Green technology is a global trend that is being formed by people themselves.
For modern city dwellers, especially representatives of the last two generations, issues of environmental well-being are very important – not only in the long term but also in real life. Green economy, smart consumption, sustainable development – these concepts have become synonymous with the modern future.
Green Energy Technologies
Qualitative “green” changes are also noticeable in the energy sector.
Despite the resistance of hydrocarbon-producing countries, this area is becoming increasingly green. The largest oil and gas giants and national Greentech companies are investing in renewable energy sources and new technologies.
The trend is especially noticeable in the Scandinavian countries – Norway, Sweden, and Denmark – which are massively moving from oil and gas production to the development of wind farms. In the UK, the fuel company BP is considering the introduction of low-carbon solutions, and in Japan the use of hydrogen fuel. Energy policies are changing in South Korea, Japan, and China, which have set goals to become carbon neutral by 2050-2060.
European countries are seriously considering introducing a carbon tax. The European Union as a whole is focused on a “green” course: increasing the capacity of renewable energy sources, the production of “green” hydrogen, and controlling greenhouse gas emissions. For a more accurate volume carbon tax calculation, it is better to use quarts to liters calculator, a free online service.
Natural gas remains the optimal complement to clean energy sources, and many of the new green tech adoption being developed in Europe involve its storage and delivery. Our country is also exploring the possibility of producing hydrogen, its safe transportation and storage, as well as its hybrid use with gas.
Modern “green” technologies
Almost all major corporations are already investing in green tech renewables that help reduce their harmful impact on the environment. For example, the world-famous company Apple stated that by 2030 it will make all its products carbon neutral, and the company itself is already so.
Technological “green” innovations benefit not only the environment but also business. For example, green building.
Even though the construction of “green” buildings requires expensive technological solutions and building materials, these costs are returned in the form of savings, because such structures consume on average 30% less energy and water and have a longer service life. They also have a higher market value and generate more income from rental or sale.
Best Green Technology Innovations
- Carbon Mitigation and Storage
One of the most innovative solutions to eliminate carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, carbon sequestration, goes beyond human efforts to plant more trees and reduce carbon emissions. In the coming years, new technologies will be used to actively remove carbon emissions from the atmosphere. However, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), carbon reduction alone will not currently be sufficient to meet the required 1.7 billion tonnes of activity.
- Electric car engine
One of the most visible forms of renewable technology is the electric vehicle (EV) movement. Range concerns play a role in EV adoption, as current charging infrastructure and power grids are not yet capable of supporting an all-electric future.
- Nuclear energy technologies
Although controversial due to its potential to destroy cities (an example is the Chornobyl nuclear reactor), technology is being developed to maximize the use of nuclear materials to produce clean energy on a large scale. Current technicians are only able to use uranium reserves to about 1% of their full potential, making the nuclear industry a contender for widespread green energy adoption.
- Electricity generators from wastewater
The circular economy can be applied to more than just recycling man-made materials. Oregon State University has developed a hybrid power generator that uses microbial fuel cells and reverse electrodialysis. These technologies, when combined, make it possible to use wastewater to generate electricity. Along with solutions that contribute to the generation of electricity on the grid, the technology can also provide water purification as it goes through the full cycle.
- Road surfaces made from recycled plastic
In 2021, Coca-Cola announced its paving project in Pakistan as it encourages a circular waste economy. Plastic-based road materials have been adopted as an initiative that not only uses recycled plastic bottles but is also developed within the community in the surrounding area.
- Green architecture
The sheer scale of the built environment poses challenges to the sustainability of urban living. As buildings become taller and cities become more compact, innovations are being introduced to ensure that new buildings are climate-responsive, energy-efficient, carbon-absorbent, and aesthetically pleasing to local landscapes. Initiatives also include greening roofs and walls to help reduce carbon emissions.