The Art Of Green Manufacturing

Energy production is a primary contributor to the green-house effect and global warming. Nuclear energy and burning fossil fuels emit powerful chemicals and carbon dioxide into the earths atmosphere which trap heat close to the earths surface. The rise in heat is contributing to major climate changes and is a very serious problem for the future unless action is taken presently.

Manufacturing plants for industrial purposes use large amounts of power to function. Not only does the massive amount of power used pollute the atmosphere and use precious fossil fuels, the factories use precious water to cool machinery, their waste water pollutes the surrounding water resources with hazardous waste and the manufacturing plants emit toxic chemicals into the environment.

Solutions to the Greenhouse Effect and Pollution
A solution to lessen the emission of chemicals and save the planets dying resources (such as water and coal) is more necessary now than ever before. Alternate energy resources are being used as an alternative to existing energy resources which are harming the environment. However, many manufacturers still rely on old technology for their energy needs as the change to green manufacturing techniques and energy resources costs money in the short term.

Alternate energy resources can be defined as the various ways of creating and producing energy which are alternate to the existing methods which pollute because they do not cause damage or as much damage to the environment and utilise renewable (re-usable) resources. Alternate energy resources have the potential to lower green house gas emissions and consequently the rising world temperatures, save water, save fossil fuels and lower costs over a long period of time.

How its done creating harm-free electricity
Types of alternative energy resources include solar power, hydro power, thermal power and bio fuels.

Solar power uses panels which absorb energy from sunlight and convert it into electricity. This is a very popular method for producing power and can be seen all over the world in homes, factories, businesses and some cars. Hydro power uses water to create electricity. Water flow moves underwater turbines or floating salter ducks which convert the motion into electricity.

Thermal power uses the heat produced within the earths crust to generate power. Areas with high volcanic activity often have locations with extreme heat close to the earths surface which can be channelled through turbines, making them rotate to create energy. Bio fuels are solid, liquid and gas which are made from biological materials such as vegetable oil and methane gas. Burning these fuels to create energy emits a lower amount of chemicals into the environment.

An example of alternate energy resources and how they benefit
A major manufacturer located in Offenburg, Germany, has used alternate energy resources to power its manufacturing plant for 16 years. The companys change to solar power using solar panels otherwise known as a photovoltaic generator reduces their carbon emissions by 100 tons of greenhouse gas each year. The electricity created per year by the solar panels could power 40 family homes.

The solar power system in the Offenberg factory uses a photovoltaic generator which then feeds electricity into a power grid which supplies electricity to meet all of the plants manufacturing needs. However, the eco-friendly manufacturing is not only a matter of solar power generation. The manufacturing plant recycles 85% of material wastes which would have been released into the environment and caused harm. The electro chemical processes allow for less contamination of water and air and use far less energy. The working temperature of machinery is up to 59 degrees Celsius lower than normal. The factory also recycles grey-water, saving drinking water and making use of reusable resources.

The manufacturer invested millions of Euros into finding manufacturing methods which do not harm the environment and personnel normally exposed to chemicals, yet reduces costs and increases product quality. Whilst many factory owners and industrial manufacturers fear investing money into alternate energy sources, the methods will eventually save them money.

If every manufacturer worldwide switched to a green energy resource, the positive impact on greenhouse gas emissions, global warming and pollution would be enormous. One manufacturing plant reduces 100 tons of greenhouse gas per year when solar power is used. Imagine how much gas would be reduced if all manufacturers followed their example.