Impact of energy-related technologies on the society

The proliferation of technologies including diverse energy sources have impacted daily life in many ways. However, the impact of the energy-related technologies on society has been a mixture of both positive and negative. Presenters will discuss some recent trends, including both dangers and opportunities in these trends. (Society™s lack of) Critical Thinking and the Social Implications from Critical Infrastructures Interdependencies: The weather-related events in Texas in February 2021, could have been prevented.  With the power down, there was no light, no heating, no communications, no transportation, plus the water infrastructure froze and the drinking water got contaminated, no food in the supermarkets, no gasoline in the gas stations, no natural gas. The home water structures froze, the water pipes exploded and hundreds of thousand homes got flooded. With no Internet during COVID-19, no distance learning, telework, telemedicine visits, or e-Commerce were available. The investments not previously made cost billions in damages. The blackouts exposed that all Critical Infrastructures are not only dependent on cyberspace but they are all interdependent. The statewide blackouts raised questions about the reliability of our electric grid and its ability to withstand extreme weather events expected in the future. Working in the Smart City: The Speaker examines how the relationship between physical space, cyberspace, technology, and the workplace has developed over time; how power relations embedded in these overlapping physical and cyberspaces constrain our behavior, whether energy demand changes, and what novel ethical and equity concerns arise in the emerging smart city. Environmental Concerns Satisfied by Technology: In 1980 the New York Power Authority entered into a ten-year agreement ("Hudson River Settlement") with various parties in connection with the operation of Indian Point No. 3 Power Plant. Under the agreement, the Power Authority agreed to finance and perform various measures to minimize impacts on wildlife and water temperature of the Hudson River. One of the measures was a limitation, consistent with efficient operation of the facility, on intake flows as a function of river temperature and the time of the year. A solution was found that reduced the inflow of river water and increased the efficiency of the power plant. This presentation details the modifications that were needed to achieve both of these goals. The application of adjustable speed drive technology to the circulating water system was introduced to the power plant.