Engr. Dr. Muhammad Nawaz Iqbal
Sustainable engineering protocols are fundamental strategies in systems design, developing, and maintenance with minimum environmental effects and maximum resource utilization. These protocols enable the execution of engineering projects in a way that they satisfy the current requirements without endangering the capacity of future generations to meets its own requirements. Therefore, the engineers on this regard have to cover environmental, social as well as economic aspects in the making of decisions. It is this consideration of imposed and longstanding aspects of engineering that makes sustainable engineering much more than practice in the field of engineering carried out as usual.
Another key element in the scope of sustainable engineering is the judicious use of resources. Engineers, are supposed to work on designing buildings and other structures stores that would use less of energy and material resources, while still fulfilling the functional and performance purposes of the structures. This calls for advancement in material technologies, efficient processes, and energy use. Hence, sustainable engineering protocols focus on achieving project goals by also aiming at reducing the environmental problems related to the projects implemented. Engineers should look for materials and techniques which bring down energy use, emissions, and waste whilst respecting the whole life cycle of the products from raw material extraction to the disposal of the designed products.
Alyounger need, discuss the concept of life cycle assessment LCA which is equally central in sustainable engineering. LCA is defined as a standard to assess the environmental impact of a product or a process of carrying out production, from the extraction of raw materials to processing and usage, to the end of use, disposal of the product. LCA is a Tool used by sustainable engineers in mapping the possible environmental burden and mitigating its effects where possible. Understanding and calculating energy, water, and waste and emissions in each stage of their operations, helps the engineers in spotting areas of improvement for sustainable design and production.
Another emphasis in sustainable engineering is the measures on defined energy efficiency. The responsibility of a professional Engineer is the invention of systems and technologies that conserve energy to the barest minimum without compromising on expected performance. This encompasses the design of buildings, transport systems, unit operations, and appliances that consume minimal energy. In addition, engineers aim at eliminating fossil fuels and their emissions through the application of sustainable energy sources like solar, wind and hydropower. There are obvious benefits of incorporating energy efficient designs in not only the infrastructural and product development processes but also the economic one for the end user.
The selection of materials is equally important in the discipline of engineering. Reconcilable materials are those that can be grown again within a short period of time, are safe and can be recycled or don’t cause any much harm to the environment within their life cycle. Nowadays engineers are to consider the ecological aspects of materials not only at the stage of use of those materials but also during the choosing materials for building, which means they have to choose less harmful alternatives to nature. For instance, building with existing structures mitigates the depletion of resources and minimization of waste by use of recycled materials and bio-based materials. Furthermore, it is possible to redesign a product in such a way that aims at its reuse, reclamation or reassembly which will be a major contribution to the lengthening of materials usage and preservation of the environment in the entire undertaking.
Another facet falls under sustainable engineering protocols that cannot be ignored is water optimization. A lot of engineering constructions causes water imbalance in the region either through over-using the water or causing pollution of the water or changing the water ways. It is the duty upon an engineer to devise mechanisms that promote water economy and raise product resilience without exhausting the water resource. This includes among other things water saving devices in agriculture, industry and households along with systems for treatment and reuse of water. Aims at relieving the pressure on fresh water resources and their proportional consumption is contained in the present and future generations.
Lastly, as per the sustainable engineering protocols, it is equally necessary to control emissions and pollutants. Engineers should aim for the design of systems that do not lead to any emissions into air, water, and land. This includes initiatives such as Cleaner Production strategies, construction of advanced and less harmful means of transportation and application of various technologies for treatment of pollution. Reducing emissions of greenhouse gases, particulate matter, and toxic gases has a positive effect on population’s health and addresses global warming as well. Engineering goals of sustainability have to look at both ends – emissions have local and global implications and so there should be strategies that address the problem of pollution at all levels. It is vital to note that introducing renewable energy sources in the processes of designing engineering works is one of the ways of enhancing sustainability. Such renewable energy technologies as solar panels, wind farms, and even bioenergy go a long way to complimenting the dependence on fossil fuelling. The engineers have to work hard in the research and development of these technologies, which must be both practical and affordable. Consequently, efficient engineering designs incorporating renewable energy in buildings, transport and industrial activities will greatly reduce the need for non-renewable resources and greenhouse gas emissions.
