Second Draft - Reader Response

In the article “This Self-Proclaimed Micronation Has Plans for a Car-Free, Algae-Powered City”, Peters (2016) shared that Liberland will be built on a basis of being able to minimize pollution while using a genetically engineered version of algae and other forms of renewable energy to power the city. In addition, the designer proposed that the city will be a car-free zone with main transportation only through the usage of bike, train, and pedestrian path. The city will be developed in multiple layers of compact buildings to utilise the land space. The city buildings will be designed to counter the effects of heat wave by integrating green walls and roofs to reduce the temperature. The Economists were also part of the design team that proposed the three economic hubs in the area of sustainability, media, and technology to facilitates the economic growth of the city. All these designs are in accordance with the main vision of Vit Jedlicka, the president, to keep Liberland as green as possible through renewable energy.

I believe that Ani’s design concept of genetically engineered Algae could be utilised to power up the city using renewable energy.

Firstly, Ani’s design concept of the Algae-powered building is very similar to a green building in Hamburg. According to Whitlock (2013), an article on “IBA Hamburg opens the first algae biomass building”, he stated that Germany company, International Building Exhibition (IBE) Hamburg has built the world’s first ever algae powered building that runs on biomass. This building was named as Algae Building and was launched for residential purposes with 15 units available. Whitlock also stated that the microalgae are well maintained in the glass container filled with water that is able to generate the required biomass and heat required for producing energy sources to supply the building.

Secondly, according to sources from Hay (2014), an article named “Hamburg Now Has An Algae-Powered building”, he stated that the Algae absorb in CO2 gases which allowed them to produce gases which can be further cultivated in a process that creates renewable green energy sources. In addition, he also states that algae could be collected and made into biofuel, which can be processed in a generator to produce electricity power. He further elaborated that the Algae powered building was able to reduce pollution and provide an alternative source of renewable energy in areas such as heat and electricity. 

Lastly, due to the fact that fossil fuels will eventually run out in future, it is essential for the world to find alternative sources of energy. According to sources from the Invigorate website [3], it states that algae were able to generate electricity itself. The process of it dividing the water into hydrogen and oxygen allows the hydrogen to be obtained. By using the ‘hydrogen fuel cells’ to generate electricity, it does not produce unnecessary greenhouse gases that harm the environment. In addition, algae give out hydrocarbons which are molecules that can be found in fossil fuels. This allows the usage of algae as a source of biofuel to supply power. The benefits of algae were the abilities to grow quickly and to get replenish easily whenever required. 

In conclusion, the examples provided above about algae were evident in showing the effectiveness of producing an alternative source of renewable energy. With the rise of technology, it is possible that we can continue to harvest energy sources from algae and explore other forms of renewable energy that can eventually power the world in future.

References:

[1] Whitlock, R. (2013, May 14). Biomass - IBA Hamburg opens the first algae biomass building - Renewable Energy Magazine, at the heart of clean energy journalism. Retrieved September 26, 2016, from http://www.renewableenergymagazine.com/article/iba-hamburg-opens-the-first-algae-biomass-20130514

[2] Hay, M. (2014, September 23). Hamburg Now Has an Algae-Powered Building. Retrieved September 26, 2016, from https://www.good.is/articles/algae-powered-building

[3] Why is this important? (n.d.). Retrieved September 26, 2016, from http://invigorate.royalsociety.org/ks4/meet-the-algae-diversity,-biology-and-energy/why-is-this-important.aspx

Summary of the Micro-nation (Article 6)

The competed land between Croatia and Serbia known as Liberland will be built on a basis of being environment-friendly and self- sustainable. The overall main design by Raya Ani, director of RAW-NYC, was to minimize pollution through renewable energy and to save space in Liberland. In addition to the overall development of the land, the design team also included non-designers, such as economists.

In order to save space, Ani states that the land will be developed by piling up in multiple layers, comprising of smaller and compact arranged buildings allowing sunlight to reach the street. Therefore, fully maximizing the usage of land in a limited space.

To address the issues of pollution, Ani’s design included the use of platforms integrated with a genetically engineered version of algae by planting them on a horizontal surface layer. The algae do not need sunlight to grow, and can produce energy that can be converted into power for the land. In addition, the design also comprises of addressing solar power, which utilize a waste-to-energy system that transforms organic waste to biogas for cooking. It also includes burning thrown waste to produce electricity.

The land is  designed to provide accessibilities for ease of transportation around the neighborhoods. The neighborhoods are gathered around transit,with recreation areas which require no more than 10-minute walk from public transit. The land focuses on being car-free which only comprise of bike and pedestrian paths.

The integration of green walls and roofs on the buildings will aid in reducing rainwater runoff and to reduce temperature during heat waves. To address the issues of a floodplain, parks are designed along the edges of the city.

Economists were also introduced by the design team to facilitate the function of the city. The Economists proposed that the land would have three economic hubs-sustainability,media, and technology and promote entrepreneurship through a national crowdfunding site. In an economic sense, Ani proposed that the Liberland must be able to self-sustain and to prove its capabilities to neighboring countries.

According to Ani, the urban planning design might not be built according to what she foresees in the future. In order for this urban planning to work, it requires a long time to be accepted by individuals and this affects the development of the micronation. However, it could happen on a smaller scale, for example, with a single building powered by algae.

These designs that are proposed by Ani are in accordance with the president, Vit Jedlicka’s main vision that says “It was always our plan to keep Liberland as green as possible.”

(426 words)

Task B1: The Importance Of English To You

I was a regular serving as a technical supervisor in the Singapore Armed Forces. I remembered vividly that there was once I had to instruct my team to carry out a maintenance task. However, due to a mistake in my form of writing, my team carried out a different task and targeted another system and caused problems in the equipment instead. As a result, my team had a poor impression of my instructions and this particular incident caused them to lose the trust they had previously perceived of me. At that point of time, I believe that it was due to my negative attitude towards writing and thus, I did not ensure that my instructions were clear and concise. This incident greatly impacted me on the effects of proper English writing.

As a current student in SIT, my classmates and I will be tasked to write technical reports, thesis, and essays as part of my learning journey to prepare us for the industry. The correct usage of English writing in sending our messages across will greatly aid users in understanding of reports. However, I will also need to constantly ensure the readability and user-friendliness in my content.

Furthermore, my classmates and I will be graduating as future engineers and the level of command in our English writing determines the credibility of us in the industry. Technical manuals and incident reports are some of the examples why it is important for us to write in proper English language.  

To conclude, the proper usage of English is essential in delivering the correct information and I believe that only through practice comes perfection. Thus, I will strive hard to improve my English proficiency by cultivating the habit of reading, writing daily journals and listening to the news.

(294 words)