Today was an extremely interesting day for me. So far this trip seemed to be catered to the business students, but our company visit today was not the same. PECC2 is one of Vietnam’s largest energy consulting company. PECC2 has been converting old power plants into new and efficient to reach new regulations. They also work on making hydroelectric power more sustainable and power effective, as well as designing new wind turbines for off-shore farms. PECC2 is trying to get more and more homes as well as small businesses to turn away from traditional coal power plants and fossil fuels. This directly connects with the goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 15% before 2030.
The advancements in clean energy are going to help cities like Hanoi move away from older forms of energy like coal or fossil fuel. Currently Hanoi’s air pollution is extremely poor. Smog and pollution make it difficult to see and breathe. But PECC2 will help them adapt the power plants to create cleaner and more efficient power for everyone. Originally I personally didn’t care too much for sustainability. But seeing Ho Chi Minh City and learning about how Vietnam is affected by climate change, I understand that sustainability is the only way for the next generations to live. Learning in Vietnam is changing my understand of sustainability, and it’s motives.
During my first semester in the Swanson School of Engineering, one of our classes was focused a lot of sustainability. I was very uninterested and didn’t think learning about it would really matter. But now seeing how companies are actually utilizing it, I understand it more and want to learn more. Sustainability is a key player in future societies. If climate change continues to make places like south east Asia hotter, sea levels will rise, the towns will flood, and people will lose their jobs. This will lead to many countries having to change major import and exports, prices will rise, and food will become more scarce. PECC2 is determined to prevent this from happening, while hopefully boosting the economy in Vietnam and making more people love their incredible country.