In this fast moving world of rapid technological advancement, we need to stop for a moment and think about how best to conserve and protect our environment. The threats of global warming, the resulting change in climate patterns and a high consumption rate of our limited natural resources currently loom over us. Proper utilization of the environment’s resources is key to saving our world before environmental degradation reaches an irreversible stage, and with the resources and programs here, N.C. State should begin the process.
Bio-fuels is a subject extensively being researched and optimized, but it is still relatively unheard of. The use of any material of biological origin to generate fuels, including electricity, falls under this title. It would be to our advantage for us at N.C. State to take advantage of the fact that we live in a moderately sized town, with an abundance of accessible materials available to us.
Harnessing energy from these sources would not only be a more economical option, but one with better and safer long-term implications. The initial costs involved in setting up bio-fuel plants and reactors around campus would indeed be substantial, but over time the amount of reduction would compensate for the necessary initial expenses.
The application of microbial fuel cells to generate electricity involves the utilization of microorganisms to convert chemical energy into electricity. With our well-equipped microbiology laboratories and collaborations with Biotechnology and Bio-fuel centers around North Carolina, our University could easily expand upon research of bio-fuels.
The blending of bio-fuels with normal fuel would have the dual benefit of reducing the release of harmful carbon emission into the atmosphere as well as bringing down the spiraling costs of petroleum. A slight compromise with mileage is indeed a small price to pay for the other associated benefits.
Another idea would be to utilize kitchen wastes to generate bio-energy instead of just dumping it. With the number of University Dining outlets scattered around campus, a large amount of needed materials could be collected. Fruitful use of such wastes would help in curbing pollution, thus further helping in sustaining our environment and conserving our rapidly depleting sources of fossil fuels. Yet another way N.C. State may lead the way in this field of research.
Generating electricity and cutting down on power related expenditures is not the only potential application of this technology. By using all that Mother Nature has to offer us to minimize long standing environmental issues, and maximize energy output would be. This model would not only benefit us here at N.C. State, but for all North Carolinians to see and implement. So let us go out there and do our bit to make our world a greener, cleaner, safer and better place to live in.