It is widely acknowledged that technology will play an ever-increasing role in countries transitioning to sustainable energy solutions. Mike Crabtree, President and CEO of the Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC), is leading the organization into projects with clean tech manufacturers and markets that are working toward decreasing energy consumption, improving efficiency, and reducing costs for a variety of industries.
An example is carbon dioxide capture and sequestration technology, which reduces "hard-to-abate" greenhouse gas emissions from industrial sources by capturing carbon dioxide before it enters the atmosphere and storing it underground to mitigate its effect on climate change. According to Crabtree, this type of clean tech could be used to drive sustainable energy solutions that reduce dependence on fossil fuels and the earth's natural resources.
The Role of Clean Tech
The acceleration of the world's transition to clean energy will depend on clean tech, the equipment, and the technology solutions needed to produce a sustainable environment. A variety of research has shown that climate change can be mitigated by reducing greenhouse gas emissions produced by burning or consuming fossil fuels. Also, a growing need to diversify energy sources into clean energy will create new economic opportunities and enhance our energy security.
Clean tech includes a wide range of services, products, and processes that reduce humankind's environmental impact. This includes equipment or products that conserve natural resources, reduce emissions, treat wastewater, recycling initiatives, and, most importantly, the application of renewable energy such as solar, wind, and energy storage.
The role of clean tech is to apply technology that drives sustainable energy solutions. This could include a wide range of products and systems that support the evolution and efficiency of green energy. These products and systems (like highly efficient mining equipment) also include AI, robotics, drones, electric-powered vehicles/equipment, and smart grids.
An Application of Clean Tech
Mike Crabtree points to SRC's Hybrid Energy Container as an application of clean tech. The system integrates both conventional and renewable generation sources with energy storage in a customizable manner. It offers greater efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and environmental sustainability compared to traditional diesel generators, making it ideal for industrial sites, off-grid communities, and areas affected by disasters.
This and future types of clean technology will be heavily powered by sophisticated control systems and automated machinery or robotics. Clean tech in mining includes the use of streamlined extraction processes and automated manufacturing. These types of projects will drive the development of more clean tech that promotes efficiency in operations and utilizes renewable energy sources.
The Future of Sustainable Energy Solutions
The goal of clean tech is to develop the equipment, systems, processes, and infrastructure that not only use less energy but also enable the future of sustainable energy solutions. This future will require collaboration between the private and public sectors and incentives from local and federal governments, especially when considering the need for a renewable energy infrastructure.
Looking to the future of sustainable energy solutions, Mike Crabtree suggests AI, data analytics, robotics, drones, and manufacturing automation could be game-changers in sustainable energy solutions. For example, smart grid technology that uses digital technology and IoT devices to monitor and manage the generation and distribution of electricity could result in significant cost savings for customers and utilities. This highly efficient use of electricity could also reduce impacts on the environment.
Clean tech will be a driving force in optimizing energy systems and advancing many industries, such as transportation, mining, and manufacturing, into a more sustainable energy future.
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