Today we started off by attending a wind energy lecture. We learned about drag turbines and lift turbines equations and concepts in a class room setting. The professor also brought up the fact that nonrenewable energy can contribute to war as places with stored fossil fuels have been getting bombed. I thought this concept was really cool, so I might look more into it. Later on in the day we also got to visit windmills which let us apply what we learned.

After our lecture we had a sustainability tour of the University of Twente. As we walked around we learned how the campus incorporates efficient energy production and usage, green space, and water treatment. For example, they had solar panels commonly placed around which is similar to Pitt. Other examples were they don’t commonly mow grass and if they do, they use a wider mower that uses less energy. Their campus had a lot of green space by having many wildflowers and trees growing in the area. They also had a space which allowed students to grow their own fruits and vegetables. Lastly, they had a retention pond which manages stormwater runoff, and a water filtering system which provides drinking water to the students. All of these factors allow for a carbon neutral footprint from Twente.

At the end of our day we visited an old historical town. This town was built in the 1300s, yet its historical look was preserved. This is because the mayor ordered that the town keep its historical value. I found this interesting because in Pittsburgh our architecture differs from modern to gothic to victorian. Although, I like seeing the different styles, I found it fascinating how the Netherlands made sure to maintain the towns culture.