Tag Archives: innovations

WHAT ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF CLEAN TECHNOLOGY INNOVATIONS THAT CAN HELP REDUCE POLLUTION

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Renewable energy sources like solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal power can help reduce pollution from fossil fuel power plants that emit greenhouse gases and other harmful pollutants. Solar panels that convert sunlight into electricity and solar water heaters have grown dramatically more efficient and cheaper in recent decades, making solar energy more viable for both residential and commercial use. Solar farms with fields of photovoltaic panels are now quite common and offset the need for coal or natural gas fired power plants.

Wind turbines placed on land or offshore in bodies of water can generate massive amounts of pollution-free electricity without needing fuel. Advances in turbine design and materials have allowed modern wind farms to harness stronger winds higher above the ground, generating more power than older designs. Europe leads the world in installed wind power capacity due to supportive government policies.

Run-of-the-river hydroelectric plants use the kinetic energy of flowing water without large reservoirs to turn turbines and generate renewable electricity. Advances in fish ladders and bypass designs have made small-scale hydro power more ecosystem friendly. Geothermal power plants take advantage of hot water or steam trapped underground in certain regions to drive steam turbines without emissions. Enhanced geothermal systems can expand geothermal energy production to more areas.

Electric vehicles (EVs) like battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) produce zero direct emissions from the onboard power source. As more electricity comes from renewable sources on power grids, EVs will become increasingly clean over their lifetime. Battery technology advancements continue to extend driving range between charges to alleviate range anxiety concerns. A growing network of public charging stations and newer quick charging infrastructure further support wider EV adoption.

Renewable natural gas (RNG) can be produced through anaerobic digestion of organic waste at landfills or livestock farms. Captured methane gas is cleaned and conditioned to pipeline-injection quality as a renewable replacement for conventional natural gas without changing existing gas infrastructure. RNG provides a way to reduce methane emissions from waste streams and fossil fuel consumption in transportation like garbage trucks, buses, or fleet vehicles that rely on compressed natural gas.

Green buildings make use of passive solar design and natural light, high efficiency lighting and appliances, electric heat pump systems, renewable power generation, green roofs and walls, and recycled or sustainably sourced building materials to dramatically reduce emissions and conventional energy usage. Modern green building codes and standards have driven energy efficiency gains in new construction. Building retrofits like insulation, sealing, and equipment upgrades yield significant pollution reductions in existing structures.

Sustainable public transportation systems based on electrified rail, subways, light rail, and electric buses move large numbers of urban commuters without reliance on private gasoline or diesel powered vehicles. Well-designed public transit networks paired with bike lanes, sidewalks, and pedestrian zones encourage shifts from individual auto trips to cleaner mobility options. Intelligent transportation systems apply information and communication technologies to optimize traffic flows and multi-modal coordination to curb transportation emissions.

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology, while still in development at utility-scale, aims to prevent large quantities of CO2 emissions from fossil fuel powered electricity generation and industrial processes from entering the atmosphere. Captured CO2 is compressed and injected deep underground for long term storage. Enhanced oil recovery uses captured CO2 to increase oil extraction at depleted fossil fuel reservoirs. If perfected and deployed broadly, CCS could help cleaner fossil fuel power maintain a role in the energy mix along with renewables.

These are just some of the most impactful clean technology innovations that are enabling profound reductions in pollution from electricity generation, transportation, buildings, and industry. Further research, support for deployment, and continued cost reductions can help curb greenhouse gas emissions in line with climate goals and make clean technologies the universal standard worldwide in the coming decades. With focused effort and investments, pollution can be dramatically cut from almost every sector of the economy through advancing clean and renewable solutions.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE INNOVATIONS THAT RESTAURANTS HAVE IMPLEMENTED TO ADAPT TO THE PANDEMIC

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One of the biggest impacts and changes the pandemic has brought to the restaurant industry is the rise of contactless and remote dining experiences. This includes initiatives like expansion of takeout and delivery services, curbside pickup options, al fresco dining, and digital menus.

Many restaurants that did not previously offer takeout or delivery started these services for the first time or greatly expanded their existing off-premise programs. National chains like Chipotle, Subway, Pizza Hut, and others invested in hiring more delivery drivers and partnering with third party delivery platforms like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and GrubHub to facilitate non-contact orders. Independent restaurants also turned to delivery services for the first time to try and recoup some lost dine-in business. Curbside pickup also saw a surge in popularity as a low contact alternative that allowed people to order online or by phone and have their food brought straight to their car when ready.

For on-site dining, al fresco expansion has been a major trend. With indoor capacity restrictions in place for many months in 2020 and 2021, restaurants got creative by expanding their outdoor spaces. This included setting up temporary patios, parklets, and street closures. In some cities, regulations were eased to allow restaurants to use sidewalks, streets, and even private parking lots for additional outdoor seating. Heaters, tents, and wind blocks were added to make dining outdoors more comfortable even in colder months. Some restaurants also switched to reservation-only outdoor dining with timed slots to manage capacity.

Digital menus gained popularity to reduce physical contact. Many restaurants rolled out QR code driven digital menus that could be accessed on a customer’s personal device instead of physical paper menus. Some displays were even installed at tables showing the menu that diners could browse on their own phone. Digital ordering and payment was also adopted by some chains. Apps were created to allow customers to order and pay for their food through their phones, sometimes including the ability to trigger alerts to staff for when food was ready to be picked up.

Plexiglass dividers started appearing between booths and tables to create physical barriers between customers. In some cases, entire custom dining “igloos” or greenhouses were even constructed for individual parties. Automatic faucets, flush valves, and paper towel/soap dispensers saw increased installation to reduce touchpoints in restrooms.

Touchless thermometers were commonly utilized to check employee temperatures at the start of shifts. Digital check-ins were also phased in at some restaurants in place of physical sign-in clipboards to facilitate contact tracing if needed. Stricter cleaning protocols between seatings involved sanitizing all tables, chairs, menus, and other high touch surfaces with hospital-grade disinfectants. Antimicrobial surfaces and materials were tested or upgraded in some settings.

For employees, many restaurants invested in new policies around masking, distancing, and staggered shifts. Drive-thrus only became the protocol at some fast food chains to avoid customer interaction. Employee wellness funds and paid sick leave were increased in some cases. Protective gear like masks and gloves also became universally required. Digital tools helped with tasks like scheduling, inventory, and online order management to reduce physical contact where possible. Touchless payment options were prioritized for both dine-in and off-premise customers.

Outdoor kitchens were piloted at some establishments with entire auxiliary food prep areas constructed in parking lots or courtyards. This allowed for physical distancing in cramped back-of-house spaces. Ultraviolet light technology was tested by some to disinfect air conditioning systems and circulate purer air. Anti-microbial spray treatments were introduced for fabric surfaces like booths or chairs. Clear panels dividing sections or entirely separate greenhouses/pods were trialed at a smaller scale.

Innovations like these show how creative the restaurant industry has gotten during the pandemic out of economic necessity. While not all solutions will stick long term, contactless operations and expanded off-premise models seem likely to remain even after indoor dining restrictions are fully lifted. The pandemic has accelerated the digital transformation of restaurants and consumer expectations around convenience, value, and safety. Those who adapt quickest will be best positioned for success in the eventual new normal.