ISSN 1755-0084.
  18. ^ 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.
  19. ^ Taesler, R. (1990/91) Climate and Building Energy Management. Energy and Buildings, Vol. 15–16, pp 599 – 608.
  20. ^ United States Patent 6098893 Comfort control system incorporating weather forecast data and a method for operating such a system (Inventor Stefan Berglund)
  21. ^ "Global Solar Atlas". globalsolaratlas.info. Retrieved 2022-08-12.
  22. ^ "Energy Sources: Solar". Department of Energy. from the original on 14 April 2011. Retrieved 19 April 2011.
  23. ^ 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.
  24. ^ "Executive summary – Renewables 2023 – Analysis". IEA. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  25. ^ "Global Electricity Review 2022". Ember. 2022-03-29. Retrieved 2022-04-03.
  26. ^ "2023 Levelized Cost Of Energy+". Lazard. Retrieved 2023-06-14.
  27. ^ "Executive summary – Renewable Energy Market Update – Analysis". IEA. June 2023. Retrieved 2023-06-14.
  28. ^ 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.
  29. ^ "Solar PV – Analysis". IEA. Retrieved 2022-11-10.
  30. ^ "www.computational-sustainability.org". www.computational-sustainability.org. Retrieved 2016-03-25.
  31. ^ 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.
  32. ^ Frenkel, Karen A. (1 September 2009). "Computer Science meets environmental science". Communications of the ACM. 52 (9): 23. doi:10.1145/1562164.1562174.
  33. ^ 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.
  34. ^ 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.
  35. ^ "CompSustNet: Home". www.compsust.net. Retrieved 2016-03-25.
  36. ^ 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.
  37. ^ 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.
  38. ^ "The Role of Technology in Sustainable Agriculture | Radcliffe's IPM World Textbook". ipmworld.umn.edu. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
  39. ^ "Sustainable Agriculture Programs | NIFA". www.nifa.usda.gov. Retrieved 2024-04-27.

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

environmental, technology, envirotech, engineering, technological, approaches, understand, address, issues, that, affect, environment, with, fostering, environmental, improvement, involves, application, science, technology, process, addressing, environmental, . Environmental technology envirotech is the use of engineering and technological approaches 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 Sustainable urban design and innovation Photovoltaic ombriere 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 Contents 1 Purification and waste management 1 1 Water purification 1 2 Air purification 1 3 Sewage treatment 1 4 Environmental remediation 1 5 Solid waste management 1 6 E Waste Recycling 1 7 Bioremediation 1 8 Examples 2 Sustainable energy 2 1 Renewable energy 2 2 Examples 2 2 1 Renewable Energy Innovations 2 3 Energy conservation 2 4 eGain forecasting 2 5 Solar Power 3 Computational sustainability 3 1 Sustainable Agriculture 4 Education 5 See also 6 References 7 Further reading 8 External linksPurification and waste management editWater purification edit nbsp 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 mechanical filtration ionization activated carbon adsorption photocatalytic oxidation and ultraviolet light germicidal irradiation Sewage treatment edit This section is an excerpt from Sewage treatment edit Sewage treatment or domestic wastewater treatment municipal wastewater treatment is a type of wastewater treatment which aims to remove contaminants from sewage to produce an effluent that is suitable to discharge to the surrounding environment or an intended reuse application thereby preventing water pollution from raw sewage discharges 1 Sewage contains wastewater from households and businesses and possibly pre treated industrial wastewater There are a high number of sewage treatment processes to choose from These can range from decentralized systems including on site treatment systems to large centralized systems involving a network of pipes and pump stations called sewerage which convey the sewage to a treatment plant For cities that have a combined sewer the sewers will also carry urban runoff stormwater to the sewage treatment plant Sewage treatment often involves two main stages called primary and secondary treatment while advanced treatment also incorporates a tertiary treatment stage with polishing processes and nutrient removal Secondary treatment can reduce organic matter measured as biological oxygen demand from sewage using aerobic or anaerobic biological processes A so called quarternary treatment step sometimes referred to as advanced treatment can also be added for the removal of organic micropollutants such as pharmaceuticals This has been implemented in full scale for example in Sweden 2 A large number of sewage treatment technologies have been developed mostly using biological treatment processes Design engineers and decision makers need to take into account technical and economical criteria of each alternative when choosing a suitable technology 3 215 Often the main criteria for selection are desired effluent quality expected construction and operating costs availability of land energy requirements and sustainability aspects In developing countries and in rural areas with low population densities sewage is often treated by various on site sanitation systems and not conveyed in sewers These systems include septic tanks connected to drain fields on site sewage systems OSS vermifilter systems and many more On the other hand advanced and relatively expensive sewage treatment plants may include tertiary treatment with disinfection and possibly even a fourth treatment stage to remove micropollutants 2 At the global level an estimated 52 of sewage is treated 4 However sewage treatment rates are highly unequal for different countries around the world For example while high income countries treat approximately 74 of their sewage developing countries treat an average of just 4 2 4 The treatment of sewage is part of the field of sanitation Sanitation also includes the management of human waste and solid waste as well as stormwater drainage management 5 The term sewage treatment plant is often used interchangeably with the term wastewater treatment plant 3 page needed 6 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 environmental 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 7 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 8 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 9 Sediment remediation consists of removing contaminated sediments Is it almost similar to soil remediation except it is often more sophisticated as it involves additional contaminants To reduce the contaminants it is likely to use physical chemical and biological processes that help with source control but if these processes are executed correctly there s a risk of contamination resurfacing 7 10 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 11 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 12 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 13 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 14 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 15 Examples edit Biofiltration Bioreactor Bioremediation Composting toilet Desalination Thermal depolymerization PyrolysisSustainable energy edit nbsp 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 wellhead leakage 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 16 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 is characterized by a low carbon footprint 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 Examples edit nbsp 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 Energy saving modules Heat pump Hydrogen fuel cell Hydroelectricity Ocean thermal energy conversion Photovoltaic Solar power Wave energy Wind power Wind turbine 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 Uneole 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 17 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 18 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 behaviors 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 involve refraining from using devices that 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 19 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 20 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 nbsp Rooftop solar in Hong Kong nbsp 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 22 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 23 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 24 compared to 1 in 2015 when the Paris Agreement to limit climate change was signed 25 Along with onshore wind in most countries the cheapest levelised cost of electricity for new installations is utility scale solar 26 27 Almost half the solar power installed in 2022 was rooftop 28 Much more low carbon power is needed for electrification and to limit climate change 23 The International Energy Agency said in 2022 that more effort was needed for grid integration and the mitigation of policy regulation and financing challenges 29 Computational sustainability editThis 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 30 31 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 32 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 33 34 Smart grids implement renewable resources and storage capabilities to control the production and expenditure of energy 35 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 36 37 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 38 The National Institue of Food and Agriculture NIFA improves sustainable agriculture through 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 39 Education editCourses 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 artifacts 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 nbsp Environment portal nbsp Earth sciences portal nbsp Ecology portal nbsp Renewable energy portal nbsp Technology portal Appropriate technology Bright green environmentalism Eco innovation Ecological modernization Ecosia Ecotechnology Environmentally friendly Green development Groasis Waterboxx Ice house building Information and communication technologies for environmental sustainability Pulser Pump Smog tower Sustainable design Sustainable energy Sustainable engineering Sustainable living Sustainable technologies Technology for sustainable development The All Earth Ecobot Challenge Windcatcher WIPO GREENReferences edit Khopkar S M 2004 Environmental Pollution Monitoring And Control New Delhi New Age International p 299 ISBN 978 81 224 1507 0 a b Takman Maria Svahn Ola Paul Catherine Cimbritz Michael Blomqvist Stefan Struckmann Poulsen Jan Lund Nielsen Jeppe Davidsson Asa 2023 10 15 Assessing the potential of a membrane bioreactor and granular activated carbon process for wastewater reuse A full scale WWTP operated over one year in Scania Sweden Science of the Total Environment 895 165185 Bibcode 2023ScTEn 895p5185T doi 10 1016 j scitotenv 2023 165185 ISSN 0048 9697 PMID 37385512 S2CID 259296091 a b Von Sperling M 2007 Wastewater Characteristics Treatment and Disposal Water Intelligence Online 6 doi 10 2166 9781780402086 ISSN 1476 1777 nbsp Text was copied from this source which is available under a Creative Commons Attribution 4 0 International License a b Jones Edward R van Vliet Michelle T H Qadir Manzoor Bierkens Marc F P 2021 Country level and gridded estimates of wastewater production collection treatment and reuse Earth System Science Data 13 2 237 254 Bibcode 2021ESSD 13 237J doi 10 5194 essd 13 237 2021 ISSN 1866 3508 Sanitation Health topics World Health Organization Retrieved 2020 02 23 George Tchobanoglous H David Stensel Ryujiro Tsuchihashi Franklin L Burton Mohammad Abu Orf Gregory Bowden eds 2014 Metcalf amp Eddy Wastewater Engineering Treatment and Resource Recovery 5th ed New York McGraw Hill Education ISBN 978 0 07 340118 8 OCLC 858915999 a b What Are the 3 Main Types of Site Remediation www ancoenv net 2022 09 20 Retrieved 2024 04 25 The main three types of environmental remediation and reclamation Anderson Engineering 2021 02 25 Retrieved 2024 04 25 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 Sediment Remediation EnvGuide EnvGuide 2018 02 27 Retrieved 2024 04 25 Retrieved June 16th 2009 Urban Waste Management Retrieved June 16th 2009 http documents1 worldbank org curated en 237191468330923040 pdf 918610v20WP0FM0BE0CATALOGED0BY0WED0 pdf Advancements in E Waste Recycling Techniques Sustainable Review Retrieved 2023 04 22 10 Breakthrough Technologies 2024 MIT Technology Review Retrieved 2023 04 22 What is Bioremediation www hawaii edu Retrieved 2024 04 27 What Is Bioremediation and How Does It Work With Examples Investopedia Retrieved 2024 04 27 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 Gifford Georgia 2016 05 14 Five energy innovations revolutionizing the developing world Renewable Energy Focus 17 3 97 98 doi 10 1016 j ref 2016 05 001 ISSN 1755 0084 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 Taesler R 1990 91 Climate and Building Energy Management Energy and Buildings Vol 15 16 pp 599 608 United States Patent 6098893 Comfort control system incorporating weather forecast data and a method for operating such a system Inventor Stefan Berglund Global Solar Atlas globalsolaratlas info Retrieved 2022 08 12 Energy Sources Solar Department of Energy Archived from the original on 14 April 2011 Retrieved 19 April 2011 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 Executive summary Renewables 2023 Analysis IEA Retrieved 2024 01 16 Global Electricity Review 2022 Ember 2022 03 29 Retrieved 2022 04 03 2023 Levelized Cost Of Energy Lazard Retrieved 2023 06 14 Executive summary Renewable Energy Market Update Analysis IEA June 2023 Retrieved 2023 06 14 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 Solar PV Analysis IEA Retrieved 2022 11 10 www computational sustainability org www computational sustainability org Retrieved 2016 03 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 Frenkel Karen A 1 September 2009 Computer Science meets environmental science Communications of the ACM 52 9 23 doi 10 1145 1562164 1562174 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 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 CompSustNet Home www compsust net Retrieved 2016 03 25 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 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 The Role of Technology in Sustainable Agriculture Radcliffe s IPM World Textbook ipmworld umn edu Retrieved 2024 04 26 Sustainable Agriculture Programs NIFA www nifa usda gov Retrieved 2024 04 27 Further reading editOECD Studies on Environmental Innovation Invention and Transfer of Environmental Technologies OECD September 2011 ISBN 978 92 64 11561 3 External links edit nbsp Wikiversity has learning resources about Appropriate technology Designs Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Environmental technology amp oldid 1222057277, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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