Ever since the invention of electricity, we could create sustainable power. The invention of solar panels has led us to this point and will lead us into an age of even greater power. Discover the world of green technologies that will define the future of sustainability
Green technologies have helped spawn all kinds of businesses in recent years, and many more are cropping up every day. We've got companies selling solar energy systems, wind turbines, and energy-efficient products. Some are even selling services to help others become more sustainable.
Some businesses are even going green without being asked! One example would be Google, which has been making its data center infrastructure greener for quite some time now. In fact, the company has been investing around $100 million a year in renewable energy since 2010. Google also has a $1.5 billion investment fund that it uses to finance renewable energy projects worldwide.
Energy-Harvesting Sensors
Today, self-powered switches use sensors to detect changes in light levels or motion and convert this into an electrical current to power themselves. They have been designed to replace traditional switches, which require a constant supply of electricity from the primary power source to remain powered on.
Traditional switches often consist of two metal plates, which are connected by wires to an electricity source. When pressed by a finger or object, it breaks the circuit between the two metal plates, cutting off the flow of electricity. These self-powered switches have been designed to replace these traditional switches.
Energy Efficiency Sensors
With the right technologies, buildings can be built that are much more sustainable. IoT sensors that monitor things like humidity, temperature, and water flow can reduce the energy required to keep a building comfortable.
The IoT enables smart applications that can utilize the information generated by these objects to manage assets more efficiently, conserve resources and save money for the operators/owners/users.
Some examples include collecting data from sensors on a solar panel to optimize its performance-tracking usage patterns for energy conservation -monitoring a person's activity levels to alert them about health risks.
Learn about how digital transformation is impacting the Earth. Watch the replay of "The Shift to Earth 4.0".
Carbon Capture Storage
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a generic term for various technologies to reduce carbon dioxide (c02) emissions from point sources, such as power plants, industrial manufacturing facilities, and off-shore oil and gas extraction platforms.
The process involves separating the carbon dioxide from other waste gases, compressing the carbon dioxide, and either transporting it to a storage site or injecting it into a secure underground location where it cannot enter the atmosphere.
The purpose of CCS is to prevent emissions from reaching the atmosphere and contributing to climate change by either avoiding the release of all forms of carbon into the atmosphere or at least sequestering (i.e., capturing and storing) those carbon emissions that cannot be prevented from being released.
Remote Working
In the United States, approximately half of the total energy consumption comes from commercial buildings. More than one-third of that energy consumption is due to building operations (lighting, heating, cooling, etc.). Reducing energy consumption makes good economic sense by saving on energy costs and by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Incorporating more remote working into your company can lead to a more positive impact on your employees and the environment. By having more of your employees working remotely, you will be able to reduce carbon emissions, which will have a positive effect on our climate change crisis.
The idea of reducing our dependence on oil and other fossil fuels can make a huge difference in the future of our planet Earth.
Smart HVACs with IoT and AI sensors
With energy efficiency being a top priority, smart HVACs are gaining importance in the market. These smart HVAC systems take care of temperature control and air quality and provide security alarms, record activity, and provide other services, including home automation.
Many modern thermostats are connected to your Wi-Fi network, which means they're able to connect directly to the internet and draw data from smart devices like light bulbs or motion sensors.
And by using advanced artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms, these thermostats can learn your preferences over time, so your home maintains the perfect temperature without you having to lift a finger.
Hydrogen Fueled Cars
Hydrogen-fueled cars can go up to 300 miles on a single tank of hydrogen, which only takes about five minutes to fill. Though they are similar in design to hybrid cars, they run on electricity generated by hydrogen fuel cells instead of gasoline engines. The fuel cell combines hydrogen from the tank with oxygen from the air to create electricity that powers the vehicle.
Unlike gasoline, which is burned and turned into carbon dioxide, hydrogen only produces water as its byproduct. This way, it's much better for the environment.
With the rise of the sustainability movement, people are becoming increasingly conscious of their impact on the environment. With this consciousness comes a need for innovations that will help keep our planet healthy. The above are just some of these innovations.