Can you share an engineering project, concept or solution that you believe holds promise for a more sustainable future?
Adi Handžar, Independent Development Engineer:
Smart neighborhoods are an excellent example of innovative solutions driving towards sustainability. As a resident of Kranj, I live near the smart neighborhood of Mlaka near Kranj and am impressed by its innovative approaches to sustainability. One of the key components of a smart neighborhood is the use of smart sensors, in this case, smart meters, which our company offers in its portfolio. Smart meters are used to monitor energy consumption in buildings, allowing for precise adjustments in lighting, heating, and cooling based on the actual needs of residents. Smart electric energy meters are crucial in this regard, as they enable monitoring and analysis of energy usage on an individual level, helping residents make informed decisions about their consumption.
In addition to smart electric energy meters, advanced technologies such as smart grids and automation are used in smart neighborhoods to optimize energy consumption. Through water meters and other sensors, optimization of water and other resource consumption is also achieved. Furthermore, sustainable construction and planning are included, such as green spaces, material recycling, and energy-efficient buildings. Smart neighborhoods also promote sustainable mobility with bike lanes, electric vehicle charging stations, and public transportation. This can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, and enhance the quality of life for residents.
The entire concept of a smart neighborhood offers an inspiring model of how the integration of technology, such as smart electric energy meters, and sustainable planning can contribute to creating environmentally friendly and more livable communities. This solution has the potential to expand to other locations and industries, where it could bring similar benefits in terms of sustainability, efficiency, and comfort.
Eva Šturm, Manufacturing Excellence Specialist:
By systematically identifying and repurposing reusable materials from old production equipment, companies can not only minimize waste disposal costs but also contribute to the circular economy by keeping valuable resources in circulation. In my opinion, creating new production tools or trolleys from an old equipment not only reduces waste but also promotes innovation and sustainability within the industry. Furthermore, certain electrical components can be carefully extracted from faulty meters and reused in new projects.
Additionally, companies can invest in research and development to produce smart meter specifically designed to integrate seamlessly with renewable energy sources such as solar panels, wind turbines or even small-scale hydroelectric systems. These smart meters would not only measure electricity consumption but also facilitate two-way communication, allowing for real-time monitoring of energy production from renewable sources.
Developing an advanced energy management platform that aggregates data from smart meter, renewable energy systems and other IoT devices within homes or businesses is crucial. This platform would provide users with insights into their energy usage patterns, optimize energy consumption and enable them to make informed decisions to reduce costs and environmental impact.
Klemen Belec, Global Product Portfolio Director:
Lately the eyes of the whole world are turned to being carbon neutral or even more, negative. But we should not forget the other major pollution problem of the world that is poisoning our lands, our animals and directly our bodies. Plastics! The concept of “Biodegradable Plastics” emerges as a beacon of innovation. Derived from renewable biomass sources, such as vegetable fats, corn starch, or microbiota, biodegradable plastics present an elegant solution to one of the modern world’s most pressing issues: plastic pollution. Unlike conventional plastics, which take centuries to decompose, biodegradable plastics can break down in as little as a few months under the right conditions, significantly reducing environmental impact and the burden on landfills.
This solution is compelling not just for its environmental benefits but also for its potential to revolutionize industries reliant on single-use plastics, including packaging, agriculture, and consumer goods. By shifting to biodegradable materials, companies can drastically reduce their ecological footprint, aligning with global sustainability goals and consumer demand for eco-friendly products.
Envisioning its impact, the widespread adoption of biodegradable plastics could lead to cleaner oceans, reduced wildlife endangerment, and a significant step towards circular economies.
But it is not only about innovative companies and creation of bio-systems it is about every single one of us to act in accordance to add our part by reducing Single-use plastics, using plastic alternatives, recycle properly, actively participate in Clean-up efforts, evaluating and reflecting on your personal consumption and much more. Every action counts!
Abdelhameed Qotb, C&I + Grid Product Line Manager:
One promising engineering solution for a sustainable future is Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS). This technology focuses on capturing carbon dioxide emissions, primarily from power plants, and storing them safely underground or utilizing them in other applications. CCS is considered a crucial technology in the portfolio of solutions to combat climate change, especially for industries with hard-to-reduce emissions.
How it works? CSS goes through three steps.
Capture: capturing CO2 emissions at their source. This can be achieved through various methods:
- Pre-combustion Capture: Involves removing CO2 from fossil fuels before combustion (before fuel is burned for energy production)
- Post-combustion Capture: This method captures CO2 from the flue gases after combustion has occurred. It’s the most widely applicable technology, suitable for retrofitting existing power plants. The process typically uses a solvent to absorb CO2 from the flue gas (exhaust gas)
- Oxy-fuel Combustion: Involves burning fossil fuels in pure oxygen instead of air (which is mostly nitrogen), resulting in a flue gas that is mainly water vapor and CO2. The water vapor is condensed out, leaving almost pure CO2 that can be captured more easily.
Transport: After capture, the CO2 is compressed to a supercritical state (where it has properties of both a liquid and a gas) to facilitate its transport.
Storage: The final step is storing the captured CO2 to prevent it from entering the atmosphere. There are several storage options:
- Geological Storage: Involves injecting CO2 into underground geological formations, such as depleted oil and gas fields, deep saline aquifers, or unmineable coal seams, where it is physically trapped by rock formations.
- Mineral Carbonation: CO2 is reacted with naturally occurring minerals to form stable carbonates. This method permanently locks away CO2 but is currently expensive and not widely used.
- Ocean Storage: CO2 is directly injected into the deep ocean, where it is dissolved or forms stable carbonate minerals. However, this method raises environmental concerns regarding ocean acidification and its impact on marine ecosystems.
The effectiveness of CCS depends on the integration of these steps to remove CO2 safely and permanently from the atmosphere. While CCS has the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, its deployment is limited by high costs, energy requirements, and the need for comprehensive regulatory frameworks to ensure environmental safety and integrity of storage sites.
