How can Control Engineers contribute to sustainable development?

1 Energy efficiency

One of the main aspects of sustainable development is to reduce the consumption of non-renewable resources and greenhouse gas emissions. Control engineering can help achieve this by improving the efficiency and performance of energy systems, such as solar panels, wind turbines, batteries, and smart grids. Control engineers can design and implement algorithms and strategies that optimize the operation and coordination of these systems, taking into account factors such as weather, demand, and storage. For example, control engineers can use model predictive control (MPC) to plan the optimal power output of a solar farm based on the forecasted solar radiation and electricity price.

2 Waste management

Another aspect of sustainable development is to minimize the generation and disposal of waste, and to promote the reuse and recycling of materials. Control engineering can help achieve this by enhancing the automation and quality control of waste management processes, such as sorting, composting, and incineration. Control engineers can use sensors, cameras, and artificial intelligence to identify and classify different types of waste, and to control the mechanical and chemical processes that transform waste into useful products, such as biogas, fertilizer, and raw materials. For example, control engineers can use computer vision and machine learning to detect and separate plastic bottles from mixed waste streams.

3 Water conservation

A third aspect of sustainable development is to ensure the availability and quality of water for human and ecosystem needs. Control engineering can help achieve this by improving the efficiency and reliability of water systems, such as irrigation, desalination, and distribution. Control engineers can design and implement feedback and feedforward mechanisms that regulate the flow and pressure of water, and that detect and correct leaks and faults. For example, control engineers can use fuzzy logic and neural networks to adjust the water supply and demand in a smart irrigation system based on the soil moisture and weather conditions.

4 Social impact

A fourth aspect of sustainable development is to enhance the well-being and dignity of people, especially those who are marginalized or vulnerable. Control engineering can help achieve this by developing and deploying technologies that improve the access and quality of essential services, such as health, education, and mobility. Control engineers can create and integrate devices and systems that monitor and assist human activities, such as wearable sensors, prosthetic limbs, and autonomous vehicles. For example, control engineers can use haptic feedback and adaptive control to design and operate a robotic arm that mimics the natural movements and sensations of a human arm.

5 Economic growth

A fifth aspect of sustainable development is to foster the innovation and productivity of industries and markets, while ensuring the fair and equitable distribution of benefits and opportunities. Control engineering can help achieve this by enabling and supporting the digital transformation and automation of various sectors and processes, such as manufacturing, agriculture, and logistics. Control engineers can optimize and coordinate the functions and interactions of machines, networks, and data, using techniques such as supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA), industrial internet of things (IIoT), and cyber-physical systems (CPS). For example, control engineers can use distributed control systems (DCS) to manage and synchronize the operations of multiple units and plants in a chemical industry.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?