Editing Environmental technology (section)

==Sustainable energy==
{{main|Sustainable energy}}
[[File:Net Zero Court.jpg|thumb|right|Net Zero Court zero emissions office building prototype in [[St. Louis, Missouri]]]]

Concerns over pollution and greenhouse gases have spurred the search for sustainable alternatives to fossil fuel use. The global reduction of greenhouse gases requires the adoption of energy conservation as well as sustainable generation. That environmental harm reduction involves global changes such as:

* substantially reducing methane emissions from melting perma-frost, animal husbandry, pipeline and wellhead leakage. 
* virtually eliminating [[fossil fuels]] for vehicles, heat, and electricity. 
*carbon dioxide capture and sequestration at point of combustion.
* widespread use of public transport, battery, and fuel cell vehicles 
* extensive implementation of wind/solar/water generated electricity 
* reducing peak demands with carbon taxes and time of use pricing{{cn|date=April 2024}}.

Since fuel used by industry and transportation account for the majority of world demand,<ref>{{Cite journal|title=Global Transportation Demand Development with Impacts on the Energy Demand and Greenhouse Gas Emissions in a Climate-Constrained World|first1=Siavash|last1=Khalili|first2=Eetu|last2=Rantanen|first3=Dmitrii|last3=Bogdanov|first4=Christian|last4=Breyer|date=October 12, 2019|journal=Energies|volume=12|issue=20|pages=3870|doi=10.3390/en12203870|doi-access=free }}</ref> by investing in conservation and efficiency (using less fuel), pollution and greenhouse gases from these two sectors can be reduced around the globe. Advanced energy-efficient [[electric motor]] (and [[electric generator]]) technology that are cost-effective to encourage their application, such as [[brushless wound-rotor doubly fed electric machine|variable speed generators]] and [[efficient energy use]], can reduce the amount of [[carbon dioxide]] (CO<sub>2</sub>) and [[sulfur dioxide]] (SO<sub>2</sub>) that would otherwise be introduced to the atmosphere, if electricity were generated using fossil fuels. Some scholars have expressed concern that the implementation of new environmental technologies in highly developed national economies may cause economic and social disruption in less-developed economies.<ref>Eric Bonds and Liam Downey, ""Green" Technology and Ecologically Unequal Exchange: The Environmental and Social
Consequences of Ecological Modernization in the World-System" in:  Journal of World-Systems Research, Volume 18, Issue 2 (http://jwsr.pitt.edu/ojs/index.php/jwsr/article/view/482)</ref>

===Renewable energy===
{{main|Renewable energy}}
[[Renewable energy]] is the [[energy]] that can be replenished easily. For years we have been using sources such as [[wood]], [[sun]], [[water]], etc. for means for producing energy. Energy that can be produced by natural objects like the sun, wind, etc. is considered to be renewable. Technologies that have been in usage include wind power, hydropower, solar energy, geothermal energy, and biomass/bioenergy. It refers to any form of energy that naturally regenerates over time, and does not run out. This form of energy naturally replenishes and is characterized by a low carbon footprint. Some of the most common types of renewable energy sources include; solar power, wind power, hydroelectric power, and bioenergy which is generated by burning organic matter.

===Examples===
[[File:Roadster 2.5 charging.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Tesla Roadster (2008)]] was the first all-electric sports car for sale and in serial production. It can completely recharge from the electrical grid in 4 to 48 hours depending on the outlet used.]]
*[[Energy saving modules]]
*[[Heat pump]]
*[[Hydrogen fuel cell]]
*[[Hydroelectricity]]
*[[Ocean thermal energy conversion]]
*[[Photovoltaic]]
*[[Solar power]]
*[[Wave energy]]
*[[Wind power]]
*[[Wind turbine]]

==== Renewable Energy Innovations ====
The intersection of technology and sustainability has led to innovative solutions aimed at enhancing the efficiency of renewable energy systems. One such innovation is the integration of wind and solar power to maximize energy production. Companies like Unéole are pioneering technologies that combine solar panels with wind turbines on the same platform, which is particularly advantageous for urban environments with limited space. This hybrid system not only conserves space but also increases the energy yield by leveraging the complementary nature of solar and wind energy availability.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Gifford |first=Georgia |date=2016-05-14 |title=Five energy innovations revolutionizing the developing world |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ref.2016.05.001 |journal=Renewable Energy Focus |volume=17 |issue=3 |pages=97–98 |doi=10.1016/j.ref.2016.05.001 |bibcode=2016REneF..17...97G |issn=1755-0084|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

Furthermore, advancements in offshore wind technology have significantly increased the viability and efficiency of wind energy. Modern offshore wind turbines feature improvements in structural design and aerodynamics, which enhance their energy capture and reduce costs. These turbines are now more adaptable to various marine environments, allowing for greater flexibility in location and potentially reducing visual pollution. The floating wind turbines, for example, use tension leg platforms and spar buoys that can be deployed in deeper waters, significantly expanding the potential areas for wind energy generation<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Asim |first1=Taimoor |last2=Islam |first2=Sheikh |last3=Hemmati |first3=Arman |last4=Khalid |first4=Muhammad |date=2022-01-14 |title=A Review of Recent Advancements in Offshore Wind Turbine Technology |journal=Energies |language=en |volume=15 |issue=2 |pages=579 |doi=10.3390/en15020579 |doi-access=free |issn=1996-1073}}</ref>

Such innovations not only advance the capabilities of individual renewable technologies but also contribute to a more resilient and sustainable energy grid. By optimizing the integration and efficiency of renewable resources, these technologies play a crucial role in the transition towards a sustainable energy future.

===Energy conservation===
[[Energy conservation]] is the utilization of devices that require smaller amounts of energy in order to reduce the consumption of electricity. Reducing the use of electricity causes less fossil fuels to be burned to provide that electricity. And it refers to the practice of using less energy through changes in individual behaviors and habits. The main emphasis for energy conservation is the prevention of wasteful use of energy in the environment, to enhance its availability. Some of the main approaches to energy conservation involve refraining from using devices that consume more energy, where possible.

===eGain forecasting===
Egain forecasting is a method using forecasting technology to predict the future [[weather]]'s impact on a building.<ref>Taesler, R. (1990/91) Climate and Building Energy Management. Energy and Buildings, Vol. 15–16, pp 599 – 608.</ref> By adjusting the heat based on the weather forecast, the system eliminates redundant use of heat, thus reducing the energy consumption and the emission of [[greenhouse gas]]es.<ref>[http://ip.com/patent/US6098893 United States Patent 6098893] Comfort control system incorporating weather forecast data and a method for operating such a system (Inventor Stefan Berglund)</ref> It is a technology introduced by the [[eGain International]], a Swedish company that intelligently balances building power consumption. The technology involves forecasting the amount of heating energy required by a building within a specific period, which results in energy efficiency and sustainability. eGain lowers building energy consumption and emissions while determining time for maintenance where inefficiencies are observed.

=== Solar power ===
{{excerpt|Solar power}}