Environmentally sustainable engineering practices need to be woven into the fabric of our everyday lives to combat the many environmental challenges we face today, including climate change, air and water pollution, resource depletion, and biodiversity loss. It requires a global approach with in-the-trenches involvement at every level: individuals, communities, and government. It begins with planning.
Project planning is where critical decisions are made that affect the carbon footprint of a project, such as energy consumption, wastewater recycling, flood mitigation, and other sustainable building practices. Sustainability begins before the first shovel digs into the dirt. Sustainable engineers make that possible.
Stay abreast of the latest trends in professional engineering. Sign up for continuing education from McKissock and prepare for your future today.
What is Sustainable Engineering?
Sustainable engineering focuses on designing and developing projects that work in concert with the environment, preserve natural resources, and mitigate environmental consequences from things like flood events. The field tackles challenges like pollution, waste, energy and materials consumption, and climate change beginning from the ground up. Sustainable engineers create long-lasting, efficient systems and the intersection of innovation and responsibility, paving the way for a greener future.
Principles of sustainable engineering design
Sustainable engineering aims to reduce the environmental impact while optimizing efficiency. Key principles include reducing energy consumption and waste by using renewable resources designed for durability. Engineers create systems that remain environmentally responsible for their entire lifecycle. A few examples include the use of:
- Solar panels to generate renewable energy.
- Rainwater collection systems for irrigation.
- Reclaimed wood or renewable concrete for building materials.
The role of technology in advancing sustainability
Technology is continuously evolving in this field. Smart grids, low-emission transportation, renewable energy technologies, biodegradable plastics, and green concrete are a few technologies that reduce our carbon footprint.
One example of how technology promotes sustainability is our ability to harness energy from the ocean. Ocean thermal energy conservation (OTEC) uses technology similar to geothermal energy systems. Heat exchangers and turbines transform thermal energy into power by mixing warm surface water with the cold deep water in the ocean. OTEC systems require a temperature difference of at least 36°F to power the turbines to produce electricity, making them a viable alternative energy source in tropical and subtropical ocean communities. The US has been involved with this technology since 1975 when it established the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority. Today, the facility supplies electricity to the local grid.
Environmental and economic benefits of sustainable engineering
Aside from reducing the environmental impact, sustainable engineering has real economic benefits. Studies show sustainable projects reduce operational costs over time. A 2019 study conducted at Texas State University showed that implementing solar panels on campus would reduce CO2 emissions by 2,926.81 metric tons each year and result in a 17% reduction in annual energy costs by 17%, or $1 million annually.
What are the Current Trends in Sustainable Engineering?
Sustainable engineering is growing exponentially as more people are putting the environment first. The sentiment is echoed by the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) as it prioritizes sustainability now more than ever with an urgent call for low-cost environmentally friendly power, scalable carbon reduction measures, and clean water and other resources. These factors contribute to advances in technology that are paving the path to a greener future.
Five trends in sustainable engineering include green engineering practices, renewable energy, reduced energy and materials consumption, and sustainable materials and resources.
Green engineering practices
These are energy-efficient designs to minimize waste, conserve water, and decrease pollution. For example, green roofs capture rainwater and slowly release it into stormwater systems. Green roofs also reduce thermal fluctuations to keep indoor spaces cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. This results in a decrease in CO2 emissions and energy costs.
Renewable energy
There is a surge in the construction industry to move toward renewable energy. Solar, wind, and thermal energy are examples of renewable energy sources. Technology is leading the way in creating renewable energy systems. FlexiWings are flexible wind turbine blades used to optimize pitch angles. Previously, wind turbines were efficient only if the wind was blowing just right. Utilizing flexible “wings” that mimic insect wings have made harvesting wind for energy 35% more efficient. Currently, wind energy produces 4% of power worldwide.
Reduced energy consumption
Along with renewable energy, engineers are also looking to reduce energy consumption. As it stands, the buildings and construction industry accounts for about 37% of global operational energy and process-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, according to the 2022 Global Status Report for Building and Construction.
Engineers are enacting myriad strategies to decrease their energy use, including installing automatic controls, upgrading HVAC systems, and replacing lighting fixtures with more efficient LED bulbs.
Sustainable materials and resources
A circular economy eliminates waste and pollution through development of new building materials, reusing, repurposing, and recycling material, and advanced construction and design methods. An excellent example of this is concrete, considering that more than 70% of the population lives in some form of concrete structure. Bio-concrete and green concrete are newer materials that utilize biological resources in manufacturing. Bio-concrete is designed to repair its own cracks using bacteria that produces limestone as part of its metabolic pathway. This addresses the end-of-life consequence of many building materials by eliminating waste. Green concrete is manufactured using waste or residual materials from other industries. It is less expensive to manufacture while still maintaining durability.
Decrease material consumption
In addition to using more sustainable materials, engineers can be more eco-friendly by reducing materials used and the distance materials travel. This is achieved by using local resources and advanced structural design. The Traversina Bridge in Switzerland is a great example of this practice. Structural engineers used local timber to maintain the bridge without the need for additional support beams. As a result, the build used less materials and reduced carbon emissions.
Recent Projects Showcasing Sustainable Practices and Design
There has been a worldwide push toward sustainability over the last decade. Small and large cities have included sustainable practices in their design and are leading the way by example. In some cities, like Hague, Netherlands, a point system is used to boost green construction. Other cities are making changes internally. Here are examples of cities making a global impact by taking action on the local level.
Washington DC: RiverSmart Program
Washington D.C. was the first city awarded the platinum LEED certification. Its RiverSmart program provides financial incentives for homeowners to retrofit infrastructure to reduce stormwater runoff by incorporating rain barrels, shade trees, rain gardens, and permeable pavers. The program offers site evaluations, upfront costs, rebates, and discounts for implementing green projects.
Hamburg, Germany: Flood Prevention
To counteract climate change, the city of Hamburg essentially turned its roofs into sponges. Green roofs reduce flooding and boost air quality. They act as water buffers to absorb rainwater allowing for the slow release by evaporation or into the sewer system. The city offers up to €100,000 to homeowners who wish to install green roofs.
Barcelona, Spain: Superblocks
A superblock turns a nine-block housing area into one big block. It eliminates car traffic traveling faster than 6 mph (10 km/hour) to encourage pedestrian and bicycle use. Streets are transformed into community spaces with seating, landscaping, and playgrounds. Superblocks increase green space, reduce air and noise pollution, and improve biodiversity. They also create spaces where neighbors can engage with each other.
Helsingborg, Sweden: Three-Pipe Sewer System
This innovative city has implemented a three-pipe sewer system into 2,000 homes in the Oceanhamnen district of Helsingborg. The system separates water and waste at the source. Homes are retrofitted with one pipe for black water, one for grey, and one for food waste, which moves through a kitchen grinder. Water and waste from each pipe is transported to the waste-water treatment plant, where it is turned into biogas for local buses, fertilizer pallets, and clean water. The project “squeezes” all the possible value out of water and food waste and reduces greenhouse emissions by 50%.
Level Up Your Skills
You are at the forefront of the industry and can help provide a greener future for generations to come. While there have been enormous advances in sustainability, the industry is still in its infancy as more cities adopt green practices and regulations. This truly is an exciting time where real change happens.
To learn more about green engineering, McKissock’s continuing education suite is a great place to start. We offer CE courses in alternative energy, wind energy, solar energy, and more. Each course takes a deep dive into renewable sources that sustainability engineers can put into practice today.
