S7-S9 Flashcards
What is energy-saving technology
aka Green Technology, Energy-saving technology is a technology which augments or replaces existing systems for a net energy savings. This helps in decreasing the
impact of human activity on the environment and often saves money for
the operations.
What is Green Technology?
Green technology is an umbrella term
that describes the use of technology and
science to create products and services
that are environmentally friendly. Green
tech is related to cleantech, which
specifically refers to products or services
that improve operational performance
while also reducing costs, energy
consumption, waste, or negative effects
on the environment.
Goal of green tech
The goal of green tech is to protect the
environment, repair damage done to the
environment in the past, and conserve the
Earth’s natural resources.
History of Green Technology
19th Century
Scientists began to observe the ecological impacts
of coal-burning industrial plants, and
manufacturers have sought to reduce their
negative environmental externalities by altering
production processes to produce less soot or
waste byproducts.
In United States
one of the most important milestones was the
Second World War. In order to reduce
consumption and waste, more than 400,000
volunteers began collecting metal, paper, rubber,
and other materials for the war effort
After World War II
Scientists like Rachel Carson began warning
of the consequences of chemical pesticides,
while doctors abroad reported mysterious
illnesses associated with nuclear radiation.
Many point to this era as the genesis of the
ecological movement, which sought to
preserve ecosystems and resources while
raising awareness of the consequences of
runaway technology.
Types of Green Technology
Alternative Energy
Sustainable Agriculture
Recycling
Carbon Capture
What are Motion Sensors
A motion sensor (or motion detector) is an electronic device that is designed to detect and measure movement. Motion sensors are typically embedded systems with three major components: a sensor unit, an embedded computer, and hardware (or the mechanical component).
Types of Motion Sensors
Active Motion Sensors
Active sensors have both a transmitter
and a receiver. This type of sensor
detects motion by measuring changes
in the amount of sound or radiation
reflecting back into the receiver.
Passive Motion Sensors
A passive motion sensor does not
have a transmitter. Instead of
measuring a constant reflection, the
sensor detects motion based on a
perceived increase of radiation in its
environment.
Types of Lightings and Its Efficiency
<see>
In incandescent bulbs, the filament material must be heated by the flow of current until it glows, which then emits light. In this
process, about 90% of the consumed energy is lost due to thermal
radiation and only 10% is emitted as light.
In CFLs (Compact fluorescent lamp), on the other hand, the current is passed through a tube containing argon and mercury vapor and this action generates light energy. However, again, only 20% of the consumed energy generates light, due to a significant loss in the form of heat energy.
LED lights deliver more lumens (quantities of visible light) per watt than incandescents. They have higher luminous efficacy. 60-watt incandescent bulbs can roughly generate up to 900 lumens,
whereas an LED bulb uses only 6-8 watts for the same luminosity.
</see>
How LEDs are Different
Light Source
Direction
Lifetime
Heat
Efficiency
What is Reflective Roofing?
Reflective roofing, otherwise known as cool roofs, uses
materials that absorb less solar energy, thus reducing
their temperature by more than 50°F compared to
traditional roofing materials. Most cool roofs reflect
70% of the sun’s energy, thus reducing energy bills and
any urban heat island effects.
Reflective Roofing Materials
Asphalt Shingles
Cool Metal Roofing
Reflective Roof Coating
— White Reflective Coating
— Pigmented Roof Coating
— Aluminum Roof Coating
Roofing Membrane
Tiles
Green Roof
What is Energy Efficiency
refers to using less energy to provide an
energy service
Other Measures in Improving Energy Efficiency
Devices
Buildings
Transportation - fuel economy
ENERGY EFFICIENT GAP
Even though consumers can often save money from investing in energy-efficient devices, research suggests that consumers do not tend to do so, leaving many apparent cost-saving investments on the table. This phenomenon is referred to as the “energy efficiency gap,” since investment in energy efficiency should theoretically be higher than it is today.
Possible Explanation Behind the Energy Efficiency Gap
- Market Failure
- Lack of Information
- Hidden Costs
- Behavioural Failures
• Policy and regulatory barriers;
• Lack of information and awareness of the potential for energy efficiency;
• Lack of industry initiatives to emphasize energy management as an integral part of total management systems;
• Lack of technical capacity to identify, appraise, develop and implement energy efficiency projects;
• Financial and investment barriers;
• Technology barriers.
The Rebound Effect
The rebound effect refers to the phenomenon that improved energy efficiency can lead, to some extent, to an increase in energy use because the cost of the energy service
declines. Energy services have a downward-sloping demand curve, meaning that if the price
declines, consumers will purchase more of it. This rebound effect thus offsets some of the
savings associated with energy efficiency improvements.
Waste to Energy
A term that is used to describe various
technologies that
convert non-recyclable waste into usable forms of energy including heat, fuels, and electricity
Can occur through number of processes such as incineration, gasification, pyrolysis, anaerobic digestion, and landfill gas
recovery
A technologically advanced means of waste disposal that is widely recognized for reducing greenhouse gases –
particularly methane
How Waste-to-Energy Works?
Waste-to-energy plants burn municipal solid waste (MSW), to
produce steam in a boiler, and the steam is used to power an electric generator turbine.
For every 100 pounds of MSW in the United States, about 85 pounds can be burned as fuel to generate electricity.
Waste-to-energy plants reduce 2,000 pounds of garbage to ash that weighs between 300 pounds and 600 pounds, and they reduce the volume of waste by about 87%.
Incineration
The process of burning hazardous materials at temperatures high enough to destroy contaminants
Many different types of hazardous materials can be treated by
incineration – soil, sludge, liquids, and gases
Although it destroys many kinds of harmful chemicals, such as solvents polychlorinated biphenyls and pesticides. It does
not destroy metals, such as lead and chromium.
Advantages of Incineration
- Reduced Quantity of Waste
- Efficient Waste Management
- Production of Heat and Power
- Prevents Production of Methane Gas
- Eliminates Harmful Germs and Chemicals
- Operates in Any Weather
Disadvantages of Incineration
- Air pollutants such as particulate matter – which cause lung and heart diseases
- Heavy metals such as lead and mercury – which cause neurological diseases
- Toxic chemicals, such as PFAS and dioxins, which cause cancer and other health problems
Climate Protection: How to
Reduce methane gas emissions from landfills
Reduce emissions from energy consumption
Reduce emissions from incinerators
Dioxin Emission
Dioxins are environmental that belong to the so called “dirty dozen”
Dioxins are mainly by-products of industrial processes but can also result from natural processes, such as volcanic eruptions and forest fires.
Dioxin release into the environment, uncontrolled waste incinerators (solid waste and hospital waste) are often the worst culprits, due to incomplete burning.
Effects of Dioxins on Human
Short-term exposure of humans to high levels of dioxins may result in skin lesions, such as chloracne and patchy darkening
of the skin, and altered liver function.
Long-term exposure is linked to impairment of the immune system, the developing nervous system, the endocrine system and reproductive functions.
It does not affect genetic material and there is a level of exposure below which cancer risk would be negligible.
