Is the advancement of technology going to rescue the planet? Despite the fact that the climate crisis is still ongoing and the target years are drawing near, scientists and engineers are collaborating to develop innovative solutions for the storage and use of energy while also making a contribution to a circular economy.Here are ten examples of environmentally friendly technological advancements that make use of natural resources in a circular form and bring together research and development in order to provide the world with solutions that can be put into action.
1. Biomimicry
Mimicking plants and the natural environment is a method of sustainability that is only dreamt of. Scientists are working to capture the regenerative functions of plants and animals, similar to healing a wound or sealing a cut made when pruning a plant. This technology could be used in fibres to enable cuts to patch up minor holes and tears.
2. Molten salt energy storage
Heat is one way in which energy can be stored, meeting a gap in the energy sector that must be filled to reach a renewable energy future. It has been noticed that salt has particularly good characteristics for heat storage, making it a great base for capturing and holding energy.
3. Artificial photosynthesis
Speaking of mimicking plants, scientists and technologists are working together to mimic the effects of photosynthesis through technology. The solutions are expected to amalgamate both sunlight and carbon dioxide to create usable energy—a form of carbon capture that will provide further resources.
4. Smart meters
While they don’t actively reduce emissions, smart meters installed in homes allowed consumers to reduce their energy consumption, which is an indirect way of reducing overall housing emissions. Individuals are able to save on their household bills while companies have more energy in the pipeline to supply to other buildings.
5. Carbon capture and storage
One of the most innovative solutions for eliminating atmospheric carbon dioxide, carbon sequestration, is going beyond human efforts to plant more trees and reduce carbon output. New technologies will be leveraged in years to come to actively remove carbon emissions from the atmosphere. However, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), current carbon capture alone will not be enough to deliver the 1.7 billion tonnes of activity required.
6. Electric vehicle propulsion
One of the most visible forms of renewable technology is electric vehicle (EV) propulsion. Range anxiety plays a role in the adoption of EVs as the current charging infrastructure and energy grids are not capable of supporting a fully-electric future, yet.
7. Nuclear energy technology
Although controversial based on its potential to disrupt cities (an example being the Chernobyl nuclear reactor), technology is being developed to make the most of nuclear materials to produce clean energy at scale. Current technicians are only able to utilise uranium supplies to around 1% of their full potential, making nuclear a contender for widespread green energy.
8. Waste-water electricity generator
Beyond the recycling of resources that are manufactured by humans, the circular economy may be used. The Oregon State University has created a hybrid power generator that produces energy via the use of reverse electrodialysis and microbial fuel cells. Waste water may be converted into power via the use of these technologies when combined. In addition to the contribution that the solution makes to the production of electricity for the mains grid, the technology is also capable of providing power for the treatment of water for the purpose of completing the cycle.