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Contributor
NATURE ’ S EFFICIENCY :
A GUIDE TO INDUSTRIAL ECOLOGY
By Mareli Botha , Technical Director , Zutari
Industrial ecology : deep sustainability must be modelled after nature ’ s productive , efficient and mutualistic systems
Engineers have long drawn inspiration from nature . Examples of such biomimicry include passive ventilation systems modelled after termite mounds and wind turbine blades with scalloped edges , inspired by humpback whale flippers , which dramatically reduce drag .
Now , an emerging field is inspiring engineers to model industrial systems on nature ’ s elegantly designed cycles and systems . After all , as with biomimicry , engineers and nature want the same thing – to create efficient , resilient , and sustainable systems . Nature , however , is far better at this than we are .
Consider nitrogen , for example . The nitrogen cycle tirelessly extracts this essential element from the atmosphere and transforms it into usable forms through complex interactions among microorganisms , fungi , and plants . Remarkably , this cycle is circular and waste-free ; nitrogen is re-extracted from waste products through further interactions and returned to the atmosphere for long-term storage .
When we examine the deep , long-term sustainability of natural systems like these , we notice key points : they encourage abundant life and growth , are largely mutualistic , and are highly resilient . Industrial Ecology aims to replicate this deep sustainability by fostering economic growth , benefiting all stakeholders , and providing the resilience needed to face threats like climate change .
In approaching this goal , Industrial Ecology offers several key practices . These include Material and Energy Flow Analysis , which examine how resources move through industrial systems and seeks to identify opportunities to reduce inefficiencies and waste .
Lifecycle Assessment ( LCA ) evaluates the environmental impacts of products and processes from cradle to grave , ensuring sustainability is considered at every stage . Ecodesign integrates environmental considerations into product development , aiming to create products that are sustainable throughout their lifecycle . The concept of a Circular Economy emphasises the creation of closed-loop systems where resources are continuously reused and recycled , eliminating waste and reducing the need for virgin materials .
Remarkable and exciting work is being done in this field . For instance , the Kalundborg Eco-Industrial Park in Denmark
Supplied by Zutari .
Mareli Botha , Technical Director , Zutari .
exemplifies industrial symbiosis by having multiple industries collaborate to utilise each other ' s waste as resources . Companies like Interface Inc . are pioneering eco-design and circular economy principles by recycling old carpet tiles into new products . Germany ’ s Energiewende policy is leading a national shift towards renewable energy and smart grid technologies , while London ' s Circular Economy Route Map promote sustainability and resilience at a systemic level .
Industrial Ecology is particularly well-suited to a resourceconstrained context . It teaches us to do more , better , with less . By working in smarter , leaner , more connected ways , we can overcome constraints and maximise the positive impact of infrastructure development .
In Africa , ageing infrastructure presents unique challenges and opportunities . Implementing sustainable processes in old plants is complex ; for example , creating a digital twin for optimisation is often impractical due to a lack of existing plans or data . Industrial ecology helps identify effective levers for impactful change .
Small adaptations can sometimes lead to significant improvements , though pinpointing these within complex systems require substantial expertise . Infrastructure owners , investors , and managers can benefit from consulting partners who bring broader technical , social , and legal perspectives , and additional capacity ,
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RACA Journal I October 2024 www . refrigerationandaircon . co . za