Page 51 - Modern Control Systems

Section 1.7 Green Engineering 25

must be able to understand and work with various network protocols, diverse oper-
ating systems and programming languages. While the theory of systems and controls
serves as the foundation for the modern control system design, the design process is
rapidly expanding into a multi-disciplinary enterprise encompassing multiple engi-
neering areas, as well as information technology and computer science. •

Advances in alternate energy products, such as the hybrid automobile and the
generation of efficient wind power generators, provide vivid examples of mecha-
tronics development. There are numerous other examples of intelligent systems
poised to enter our everyday life, including autonomous rovers, smart home appli-
ances (e.g., dishwashers, vacuum cleaners, and microwave ovens), wireless network-
enabled devices, "human-friendly machines" [72] that perform robot-assisted
surgery, and implantable sensors and actuators.

1.7 GREEN ENGINEERING

Global issues such as climate change, clean water, sustainability, waste management,
emissions reduction, and minimizing raw material and energy use have caused many
engineers to re-think existing approaches to engineering design in critical areas.
One outcome of the evolving design strategy is to consider an approach that has
come to be known as "green engineering." The goal of green engineering is to design
products that will minimize pollution, reduce the risk to human health, and improve
the environment. The basic principles of green engineering are [86]:

1. Engineer processes and products holistically, use systems analysis, and integrate
environmental impact assessment tools.
2. Conserve and improve natural ecosystems while protecting human health and
well-being.
3. Use life-cycle thinking in all engineering activities.
4. Ensure that all material and energy inputs and outputs are as inherently safe and
benign as possible.
5. Minimize depletion of natural resources.
6. Strive to prevent waste.
7. Develop and apply engineering solutions, while being cognizant of local geography,
aspirations, and cultures.
8. Create engineering solutions beyond current or dominant technologies; improve,
innovate, and invent technologies to achieve sustainability.
9. Actively engage communities and stakeholders in development of engineering
solutions.

Putting the principles of green engineering into practice leads us to a deeper un-
derstanding of the power of feedback control systems as an enabling technology. For
example, in Section 1.9, we present a discussion on smart grids. Smart grids aim to
deliver electrical power more reliably and efficiently in an environmentally friendly
fashion. This in turn will potentially enable the large-scale use of renewable energy
sources, such as wind and solar, that are naturally intermittent. Sensing and feedback