Engineering’s Impact on Society
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Transcript of Engineering’s Impact on Society
Engineering’s Impact on Society
Stanley M. Howard, PhD, PEDepartment of Materials and Metallurgical EngineeringSouth Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Rapid City, SD
AcknowledgementDr. Harold Stern
Associate ProfessorCommunications & ControlsUniversity of AlabamaEmail: [email protected]
For his original Power Point work on which this presentation is based
Slides with an “*” in the lower right hand corner were patterned directly after his work.
Engineers Are Action Oriented Action Means Change and
Different Segments of Society Have Different Goals and Values
Good Intentions Can Produce Unexpected and Unwanted Results
Only Six Percent of the Public Are Scientifically Literate
Actions Have Unforeseen Scientific, Political, and Social Consequences
Actions have Unforeseen Consequences
Actions have Unforeseen Consequences
Actions have Unforeseen Consequences
Unforeseen Consequences Classic Example #1
Original Problem: Soil Erosion
Solution: Introduce Kudzu from Japan
Unintended Consequence: Overrun with VinesKilling of Other VegetationPower Lines Shorting OutEtc. Southeastern USA Kudzu
Credit: Harold P. E. Stern
Unforeseen Consequences Classic Example #2
Original Problem: Manual LaborLow ProductivitySlow Transportation
Solution: Industrialization
Unintended Consequence: Air PollutionSweat ShopsUrban Problems Santiago Chile Smog
Credit: http://www.planetark.org/envpicstory.cfm/newsid/17148
Actions have Unforeseen ConsequencesConsequences are more likely to be identified when people with varied expertise and perspectives offer input.
Number of People of Varied Backgrounds Offering InputIdentifying Consequences
Issues Concerning Openness National Security Competitive Edge
Streamline Effort
Cut Costs
Save Time
“What They Don’t Know Won’t Hurt Them”
When Should Secrecy be Maintained?
When Could Secrecy Appropriately be Maintained? National security restricted by legally
authorized government oversight
Private activities involving only intellectual property
Product and process development with consequences limited to consumer choice
Group Exercise
Develop a set of specific procedures to Inform society of the tradeoffs Gain society’s prior approval Limit unintended consequences
*
When Should the Public be Informed?
Inform the public whenever society could be affected by the proposed project except in cases of simple consumer options or national security authorized by the legally empowered governmental agency.
Procedures to Limit Unintended Consequences and Gain Public Consent
Study similar problems and previous solutions to determine their societal impact
Identify technological trends associated with the proposed solution
Project possible societal impacts of these trends to limit unintended consequences
Research all laws and regulations that may exist concerning a proposed solution
Determine the appropriate ways to inform society and achieve an informed consensus
*
Resources Available Prior projects Codes and regulations Editorials Case studies
*
Resources Available to Identify Trends
Codes
Phased Implementation of Laws
World Initiatives
Professional Societies
*
Resources Available to Research Laws and Regulations
Governmental Agencies
Other Designers
Patents
Professional Societies/Associates/Groups
*
Public Meetings
Elections
Environmental Impact Report (EIR)
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
*
Resources Available to Achieve an Informed Consensus
Group Exercise - Analysis
A reporter selected by each group will present their analysis
Analyze governmentally-mandated replacement of 20%, 40%, 80% coal-generated power by wind power in western South Dakota
Analyze the positives and negatives and the intended and unintended consequences
Propose societal impact management methods
Report Format Benefits
Negatives
Consequences Likely Unforeseen by Many
Procedures
Analysis (cont’d)
BenefitsClean and Cheap Renewable Power, Small Land Requirements, Reduced CO2, Economic Stimulation and Options, Low Impact,
Negatives Periodic, No on-demand Supply, Noisy, New Power
Grid Needed, Aesthetics, Bird Strikes, Maintenance, Large Land Requirements, More Activity
Note: The contradictory items offered by a group of engineers. Imagine the contradictions had the group been more diverse. This illustrates the role of values and intangibles.
Possible Unintended ConsequencesNeed more infrastructureAdverse affect on current energy-related industryDisplacement of Agri-businessHealth effectsElectromagnetic induced cancersNeurotic cowsCommunication disruptionTopsoil lossAmbience disruptionWage/living issues
Analysis (cont’d)
ProceduresGet more info from other expertsFocus groups, previous projectsPublic hearingsGovernment regulationsProfessional standards
Analysis (cont’d)
Question to BHP&L:Would you be able to provide a range, or approximate value, of wind power or the approximate market value of interruptible power? I am assuming they are one in the same.
We do not need precise values but something in the ballpark. I am suggesting that interruptible power might be 0.5 to 1.0 cents per KW-HR (I believe these are usually quoted as MW-Hr).
Could you tell me if there are any, or expected to be, any governmentally mandated values for wind power returned to commercial lines by wind farms?
The above info would be most useful an adequately meet our parochial needs. However, if you have a publically disseminated estimate of cap-and-trade impacts, that would be most interesting to my students.
Reply: “You are tackling a complex issue.” The value of wind power and the value of interruptible power are not the same. Wind power has two components, the energy produced and “green” attributes. Typically if a customer is purchasing wind energy they are purchasing the “green” attributes. Because of the energy component, any wind generation produced on a utility’s system must be regulated so that when the wind doesn’t blow the utility can still keep the lights on. This is done by contracting with a 3rd party or installing quick start generation to regulate the wind turbine output. So from a cost benefit analysis you will want to draw a connection between wind energy (with additional generation for regulation) vs. just adding generation to serve load.
Andy Butcher is the manager of our marketing department and he said he would be willing to discuss wind as it related to the overall system. It is important to understand how wind integrates to the overall system before you start comparing prices in a cost benefit analysis.
To answer your question on government mandate pricing on wind…..I am unaware of any mandates. Some states have mandates on the amount of renewable energy in the state which can have an effect on pricing but currently I am not aware of an direct pricing mandates. Chicago Climate exchange would be a potential source of info with respect to carbon cap and trade. It is my understanding that the rules of their system are set up to model what many feel a government mandate cap and trade system will look like.
Engineering’s Impact on Society
Seek Input
Provide Accurate Pertinent Technical Information
Embrace the Regulatory Environment as an Valuable Operating Template
Never Violate the Public Good
Use Secrecy only for intellectual rights, simple market-related activities, or government authorized activity
Conclusion