Appropriate TechnologyAppropriate Technology

Tech 198Tech 198

Technology and CivilizationTechnology and Civilization

Prepared by Pat Backer, Prepared by Pat Backer, 11/5/0311/5/03

What is appropriate technology?What is appropriate technology?

• Appropriate technology has been used to cover a wide Appropriate technology has been used to cover a wide range of both technologies and lifestyles including range of both technologies and lifestyles including sustainable living, alternative fuels, and ethical sustainable living, alternative fuels, and ethical technology transfers. technology transfers.

• A technology is considered appropriate if it solves a social A technology is considered appropriate if it solves a social problem without many adverse negative effects.problem without many adverse negative effects.

• Every new technology has consequences for society. Every new technology has consequences for society. Some of those consequences can be foreseen and some Some of those consequences can be foreseen and some of the consequences are unforeseen. of the consequences are unforeseen.

• A technology is appropriate when its intended positive A technology is appropriate when its intended positive consequences outweigh its unintended negative consequences outweigh its unintended negative consequencesconsequences

How do we evaluate appropriateness?How do we evaluate appropriateness?

• There are three ways of evaluating appropriateness: There are three ways of evaluating appropriateness: technical, cultural, and economic. technical, cultural, and economic. – A decision as to whether a technology is technically A decision as to whether a technology is technically

appropriate can be made after considering the technical appropriate can be made after considering the technical knowledge and background of the people who will be using knowledge and background of the people who will be using this technology. this technology.

– A decision about cultural appropriateness should analyze the A decision about cultural appropriateness should analyze the technology in its relationship to the critical social systems in technology in its relationship to the critical social systems in the society including family systems, religious beliefs, division the society including family systems, religious beliefs, division of labor in a society, and levels of education and training. of labor in a society, and levels of education and training.

– A decision about economic appropriateness would be made A decision about economic appropriateness would be made after looking at a technology's effect on income levels and after looking at a technology's effect on income levels and income distribution in a society and income disparity between income distribution in a society and income disparity between different socio-economic groups. different socio-economic groups.

FactorsFactors for the assessment of an for the assessment of an appropriate technologyappropriate technology

• As technologies are being transferred or a decision is being made as to As technologies are being transferred or a decision is being made as to whether they should be transferred, an assessment on the whether they should be transferred, an assessment on the appropriateness should be completed. Various factors for this appropriateness should be completed. Various factors for this assessment would include the followingassessment would include the following11::

– What is the need?What is the need?– Is there an adequate business environment in place for this Is there an adequate business environment in place for this

technology?technology?– What is the best technical option for the transfer? (Some issues What is the best technical option for the transfer? (Some issues

include the requirements for operating the technology, repair include the requirements for operating the technology, repair facilities for the technology, scope of the technology)facilities for the technology, scope of the technology)

– What are the possible unintended negative effects of the What are the possible unintended negative effects of the technology?technology?

– What are the broader cultural, political and/or social effects of the What are the broader cultural, political and/or social effects of the technology?technology?

Everts, S. (1998). Gender and technology. Empowering Everts, S. (1998). Gender and technology. Empowering women, engendering development. New York: Zed Books, p women, engendering development. New York: Zed Books, p 34.34.

Examples of appropriate technologiesExamples of appropriate technologies

• Renewable EnergyRenewable Energy

• Smart GrowthSmart Growth

• Green BuildingsGreen Buildings

• Sustainable AgricultureSustainable Agriculture

Renewable EnergyRenewable Energy

• Renewable energy industries produce energy Renewable energy industries produce energy using resources such as sunlight, wind, water using resources such as sunlight, wind, water current, and organic wastecurrent, and organic waste

• Renewable sources of energy are diffuse (spread Renewable sources of energy are diffuse (spread thin) and intermittent. One example of the thin) and intermittent. One example of the diffuseness feature is that a 1000‑megawatt solar diffuseness feature is that a 1000‑megawatt solar farm might occupy about 5000 acres of land, farm might occupy about 5000 acres of land, while a nuclear power station with the same while a nuclear power station with the same generating capacity only requires around 150 generating capacity only requires around 150 acres.acres.

Examples of Renewable Energy--Examples of Renewable Energy--BiomassBiomass

• Many developing countries depend on wood and Many developing countries depend on wood and agricultural waste for energy.agricultural waste for energy.

• Almost half of India's and nearly 90 percent of Almost half of India's and nearly 90 percent of total energy consumption in several small total energy consumption in several small countries in Africa is provided by wood. countries in Africa is provided by wood.

• Sweden has increased its use of biomass Sweden has increased its use of biomass dramatically in the last ten years and presently dramatically in the last ten years and presently uses fast-growing willow trees and other organics uses fast-growing willow trees and other organics to supply 20 percent of its total energy supply.to supply 20 percent of its total energy supply.

Examples of Renewable Energy--Examples of Renewable Energy--HydropowerHydropower

Modern large hydropower plants Modern large hydropower plants are very expensive to build; are very expensive to build; however, they have lower however, they have lower operation costs than thermal operation costs than thermal or nuclear plants. A problem or nuclear plants. A problem with widespread use of with widespread use of hydropower is that it is not hydropower is that it is not distributed equally around the distributed equally around the world. world.

In the US alone, about 10 percent of the total electricity is generated In the US alone, about 10 percent of the total electricity is generated from hydropower. Although this number is high, it has dropped since from hydropower. Although this number is high, it has dropped since the 1940s when 40 percent of the electricity in the US was the 1940s when 40 percent of the electricity in the US was hydropower.hydropower.

Disruption of the environment is the major reason why there are Disruption of the environment is the major reason why there are fewer hydropower plants being built today. Since hydropower plants fewer hydropower plants being built today. Since hydropower plants require water to be channeled away from its natural flow, they by require water to be channeled away from its natural flow, they by design disrupt the environment.design disrupt the environment.

Top Hydroelectric Generating Countries. Source: Energy Information Administration, US Department of Energy. Available: http://hydropower.inel.gov/facts/country.htm [2002, February 1]

Examples of Renewable Energy--Examples of Renewable Energy--Geothermal EnergyGeothermal Energy

• The planet’s relatively small number of high‑quality reserves of The planet’s relatively small number of high‑quality reserves of sub‑surface steam and hot water limits the potential of this form sub‑surface steam and hot water limits the potential of this form of energy. For those countries where active geysers have been of energy. For those countries where active geysers have been found, geothermal power generation is quite effective. found, geothermal power generation is quite effective.

• The Philippines has the highest percentage of power generated The Philippines has the highest percentage of power generated from geothermal sources; 22 percent of its electricity is from geothermal sources; 22 percent of its electricity is generated with geothermal steam. The percentage of generated with geothermal steam. The percentage of geothermal is high (at least 10-20 percent of the total) in four geothermal is high (at least 10-20 percent of the total) in four other countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Kenya, and Nicaragua.other countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Kenya, and Nicaragua.

• Central America, parts of Southeast Asia, and the western United Central America, parts of Southeast Asia, and the western United States have the greatest potential for major reliance on States have the greatest potential for major reliance on geothermal energy. Promising sites also exist in parts of geothermal energy. Promising sites also exist in parts of southern Europe and East Africa.southern Europe and East Africa.

Examples of Renewable Energy--WindExamples of Renewable Energy--Wind

Experts in the field of alternative energy feel wind energy is the most Experts in the field of alternative energy feel wind energy is the most auspicious (favorable) of the renewables. Windmills mechanically auspicious (favorable) of the renewables. Windmills mechanically turn turbines without an intermediate stage of heating water. turn turbines without an intermediate stage of heating water.

In the early 1980s, more than 8000 In the early 1980s, more than 8000 wind machines were installed in wind machines were installed in California. One of the largest wind California. One of the largest wind farms is presently found in the farms is presently found in the rolling, windswept hills of the rolling, windswept hills of the Altamont Pass, east of San Altamont Pass, east of San Francisco. Francisco.

Attempts to reap economies of Attempts to reap economies of scale by building larger windmills scale by building larger windmills capable of generating more than capable of generating more than one megawatt of power have been one megawatt of power have been suppressed by technical problems. suppressed by technical problems. Capital costs have remained Capital costs have remained prohibitive. prohibitive.

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Examples of Renewable Energy—The Examples of Renewable Energy—The OceanOcean

• Three methods for extracting energy from the sea have been reviewed Three methods for extracting energy from the sea have been reviewed seriously: wave power, ocean thermal energy conversion, and tidal seriously: wave power, ocean thermal energy conversion, and tidal power. power.

– Wave Power aims to harness the motion of the waves using a variety Wave Power aims to harness the motion of the waves using a variety of devices. of devices.

– Ocean thermal energy conversion seeks to exploit the temperature Ocean thermal energy conversion seeks to exploit the temperature differences between the warm surface layer and the colder deep differences between the warm surface layer and the colder deep waters of the world's oceans. Both could generate sizeable amounts waters of the world's oceans. Both could generate sizeable amounts of electricity, but neither one has yet been demonstrated much of electricity, but neither one has yet been demonstrated much beyond the experimental stage.beyond the experimental stage.

– Tidal power is similar to hydroelectric power in the sense it is Tidal power is similar to hydroelectric power in the sense it is severely restricted by geography. It requires long, tapering bays that severely restricted by geography. It requires long, tapering bays that drive the tide into a large bore as it moves along the channel. The drive the tide into a large bore as it moves along the channel. The incoming tide can then be trapped behind a barrier of some sort and incoming tide can then be trapped behind a barrier of some sort and ultimately used to drive turbines on its way out again.ultimately used to drive turbines on its way out again.

Examples of Renewable Examples of Renewable Energy-- Photovoltaic CellsEnergy-- Photovoltaic Cells

• Semi‑conductors have the unique property of being able to Semi‑conductors have the unique property of being able to turn sunlight directly into electric current. This application is turn sunlight directly into electric current. This application is surfacing in a variety of items such as solar‑powered surfacing in a variety of items such as solar‑powered calculators, refrigerators, and satellites. calculators, refrigerators, and satellites.

• According to some energy forecasters, solar cells installed on According to some energy forecasters, solar cells installed on rooftops may allow for a much greater decentralization of rooftops may allow for a much greater decentralization of electricity than other technologies.electricity than other technologies.

• Photovoltaics, however, are still too expensive for large scale Photovoltaics, however, are still too expensive for large scale power generation. Developers have not yet been able to power generation. Developers have not yet been able to make cells cheaper without sacrificing conversion efficiency.make cells cheaper without sacrificing conversion efficiency.

A conference room covered in photovoltaic cells at the Bewag power plant in Berlin. © Wolfgang Hoffmannhttp://www.wnrmag.com/stories/2003/feb03/energy.htm

Examples of Renewable Energy--Examples of Renewable Energy--Thermal Solar PowerThermal Solar Power

• Solar thermal power Solar thermal power technologies and solar technologies and solar ponds are projected to ponds are projected to have competitive have competitive generating costs by the generating costs by the end of the century. The end of the century. The capital cost for expensive capital cost for expensive items like polished mirrors items like polished mirrors to track the path of the sun to track the path of the sun is presently exorbitant.is presently exorbitant.

http://www.sandiego.edu/weather/images/N/solar_thermal_power_plant.jpg

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Solar TwoSolar Two

Example: Solar Two—the solar energy was collected Example: Solar Two—the solar energy was collected through a field of individually guided mirrors, called through a field of individually guided mirrors, called heliostats. The sunlight heats salt to 1,050 degrees heliostats. The sunlight heats salt to 1,050 degrees Fahrenheit, which turns the salt into a liquid (or Fahrenheit, which turns the salt into a liquid (or molten salt). The liquid and hot salt was then piped molten salt). The liquid and hot salt was then piped away, stored, and used to power a steam turbine.away, stored, and used to power a steam turbine.

Smart GrowthSmart Growth

• Smart growth is development that accommodates the Smart growth is development that accommodates the needs of a community without sacrificing the needs of a community without sacrificing the environment. environment.

• Smart growth aims to balance development and Smart growth aims to balance development and environmental protection by creating new developments environmental protection by creating new developments that are centered more in the towns and cities; include that are centered more in the towns and cities; include alternative transit options (trains, bike paths, and safe alternative transit options (trains, bike paths, and safe walkways); and have mixed use development. walkways); and have mixed use development.

• Mixed use development moves away from the post-WWII Mixed use development moves away from the post-WWII ideal of single-home-only suburbs to a model that ideal of single-home-only suburbs to a model that includes housing, commercial, and retail space in the includes housing, commercial, and retail space in the same development.same development.

Types of Smart GrowthTypes of Smart Growth

• Smart growth means that less land can Smart growth means that less land can accommodate new development: this development accommodate new development: this development is sometimes called compact development. There is sometimes called compact development. There are three common techniques to achieve compact are three common techniques to achieve compact development: infill development, brownfields development: infill development, brownfields redevelopment, and cluster development. redevelopment, and cluster development.

Infill developmentInfill development

Infill development is Infill development is development that development that attempts to add attempts to add additional housing additional housing or business or business facilities inside an facilities inside an existing existing development. This development. This way, a city can fill way, a city can fill up unused space in up unused space in a particular area. a particular area.

An example of a recent mixed use development is the Paseo Colorado complex in Pasadena, California. The new complex was built in center of town and includes a two-level shopping center with four stories of apartments above the shopping areas.

Cluster developmentCluster development

Cluster development allows for similar Cluster development allows for similar dwellings as does “regular” developments; dwellings as does “regular” developments; however, the individual lot sizes are reduced however, the individual lot sizes are reduced and room is left for open spaces in the and room is left for open spaces in the developmentdevelopment

Brownfields redevelopment Brownfields redevelopment

Brownfields redevelopment is development that targets Brownfields redevelopment is development that targets the empty factories inside the city and develops them the empty factories inside the city and develops them into new living and/or retail space. One of these former into new living and/or retail space. One of these former DelMonte canneries, Plant 51, is the site of a brownfield DelMonte canneries, Plant 51, is the site of a brownfield development to convert the cannery into lofts.development to convert the cannery into lofts.

Example of Smart GrowthExample of Smart Growth

• The “smartest” US city in terms of development is Portland, Oregon. In the The “smartest” US city in terms of development is Portland, Oregon. In the mid-1990s, Portland’s regional government, Portland Metro, established a mid-1990s, Portland’s regional government, Portland Metro, established a 50-year plan for growth in the region called Region 2040. 50-year plan for growth in the region called Region 2040.

• Instead of expanding outward, Portland established an Urban Growth Instead of expanding outward, Portland established an Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) in the late 1970s. Outside this boundary, there was green Boundary (UGB) in the late 1970s. Outside this boundary, there was green space. space.

• When the UGB was established, it seemed to allow enough space for When the UGB was established, it seemed to allow enough space for future growth; however, the city’s growth has occurred more dramatically future growth; however, the city’s growth has occurred more dramatically than expected. Instead of expanding the UGB, Portland decided to embark than expected. Instead of expanding the UGB, Portland decided to embark on a smart growth strategy to accommodate its future needs.on a smart growth strategy to accommodate its future needs.

• Zoning will consist of changes to encouraged mixed development, and Zoning will consist of changes to encouraged mixed development, and suburban centers will change from single-story to multi-story buildings. suburban centers will change from single-story to multi-story buildings.

Green BuildingsGreen Buildings

• Buildings are a major source of air pollution in the US. Buildings are a major source of air pollution in the US. According to the US Department of Energy, buildings emit According to the US Department of Energy, buildings emit 49 percent of all sulfur dioxide, 25 percent of all nitrous 49 percent of all sulfur dioxide, 25 percent of all nitrous oxide, 35 percent of carbon dioxide, and 10 percent of oxide, 35 percent of carbon dioxide, and 10 percent of particulate emissions. particulate emissions.

• Considering the number of homes and businesses in the Considering the number of homes and businesses in the US—over 76 million residential and 5 million commercial US—over 76 million residential and 5 million commercial buildings at last count—this problem is considerable. buildings at last count—this problem is considerable.

• By 2010, the Department of Energy estimates that another By 2010, the Department of Energy estimates that another 38 million buildings will be constructed in the US. If just 38 million buildings will be constructed in the US. If just some of these new buildings included green features, this some of these new buildings included green features, this would favorably impact the environment.would favorably impact the environment.

Techniques used in Green ConstructionTechniques used in Green Construction

• Designing energy Designing energy efficient buildings. efficient buildings. Energy efficiency is Energy efficiency is the most important the most important factor in green factor in green construction. construction.

The Solectrogen House is an off-grid PV-powered residence in Nicasio, CA. It was designed to use active and passive solar energy, serve as a live-in laboratory for energy conservation and alternative energy products, and be a comfortable, traditionally attractive home with all the conveniences of modern living.Source: http://www.nrel.gov/data/pix/Jpegs/04479.jpg [2002, February 2]

Techniques used in Green Techniques used in Green ConstructionConstruction• Reducing material use in construction. Smaller is Reducing material use in construction. Smaller is

better for the environment; in terms of construction, better for the environment; in terms of construction, using less materials is always preferable from an using less materials is always preferable from an environmental point of view. However, the trend environmental point of view. However, the trend today is for houses to get larger and larger. But size today is for houses to get larger and larger. But size is not the only constraint. The energy loss from a is not the only constraint. The energy loss from a building is related to its surface area. Small, green building is related to its surface area. Small, green design will reduce the outside surface area of a design will reduce the outside surface area of a building in order to reduce energy losses. building in order to reduce energy losses.

• Using low-impact materials during construction. Using low-impact materials during construction. Many construction and building materials contain Many construction and building materials contain toxins. Many types of carpeting, for example, emit toxins. Many types of carpeting, for example, emit gases as they age. Research has found, particularly gases as they age. Research has found, particularly in houses that are tightly sealed, that their in houses that are tightly sealed, that their exposures to dangerous chemicals and pesticides is exposures to dangerous chemicals and pesticides is much higher inside the house rather than outside much higher inside the house rather than outside the house.the house.

Sustainable AgricultureSustainable Agriculture

• Sustainability is built upon three broad goals: Sustainability is built upon three broad goals: farm profitability, improvement of the farm profitability, improvement of the environment, and increased quality of life for environment, and increased quality of life for farmers and their communities.farmers and their communities.

Practices used in sustainable Practices used in sustainable agricultureagriculture

• Integrated pest management (IPM) is a Integrated pest management (IPM) is a system for managing pests to keep them at system for managing pests to keep them at levels where they cause minimal damage to levels where they cause minimal damage to crops.crops.

• Conservation tillage--any plowing system Conservation tillage--any plowing system that leaves at least 30 percent of the soil that leaves at least 30 percent of the soil surface covered with residue from the surface covered with residue from the year’s plantings. This is done so that there year’s plantings. This is done so that there will be enough soil coverage to decrease will be enough soil coverage to decrease soil erosion.soil erosion.

Rows of soybean plants emerge from a field covered with old corn stalks from the previous harvest. These soybeans were planted in narrower (15-inch) rows because as they mature their big leaves will quickly shade the ground, making it harder for the sun to warm weed seeds that may lie between the rows. This natural canopy from the growing soybean plants can help farmers reduce the need for herbicides (weed killers). (CTIC/Towery photo)  Source: http://www.ctic.purdue.edu/Core4/CT/images/cornsoytt.jpg [2002, February 4].

Practices used in sustainable Practices used in sustainable agricultureagriculture

• Enhanced nutrient management Enhanced nutrient management includes testing of the soil before includes testing of the soil before using any fertilizer. The goal of using any fertilizer. The goal of nutrient management is to nutrient management is to minimize unused nutrients.minimize unused nutrients.

• Precision agriculture is the Precision agriculture is the newest and the most technology-newest and the most technology-intensive technique in sustainable intensive technique in sustainable agriculture. Precision agriculture agriculture. Precision agriculture uses information technologies uses information technologies including global positioning including global positioning systems (GPS) and remote systems (GPS) and remote sensing to achieve optimal sensing to achieve optimal farming outputs.farming outputs.

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