Energy saving at the enterprise is the time for an efficient approach to resources. Ways to save resources. How you can save your family budget Post modern methods of saving

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1. Ways and means of saving raw materials, fuel and energy resources, their economic efficiency

Material resources are one of the main factors of production. They form the material composition of manufactured products, and also, to one degree or another, provide manufacturing process. In turn, the products satisfy the needs and demands of society. Therefore, the well-being of society depends on how material resources are used, how efficient the production process is in terms of material consumption. The transition from extensive to intensive type of management inevitably poses the problem of rational and economical consumption of material resources before the economy of any state.

The main areas of rational use of raw materials and fuel and energy resources include:

improving the structure of the fuel and fuel and energy balance;

more thorough and high-quality preparation of raw materials for their direct use in industrial enterprises;

proper organization of transportation and storage of raw materials and fuel t - prevention of losses and deterioration in quality;

integrated use of raw materials;

chemicalization of production;

use of production waste;

recycling of raw materials.

used in industry different kinds mineral and organic raw materials, as a rule, require appropriate preparation. For this purpose, different types of primary processing of raw materials are used, which have their own characteristics in each industry.

The main types of primary processing of raw materials include:

enrichment of raw materials (ore in ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy, coal in coke production);

preliminary cleaning and standardization of raw materials (cotton, wool in the textile industry);

canning (meat, fish, fruits, vegetables in the food industry);

drying, aging (wood in the woodworking industry).

Enrichment is a type of primary processing of raw materials, which consists in separating products suitable for further technically possible and economically feasible processing or use. Enrichment allows you to:

remove harmful impurities from it;

separate minerals from each other.

As a result of the enrichment of raw materials, two main products are obtained: concentrate and waste (tails). Currently, more than 95% of mined non-ferrous and rare metals, most of the iron ores, almost all phosphorites, asbestos and granite ores, more than 40% of coal are used for enrichment.

The economic feasibility of enrichment is as follows:

the raw material base of industry is expanding;

the subsequent processing of raw materials into the finished product is cheaper;

improved quality of finished products;

transportation costs for the transportation of raw materials from the place of extraction to the place of its processing are reduced;

the need for vehicles and increase the efficiency of their use.

The dynamics of the efficiency of material consumption and the level of material consumption of products is formed under the influence of numerous factors, driving forces, causes of this or that process, which determine its nature.

Their classification is based on a grouping into external and internal (internal) factors, as well as a division into factors of a technical, technological, organizational and economic nature.

External factors include:

1. State regulation of resource saving -- state programming; tax system; pricing system; depreciation policy; financial and credit policy; standardization. A significant role in the implementation of the state resource-saving policy is played by programs for the technical development of industries and industries, the creation and implementation of low- and waste-free technologies, etc. To implement them and encourage enterprises to rationally use material resources, the state uses certain financial levers. An important place also belongs to the fixing in the standards of the limit values of the material consumption of products.

Market conditions - supply and prices for material resources (play an important role in shaping production program enterprises); demand and prices for the company's products (predetermine the range of products); level< транспортно-заготовительных расходов (влияет на выбор поставщиков); конкуренция (оказывает влияние при принятии решений в области ассортимента, качества, ценовой политики и т.д.).

Scientific and technical development - is expressed in the emergence of new materials (rolled products with desired properties, new structural materials, etc.); new technologies (non-waste, closed loop production cycle etc.); new technology(with increased utilization rates of materials); new energy sources; new knowledge.

General economic factors - affect the strategy of the enterprise in the chain and, as a result, the process of using material resources. This is the economic situation in the country; state regulation the economy as a whole; the state of the infrastructure of the national economy, etc.

Other factors -- environmental (environmental pollution, depletion of mineral resources); natural and climatic (the influence of temperature, humidity on the consumption of material resources in the construction of buildings and structures, the consumption of fuel and energy resources; the need for protection from adverse environmental influences); political, etc.

Internal factors are nothing more than a reaction to the impact external factors. However, it internal factors determine the direct level of use of material resources in the enterprise.

Technical factors appear at the design stage and have an impact on reducing consumption certain types material resources per unit of production and improving the quality and technical characteristics of products. IN this group we include factors related to the improvement of the designs of the products already available in the assortment of the enterprise:

reduction in the absolute and (or) specific gravity of the product - the choice of a progressive type of machine; improvement of kinematic schemes of machines; increase in unit power, productivity, etc. machines and equipment; choice of the most rational macherif_ligR^1; establishment of optimal margins of safety selection of the most rational type blanks; determination of the optimal geometry of parts, the replacement of complex configurations with simpler ones; the use of unified parts and assemblies; improving the quality, reliability and durability of machines;

improving the quality of consumed materials - the use of high-strength grades of materials, low-alloy steels, economical rolled profiles, welded structures from rolled products, high-quality cold-drawn metal, rolled products from evacuated steel, etc.;

replacement of expensive and scarce materials - replacement of rolled ferrous metals with aluminum, magnesium and other light alloys; replacement of non-ferrous and ferrous metals and alloys with plastics; replacement of non-ferrous metals and alloys with cermets; the use of wood plastics, fiberglass and other substitutes; use of secondary resources.

Technological factors act at the stage of product manufacturing, causing a reduction in waste and loss of materials. These include:

introduction of new equipment with improved technical characteristics, modernization and reconstruction of the existing one, aimed at increasing the utilization of materials, reducing waste and losses, etc.;

the introduction of progressive material-saving technologies - the use of precision casting methods (instead of manufacturing from rolled products), hot stamping (instead of free forging), cold and hot upsetting (instead of chip removal), the manufacture of blanks and parts by powder metallurgy, etc .;

introduction of hardening technology methods - surface hardening; progressive methods of applying coatings (paint and varnish, metal, plastic, etc.);

improvement of methods for manufacturing and processing parts - rational cutting of materials (the use of photo-optical marking, the use of multiple and dimensional materials and blanks); approximation of workpieces to the shape and size of finished parts; reduction of processing allowances;

increasing the level of mechanization and automation of production.

Many organizational and economic factors affect the level of consumption of material resources not directly, but through constructive, technological and innovative factors, that is, they can manifest themselves both in the design process and in the production process.

Organizational factors are aimed at improving the structure and organization of production in order to increase the efficiency of material consumption. They include:

improving the organization of production - increasing the level of specialization, cooperation and combination; integrated use of raw materials; organization of collection, sorting and use of waste,

improvement of the system of rationing the consumption of material resources;

improving accounting for the actual use of material resources;

improving the system for providing material resources -- improving methods for calculating the need for material resources, stock standards, etc.; quality control of materials, completeness of supplies, etc.; elimination of losses during transportation; rational organization warehousing and elimination of losses of material resources during storage; ensuring the continuity of the production process;

improving the quality control of blanks and products in order to prevent defects;

structural shifts in output;

composition, movement and qualifications of personnel.

Economic factors determine the creation of conditions

contributing to the rationalization of the process of using material resources in the enterprise. In fact, these are the conditions successful implementation constructive, technological, innovative and organizational factors. TO economic factors relate:

a system of economic (moral and material) incentives for workers - incentives for designers and designers for developing progressive models of machines, reducing their weight, improving quality and performance, using substitutes for scarce materials, etc.; stimulation of the main and auxiliary workers, maintenance and administrative personnel for saving materials and fuel and energy resources; encouraging employees to increase the use of waste and secondary resources;

a system of economic responsibility for the irrational use of material resources - increasing the liability of performers for overspending of raw materials, materials, fuel, energy, water, for violation technological process, marriage in work, etc.;

the economic condition of the enterprise - in conditions where enterprises independently dispose of the profits received, an important factor increasing the efficiency of material consumption is the effectiveness of the enterprise. Successful production and economic activity allows the enterprise to pay enough attention and funds to the rational and economical use of material resources (R&D, purchase of new equipment, improvement of technologies, material incentives etc.).

Actions aimed at improving the efficiency of material consumption should be taken, first of all, in the primary production link - at the enterprise. A more economical and rational use of materials at specific enterprises will ultimately lead to the desired result at the level of the national economy.

An important condition for increasing the efficiency of the use of raw materials and materials, fuel and energy is the existence of an effective economic mechanism for resource conservation. Experience economically developed countries shows that the greatest results in the field of rational and economical material consumption were achieved by those of them where resource-saving policy is one of the priorities of the state.

Of course, the transition to resource-saving reproduction requires a comprehensive rationalization of the use of resources (labor, material, financial, intellectual, information), restructuring of production, taking into account the real needs of domestic and foreign markets, the introduction of scientific and technological progress, the latest methods of management, analysis and forecasting, combinations of state-administrative and market methods business, government and municipal support and regulation of resource conservation when using legally established incentives and sanctions.

2. Methodology for determining the norms of payment for permissible emissions (discharges) of pollutants into the environment and the norms of payment for their excess

Payment for the use of natural resources was established by the Law of the Russian Federation "On the Protection of the Environment" in 1991 (Article 20.)

Fees are charged for emissions and discharges of pollutants, waste disposal and other types of pollution. Payment for pollution of the environment refers to mandatory payments. The payers of this fee are enterprises, institutions, organizations, legal entities and individuals engaged in any type of activity in the territory Russian Federation associated with nature management.

The procedure for calculating and applying the payment standards is determined by the Government of the Russian Federation and is carried out in accordance with the "Instructive and Methodological Guidelines for Charging Payments for Environmental Pollution".

To calculate the amount of payments, it is necessary to know the amount of waste, emissions into the atmosphere and water bodies directed to the disposal, and the basic standards of the payment. Maximum allowable quantities (limits) of pollutants and wastes are established in permits issued by territorial bodies Federal Service for Environmental, Technological and Nuclear Supervision of the Russian Federation.

If the actual volumes at the end of the year exceed the established limits, then the fee for excess volumes is charged at a 5-fold rate. If there is no permission, i.e. limits are not set, then a 5-fold coefficient is applied to the entire actual volume of pollutants and waste. regulations several types of environmental payments are provided for.

These include:

Payment for emissions of pollutants (including from stationary and mobile sources);

Payment for discharges of pollutants into water bodies;

Waste disposal fee;

Payment for other types of harmful impact on the environment.

The determination of the specific amounts of these payments depends on the volume of emission (discharge) of the pollutant and the volume of disposed waste (hereinafter referred to as pollution). At the same time, it should be borne in mind that the basic payment standards and the specific payment rates established on their basis in the regions are determined not only by the types of pollutants, but also depending on whether pollution occurred within the established standards or in excess of them. Two types of basic payment standards have been established for each type of pollutant (waste), taking into account the degree of harmful impact and danger to the environment and public health:

a) for emissions, discharges of pollutants, waste disposal, other types of harmful effects within the limits of permissible standards;

b) for emissions, discharges of pollutants, waste disposal, other types of harmful effects within established limits(temporarily agreed standards).

raw fuel processing emissions

3. Calculation of environmental payments

The amount of environmental payments is determined as the amount of payment for pollution: within the established standards for emissions, discharges of pollutants, as well as for above-limit pollution of the environment. At the same time, coefficients have been established for basic payment standards for individual economic regions and river basins. They take into account various environmental factors and the importance of territories.

Payments for emissions into the atmosphere

The basic standards for payment for emissions of pollutants into the atmosphere by stationary sources have been established. The fee depends on the amount of harmful substances emitted. In this regard, payment rates have been introduced for emissions that exceed the maximum allowable standard and do not exceed temporarily agreed emissions, that is, those that are within the established limits.

The fee for air pollution by stationary sources of emissions consists of:

* fees for allowable emissions into the atmosphere,

* emission charges within the limit and

* fees (sanctions) for emissions that exceed the limits.

Payment for disposal of production and consumption waste

The waste disposal fee consists of:

* fees for waste disposal within the established limits,

* fees for excess waste disposal subject to the conditions of disposal and

* fees (sanctions) for unauthorized waste disposal.

To find out how much you have to pay for waste disposal, you must also determine a differentiated rate for each type of waste within the established limits. It is calculated on the basis of the basic norms of payment for waste disposal, taking into account reduction factors and the coefficient established for the soil of one or another economic region of the Russian Federation. Then the differentiated fee rate for each type of waste is multiplied by the amount of waste actually disposed of.

Charges for emissions from mobile sources

Payments for air pollution by mobile sources are calculated based on the rates of payment for pollutant emissions from the combustion of 1 ton (thousand cubic meters) of various types of fuel. The basic rates of payment for allowable emissions Pln l bases for burning a unit of fuel of the l-th type have been established.

Differentiated pollution charge rates are calculated as the product of the basic rates of charge by the coefficients of the environmental situation and the significance for the atmosphere of the region under consideration. Currently, the basic standards for payment for air pollution by mobile sources have been established when using the following types of fuel:

1) Unleaded gasoline, RUB/t.

2) Diesel fuel, in rub/t.

3) Kerosene, in rub/t.

4) Compressed natural gas, in rubles/thousand m3.

5) Liquefied gas, in rubles / ton.

If there is no data on the amount of fuel consumed, the fee is determined at the rates established per 1 ton of fuel burned. If there are no such data, but there is reliable information on pollutant emissions, then the calculations are made based on the rates for stationary sources. In the absence of data on both the amount of fuel used and the mass of emissions, the amount of the fee is determined at the rates of the annual fee for emissions per vehicle.

When calculating the payment for emissions of pollutants into the atmospheric air from mobile sources, users of natural resources must select the fuel consumption (liters) per year according to accounting data. Liters must be converted to tons, since the rate of payment established in the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation "On the standards of payment for emissions of pollutants into the atmospheric air by stationary and mobile sources, discharges of pollutants into surface and underground water bodies, disposal of production and consumption wastes" is defined per unit of measure in tons.

Responsibility for non-payment of environmental charges

Law of the Russian Federation "On Environmental Protection" (No. 7-FZ - 2002)

Art. 3. Basic principles of environmental protection

Economic and other activities of ... legal and individuals that has an impact on the environment should be carried out on the basis of the following principles: ... payment for nature use and compensation for damage to the environment; ...

Art. 14. Methods economic regulation in the field of environmental protection

Methods of economic regulation in the field of environmental protection include: ... setting fees for negative environmental impact;

Art. 16. Payment for negative environmental impact

1. The negative impact on the environment is paid. Forms of payment for negative impact on the environment are determined by federal laws.

2. The types of negative impact on the environment include:

emissions of pollutants and other substances into the atmospheric air;

Placement of production and consumption waste; - pollution of the environment by noise, heat, electromagnetic, ionizing and other types of physical influences; ...

3. The procedure for calculating and collecting fees for negative environmental impact is established by the legislation of the Russian Federation.

Government Decree No. 632 of August 28, 1992 (as amended on December 10, 2002) “On Approval of the Procedure for Determining Payments and Its Limits for Environmental Pollution, Waste Disposal, and Other Harmful Impacts.” In accordance with the Ruling of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation of December 10, 2002 No. 284-O, this Resolution ... remains in force and is subject to application by courts, other bodies and officials as not contrary to the Constitution of the Russian Federation.

This procedure applies to enterprises, institutions, organizations, foreign legal entities and individuals engaged in any types of activities in the territory of the Russian Federation related to the use of natural resources (hereinafter referred to as "users of nature") and provides for the collection of fees for the following types of harmful effects on the environment:

Discharge of pollutants into surface and underground water bodies;

Waste disposal

Other types of harmful effects (noise, vibration, electromagnetic, radiation effects, etc.)

Payment for pollution of the environment does not exempt users of natural resources from taking measures to protect the environment and rational use of natural resources, as well as compensation in full for the damage caused to the environment, health and property of citizens, the national economy by pollution of the environment, in accordance with current legislation.

"Instructive - guidelines on the collection of fees for environmental pollution "(as amended by the Order of the State Committee for Ecology of the Russian Federation dated February 15, 2000 N 77)

1. General Provisions:

1.3. The fee for pollution of the environment (hereinafter referred to as the fee for pollution) is charged from enterprises, institutions, organizations and other legal entities regardless of their organizational legal forms and forms of ownership on which they are based, including joint ventures with the participation of foreign legal entities, and citizens who are granted the right to conduct production - economic activity on the territory of the Russian Federation (hereinafter referred to as users of natural resources).

1.4. Pollution fees are charged from users of natural resources that carry out the following types of impact on the environment:

Air emissions of pollutants from stationary and mobile sources;

Discharge of pollutants into surface and underground water bodies, as well as any underground placement of pollutants;

Waste disposal.

2. Principles for determining the basic standards of payment for environmental pollution

2.2. Pollution charge is a form of compensation for economic damage from emissions and discharges of pollutants into the natural environment of the Russian Federation, which reimburses the costs of compensating the impact of emissions and discharges of pollutants and stimulating the reduction or maintenance of emissions and discharges within the limits, as well as the costs of design and construction of environmental facilities.

2.8. There are two types of basic payment standards:

For emissions, discharges of pollutants, other types of harmful effects within the limits of permissible standards;

For emissions, discharges of pollutants, waste disposal, other types of harmful effects within the established limits (temporarily agreed standards).

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How to reduce water consumption with modern faucets and water-saving nozzles?

There are many ways to save water (we have already written about some of them), and the ever-increasing tariffs for housing and communal services encourage us to look for new effective opportunities. It was this circumstance that made our family, along with the use of the most simple ways savings, move on to finding new solutions to this problem.

An additional impetus was the fact that our family moved to a permanent place of residence in another city, in a new spacious apartment. The joy of moving was somewhat overshadowed by the numbers in the first payment received for utilities. And naturally there was a desire to somehow reduce them. First of all, attention was focused on saving water. Moreover, based on personal experience, the consumption of this resource is most easily optimized through reasonable consumption.

This time our efforts were focused on technical issues, namely the possibilities of using modern economical household appliances and special devices, which, according to experts, can reduce water consumption by 50-70%. But, before putting into practice what was planned to re-equip your home, you had to work hard, studying specifications various devices and the possibility of their use in the conditions of their apartment.

Which mixer should you choose?

There are various types of faucets on the market that help save 30 to 50% of water. In any case, this is evidenced by the reviews of their owners and the calculations of experts. Of course, in order to implement this method of reducing water consumption, certain costs will be required, which, as a rule, pay off quickly. Although some models (for example, sensor mixers, mixers with sensors) cannot be called budget.

Mixer with one lever

It is better to install a conventional single-lever faucet in the kitchen and in the bathroom instead of the outdated model with two levers (hot and cold water mixes more slowly in such taps, which leads to its greater consumption). Trying to set the optimum temperature, you have to rotate the taps for about a minute. During this time, up to 8 liters of water is drained into the sewer. If the mixer has one lever, the temperature adjustment is faster. And yes, it is much more convenient to do so.

Faucet with aerator

Without delving into the technical component of the issue, we can say that thanks to the aerator, modern faucet models are able to create a stream of water with good pressure at a relatively low water flow rate of 5-8 liters per minute (at a normal water flow rate of 13-15 liters per minute) . Many modern mixer models are equipped with such a device. And it makes the choice much easier.

Technical household novelties are not only convenient, attractive and reliable, but also allow us not to spend too much. Such models constantly appear on the market. There are plenty to choose from. You can find out in time, get acquainted with new products, learn a lot of useful information about smart devices that allow you to reduce utility costs, choose something suitable for yourself from a variety of ergonomic devices with different designs and functionality, you can find out on specialized resources.
By the way, we'll talk about that another time. I hope the information will be useful to you. For now, for now...

Economics has the status of a scientific discipline, where many methods of scientific and practical research are combined.

Method of scientific abstraction or associative methods

Like any scientific discipline, for example, mathematics, in economics there are a number of generally accepted scientific abstractions, axioms, theorems, which are accepted without proof for the purposes of scientific research.

closest to Everyday life A variant is a theoretical substantiation (assumption) that every economic agent - a business, a household or an individual - a consumer, is a rationally acting subject. Those. it is assumed that the entrepreneur always strives to increase profits (which was well described in the work of K. Marx "Capital"), and that, for example, a buyer or trader in the stock market seeks to make a rational decision from all options.

Despite the fact that practice also proves some irrationality of behavior (“the effect of lemmings” or crowds), nevertheless, scientific abstraction in economics helps to create a set of universal models for analyzing the behavior of economic agents in a particular economic system.

Method of integration and differentiation (or method of induction and deduction)

This method is based on the study of a general phenomenon on the basis of a particular event, or vice versa, the study of a particular phenomenon on the basis of a larger one. This allows you to study economic systems, for example, the behavior individual person, as a consumer in the market, based on an analysis of the behavior of a group or segment of consumers (analysis of the reference group).

Similarly, if such methods are applied to the financial market, then judging by how the overall stock market index behaves, certain conclusions can be drawn about how the economy of the entire country is functioning. Or, on the contrary, according to how the exchange rate of a single country behaves, it is possible to predict and analyze the work of a particular business by deduction, for example, to study the dynamics of the balance of payments of export-import companies.

Method of historical research and analogy

In economics, as in science, the method of comparing past events with the present is used very often. For example, all economic crises, starting with the history of tulip mania, have a certain development algorithm that repeats itself in historical retrospect. This is a good scientific basis for research, the result of which can be the ability to predict the onset of new crises and their main parameters.

Methods of statistical information processing

Economics, as a science, deals with a huge amount of data, which includes factors in the development of large and small economic systems - from studying the dynamics of consumer preferences and the amount of lending to individual households, to studying the parameters of the budget of a particular country.

Collection, analysis and preparation ready-made solutions, used in the economy, is based on the statistical processing of information using special econometric models. They allow you to systematize the amount of information, make filtering random events and give the researcher a probabilistic outcome of events.

From a purely practical point of view, for example, financial market, a trader or investor is also studying the statistics of the number of exits of the price level of any asset (stocks, bonds or currencies) above (below) a certain level.

Modeling of processes in the economy

Modeling in economics occurs in the same way as it is used in theoretical physics or mechanics, when a model of a certain complexity is created to study a process, sometimes in the form of a set of mathematical functions.

The economy uses a large arsenal of such mathematical models, starting from the Monte Carlo model and ending with complex systems from hundreds of equations. Such modeling is very often used not only in macroeconomics, but also in purely practical areas, for example, in insurance, where there are special models for analyzing the occurrence of certain insured events.

Graphical analysis methods

Since economics, as a science, deals with processes occurring in a certain space and time, the question naturally arises of the analogy of these events with cyclic or wave events. Any economic system, whether it is the economy of the country as a whole, the business of an individual enterprise or the price of a share in the stock market, develops in a certain cyclical sequence. So the price of a share cannot grow indefinitely upwards, since the economy of any country experiences phases of growth and decline (crises). Accordingly, for such a cyclic (wave) analysis, graphic-analytical methods are used.

As the world's population continues to increase, and Natural resources depleted, in the near future humanity may face problems related to the production of energy, food and clean water. But the achievements of science and the emergence of new technologies, on the one hand, simple, on the other, amazing, provide new opportunities and sources of resources.

Of all the African countries, Ethiopia is particularly affected by the lack of water resources. Women with children from the villages are forced to travel long distances to get drinking water, which in most cases is very cloudy and contaminated with waste products from livestock and other animals. Warka is an innovative solution developed by two Italian engineers based on simple principle collection of water from the air as a result of condensation.

The structure, 9 meters high and weighing 60 kg, consists of a cage made of bamboo and special polymer materials, and collects water drop by drop. The installation can be assembled and installed by 4 people in a couple of hours. The design is able to collect up to 100 liters of water per day without effort. From the Ethiopian language “warka” means a wild fig tree that grows in the country and is a symbol of fertility and generosity. In 2015, they plan to install similar water collection towers in several villages across the country. Surprisingly, a simple, cheap and elegant design can solve a serious problem.

9. Energy tower

At the heart of the "Energy Tower" is the principle opposite to the operation of an aerothermal power plant of cyclone action. Instead of warming the air near the surface of the earth and lifting it up, the air at the top cools and sinks down. To achieve this result, scientists spray water, creating the effect of rain. The air is cooled by the evaporation of water. Since cold air is heavier than warm air, it quickly sinks down, starting turbines at the base of the tower, which produce electricity.

Strategically, such a tower should be up to 1,000 m in height, which is 3 times higher than the Empire State Building and 20% higher than the tallest structures in the world. But it is relatively cheap, despite its size, and will work effectively in hot climates near a water source. In addition to generating electricity, the tower will be able to save 50% on the cost of desalination from the sewerage system of cities that are located near the tower. Up to 160,000 tons of fish can be bred in the seawater pools that are located next to the tower, and the cold and humid air can partially affect the climate of the region, which will become favorable for development. Agriculture. However, over time, salts and other sedimentary substances will impede the operation of turbines.

The energy costs of traditional home refrigerators, even the most economical models, are up to 8% of the electricity bill. From the very idea of the refrigerator in 1748 and the appearance of the first prototypes in the 1920s, its technology has not changed much in recent times. Outwardly, they are radically different, but still work on chemicals that are harmful to health.

However, in 2010, at the Electrolux Desin Lab competition, Russian engineer Yuri Dmitriev presented the idea of a refrigerator of the future. Instead of the usual case, the products are stored in a special biopolymer gel that absorbs heat from the products and generates light. There is no motor in the refrigerator, 90% of the volume is completely used for food storage. The refrigerator is available in a variety of shapes and sizes as there are no doors or shelves. It will be possible to place the refrigerator even on the ceiling if desired. So far, the idea has not been realized, since there are no technologies yet that can make such a refrigerator work, but it shows what refrigerators can become in 2050.

More than 50 million landmines remained in the ground in countries such as Angola, Cambodia, Afghanistan, Iraq and Mozambique, the epicenters of military conflicts. People are still losing arms and legs due to hidden danger. It would take up to $1,200 to clear one mine, and since there are about 20 million in Angola, it would take $24 billion to clear mines.

Massoud Hassani, an Afghan engineer and former refugee, has built a low-budget device. The weight of the structure is 70 kg. It is a device heavy enough to activate a land mine, yet light enough to be moved by the wind. Outwardly, the design, made of bamboo and biodegradable plastic, resembles a dandelion, but moves like a tumbleweed. In one trip, the device can neutralize 3-4 mines, until it completely self-destructs. The construction cost is $40.

The design of Mine Kafon is equipped with built-in GPS, which allows you to locate the device and its route, which is necessary to create a map of mine-free territories. However, the project is under development and has some drawbacks, including, for example: the impossibility of neutralizing every mine encountered on the way; the surface should be relatively flat - without depressions, hills and vegetation. Hassani is aware of these shortcomings and says that future generations of the device will be equipped with an electric motor and a metal detector so as not to miss a single mine.

Airgel is a solid material made from silica gel by removing all of the liquid, but the molecular structure itself remains intact. It is made up of 99.98% air, which makes it extremely light but fragile. The material is able to support up to 4,000 times its own weight, but can easily break if slightly bent.

Today, it is used in space engineering and research, to collect cometary dust, and as an insulating material. Scientists are trying to achieve greater strength from airgel and resistance to different types external influence to expand it practical use. Airgel, also called "frozen smoke", can help save on heating costs. Since the material is almost entirely composed of air, and this is the best insulator, it will help to save heat indoors.

It takes a lot of time to cook good food, and traditional food is high in fat and empty calories and not very healthy. A group of American enthusiasts tackled the problem of replacing solid foods with a mixture of minerals and nutrients needed by the body. The resulting product, with a science fiction name, Soylent, is the equivalent of healthy eating. Hundreds of people in the course of the experiment lived for several months using it, and felt better than usual. The product is very cheap to prepare, easy to store and especially suitable for busy people. In 2014, a serving of the drink cost $3. Such a product can solve the problem of hunger in the world.

Scientists are now working to endow plants with jellyfish and firefly genes that will give them the ability to glow in the dark. The goal of the experiment, despite its strangeness and romance, is to replace street lights in cities and thereby save energy resources. Researchers State University New Yorkers are trying to fuse the genes of bioluminescent bacteria and plants so that the cells of the latter can accumulate sunlight. The experiment was successful, and the scientists got a home plant that glows in the dark. By this principle, you can grow trees that will illuminate the streets instead of lanterns.

3. Wave reactor

Nuclear energy is the most effective solution to mankind's energy problem and the problem of the greenhouse effect. Despite the catastrophes (Chernobyl 1986 and Fukushima 2011), it is the safest and most environmentally friendly technology. But as long as this technology uses fossil resources, namely uranium-235, then there is a problem with their depletion.

Depleted uranium-238 is a by-product of nuclear fission and is considered a waste that is accumulated or used in the military industry. TerraPower has developed a new kind nuclear reactor, which runs on depleted uranium, which is 99% of all waste from conventional reactors. There are 825,000 tons of this fuel in the US today. This amount is enough to provide electricity to America for 700 years. Despite some open questions related to the operation of the wave reactor and its development, Bill Gates has already become interested in the project.

A solar cooker is a cheap and ecological device that can concentrate the sun's rays using a mirror or metal surface. Compared to conventional stoves, cooking time on solar cookers is only 10-15% longer, but without fuel consumption. In developing countries, where people do not have the opportunity to get the full comfort of civilization, such stoves are simply priceless. They remove the problem of providing wood, especially in areas with poor forest resources, especially in deserts. The weight of the solar cooker is very small, even a child can lift it.

The main problem with new energy sources, such as wind turbines and solar panels, is that they require a large area to install. In addition, such installations spoil the landscapes. A couple of wind turbines in a field against the backdrop of snow-capped peaks look pretty, but hundreds and thousands of turbines together is not a very pleasant sight. The way out can be installations floating on the surface of the water away from the coast. In 2014, at the Land Art Generation Initiative (LAGI) competition, artist Felix Chong presented vibrating platforms that are placed on the surface of the sea and collect wind energy using special sails. In addition, they are able to accumulate the energy of ebbs and flows with the help of the underwater part of the structure.

Caring for the world

Energy-saving lamps are an excellent replacement for halogen and incandescent lamps. Is it worth it to save energy? Light bulbs with warm and cold light are produced.

Windows without curtains and natural light in the bathroom

Sunlight is a powerful source of light and heat energy during the daytime. Even in winter, the sun heats the room, replacing the energy used for heating.

Don't waste water watering your garden

The best time for watering is during cool morning and evening hours. During the day, the water quickly evaporates under the rays of the sun.

Use old tea and coffee cans

You can grow flowers in these vintage jars. Firstly, this is savings, and secondly, an interesting design that differs from traditional planters and pots.

Shower cabin instead of bath

Washing under the shower, you save up to 50% of water. Whereas a filled bath is a clear abuse of water resources. However, we must pay tribute to people who like to "boil" in the bath.

Reusing cans and glass jars

They can be used in the bathroom, in the kitchen for spices, and even in the study or workshop for sundries.

bamboo floor

Perhaps the most environmentally friendly of the existing natural flooring. In addition, rare species of wood will be compared with it in beauty. It's too much to talk about exotic.

"Healthy" paint

Even if there is wallpaper on the walls in the interior, you still have to paint: these are both doors and various surfaces etc. Natural ecological paints, unlike conventional paints, do not contain solvents, salts of heavy metals and volatile organic compounds.

Temperature control in the house

In the summer, attach blinds on the sunny side of the windows to avoid overheating, and use an air conditioner or fan to cool down.

Do not load the refrigerator with food

In this household appliance, it is also important to maintain a temperature balance. It will break if compacted with products.

Unplug unused household appliances from the outlet

Experts even advise turning off the router at night. And this is not only about saving energy, but also about your health. Obviously, there are electromagnetic waves, as with a working phone.

No leaks in the bathroom and kitchen

And it’s not worth saying that a dripping faucet loses up to 10 liters of water per day. Pipes and other communications are also involved in saving water resources.

Environmentally friendly detergents

By replacing ordinary household chemicals with ecological and organic products, you are already saving your health and the environment.

Don't waste precious paper

Replace paper bills with Communal expenses electronic. Paper is worth its weight in gold, and besides, you should not litter the house.

Do not smoke in the rooms

Cigarette smoke eats into walls, things and is harmful to health. By stopping smoking in the house, you will keep the air clean. Think about the cost of airing and then heating your home.

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