Have you ever thought about what artificial intelligence (AI) can do for Sustainability? Can it reduce energy and water usage, manage climate change and greenhouse gas emissions? Well, we have at SCS Engineers. Using advanced AI technologies to achieve sustainable development is the new reality of Sustainability. Here are five ways to apply AI toward Sustainability:
AI and Sustainability are a match made in heaven. Artificial intelligence can help manage greenhouse gas emissions by measuring our carbon footprint and providing suggestions on how to reduce the same. It can make recommendations on which energy source is the most cost-effective for us.
AI is used in many industries to secure, measure, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Artificial Intelligence can use sensors to identify any damaged or malfunctioning equipment. The measurements are stored in a database to replace or repair defective parts and identify new process and maintenance efficiencies.
AI can help make our planet cleaner, safer, and more sustainable. AI powered by data is revolutionizing many industries, including waste management, transportation, and energy production. Wastewater management, smart grids, and water treatment are just a few examples of how artificial intelligence can positively impact our planet, including clean air, waste management, recycling, and water management worldwide.
Sustainability means we have to do more with less. For example, moving towards EVs or hydrogen fuel-based transportation can reduce carbon generation and our dependency on fossil fuels. Other efficiencies include:
AI has the potential to transform manufacturing, improve the quality of life, and even help with sustainable practices. Algorithms are designed to work with smart manufacturing to optimize production processes enabling factories to run more safely. In transportation, artificial intelligence can make supply chains more efficient and help reduce pollution from freight carriers.
Many sustainability initiatives in the field of artificial intelligence focus on minimizing environmental impacts and promoting the responsible development and use of AI. Some examples of these initiatives include:
These are just a few examples of sustainability initiatives in the field of artificial intelligence. Many other organizations and initiatives are working on these issues as well.
If you’d like learn more, contact our author and Director of Sustainability Programs, Ajay Vonkarey.
Related Areas of Interest
GHG emissions inventories, estimating GHG reductions, verification
Meet SCS Engineers professionals at the A&WMA/ASME Waste Information Exchange, April 11-12, 2023, at the Doubletree Hilton Washington DC-Crystal City Hotel, in Arlington, Virginia.
This conference will cover the latest on a broad range of waste-related topics including regulations and research in an interactive, discussion-focused format. This is an excellent learning and networking opportunity to hear directly from experts at EPA, NGOs, industry, and academia who are working together to develop solutions to creating a cleaner and healthier environment. The technical program will cover policy updates and regulatory changes, as well as current and late-breaking research on hot topics such as:
• Solid Waste
• Biosolids
• Landfill Issues and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Monitoring
• Reuse/Recycling
• Resource Management
• Waste-to-Energy
• PFAS Emissions and Controls
• Environmental Justice
• RCRA Requirements for Open Burning
Managers, practitioners, policymakers, and researchers involved in waste management, public works, operations, maintenance, manufacturing, transportation, technology, compliance, collections, and other environmental roles will benefit from the technical content and networking available at this conference.
Sponsorship and display opportunities are available at this conference! Discover how your company can maximize exposure, generate leads, and support the industry.
Visit www.awma.org/waste for registration information and evolving conference details.
Article published in the January 2020 edition of Waste Advantage Magazine.
At the Federal level, GHG emission reporting has become part of the standard regulatory requirements; however, on the west coast, GHG programs continue to develop and evolve from reporting to reduction programs beyond federal requirements. Solid waste facilities can be impacted by all of these reporting mechanisms directly as a landfill located in the state in question, opting in for C&T as part of the LCFS in California, or in limbo, as the courts work out the legality of Washington’s Clean Air Act. More stringent federal GHG requirements are unlikely with the current administration, however, that could change with the 2020 election. In general, GHG rules and legislation keep developing and updating to account for and reduce GHG emissions.
Read, share, or download the full article here.
Cassandra Drotman Farrant is Project Manager with SCS Engineers. She has nine years of experience in environmental consulting, specializing in environmental assessment and greenhouse gas (GHG) verification. Cassandra has participated in many GHG verification projects throughout the U.S. and has completed approximately 70 Phase I Environmental Assessments (ESAs) in California, Oregon, and Washington. Phase I projects included research and review of geologic and hydrogeologic conditions at project sites and in the surrounding areas and evaluating the potential for soil and groundwater contamination from on and offsite sources. Cassandra has completed emissions estimates and inventories and has prepared numerous permit-to-construct/operate permit applications. She prepares compliance reports, which includes reviewing and maintaining records and regulatory deadlines.
SCS Engineers provides engineering, consulting, operations and monitoring services to report and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Select a service category to learn more.
In August 2019, SCS Energy broke ground on construction of a 4,000-scfm landfill gas to renewable natural gas (RNG) plant in Indianapolis. Indy High Btu, LLC engaged SCS Energy to build the RNG plant under an engineer/procure/construct (EPC) agreement. Indy High Btu, LLC is jointly owned by Kinetrex Energy, Southside Landfill, and EDL Energy.
The RNG plant employs an iron redox scrubber for hydrogen sulfide removal, membranes for carbon dioxide removal and pressure swing adsorption for nitrogen removal. The plant is on schedule to achieve commercial operation in February 2020.
Kinetrex, as a major distributor of LNG, intends to convert the RNG into LNG. RNG from the plant will fuel trucks replacing nearly 8 million gallons of diesel a year. RNG is less expensive than diesel and significantly reduces the emission of methane and other greenhouse gases.
The Indy High Btu RNG plant is the third landfill gas-to-RNG plant designed by SCS to employ nitrogen removal, meeting pipeline specifications and maximizing gas recovery. Two other plants, including a 5,000-scfm project in Kentucky, which commenced operation in March 2018, and a 5,000-scfm project in Texas, which is currently under construction and scheduled to begin operations in November 2019, are both SCS Energy designs.
SCS Energy is a practice of SCS Engineers specializing in Biogas, Anaerobic Digestion, Renewable Natural Gas and Energy Systems for industrial and agricultural operations.
