Burning fossil fuels produces a lot of waste including CO2 – the most well-known greenhouse gas. Global warming is real and humankind is most likely going to face the consequences. To solve this problem we need to change the way we produce energy. There are several alternative energy sources such as hydroelectric power stations, wind power generators, solar cells, geothermal energy power stations and others. Now, I will focus on solar panels only. The first solar cells were constructed in 19th century. Since that time, a lot has changed. A good thing about solar cells is that they produce clean energy without any waste and the only thing they need is cloudless weather. Nowadays there are plenty of solar powerplants all around the world. Some individuals install them on their own properties and sometimes even make their own small powerplants to produce enough energy to cover all their needs. We are getting used to this technology on the Earth, but what if some existed on other space objects? Like on the Moon? Actually, there are several projects of constructing a power station on the Moon. If we could build a “ring” of solar cells there, we would’ve half way solved the problem of an upcoming energy crisis. While there are such problems as nights and cloudy days (that slow down energy production) on our planet, on the Moon the flow of energy production would be constant. Also, the light that reaches those solar cells would be even brighter because there is no atmosphere on the Moon. The energy can be transported back to Earth either by microwave emitting or lasers (or even both) and collected with the help of special stations that are to be build. It sure may sound like another science fiction tale, and the project like this would cost humongous amounts of money, but at the end of day, we have to take actions and face the music. References: Thair Shaikh, The Independent, 28.11.2013, Japanese engineers plan to turn the moon into a giant solar panel station [http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/japanese-engineers-plan-to-turn-the-moon-into-a-giant-solar-panel-station-8969866.html], Accessed 2.11.2016 Wikipedia, 16.11.2016, Solar cell [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_cell], Accessed 20.11.2016 Sarah Fecht, Popular Science, 17.03.2016, Solar panels grown on the moon could power the earth [http://www.popsci.com/for-nearly-infinite-power-build-self-replicating-solar-panels-on-moon], Accessed 2.11.2016 So you have chosen Environmental Engineering as your bachelor's degree. You're excited and the courses are intriguing. You join projects here and there and you're active in every organizations you're in. But where will this lead to? What are the actual job prospects of an Environmental Engineering? Will you be able to single-handedly solve global warming? Will you revolutionize the renewable energy market? What can you do? This video below will give you a realistic glimpse of what environmental engineers do after they graduate. Enjoy :D So right about now you're pessimistic. And it's all within your right to be. It seems like environmental engineers are created so companies and corporations can comply to environmental requirements that applies to them. A lot of "paperworks" and auditing are ahead of you. But NOT IF you apply to the right jobs. Environmental Engineers can be such a rewarding experience when you involve yourself in fieldworks, sampling and project planning. You'll spend time in laboratories in the fields of air, water, soil, public health, sanitation and much more. Obviously the choice here, is yours. So what will you want to be? Comment below and let us know! Here's a bonus for you guys! Cleantech companies in Finland looking for Environmental Engineers! AD |
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May 2019
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