Hi everyone! My name is Varun Patel, and I am a third-year student at the University of Pittsburgh studying Computer Engineering and Mathematics, and I will be traveling to Porto Alegre, Brazil this May. Located in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre is known for its deep-rooted history and vibrant cultural hub. After about ten days, our group will be travelling west to Foz do Iguaçu in the state of Paraná, known for its massive rainforests and having some of the most spectacular waterfall systems in the world.
I chose to travel to Brazil because of my interest in renewable energy and in advancing the field of green power. Brazil is a global leader in green energy, with over 80% of its total energy consumption produced by renewable sources, including solar, wind, and, in particular, hydroelectric power. As we deplete our global nonrenewable energy supplies, such as coal, gas, and oil, it becomes increasingly imperative that we strengthen international efforts towards a greener tomorrow. Thus, given the opportunity to see green advances firsthand, I knew I wanted to go on this trip.
Before leaving for Brazil, Dr. Kerestes, our advisor, gave our group a foundational overview of how hydroelectric power works. Hydroelectric plants, such as Brazil’s Itaipu Dam, convert the kinetic energy of flowing water into electricity. Water is directed through a penstock (a controlled intake pipe), where it spins large turbines connected to generators. The greater the water flow and pressure, the more electricity is produced. The Itaipu Dam is one of the largest dams in the world, and I am very excited to see it first-hand.
Professionally, I am excited to interact with students studying at the local university, UNISNOS, and learn how Brazilian engineers and policymakers have been so successful in promoting green energy. I am excited to see firsthand how engineers from across the world approach solving real-world issues, from problem-solving to cooperation. Despite speaking a different language from me, teamwork and engineering are universal, and I believe that meeting Brazilian students will push me to communicate more clearly, think more creatively, and appreciate perspectives that I would never encounter back home.
Personally, I am most looking forward to visiting Foz do Iguaçu and seeing Iguaçu Falls in person. In particular, seeing one of the world’s largest waterfall systems, with the towering 80-meter Devil’s Throat waterfall as its centerpiece, will be an exciting sight.
Swanson School of Engineering 