Hello everyone! My name is Jasmine Horton, and I am an electrical engineering student. I am very excited to go on this trip because it’s an opportunity to learn about renewable energy infrastructure, as well as learn about Brazilian culture.
Brazil is home to the Itaipu Dam, which is over 600 feet tall and produces about 14,000 megawatts of electricity, making it one of the largest hydroelectric dams in the world. Understanding how to effectively harness renewable energy sources is becoming especially important as climate change continues to affect the health of the planet and our daily living conditions. Extreme weather conditions, especially in Brazil, such as increased droughts and flooding, can destroy crops and affect access to sanitary drinking water.
I am most interested to see how the engineers of Brazil are able to maintain such a highly effective renewable source of energy. I can’t wait to experience engineering in a different culture. Stay tuned as I document everything I learn along the way!
Swanson School of Engineering 