APRIL 2007 ISSUE
STUDENT COLUMN
Environmental Challenges Await
New Engineers
BY MARK SKOVMOSE
University of Calgary Student Columnist (Engineering)
As the academic year comes to a close, hundreds of engineering students inch closer to the real world. It’s a good time in Alberta to don an Iron Ring, with the economy booming and skilled employees in high demand.
It’s also an interesting time for engineers in terms of the environment, with the public eye increasingly focused on it.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper has responded to the attention
by committing $155.9 million to the reduction Alberta’s carbon dioxide emissions. This will
spur new investment in carbon capture technology, but the question remains: is
pumping carbon dioxide into the ground a viable option?
Porous land may slowly allow gas to leak to the surface, effecting ground soils
and the crops they support in undetermined ways. This would also defeat the purpose
of ground storage to avoid atmospheric contamination.
Carbon capture requires increased fuel, thus increasing carbon emissions. If it’s later found that carbon storage is not feasible, the problem has been compounded.
Granted, there are a limited number of formations that could effectively prevent leaking. There is also research in immobilizing carbon dioxide to minimize leakage, and today’s graduates will be on the forefront of designing and installing this technology. Another option is ocean storage, but transportation costs and the adverse effects on fauna should prohibit this.
Competition Success
The Western Engineering Competition in January attracted 39 competitors from
Calgary. We brought medals in three categories home from Vancouver.
Jacqui Lim, David Hansen, Chad Erven, Travis Adlington won the silver medal
in consulting, by solving a hypothetical problem utilizing engineering experience.
Christine Petursson and Duncan Albion took home gold in communications, with
an enticing presentation on the oil sands. Finally, Ryan Harrison was honoured
with gold in debate, after teaming up with Katie Szilagyi of the University of
Manitoba.
All of the U of C competitors are members of the APEGGA Student Advantage Program.
These winners were permitted to advance to the Canadian Engineering Competition, held in March in Saskatoon. This competition brings together the best and brightest engineering students from across the country. Our contingent did well, with a bronze in communications and a silver in debate.
Congratulations, teams. You’ve demonstrated, on regional and national stages, the high quality of Schulich School of Engineering students.
Shave for Cancer
Shear Stress, the annual head shave for cancer research, included a new component:
the Dirty ‘Stache Competition.
This Engineering Students’ Society event was wildly successful, raising $2,650 for the Tom Baker Cancer Centre – and, thankfully, removing some hideous mustaches and discoloured locks of hair.
Farewell
This article marks my last student column for The PEGG. I’ve enjoyed
writing these articles, and I hope they have enlightened and informed readers
of my student viewpoint. Of course, I must move onward to other ventures and
apply my knowledge to the world.
This summer, my girlfriend and I are volunteering with Light up the World in Ghana and South Africa. We’re excited to be involved and look forward to helping people first-hand.
Thank you for reading, and take care.