GREEN TECHNOLOGY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Prem Kumar.U
Asst.Prof. in Management,
GKMCMT, Trivandrum.
Abstract
Green technology has a leading role to play in modern industrial world. Corporates in developed countries
as well as major establishments in India have adopted this innovative technology for sustainable
development. By incorporating this green effect in industry and in energy saving and management, current
needs of human beings are being met and is preserving nature for future generations The major objectives
of Green Technology are sustainable development, elimination of wastage, reusability of patterns,
innovation, feasibility etc. Areas of Green Technology include Green chemistry, Green Nanotechnology,
Green building, Green IT and Green energy. Green chemistry is a philosophy of engineering and chemical
research which results in the generation of products and processes that reduce the utilization and production
of hazardous substances. Green chemistry can also be called as sustainable chemistry. In Green
nanotechnology, nano materials act as catalyst and increase the efficiency of current manufacturing
operations and reduce the effect of pollution. Green building refers to a building structure, where by using
process that are environmentally responsible and maintaining resource efficiency throughout the building’s
life from its designing to its demolition Green IT which is commonly called as Green computing deals with
the practice of environmentally sustainable computing. Green energy is produced from alternative energy
sources that get powered by different natural event.
Key words: Sustainable development, Bio engineering, Agri-cycling, Green building, Wind power
Introduction
Going green is becoming more popular now a days in the sense that people are going
towards eco-friendly products. The term "technology" refers to the application of
knowledge for practical purposes. So green technology specifies the application of
knowledge in the field of producing eco-friendly products which conserve humanity and
preserve nature. "Green Technology" has been adopted over the last few years to identify
a group of industries and applications which take advantage of the commercial value of
technologies that benefit the environment. This knowledge is the most suited one for the
existence of human organism. The meadow of "green technology" comprise of a
continuously evolving group of methods and materials, techniques for generating energy to
non-toxic products, which makes friendliness to the environment. Industries in developed
counties are utilizing large part of their funds for the purpose of optimal introduction of
green technology.
Objectives of Green Technology
Sustainable Development – It is a pattern of economic growth in which the present
generation is preserving nature for the future generation. Through sustainable
development, human beings are safeguarding the environment by using systems of
greenish producers and meeting present requirements without compromising the ability of
future generations to meet their own needs. World Commission on Environment and
Development (WCED), the Brundtland Commission coined the term “Sustainable
development” which has its fortitude in green technology. The carrying competence of the
natural systems in environment has been fortified by this pioneering technology.
Elimination of wastage – By using green technology wastage can be eliminated. This
technology builds eco-friendly products, which bring blessing to the community at present
and for future. Eco-friendly card board coat hanger, green technology remote controller,
eco-friendly umbrella, eco-friendly clothes especially for babies and older generation, ecofriendly car racer, eco-friendly earrings are some of the green products launched by this
technology. A participant from Dong Hwa University came up with his green creation
which is called the Sony Conductor TV Remote. The Moss Carpet, created by Nguyen La
Chanh, made from imputrescible foam called plastazote, the mat includes ball moss, island
moss and forest moss. Eco-friendly car racer designed by Dr.Kerry Kirwan, a researcher a
Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) UK named it as Eco one.
Re-usability – Usually, the manufactured products cannot be reused or which cannot be
reclaimed. The outcomes of green technology are cradle to cradle products and not
cradle to grave products.
Jeff Werner, a designer working at Beaty Biodiversity
Museum, Canada is a cycling advocate powered the cradle to cradle criterion of these
products. The bear bottles engraved on this technology are under the framework of
reusability and sustainability. These bottles are designed strongly, which encourages
people to return them, can be reused by the beer producer and the cycle continuous. Green
tea bags, another product which is of same technology, can place over your eyes to reduce
engorgement and to fabricate up a youth looking skin. EcoKaft paper bags, lanyards, seed
paper, reusable water bottles, wine totes are some bits and pieces where this technology
has be used.
Innovation – Allure Energy Inc, Texas, integrated energy management with
entertainment with their product, Eversense console. Blu Homes come up with prefab
homes is one of the blessing of this expertise. Lutron Electronics introduced special
dimmer switch for CFL. Termont Electric invented a wearable kinetic energy generator.
Nokero India, developed Nokero lights, using impact-resistant plastic, a replaceable
rechargeable battery, four solar panels and five light emitting diodes (LEDs).
Consequently, Green technology put its anxiety for eco-friendly expansion and innovations
Feasibility – Green technologies identify the requirement of economic feasibility of
techno-made products which matches the natural environment. Biogas is of an outstanding
venture which shows viability towards human life. The process here is the Agricycling
where one venture becomes the result, i.e., energy for another process. Economic viability
has a close connection with green technologies. These technologies put the environment in
the right path, speeding the technological enrichment and catering projects appropriate to
earth.
Areas of Green Technology
Green Chemistry – It is a philosophy of engineering and chemical research which results
in the generation of products and processes that reduce the utilization and production of
hazardous substances. Green chemistry can also be called as sustainable chemistry. The
importance of green chemistry begins with recognition that production, processing, use and
final disposal of chemical products may cause harm to human beings and other living
inmates. Saying in its own way, as a chemical philosophy, this can be practically used in
biochemistry, analytical chemistry, organic chemistry and towards physical chemistry.
The goal can be satisfied through these applications. SCWO, supercritical water
oxidation and dry media reaction are examples of green chemistry. For achieving the
goals of green chemistry, Bioengineering can be used as a promising technique.
Paul Anastas, the then scientific advisor to the United States Environmental Protection
Agency and John C Warner, a American chemist developed 12 principles of green
chemistry.
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Better to prevent waste before it is formed,
Synthetic methods should be framed to incorporate all materials used in the process
of final output,
Generation of synthetic methodologies to produce output which are little or no
toxic to human health and to the environment,
Design of chemical products in such manner to conserve efficiency of function
while reducing toxity,
Use of auxiliary substances (e.g., solvents, separation agents, etc) should be made
unnecessary wherever possible and harmless when used,
Recognition of energy requirement for environmental and economic impacts and it
should be minimized. Synthetic methods should be carried out at ambient
temperature and pressure,
A raw material or feed stock should be renewable rather than depleting wherever
technically and economically practicable,
Unnecessary derivatization (blocking group, protection/de-protection, temporary)
modification is avoided where ever possible,
Catalytic reagents are superior to stoichiometic reagents,
Chemical products should be designed in such a way that at the end of their
function they do not persist in the environment and break down into innocuous
degradation products,
Analytical methodologies need to be further developed to all for real-time, inprocess monitoring and control prior to the formation of hazardous substances,
Substances and the form of a substance used in a chemical process should be to
minimize potential for chemical accidents, including releases, explosions and fires.
Green Nanotechnology – In green nanotechnology the outputs which are built up with the
help of nanotechnology is used to enhance environmental sustainability. Here green nano-
products are created and using these products for present and future generations. Nano
materials act as catalyst and increase the efficiency of current manufacturing operations by
applying the principles of green chemistry and green engineering. Nano devices and
materials introduced in green production reduce pollution (e.g., water and water filters).
Woodrow Wilson Institute, Washington 2007, in its report gives certain Green Nano
recommendations;.
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Identify green in Nanotechnology, for that a life cycle approach should be used,
Make sure that Nano products are being made using green methods,
Construct a database of current research in green nano.
Twin objectives of Green Nanotechnology
Produce nanomaterials and products without harming the environment or human
health and reducing the pollution in all respects,
Promote green technology nano-products instead of traditionally manufactured
products.
Fields in which Green Nanotechnology can be applied
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Energy,
Health,
Information and communication,
Consumer goods,
Heavy Industries.
Green Buildings – It refers to a building structure, where by using process that are
environmentally responsible and maintaining resource efficiency throughout the building’s
life from its designing to its demolition. The other activities in this process are
construction, operation maintenance etc. It will add economy, utility, durability and
comfort and reduce the overall impact of the built environment on human health and
natural environment. It is also known as green construction or sustainable building.
Features of Green building
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Conservation of energy,
Full utilization of solar energy; space heating, water heating, water heating,
electricity generation with the help of photovoltaic cells and saving of energy,
Utilization of wind energy,
Water storage and its purification,
Inclusions of recycled materials and materials which can be recycled are used for
construction,
Good air circulation, with eco-friendly windows,
Limited construction waste and re-sourcing of wastages,
Waste water treatment and effluent treatment systems,
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Preservation of natural vegetation and habitats,
Zero use of Ozone depleting compounds in refrigeration,
Incorporation of fire suppression systems.
In the modern world, Buildings are being rated for their environmentally sustainable
construction. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is one such
system which rates buildings. This system was developed by U.S.Green Building
Council (GBC). The rating system looks into six major areas;
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Sustainable sites,
Water efficiency,
Energy and atmosphere,
Materials and resources,
Indoor environment quality,
Innovation and design process.
Green IT – Commonly called as Green computing or ICT Sustainability which deals
with the practice of environmentally sustainable computing. San Murugesan, Member,
Global Science and Technology Forum (GSTF) Advisory Board in his article,
Hamessing Green I.T., defines the field of green computing as, “the study and practice of
designing, manufacturing, using and disposing of computers, servers, and associated subsystems—such as monitors, printers, storage devices, and networking and communication
systems—efficiently and effectively with minimal or no impact on the environment.” Many
IT corporate have Green computing schemes which reduces environmental impacts as the
result of their operations.
Objectives of Green IT
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Limit the use of hazardous materials which are harmful to environment,
Ensure continual improvement in Green IT position,
Absorb Green IT Culture,
Protect Natural resources,
Promote recyclability or biodegradability of obsolete and outdated products and
factory,
Obtain maximum energy efficiency during the life span of the product,
Better manage risk,
Resolve resource constraints.
Green Energy – It is produced from alternative energy sources that get powered by
different natural events. Here the energy is received from nature itself and which is not
throbbing the environment. The main sources of green energy are water, wind and solar
energy
Water energy – Water contains two types of energy. The first being the kinetic
energy, due to this, it can flow and can form waves. The second, the potential energy
which is stored in the water is a useful source when water is flowing. Hydro electric
power is obtained from falling water or stream. It is a renewable source of energy, which
can be renewed after its consumption. This source supplies about 20% of world electricity
and 6% of total commercial energy. In Norway 99% of electricity has been obtained by
way of hydel power. In India Only 16% of electricity has been obtained as hydel power,
as per survey during the year 2011-12. Waves and tides help to rotate the turbines and
produces electricity. France and Canada own the largest tidel energy amenities at present.
Wind energy – It is the wind power which results in turning wind turbines. Wind
turbines produce mechanical power or electricity from kinetic energy. The Indian wind
energy has an installed capacity of 14158 MW as per the survey (as on 31march 2011) of
Indian Wind Energy Association. India ranked 5th in terms of wind power.
Solar energy - Sun, the source of solar energy is one of the richest bases of energy.
The technologies formed on the basis of this source is solar heating, solar photovoltaics,
solar thermal electricity and solar architecture. These technologies are characterized as
passive solar and active solar according the way in which sunlight is captured. Active solar
techniques include using photovoltaic panels, solar thermal collectors to produces energy.
Passive solar technique is not utilized for the manufacture of electricity, but for light
dispersing, designing light space etc ie., solar architecture. The total solar energy absorbed
by atmosphere, oceans and land masses is about 3,850,000 exajoules (EJ) per year.
India is now planning to install a green energy project that will generate 20,000 MW of
solar power and 3,000 MW from wind farms on 50,000 acres in Karnataka. (India for
Green Technology, Hindustan Times, dtd.,13th September, 2012)
Major Corporations following Green Technology in India
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ITC Limited
Tata Metaliks Limited (TML)
Tamil Nadu Newsprint and Papers Limited
Wipro Technologies
HCL Technologies
ONGC
IndusInd Bank
IDEA Cellular
Hero Honda Motors
Suzlon Energy
Number and percent of establishments reporting green technologies or practices, by
industry, August 2011*
Source:*Bureau of Labor statistics, United States Department of labor
http://www.bls.gov/gtp/gtp_t02.htm
Conclusion
Green Technology is blessing to modern industrialized world. The part and parcel of this
technology can be had from Green chemistry, Green nanotechnology, Green building,
Green IT and Green Energy. By introducing this knowledge, sustainable development,
preservation of nature, conservation of human population and other living beings,
elimination of wastage, reusability of patters, innovation of existing one, feasibility, etc are
made possible in a more successful manner. Imparting knowledge in this regards will
surely uplift the global feasibility. Large Muti-national Corporations are now adopted this
technology for their betterment. Government of India is also, now taking initiatives for the
introduction of this technology in Indian industries in order to ensure a clean and healthy
environment for its people. New versions of Green technologies are now developing as the
result of research and development programmes in this area. This technological creativity
is now spreading its wings to hold the entire globe for its futurity. So, be green and be with
green.
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