Journal of Cleaner Production 142 (2017) 3095e3100

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Journal of Cleaner Production

journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/jclepro

Technical note

Green energy engineering: Opening a green way for the future

Suphi S. Oncel
Ege University, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Bioengineering, 35100, Bornova, Izmir, Turkey

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: Today economy, energy and environment are crucial topics of discussion with a special emphasis on the
Received 22 July 2016 key words like sustainability, environment friendship and equity. But in reality for a long period of time
Received in revised form these words are only left in the dictionary of science without much real life effort until societies see the
26 October 2016
alert from the nature that something is terribly wrong. At the turn of the millennium all the pillars of our
Accepted 26 October 2016
Available online 27 October 2016
civilization come to an agreement that a new approach towards the habits considering the lifestyle
should be needed with a special emphasis on energy, to have a greener start for the future. Within this
context the definition of “green energy” is vital and its backbone “green energy engineering” is the key.
Keywords:
Green energy
The green energy engineering is a novel field in engineering that will find the solutions and disseminate
Green energy engineering the new ideas for the progress of green energy approach designing its boundaries around major subtitles
Renewable like renewable alternatives, efficient energy management and economy interrelation. This article for the
Environment first time name this engineering field as “green energy engineering” and introduces its principles with a
special emphasis on the education and profession.
© 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

1. Introduction
A lonely woman just lost in time walking in the gray, dusty
dump side with some silhouettes of other people and a pig with a
vivacious private jet in the great blue sky above. This is a snap shot
collage from the web site of OXFAM America (OXFAM, 2016)
announcing its latest report on the inequality between the poor and
the rich in the world. According to the analysis the richest 62 in-
dividuals have a wealth equal to the 3.6 billion of the poorest in the
world. Keeping this value in mind, the poorest lost 41% of their
wealth which is about a trillion dollars while the richest 62
increased about 50% and reached 1.76 trillion dollars since 2010.
These values can be increased with some other data from different
reports all around the world announcing in the TV news or news-
papers that became a routine in the daily life. As a result of the
inequalities similar scenes from a post-apocalyptic dystopia in the
Mad Max movies telling the story of the world after a petroleum
war become a reality in different regions today, destroying cities,
separating families, generating refugees, pumping racism and have
a tendency of expansion like an epidemic.
Today “sustainability” a keyword which actually routed to Latins
“sustinere” (Abu-Goukh et al., 2013) seems to be the fulcrum be-
tween a bright and a dark future. Sustainability is something that is
E-mail address: suphi.oncel@ege.edu.tr.
“able to last or continue for a long time” (definition from Merriam-
Webster Dictionary) has three major branches economy, society
and environment (Abu-Goukh et al., 2013) which all have strong
interrelation that made them very hard to be focused separately.
Considering the explanations for the current problems from an
economic point of view may not be enough to see the complete
picture but troubled economy is an absolute catalyst for the de-
stabilizations. This is because economy is the most severe stimulant
with a direct influence on each individual's life even higher than
the environmental problems but actually a result rather than a
reason that has an interaction with the environment. Humanity
forced the nature to its limits without thinking too much about the
future in the struggle for progress. Even though this can be an ex-
pected act fitting the psychological egoism of human from a
Freudian attitude, with the increasing problems bombarding
everyday forces the societies, the third major branch, to find
solutions.
At some extent the problems can be compensated with the
economic power and rich may suffer less or at least may recover
faster, but in the end Earth is the only home and humans don't have
any other alternatives to go in a short period of time. Actually this
reality should force the developed countries to focus on environ-
mental topics more radically without underestimating the needs of
the developing ones in order to have a more cautious and willing
partnership. Above all the socially sustainable steady state econ-
omy can only be reached by the efficient relation between the

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.10.158
0959-6526/© 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
3096 S.S. Oncel / Journal of Cleaner Production 142 (2017) 3095e3100
resources and the humans globally (O'Neill, 2015) in other words
greening the economy as well as the environment is very important
(Ehresman and Okereke, 2015). Started with the Rio de Janeiro
Earth Summit in 1992 and followed by the Kyoto Protocol in 1997
(which faced some resistance and can be effective in 2005)
different attempts tried to stimulate the societies and governments
against the problems in the environment. By the year 2012 after the
Kyoto Protocol passed a milestone by the Doha Amendment which
established a strong commitment to the Kyoto protocol, govern-
ments consolidated their ambitions to decrease the greenhouse
gasses (UN, 2012) and foreseen a progress towards the sustainable
future by establishing the financial and technology support for the
developing countries (UN, 2015a). By the year 2015 the Paris
Agreement, at last, forces the global parties to decrease the global
warming levels less than 2  C compared to the pre-industrial era
levels (UN, 2015b) which by some researchers is the last turn before
the wall.
With the invention of the steam engine human civilization ran
through the industrial revolution eras but left a growing footprint
at the back. But this footprint caused a big dilemma, humanity can
or may adapt to the rapid changes in the environment and climate
but other living things are not capable of the same quick response
which is not a scale that money can fix. Because of that the corals
are dying reaching an alarming 6 percent reduction globally in less
than two years (Mathiesen, 2015) just after a few degrees increase
and expanding seawater acidification (Block, 2013), the crops are
lost due to global warming related severe droughts and wrong
water irrigation strategies (NRDC, 2013) with high water loss in
ground water reserves (Kerlin, 2014) that will increase spreading of
the diseases and macroparasites affecting the livestock (Gerber
et al., 2013), or some species are under the risk of extinction
because of the loss of their habitats.
So the question that should be asked is what can be done to
reach a more environment friendly, sustainable and equal future
thinking the Earth as a whole?
2. “Green energy” finding a definition for the solution
Different pillars of our civilization like scientists, entrepreneurs,
communities and governments are in search of the answers for a
bright future comprising a holistic approach. When considered in
detail for a common factor it can be seen that the human civiliza-
tion has a direct connection with energy. Our civilization is like a
colossal man of war that sucks energy to move, resist and overcome
the problems. On this context if the energy need can be supplied in
a sustainable way with an efficient and egalitarian approach all the
system can be directly influenced. This is similar to the new
approach of targeting health problems by targeting aging. The
scientists tried to shift the perspective about the disease prevention
with a unique strategy, not just focusing on a specific disease but
focusing on the main reason for most of the diseases, the aging of
the human (Hall, 2015).
Energy demand will continue to grow in the future and securing
access to new resources will still be important. At this point shifting
the prospect for energy, without classifying the era of fossil fuels as
the pure evil or blessing the renewables as the sole savior, one
should reevaluate an objective and yet a realistic approach to reach
a green solution. Here the term “green” actually covers the healthy
integration of human with the nature for a flourishing future. This
approach can be constituted by focusing on the fact that neither
fossil fuels nor the renewables will do good if won't be used in a
proper way, in other words humans are the ones who are respon-
sible from the outcomes. So to widen the scope and to integrate
with “energy” comprising all the sources without a restriction of
fossil or renewable classification, just focusing on the utilization
with the most effective way with a special emphasis on environ-
ment, sustainability and equity (Fig. 1) can be the key. This
perspective will help to open new gates at the same time will
support and motivate the energy industry to reach “clean” without
any bias.
Some examples in the fossil fuel sector like the carbon capture
and storage from the petroleum fuel refineries into the Earth's crust
that could decrease CO2 pollution by 40% (Schneyer, 2009) and
could help to reach a flexible, dependable and near zero carbon
generation target (BP, 2015) or the collaboration of the coal in-
dustry with UN Green Climate Fund to make more efficient plants
(Carr, 2015) are promising or at least worth to try attempts without
underestimating the possible problems for the future of green en-
ergy idea transforming the industrial strategies. This is also in good
agreement with the fact that renewable energy continued to in-
crease even if the gear of the industry slowed down triggered by the
decrease in the oil prices (Sawin, 2016). Also low fuel prices helped
especially the oil importing developing countries to channel more
investment on renewables (FS-UNEP, 2015). Another important
indicator of this transformation can be seen in the employments
ratios. Compared to the fossil fuel industry renewables can create
more job opportunities (Ferroukhi et al., 2015) which can
encourage societies to take more confident steps even if there are
some opposing opinions which points out the fact that green jobs
can cost the economy by destroying 2.2 jobs in the existing sectors
(Kaplan, 2009), but again there is always the possibility of diffi-
culties that should be risked during the comprehensive trans-
formations like this.
With the increase in the scientific evidences forcing the gov-
ernments to take radical steps against pollution and environment
problems, investors and financiers are reorganizing their portfolios
against the possible oscillations in the market due to risks and
allocating more capital to sustainable in other words more green
areas of the industry like renewable energy, clean transportation or
sustainable water management. According to the global scale assets
around $300-trillion is managed and more than $20 trillion of new
investment is entering the global economy each year (Fabian, 2015)
which can actually have a great potential for the acceleration and
realization if shifted to green energy alternatives. This shift is tried
to be accomplished by tools like the green bonds which are simply
the regular bonds with a specific target of environment friendly
assets. The economic recovery and creating new jobs could be
accomplished by the green stimulus initiatives (Barbier, 2010) and
rise in the green bond volume from $11 billion in 2013 to $42 billion
in 2015 is a positive sign for the potential in the future (Fabian,
2015). Today other than the governments, top ranking univer-
sities as well as the important foundations the focus on the
renewable energy sources have attracted significant notice as an
alternative for fossil fuels. This focus turn even into a divestment
movement motivating the organizations, universities and in-
stitutions to sell their shares in the fossil fuel companies (Editorial,
2015).
On the other hand with a green energy engineering approach
this movement can be canalized to a better lane because fossil fuels
keeping in mind their share is still around 80% (Sawin, 2016),
cannot be removed directly from world's energy menu. But a good
balance between the fossil fuels and renewables will help the
civilization to gain some extra time in the transformation like in the
analogy to the colossal man of war captain who will need some
response time after turning the rudder.
3. “Green energy engineering” speaking from a technical
point
Defining the borders for green energy will also need the
 S.S. Oncel / Journal of Cleaner Production 142 (2017) 3095e3100
Fig. 1. Green energy.
definition of its technical realization, “engineering”. Considering
the detailed definition of engineering which states that “engi-
neering is the field or discipline, practice, profession and art that
relates to the development, acquisition and application of technical,
scientific and mathematical knowledge about the understanding,
design, development, invention, innovation and use of materials,
machines, structures, systems and processes for specific purposes”
covers all the basic pillars that shows its evolution from a person
who is in charge of operating the military engines to fulfilling its
Latin origins of “ingenium” meaning cleverness and invention
(UNESCO, 2010).
With a projection from this definition an engineer is a person
who should be well equipped with the knowledge and skills to act
as a powerful problem solver. Today facing the deepened problems
related with the environment and energy dilemma the key role of
engineering can be a strong line of defense. To fulfill the needs of
today's challenges engineering education should also be trans-
formed. Keeping in mind the history of engineering, which is
actually the timeline of its transformability based on its dynamic
and elastic nature, that shows the diverse responses giving birth to
different fields like chemical, mechanical, civil and many more can
be a good sign about the success of the new engineering field
“green energy engineering”.
“Green energy engineering” will be defined as an interdisci-
plinary approach that will blend old school fossil fuel knowledge
with the novel strategies for renewables in the melting pot of ef-
ficiency, accessibility, labor opportunity, equity, energy security and
economic feasibility without underestimating the core backbone of
environment and sustainability. Basically it will be in the inter-
section of energy and power engineering and renewable energy
engineering (Fig. 2). With the extensions of the outer zones it will
focus on all the targets. The first zone of interest will cover the
major engineering fields: chemical, bio, mechanical and
3097
environmental engineering. Considering their relation with energy
all these fields will have a strong support in this new engineering
concept. Chemical engineering comprise the industrial processes
that shaped the industrialization era like petroleum, coal or nuclear
other than the renewables like geothermal or solar. Mechanical
engineering, on the other hand is a base in the progress of the
human civilization, comprises the machines of both fossil fuel and
renewable eras. Environmental engineering, again a base for the
past and future, focuses on the energy and environment interre-
lation. Bioengineering even if is a novel discipline can play an
important connection between the bioprocesses and energy
through different biofuels like biodiesel, bioethanol, biogas and
even energy carrier biohydrogen. The complementary zone will
cover various engineering majors like mining engineering or civil
engineering which will be linked to the core zones under the topic
of energy.
The interaction between these zones will be crucial because
considering the rapid changes in the contemporary problems
which are actually becoming more complex each day, a green en-
ergy engineer should meet some basic visions:
 Should be highly equipped about the energy, environment and
economy issues and their complex interrelation,
 Should be well adapted with the current technologies and
concepts,
 Should be aware and keen of social and ethical issues consid-
ering the problems,
 Should have the competency to understand and incorporate the
solutions for the problems,
 Should be well prepared to link the theories to practices in other
words well qualified to transfer science to real life,
 Should take into account the local and global challenges at equal
importance,
3098 S.S. Oncel / Journal of Cleaner Production 142 (2017) 3095e3100

Civil
Engineering

Forestry
Engineering

Industrial
Engineering
Mechanical
Engineering Mining
Engineering

Nuclear
Engineering

Energy and Power Environmental

Engineering Electrical
Engineering
Engineering

Green
Computer
Energy
Engineering
Renewable Energy Chemical
Engineering Engineering Marine
Engineering

Transport
Engineering

Bio Electronics
Engineering Engineering

Agricultural
Engineering

Geotechnical
Engineering

Petroleum
Engineering

Fig. 2. Green Energy Engineering interrelation with other disciplines.

 Should be wise to communicate and work under an interdisci-
plinary work environment.
Education is the vital tool for the realization of this new concept.
When considering a new concept that is highly interrelated and
dynamic an education strategy that is imaginative, informative,
educative, investigative (Kandpal and Broman, 2014), creative,
interactive, competitive, disseminative, transformative and pro-
gressive should be needed. With a special emphasis on the cur-
riculum a green energy engineer will have a scientific background
from fluid mechanics to bioprocesses with a focus on energy
efficiency and environment in a full engineering module organized
through theoretical lectures supported by laboratory and industry
practices (Fig. 3). Keeping in mind the vast area of expertise the
education will also have the following masters and doctorate pro-
grams that will lead the engineers for specific areas of expertise and
will also give the opportunity to other engineering disciplines to
have a major on this special field.
The merging of engineering principles from fossil fuel experi-
ence with the renewables will catalyze the progress for a solution
regards to energy. Even if the ultimate goal will be the usage of
renewable sources, green energy engineering will need to consider
 S.S. Oncel / Journal of Cleaner Production 142 (2017) 3095e3100 3099

Renewable Green Energy and Green Energy Green Energy and

Energy Sustainability IntegraƟon Environment
Technologies

* MATHEMATICS
* BIO/CHEMISTRY Green Energy and Green Energy Combined Heat
* PHYSICS Society Management and Power
* BIOLOGY
Principles of
* MASS TRANSFER Unit OperaƟons
Green Energy
* HEAT TRANSFER in Energy Industry
Engineering
* THERMODYNAMICS
* FLUID MECHANICS Green Energy and Green Energy and Hydrogen
* TRANSPORT PHENOMENA Power Systems Entrepreneurship Technologies
* LABORATORY PRACTICES

Non-Renewable Green Energy and Fossil and Bio

Energy Energy
Built Fuels ProducƟon
Technologies Conversion
Environment Industry

CORE TOPICS ORIENTATION SIDE TOPICS

Fig. 3. Green energy engineering education.

fossil fuels because only focusing on renewables will be a lame
attempt. The main reason for this, is the reality that civilization still
needs fossil fuels directly or indirectly even for renewable energy
production. To reach the expected level of transformation key
factor is the need to focus on the greening of fossil fuel energy
production and usage processes as well as their integration with
the renewable energy. On the other hand the green energy engi-
neering will also target the progress for renewable energy consid-
ering the sources, production systems, efficiency and processes.
Today about 15% of the 15e29 year old population in the OECD
countries are not employed nor in education and training (OECD,
2014) this situation in the human resource is not sustainable but
this population hides a potential if can be transformed and read-
apted into life if attracted and encouraged by a profession like green
energy engineering. Green energy engineering will act as a bridge
between the old industrial era and the projected green era by the
help of technology, innovation and development. The energy
transformation for environment friendly solutions will be raised on
the shoulders of qualified engineers who can evaluate, comment
and suss out to reach new solutions and will play the key role in the
energy sector. This engineering attempt will also target simple and
practical solutions with the ability to contemplate the background
knowledge and try to change the energy habits in the civilization
for sustainability. The interdisciplinary nature of green energy en-
gineering formation will give green energy engineers the elasticity
of adaptation easily to different policy making centers like the
companies, foundations or governments other than the universities
or research institutes.
4. Conclusion
Engineering is an art embedded in a profession that solves the
problems considering all the major pillars of our civilization like
society, economy and environment. Today humanity needs the
essence of this profession to transform and continue its energy
needs without violating the limits of the environment. This is
actually a matter of survival rather than a simple risk. Within this
regard green energy engineering as a new concept should be
introduced and defined as a field in engineering. Green energy
engineering can be defined as the profession that will blend the
fossil fuels era with the renewables era knowledge in a clean,
sustainable and environment friendly approach. Keeping in mind
the words of Albert Einstein: “The world will not evolve past its
current state of crisis by using the same thinking that created the
situation”, this new breed of engineers will have the qualifications
to get lessons from the past and turn them into progress for the
future.
Today at the dawn of the 4th industrial era which is related to
the cyber physical systems (Schwab, 2016) humanity will need to
solve the problems relating energy unless it want to leave a planet
that only cyber physical systems can survive and in this context
green energy engineers can play a vital role.
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