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Environment and Energy |
Stanford Engineering's environment and energy priority aims to help humanity as a global community find ways to live on this planet sustainably. The world's billions of people all need energy, food, shelter, water and clean air. But with our current use patterns, we risk depleting resources for present and future generations and endangering the basic cycles on which all life on Earth depends.
Engineering for sustainability
Stanford's interdisciplinary collaborations mean scholars from far-flung disciplines can bring their expertise to bear on tough challenges. One goal of sustainability research and education is to generate electricity and to power transportation in ways that minimize environmental impact. Fossil fuel use has changed climate on a global scale, for example, and engineers are now exploring alternatives to meet growing global energy demand while lowering greenhouse gas emissions. Because no single solution to the energy problem exists, researchers are investigating a diverse portfolio of technologies. In the future, energy sources may range from large central power stations to local generators in individual homes. Systems may use energy carriers that we understand quite well today, such as the sun, and wind, as well as those that we need to understand much better, such as hydrogen. Hot topics in engineering for sustainability include capturing and storing greenhouse gases, utilizing coal in cleaner ways, improving the efficiency of internal combustion engines and developing hybrid and alternative vehicles.
Another important goal of sustainability research is to provide clean water, food, air and shelter while protecting our environment. One third of the world's population finds it difficult to meet water needs. Stanford Engineering researchers examine how to eliminate contaminants from water sources and protect estuaries and coastal regions, using molecular tools and chemical processes. Sustainability has also become a major goal in the design, construction and operation of built facilities. A new class of construction material, called bio-composites, significantly reduces energy costs and pollution in new buildings. The future will include "greener" buildings, with state-of-the-art energy, water, sensing and monitoring systems.
Stanford Engineering's Civil and Environmental Engineering department has organized its teaching and research around the theme of sustainability, with efforts focused on five areas: water, urbanization, health, the Earth's life support systems, and buildings. These faculty, as well faculty from many other engineering departments, are involved in a broad array of environmental efforts, including, at the center, the Woods Institute for the Environment, the Precourt Institute for Energy Efficiency, and the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies. Stanford Engineering faculty also actively participate in the Energy Modeling Forum, which seeks to improve analysis of energy and environment uses, and the Global Climate and Energy Project. More broadly, path-making faculty at Hopkins Marine Station, Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve, the
Center for Conservation Biology
and elsewhere ensure that no place has a better chance than Stanford of engineering a brighter future.
Whether they are exploring the fate of a pollutant in water and air and later, in humans, or assessing the environmental impacts of building a dam or using land for agriculture or urban development, environmental engineers look at the effects of our choices. Like the mythic butterfly that flaps its wings in Japan and triggers a tornado in Texas, we're all connected through our actions. With a long history of innovation and collaboration, Stanford is well positioned to nurture connections that support the health of Planet Earth the home we all share.
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Last Modified: March 31 2008 10:33:19 AM |
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Strategic Priorities