Sustainable Technology - Case Studies

Quiz

Sustainable technology is revolutionizing towards being part of the answers to several issues affecting human life. Renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, circular economy practices, and smart cities are significantly reducing environmental impacts while improving the quality of life.

Several case studies will be discussed in this chapter, relating how different regions in the world approach this challenge.

Sustainable technology has revolutionized many areas such as renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, circular economy, smart cities, green infrastructure, etc.

Renewable Energy Adoption in Global Markets

Renewable energy has been adopted worldwide. There are some exemplary case studies in in the global market. Lets discuss two such case studies in renewable energy −

Case Study 1: Germanys Energiewende (Energy Transition)

The Germans call this policy Energiewende, or "Energy Transition." It is a general program to shift away from fossil and nuclear energy sources to energy derived from wind, sun, and water. The policy, established in the early 2000s, has begun lowering carbon emissions and fostering energy security in terms of nuclear power phaseout. As of the end of 2020, renewable energy sources had accounted for nearly 50% of electricity, with the goal at the year 2050 set at 80%.

Investment in wind and solar energy and upgradation of grid infrastructure to support intermittent energy sources is one the core elements of the Energiewende. Feed-in tariffs, subsidies for renewable projects, and such incentives by the government have encouraged large-scale integration of clean energy technologies.Indeed, the impact of Energiewende is massive.

Case Study 2: Solar Energy Development in India

India is replete with sunshine, and as energy consumption is increasing day by day, this government has made further investment in solar energy for the country's growing energy demands. In 2010, the National Solar Mission was initiated to target the production of 100 GW of solar power by the year 2022. The only alternative to mitigate electricity shortages, especially in rural areas where traditional grid infrastructure is wanted, is through solar energy.

Sustainable Agriculture Innovations

Sustainable technology has also revolutionized the agriculture innovations. There are many case studies to look at. Lets discuss some of them −

Case Study 1: Precision Agriculture in the US

Precision agriculture is termed to be an agricultural practice utilizing technology and data to improve crop yields while conserving natural resources. Precision agriculture has emerged as an important tool for improving efficiency and sustainability in the agriculture sector of the US. The use of a GPS, sensor, and drones helps to monitor field conditions and assess crop health while applying more precise amounts of water, fertilizers, and pesticides.

Due to field-specific tailored inputs, less waste will be created and hence more production is realized. For instance, precision agriculture irrigation can only provide water in areas where water is necessary to cut off the wastage experienced in arid regions. Similarly, the use of data information can be utilized to optimize fertilizer application thereby reducing the chemicals that go into the water bodies.

Case Study 2: Vertical Farming in Singapore

It is a small city-state with dense populations, so the potential use of land for traditional farming is very minimal. However, with all this talk about food security and sustainability, Singapore has been pushing its way into vertical farming, an innovative style of agriculture that grows crops in layers. That has given the opportunity to work on a lot of food production over large city areas with smaller pieces of land and water use compared to conventional farming.

The most prominent vertical farming companies in Singapore include Sky Greens, which utilizes rotating towers to grow leafy greens. The energy efficiency of design is utilized because they employ a gravity-driven hydraulic system to facilitate rotation of the plants; therefore, these plants are ensured to have enough sunlight. The compactness of the design of vertical farms can place them in urban areas, thereby decreasing the distance the food has traveled and adding to the local food supply.

Vertical farming helps in reducing imported food while increasing food security in Singapore. The government has plans to increase the production of 30% nutritional needs locally by 2030. Sustainable agricultural practices are intended to be a model for other cities that would also face similar challenges of food production amidst land scarcity.

Circular Economy Implementations

In this section, we will discuss two case studies in circular economy.

Case Study 1: Plastic Waste Recycling in Europe

Europeans have been ahead of the curve in putting circular economy principles into practice globally, especially concerning the management of plastic waste. The European Union outlined very ambitious targets at reducing plastic waste and recycling rates in its Circular Economy Action Plan. The country installed more developed recycling systems, such as collecting, sorting, and processing plastic waste, in countries like the Netherlands and Germany.

Another new approach is in chemical recycling, which serves to break down plastics back into their chemical components for use in new products. This method is very helpful in recycling mixed or contaminated plastics, which cannot be economically recycled mechanically. The usage of recycled plastics in new products reduces virgin materials consumption, reduces the waste generation of resources, and minimizes environmental impacts.

Case Study 2: E-waste Management in Japan

Smart Cities and Green Infrastructure

Smart cities and green infrastructure are two important examples of the sustainable technology implementation. Lets discuss two case studies.

Case Study 1: Masdar City (UAE)

Masdar City, located in the United Arab Emirates, is one of the world's most ambitious smart city projects. Designed as a model of sustainability, this city has incorporated renewable energy, green buildings, and other advanced transportation systems to form a low-carbon urban environment. It relies mainly on solar power from rooftop panels to a huge solar farm that offers much of the electricity.

Buildings in Masdar City are designed to be energy efficient, based on passive design principles that minimize the use of air conditioning within such a hot desert climate. The city will reduce the reliance on conventional cars due to the electrical and personal rapid transit systems used there.

Although still a work in progress, Masdar City has already taught the world how smart cities can better integrate sustainable technologies for greener, efficient urban environments.

Case Study 2: Smart City Development in Copenhagen

Copenhagen, Denmark is one of the most advanced cities in terms of sustainability and smart infrastructure. Various green technologies and data-driven solutions have been incorporated into this city to reduce its environmental footprint and improve the quality of living for inhabitants.

Among many initiatives taken place in Copenhagen is intelligent traffic management systems, energy-efficient buildings, and comprehensive cycling infrastructure. One of its key projects is the Copenhagen City Data Exchange, that is a data collector and processor that gathers information regarding several city systems, including but not limited to, energy usage, traffic patterns, and weather conditions, among others.

All these data are optimized to cater to city services with reduced energy consumption and increased efficiency from every angle. Another major aim of the city is to become carbon-neutral by 2025, primarily through renewable energy and carbon-neutral buildings.

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