Author: Isaac Gendler

How Microgrids will Help Rural and Remote Communities

How Microgrids will Help Rural and Remote Communities

How Microgrids will Help Rural and Remote Communities

10/08/18

“How will Microgrids be useful for rural and isolated communities?”

 

Traditional power transmission infrastructure is not beneficial for rural and remote communities. Long power lines from centralized generation sources are prone to failure and are expensive to maintain. Plus, due to their limited lifespan, they will have to be replaced which can greatly drive up costs!

To solve this, we need to completely rethink how we transmit electricity. One possible solution is to implement microgrids with distributed energy resources. This will take away the need for complicated transmission, and can enable grid independence. This is How Microgrids will Help Rural and Remote Communities.

 

Image credit: smedia2.intoday.in

Stormwater Infrastructure

Stormwater Infrastructure

Stormwater Infrastructure

10/07/18

“How can we deal with stormwater runoff using our infrastructure?”

 

Stormwater runoff poses a massive problem for communities all around the world. To solve this, these same groups can build Stormwater Infrastructure to equip them with the necessary resilience to deal with it. This can include rainwater collection, green roofs, and vegetation-rich areas.

 

Photo credit Phillywatersheds

Why Stormwater Infrastructure in the US Needs to be Upgraded for Resiliency

Why Stormwater Infrastructure in the US Needs to be Upgraded for Resiliency

Why Stormwater Infrastructure in the US Needs to be Upgraded for Resiliency

10/06/18

“Why does the US need to upgrade its stormwater infrastructure?”

 

US stormwater infrastructure is in a state of trouble. Many of the systems in place were designed a hundred years ago, long before the greenhouse effect was even an idea. As a result, with the warming climate, air now can hold more water on average, leading to heavier rainfall that can overwhelm stormwater infrastructure. Since the much of the current infrastructure does not hold up, Stormwater Infrastructure in the US Needs to be Upgraded for Resiliency.

 

Image credit toccoainc.com

Why Solar Energy Makes Sense for Manufacturing

Why Solar Energy Makes Sense for Manufacturing

Why Solar Energy Makes Sense for Manufacturing

10/05/18

“Why does solar energy make sense for manufacturing?”

 

In honor of National Manufacturing Day here in the US, we here at Isaac’s Science Blog have decided to make a special report on how solar PV can be used in manufacturing.

 

Factories and manufacturing processes use most of their energy during the daytime. The energy costs and carbon emissions of this can be offset by using solar pv systems on roofs and on nearby arrays. This makes the manufacturing system not only much more efficient but also affordable. An example of this can be seen in the Tesla Gigawatt Factory’s solar roof. As a result, Solar Energy Makes Sense for Manufacturing.   

 

Image credit futurism.com

How Machine Learning can Help with Resiliency

How Machine Learning can Help with Resiliency

How Machine Learning can Help with Resiliency

10/03/18

“How can Machine Learning Help with Resiliency?”

 

As the effects of Climate Change become more apparent, governments and communities will need to use every tool at their disposal to help bring resiliency. Something that can provide great assistance is Machine Learning. By being able to predict when weather patterns will cause disruption, individuals can act ahead of time and be prepared. Therefore, Machine Learning can Help with Resiliency.

Modal Frequencies

Modal Frequencies

Modal Frequencies

10/02/18

“At what frequencies does a mechanical system vibrate at resonance?”

 

When a system vibrates at its resonance there could be numerous deleterious consequences such as structural rupture. As a result engineers often want to find out the Modal Frequencies (also known as natural frequencies) of a system.

 

Image credit http://help.autodesk.com

Energy Poverty

Energy Poverty

Energy Poverty

09/30/18

“What happens when a community lacks sufficient access to energy resources?”

 

In the developed world, it is hard to imagine not having access to electricity. But in many parts of this the developing world, this is a pure reality. When a community lacks sufficient access to energy, they are said to be in Energy Poverty. Energy poverty can affect all factors of human development, such as emergency medical situations not having enough power or children not being able to do homework at night because of lack of access to lighting.

 

Image credit whyelectricitymatters.com