What is Clean Technology?

What is Clean Technology?

By Ben Pilkington Jun 2 2015

A large group of wind turbines making up a wind farm on land. Image Credit:
majeczka/Shutterstock.com

Clean technology is also referred to as cleantech, green technology, and greentech.

It defines a set of technologies that either reduce or optimize the use of natural
resources, whilst simultaneously reducing the negative effect that technology has on
the planet and its ecosystems.

Examples of such technologies are relatively new sustainable energy sources, such as
wind and wave power, or improved conventional energy production processes, such as
smart electric grids.

All clean technology solutions seek to positively impact anthropogenic climate change. It is
also important for clean technology solutions to be economically viable and have the
potential to become profitable enterprises to attract investment and further development.

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Additionally, the technology which is currently considered to be unprofitable due to the

relatively low price of oil may well become more viable in the future as oil prices become
increasingly unstable.

Clean technology solutions are therefore considered profitable against a wider variety of
criteria compared to other types of technology investment. Market, as well as climate
forecasts, are brought to bear on clean technology investment, and the ultimate cost to life
on earth of doing nothing can outweigh risks and outlays for some investors and funding
agencies.

What is Clean Technology

What is Clean Technology?

Key Clean Technology Sectors

The current key sectors in the clean technology industry are:

Sustainable energy and energy optimization to reduce dependence on fossil fuels

The provision of clean water to all who need it

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Pollution reduction
Recycling and waste management

Sustainable Energy and Energy Optimization

Many technologies use sustainable sources of energy, or optimize energy usage to reduce
dependence on carbon fuels.

Wind power – This sustainable resource is typically exploited in the form of vast wind
farms, often found offshore. A wind farm contains a large group of individual wind
turbines connected up which generate electricity without producing any greenhouse
gas emissions after construction.
Hydroelectric power – This refers to the use of the gravitational force of water falling
or flowing to produce electricity. Once constructed, a hydroelectric power plant will
produce extremely low levels of greenhouse gases when compared to fossil fuel-
based techniques.
Solar energy – Two techniques are used to generate electricity from solar energy;
photovoltaics (PV) or concentrated solar power systems (CSPs). The former uses the
photovoltaic effect to directly convert light into an electrical current, whilst the latter
uses lenses or mirrors to focus a beam of light directly onto a small area. This is
converted into heat which subsequently drives a heat engine to generate electricity.
Geothermal energy – This is simply the heat from the earth itself. This heat can be
used similarly to the directed light beams for CSPs to heat up water to drive heat
engines and generate electricity, or systems in buildings can capture the earth’s
naturally occurring thermal energy for space heating.
Smart energy – This refers to the numerous ways that energy usage can be
optimized with the introduction of connected energy consumption, automated energy
distribution, and responsive energy supply – all made possible with the advent of the
Internet of Things (IoT).
Energy reduction – This encompasses all of the ways that energy usage is reduced
from the demand side, including automated systems, human behavior management,
sustainable development, and sustainable building management.

Clean Water
Water treatment – This refers to the treatment of raw water to ensure that it is safe
for human consumption.
Wastewater treatment – The conversion of wastewater into water that can then be
entered into the water cycle or reused is referred to as wastewater treatment.

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Pollution Reduction
Emission control – There are several methods to reduce global emissions. The
adoption of clean technologies, such as the sustainable energy sources listed above,
as well as a transition from conventional gasoline-powered vehicles to biofuel and
electric vehicles, are just a few of the suggested ways to control emissions.
Pollutant monitoring – Air monitoring stations are used throughout the United States
of America in a system called State Local Air Monitoring Stations (SLAMS) which
provides annual reports on the volume of pollutants in each American state. Similar
techniques of monitoring the levels of air pollutants are employed around the world,
including the use of satellites and drones to create impartial, accurate monitoring
reports.
Remediation of polluted sites – When a request for environmental remediation of a
location is made by government or other land remediation authorities, immediate
action must be taken by the landowners to ensure the location is made safe for
humans and animals. This can involve cleaning soil, groundwater, surface water, or
sediment by removing pollutants and contaminants.

Recycling and Waste Treatment

Recycling of consumer products – The majority of consumer products in today’s
market have many parts or components which can be recycled. Once a product
reaches its "post-consumer" stage, it should be sorted correctly to ensure it does not
end up in landfills.
Reduction and treatment of toxic waste – Often in the form of dangerous
chemicals or materials, toxic or hazardous waste should be treated very carefully.
Most governments have plans in place for the reduction, collection, treatment, and
regulation of toxic and hazardous waste.

Underpinning the development of clean technology are developments in information and

communication technology, materials science, nanotechnology, semiconductors, and
electronics.

Clean Technology and Regulation

There is a global drive to adopt clean technology solutions due to the current climate
emergency being declared by governments globally. This is a direct result of our reliance on
fossil fuels for energy since the Industrial Revolution. Governments are adopting regulatory

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regimes that require industry and individuals to reduce their environmental impact.

To support these regimes, voluntary reduction schemes and carbon trading schemes are
being introduced. This mounting pressure from global communities and organizations must
result in a widespread adoption of clean technologies now and in the future.

This article was updated on 24th February, 2020.

Disclaimer: The views expressed here are those of the author expressed in their private
capacity and do not necessarily represent the views of AZoM.com Limited T/A
AZoNetwork the owner and operator of this website. This disclaimer forms part of the
Terms and conditions of use of this website.

Written by

Ben Pilkington
Ben Pilkington is a freelance writer who is interested in society and technology. He enjoys learning
how the latest scientific developments can affect us and imagining what will be possible in the
future. Since completing graduate studies at Oxford University in 2016, Ben has reported on
developments in computer software, the UK technology industry, digital rights and privacy,
industrial automation, IoT, AI, additive manufacturing, sustainability, and clean technology.

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