IEEE Protects the Planet: In Support of Earth Day, Members Leverage Science and Technology

PISCATAWAY, N.J., April 19 /PRNewswire/ -- In celebration of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day – a day designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth's environment – IEEE, the world's largest technical professional association, is spotlighting the work being done by its members around the globe to help preserve the planet.  

"Science and technology play a vital role in creating inventive ways to preserve the Earth and its natural resources," said Pedro Ray, 2010 IEEE president and chief executive officer. "IEEE members are at the forefront of numerous initiatives across the globe – ranging from using technology to harvest wind, hydro and solar power, to recycling programs and electric vehicle batteries – that are changing the world for the better; ensuring future generations enjoy an even better quality of life than we do today."  

From developing alternative fuel sources, to reducing society's reliance on non-renewable forms of energy, to educating consumers on their eco-conscious energy options, and highlighting techniques to best manage and reduce environmental waste, IEEE members are making innovative strides toward preserving the Earth's precious natural resources.

"There are a plethora of ways to harness and use energy that go well beyond traditional means such as coal, gas, nuclear and electric," said Om Malik, president of IEEE Canada. "Hydro, solar and wind power have been around for a long time, but are now coming to the forefront of conversation.  By utilizing technology to tap these renewable resources in new ways, we can provide safe and easy alternatives for consumers to generate energy with minimal impact to their lives, while contributing to the longevity of the Earth's natural resources."

Several of IEEE's influential global members who are paving the way:

• Venkappa Gani, senior life member of IEEE, has transformed his home in Texas into an entirely sustainable living space. Gani's home, which includes a garden that serves as his daily food source, a rain water harvesting system and solar panels, showcases how individuals can easily implement sustainable living in their daily lives. Gani utilized science and technology to engineer this perfect ecosystem that virtually eliminated his dependency on non-renewable energy sources.
• Marcos Miranda, IEEE member, is a member of the Survey Committee drawing up Brazilian Wind Energy Regulations. He is at the forefront of wind energy development in Brazil to develop a sustainable, profitable and safe alternative, renewable energy solution.
• Om Malik, president of IEEE Canada, is a pioneer in the development of adaptive and artificial intelligence based controllers for application in hydro, thermal and wind electric power generators. After extensive testing in the laboratory and in actual power systems, these controllers are now employed on large generating units – bringing these alternative energy sources to the mainstream.
• Rik De Doncker, IEEE fellow, is a leader in the development of power electronics, power electronic converters and power semi-conductor devices in Germany. His research is fundamental for innovation across multiple disciplines, including electric vehicles, smart grids and energy efficient lighting, which are driving towards a carbon dioxide-free environment for the future.
• John Merchant, IEEE member, is using technology to reduce gas utilized by commuters, through the development of the concept of telepresence. His contribution to the development of this application will reduce climate change, highway congestion and gas prices.
• Daman Sood, senior member of IEEE and secretary for the IEEE Delhi Section, is a strong advocate of clean and green environment movements in India. His activities include promoting tree plantation (planting around 4,000 saplings in different cities in India in 2009) and leveraging social media, running the Yahoo! group "sustainableindia", where people can learn and share ideas around environmental sustainability.
• Kenyon Kluge, IEEE member, is a leading force behind the transformation of the motorcycle industry, which historically has been mainly dependant on gas. The electric motorcycles Kluge is engineering in California produce less than one-eighth of the CO2 pollution than a gas powered motorcycle, and use a revolutionary lithium-ion technology that is completely non-toxic.

For more information IEEE, or to speak with a sustainable energy expert, please contact [email protected].

About IEEE

IEEE, the world's largest technical professional association, is dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity.  Through its highly cited publications, conferences, technology standards, and activities, IEEE serves as the trusted "voice" for engineering and other technical professions around the globe.  With a membership of more than 395,000 engineers and technical professionals across 160 countries, IEEE publishes 30 percent of the world's literature in the electrical and electronics engineering and computer science fields, and has developed nearly 900 active industry standards. The organization annually sponsors more than 1,000 conferences worldwide. Learn more at http://www.ieee.org.

SOURCE IEEE