There is no doubt that the advent of power and energy sector has transformed lives of humans by lot many folds. The mass generation of electricity has been started by thermal power plants (which are technically based on Brayton /Rankine cycles -Thermodynamic cycles). The heat source for these massive energy generation plants is fossil fuels such as coal which are hydrocarbon rich substances. When burnt for heat the fossil fuels react with oxygen to produce Carbon-Monoxide or Carbon Dioxide. Direct release of former into atmosphere harms Ozone layer while the latter leads to Global Warming. Damage of Ozone leads to direct aggression of UV radiation of Sun, the effects of which are known to every literate. On the other hand Global warming is main cause for forming a blanket at a height all around the earth which is capable of taking in the sun's heat energy but do not allow it back that easily. This leads to increase of Earth's surface temperature which inturn effects life and habitat of not just human but also other beings on the earth on one hand and melting of glaciers and ice caps at poles on the other. Again, the former effect is showing its form by snatching away the right to live for few species leading to their extinction. The latter effect leads to increase of sea levels and drowning of a portion of low lying land at minimal or may even engulf few low lying countries. The waste steam (in Rankine cycle)or gases (in Brayton cycle) involved are at very high temperatures and these after expansion in turbines for power generation if let into nearby river bodies, adversely effect the river Eco-system.
Though late but Governments and Scientists have understood this and then started transformation of power sector towards Hydro-Electricity. This has for sure eliminated release of Carbonaceous gases. But has directly effected the wildlife in-terms of displacement of habitats. The construction of these huge power plants have even resulted in submergence of large chunk of landmass. Even with passing of time the flood carried plant material starts accumulating and due to stagnation of these material with water under anaerobic conditions leads to release of methane which is again a Green House Gas. With these causes, though economical than thermal plants, hydro electricity generation plants are in noway less dangerous.
Industrial revolution is a gradual process and never a one time one. Hence scientists and engineers have come up with alternate solution of power generations - Solar, Wind, Tidal etc. The problem with these is incompetence interms of performance and quantity of power generation.
Here comes the role of engineers and scientists:
Material Science/ Chemical Engineering: Can reason out and give solution in terms of better material (say for blades of wind turbines, absorption of maximum solar energy, withstanding negative effects of sea water and wind etc)
electrical and Electronics Engineering: Can develop a better or improved versions of circuitry model for conversion of input energy sources to electricity may be solar input or wind energy input or any other alternative source.
Mechanical/Production Engineering: After inputs from Material science and Electrical engineers, mechanical engineers can develop improved Eco-friendly production methods (at-least the methods that harm the ecological systems the least) that make the equipment cost effective and also can design layout or placement of circuitry components for optimum output, say, height of mast and wind turbine etc.
It is rightly said that "United We Stand and Divided We Fall." So we engineers have to come together, instead of fighting over the supremacy and sphere of work. Let's combine and coordinate our knowledge and expertise for betterment of the world because we know that if we don't act wisely total world will have to face the consequences either immediate or later stages.
Would like to end this post by stating - "Let's feel proud to be accountable and responsible engineers."
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