Category: Engineering

The Energy Efficiency Coverage Gap

The Energy Efficiency Coverage Gap

The Energy Efficiency Coverage Gap

05/14/20

“Why is it that lower-income households have difficulty in obtaining the energy-efficient devices that they need?”

 

Energy-efficient appliances can save households a large amount on their utility bills. However, according to research done by the University of Michigan, the upfront investment required can be out of reach for lower-income households who would benefit the most from it. This Energy Efficiency Coverage Gap is an active problem that needs to be solved by society.

How Climate Change Will Affect Hydropower Production

How Climate Change Will Affect Hydropower Production

How Climate Change Will Affect Hydropower Production

05/13/20

“How will climate change affect hydropower production?”

 

With the advent of climate change, precipitation levels will drastically increase in some areas and decrease in others. The former can cause water body flooding while the latter would lead to drought. These events could destroy the hydropower plant parts and diminish the energy source respectively. This is How Climate Change Will Affect Hydropower Production.

 

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Why Better Public Transportation Funding Can Help Build Climate Resilience

Why Better Public Transportation Funding Can Help Build Climate Resilience

Why Better Public Transportation Funding Can Help Build Climate Resilience

05/07/20

“Why would better transportation funding help build climate resilience?”

 

Public transportation is key for numerous communities to move around their communities. This will become especially important when catastrophes occur because of climate change and evacuations may be necessary. However, the capabilities of this infrastructure are dependent on the level of funding it receives. By allowing for more monetary investment into public transit, better quality upkeep can be maintained. This is Why Better Public Transportation Funding Can Help Build Climate Resilience.

Why Grid Resilience is of Vital Importance During Pandemics

Why Grid Resilience is of Vital Importance During Pandemics

Why Grid Resilience is of Vital Importance During Pandemics

05/04/20

“Why is grid resilience vital during pandemics?”

 

During pandemics, people are thrust into their homes and hospitals. For these to function throughout the day, a consistent and steady energy source is necessary. If a shutdown occurs then entire lives could be lost. To prevent this from happening, utilities will need to invest in grid resilience. This is Why Grid Resilience is of Vital Importance During Pandemics.

Urban Forests

Urban Forests

Urban Forests

05/03/20

“How can we have a forest in the middle of a city?”

 

City parks are a stale of what constitutes a good quality of life by letting residents reconnect with nature. However, cities can take this to a whole new level with Urban Forests. Urban forests are parts of a city that have been completely protected from development and human intrusion. A prominent urban forest in real-life is the Tijuca Forest in Rio de Janeiro, which contains the world-famous Christ the Redeemer statue and 32 km² (12.4 mi²) of greenery. Urban forests will become more critical in the new climate paradigm, where their ability to absorb groundwater discharge and lower ambient temperatures will build greater resilience capacity.

Why Affordable Housing Streamlining Would Help Build Climate Resilience

Why Affordable Housing Streamlining Would Help Build Climate Resilience

Why Affordable Housing Streamlining Would Help Build Climate Resilience

04/28/20

“How would affordable housing streamlining help build climate resilience?”

 

With more affordable housing built in safe areas, people of all income levels will be able to live away from the most horrendous effects of climate change. However, the pipeline process for building affordable housing can be extremely difficult. If this is reformed, then more climate-resilient housing will be available for use. This is Why Affordable Housing Streamlining Would Help Combat Climate Change.

Planning for Different Levels of Sea-Level Rise

Planning for Different Levels of Sea-Level Rise

Planning for Different Levels of Sea-Level Rise

04/26/20

“How can we plan for different levels of sea-level rise?”

 

Sea-level rise is going to occur because of climate change. However, the level of rise depends on how much hotter the world is over pre-industrial levels. Since there are multiple possibilities contingent upon carbon emissions rate and time passed, urban areas are going to have to plan for different levels of sea-level rise. This can be accomplished by consulting local citizens and technical experts as well as performing risk and cost-benefit analysis. This is how Planning for Different Levels of Sea-Level Rise will work.

 

Why Did Oil Prices Drop Below Zero So Rapidly?

Why Did Oil Prices Drop Below Zero So Rapidly?

Why Did Oil Prices Drop Below Zero So Rapidly?

04/21/20

“Why did oil prices fall below zero on April 20th, 2020?”

 

On April 20th, 2020, prices for West Texas Intermediate oil, the U.S benchmark, dropped below zero for the first time ever! This was caused by the fact that holding excess oil has become more and more expensive in the wake of the coronavirus and that investors did not believe that the new production cut signed on by Saudi Arabia and Russia would be effective in curtailing supply imbalance, causing prices to shoot negative. This is Why Did Oil Prices Dropped Below Zero So Rapidly.

How COVID Is Impacting the Coal Industry

How COVID Is Impacting the Coal Industry

How COVID Is Impacting the Coal Industry

04/20/20

“How is COVID impacting the coal industry?”

 

The coal industry has been in decline for many decades now. However, the COVID pandemic is only accelerating things. Since coal workers are forced to stay at home and electricity demand is dropping, the revenue streams of these companies have all but disappeared. This is forcing many into bankruptcy, spilling into further contraction for the sector. This is How COVID Is Impacting the Coal Industry.