Today was an exciting company visit to CEZ, the main power supplier of the Czech Republic. We learned about the different types of power they produce and their plans for a greener power future. As we toured their plant, I recognized larger versions of machines that I have analyzed in my chemical engineering classes, so it was interesting to see this on such a large scale.
We the. visited their open coal mine, seeing the large amount of land they have excavated. They explained that the government requires them to set aside money and have a plan for how to recultivate the land once the coal supply is depleted, but to me, this still seemed quite destructive. In a few years, they will transition away from coal power and move towards nuclear and other green energies. I thought that was very exciting because more countries are recognizing the impact we have on the planet through using non-renewable energy sources and making plans to lessen their negative effects. It is crucial that engineers continue to look for different forms of clean energy to replace fossil fuels as our dependence on energy grows.
Swanson School of Engineering 