by Antonio Sweet '14

Back at the Ranch…

Passport?  Check.  Notebook?  Check.  Bug spray?  Check.  A backup notebook and extra pens? Check. Before beginning the course, I anticipated that I would gain a lot – information that would reinforce my academic studies, inspiration for class projects in the coming year, and expand my perspective on energy issues beyond my American prism.  While all of these came quickly, they did not scratch the surface on how deeply this program changed me.  Around this time of year as students are attending internship info sessions, I typically sort through the listings by location.  For three summers in a row, my internships have been close to home largely because they offered great experiences and because I couldn’t see myself working anywhere else.  However, this course in Brazil helped me see that breaking out of my bubble, while very risky, can be incredibly freeing and can open doors to incredible opportunities that were not imaginable before.  Visiting sophisticated research facilities, complicated manufacturing plants, and influential government agencies made me realize that my return to Brazil in any capacity was more of a possibility than I expected.  The representatives that we met with – academic, professional, and otherwise – were uniformly hospitable and welcoming, but most importantly, they were encouraging.  Now, I can see myself making the same moves that former students have made by preparing myself to make that leap of faith.  I plan on taking a Portuguese class to reduce the language barrier and I will actively work with the DRCLAS office in Brazil this semester to make this former fantasy a reality.  I cannot thank the DRCLAS and the Brazil office staff enough for making this one of the best experiences of my life and for guiding me through what promises to be a very challenging journey.

by Arthur Sentomo Gama Santos, 3rd Year

After having two weeks of hard work and going to Lectures and amazing site visits through the states of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro I began to link all of the pieces together. I realized that both countries are facing major problems. Brazil relies on the wet season to fill in the reservoirs and US depends a lot on fossil fuels. Even though there are some problems we saw the solution too. The lectures provided us vast knowledge on many the ways to produce green energy and understand the challenges that the engineers will have to face in the coming years to change the current scenario.

During the course we also had the opportunity to make friends that we will have for the rest of our lives.

José Marcos Bressane, EPE

By Natalia Margarido (Poli-UPS) and Kim Smet (SEAS)

 

Visits to EPE and ONS

After ten days of intense lectures and site visits all the pieces of Brazil’s energy system finally fell into place with meetings at EPE and ONS in Rio de Janeiro. The earlier portion of the course focused on the different power generation sources, providing detailed technical information such as turbine types, capacity factors and efficiency. Today, these individual pieces were constructed into the bigger picture, looking at overall system operation and future planning.
 

At EPE, we had the opportunity to hear about the energy plans for Brazil in the coming decades and were introduced to some of the research that is conducted there. In particular, the future plans to increase wind power generation were an interesting case of complementarity: wind is strongest in the dry season making it a perfect addition to the current hydropower-reliant energy matrix. 

ONS constitutes the day-to-day decision-making agency responsible for running the integrated power system. From a NASA-like control room, engineers use the output of hydrologic and optimization models to provide specific instructions regarding which power sources should be producing energy on any given day and at what capacity. The ongoing energy shortage in Brazil added additional gravity to our visit, raising questions about the future reliability of the system.

Despite only spending 22 hours in Rio de Janeiro, we managed to squeeze in a quick walk on the beach and had some great sightseeing from the bus. So while this certainly was not a long enough visit, we got a brief glimpse of life in this vibrant city.  

Kim is a Ph.D. candidate in Environmental Engineering, Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

 




Natália is a 6th-year undergraduate student in Environmental Engineering, Poli-USP - Escola Politécnica da Universidade de São Paulo

By Ligia Monteiro

The site visit to Operador Nacional do Sistema (ONS) was in my opinion one of the best experiences in the field course. ONS is a national organization that decides every day how much energy will be generated by each hydropower and thermopower plants. This decision is based on the results of an optimization model that aims to minimize the energy generation costs and, consequently, maximize the hydropower dispatch as reliable as possible.

So far, I think that this visit was the most remarkable. I've been working in an undergraduate research position since 2011 within a project that aims to develop a new programming model to optimize the hydropower dispatch. I've studied a lot about the ONS and how the decisions are made. Therefore, the opportunity to finally be there, visit the operation center and ask questions was really important to me. Now I feel that my research, expected to finish next February, is almost complete!

Lugia is a 4th-year undergraduate student in Environmental Engineering at Poli-USP - Escola Politécnica da Universidade de São Paulo.

By Jason Smith ‘15

This course has truly been an incredible experience on so many levels. As my first time out of the country, coming to Brazil has taught me so much, not only about Brazil, but about the United States as well. Every presentation we have seen, and every site visit has been directly applicable to environmental and renewable energy technology, and I have been soaking it up as much as possible. Perhaps even more important has been the opportunity to build lasting relationships with so many new people. Surrounded by some of the best faculty in the world, I have been able to have fascinating conversations with professors on everything from hydrogen electrolysis to climate change from agriculture. The network of students I have met has brought me much closer to some of the ones I already knew from Harvard, and created a new group of friends from Brazil that are not only valuable as educational connections, but as meaningful relationships as well.

By Luciana Mascarenhas

After a marvelous and rainy time in Paraty, a great visit to Angra nuclear power plants and a brief day in Rio, we’re coming back to São Paulo. I can’t believe that in just three days I’ll have to say goodbye to these wonderful people and return to my reality.

The course has been great in many ways. I’ve learned a lot about energy generation, and now I have more property to say that Brazil is heading towards more wind and nuclear power, more big hydroelectric dams, and, as soon as solar energy becomes more competitive, I’m sure it will become another of our country’s energy source. We’ve had visits that one only can dream about, like Angra I, II and III, boat ride in Billings reservoir, tram ride along Henry Borden’s pipes, the National Operator System (ONS) and the Energetic Research Company (EPE).

But what’s making this course unforgettable are the people. We’re having the opportunity to create bonds and straighten the ones that already existed. We’re showing Harvard students the Brazil we know, and some can’t wait to come back. We have fun every night, and every free minute we spend talking and getting to know each other.

I hope these friendships don’t end here, and that we can collaborate with our universities. I’m gonna miss everyone! Vou sentir saudades!

Luciana Mascarenhas is a 5th-year undergraduate in Environmental Engineering at Poli-USP.

Site Visit: Eletrobrás Eletronuclear (Angra 2, Angra 3, and Nuclear Waste Control Center)

Eletrobrás Eletronuclear was established in 1997 in order to build and operate nuclear power plants in Brazil. A subsidiary of Eletrobrás, it is a mixed-capital company and is responsible for the generation of approximately 3% of the electricity consumed in Brazil.

Comments from the students about the visit: 

"Angra is probably one of the most beautiful places you could build a nuclear power plant. Good thing it doesn’t have greenhouse gas emissions." -- Stephen Lee '13, Harvard College

Eletronuclear uses the biggest turbine in the southern hemisphere to not only generate a large portion of Brazil’s electricity, but also to invest in developing the surrounding community socioeconomically.

"I can’t believe I actually went to a nuclear power plant! Brazil has the technology and big uranium reserves; we need to increase the amount of nuclear energy generated in our country." -- Luciana C. Mascarenhas, 5th-year, Poli-USP  

"It was interesting to understand better how a nuclear power plant works and how important and complex is the job of the people who work there." -- Natália Takahashi Margarido, 6th-year, Poli-USP

"We could see the construction of Angra 3 and its construction site from a far view point. I couldn’t stop wondering about the technologies involving the cast and quality of the concrete used in that place." -- Guilherme A. Nogueira Cesar, 5th-year undergraduate student in Architecture, Poli-USP

Gabriel Azevedo

Professor Steven Wofsy

By Giovanni Rincon ’13

It’s not only about energy.

This has been my second time in Brazil and it has been a rediscovery of what I thought I knew. For me, the course has been a real learning experience and essential to understand the context of energy. For example, one of the most important ideas discussed was the one about the proportionate relation between energy and society welfare. For example, Gabriel Azevedo from Odebrecht, explained the agency of hydropower infrastructure as a key driver for regional development. However, in addition to the energy production challenge, Prof. Wofsy explained how high CO2 emissions are inherently related to energy consumption and to industrialized nations and more recently to growing economies. This means that the challenge is not only about production but is also about how we define the basics of human habitat: how this habitat should look? and how population consumes it and wastes it?

In the end, it is true that we always find energy in agglomerations of any size. Energy is a requirement to habitat in winter in order to survive. Consequently, the strategies aimed to design those habitats will have a direct impact in energy production and consumption. This is why I think design professionals should look seriously into those of contextual energy interaction. For example urban infrastructure to transform waste to energy, hydropower plants engaged with regional development, zoning regulations aimed to environmental performance not only could transform habitat but also the way energy is consumed and wasted.

Giovanni is in the Master's program in Architecture in Urban Design

Gaberiel Azevedo, Odebrect Energia, offers an overview of hydropower development in Brazil.



By Kirsten Van Fossen '12 

Although I’ve been in São Paulo for 4 months now, my participation in the Poli-SEAS course has enabled me to experience a lot of Brazil firsts, especially yesterday, at the EMAE visit. We started out the day with a boat ride across a eutrophied water reservoir (Billings) and were able to get a view of the bordering informal settlement (favela). Later in the afternoon, I was able to go on my first Brazilian rollercoaster – the service trolley that parallels the 8 pipes that drop 700 meters to produce up to 960 MW of energy at the Henry Borden hydropower plant. Although the trolley didn’t quite get up to typical rollercoaster velocity, the 17 minute-long descent at times left us at a 43° angle and consequently, our stomachs turning. At the end of the day, we sat down to a meal with a few traditional Brazilian dishes, including a delicious maracujá mousse for dessert. I’ve often been encouraged to try this maracujá, but my love for chocolate has led me other directions. 

Kirsten graduated from Harvard in May 2012 with an SB in Engineering Sciences (Environmental) and is currently researching water engineering topics at the Escola Politécnica da Universidade de São Paulo.

 Play the video to experience the ride!

Site Visit: Voith Hydro. Voith Hydro is a joint venture between Voith and Siemens created to provide turbines and generators for hydropower. It is responsible for generating more than 50% of hydropower consumed in Brazil. Voith provides full-line service in the field of hydropower. Its range of solutions includes large hydropower plants, pumped storage power plants, small hydropower plants, automation systems and innovative technology for utilizing the energy of the oceans, the modernization of power plants, as well as full life cycle service.

Impressions about the Voith site visit from group participants:

Bethany Kanten (Harvard SEAS): The amount of precision in the design of each project was amazing to hear about, and how each project is made specifically for the customer.

Jason Smith (Harvard SEAS):  The size and scale of each of the projects make seemingly simple operations true feats of engineering.

Jessica Wu (Harvard SEAS):  Giant lathes!  Contour mills!  Now I have a few more items to put on my Christmas list for next year.

Junling Huang (Harvard SEAS): The practice of engineering design is pretty amazing. Those super large-scale hydro turbines are breathtaking.

Kirsten Van Fossen (Harvard SEAS):  At an international company like Voith, there is so much more that goes into every project than you would imagine.  I would have never thought about transporting the finished products, but in their business, this is a major task.

Ligia Monteiro da Silva (Poli-USP): After doing an undergraduate research about hydropower production, it was really interesting to finally see how the equipment used in the plants is made.

Luciana Mascarenhas (Poli-USP): It was amazing to see the Jirau powerplant model at FCTH and its turbines being built at Voith!

Raphael Rodrigues (Poli-USP): It was interesting seeing the place where the energy that comes to our homes start. After all, it all starts with the design and project of those parts.

Stephen Lee (Harvard SEAS):  After the hydro power lecture and turbine visit, it was good to see how they are fabricated.

Bethany Kanten (Harvard SEAS): The amount of precision in the design of each project was amazing to hear about, and how each project is made specifically for the customer.

By Elena Fumagalli Romario '14

13 Harvard students and 15 Poli-USP students spending two weeks together discussing, sharing and learning from each other and from expert professors about the future challenges of energy production: for sure a lifetime experience. Add to this, great site visits and social activities: the result is this great collaborative course we’re having the chance to participate in.

 It has been a great week so far, very intense, but also very inspiring. Many lectures, questions, answers, discussions, site visits and laughs. The site visits are for sure making a difference in my engineering path; after years of seeing drawings of turbines, dams and solar panels, I finally fully understanding their layout, how they function and how they are connected to the rest of the plant. Moreover, the group projects we have just started are a great opportunity for all of us to share knowledge, research and learn more about the advantages and disadvantages of different energy solutions that have been adopted in Brazil and in the USA.

The group of students is great, really diverse, different countries and different studying backgrounds, but we all like studying as much as going out and having fun. This is making group bonding really easy and quick. Yes, we’re learning and having a great time. And this is just the beginning…

Elena is in her fourth year of the five-year undergraduate Environmental Engineering program at Poli-USP.

By Jessica Wu ’14

A Dam Good Visit

On our first visit to POLI-USP, Professor Monica Porto led us on a tour of the hydrological labs in her department and showed us their latest projects.  We were soon led into a massive tarp covered structure with a metal roof; I thought I was being transported back in time. 

The humid air, the beating sun, the tarp, and the metal clad roof were all familiar to me; I have been here before.  This is my first adventure in South America, my first visit to Sao Paulo, Brazil, but this is my second year participating in the POLI-USP & SEAS collaborative J-term course.  

Last year’s course brought us to the Mississippi River delta, to Vicksburg, Louisiana for several hearty meals of catfish and visits to the United States Corps of Engineers Engineering Research and Development Center (ERDC).  Ducking under the low hanging side panels at USP, I simultaneously experienced both déjà vu and nostalgia.  In front of us was a hydrological model of the dam that’s currently under construction at Jirau, which, at first glance, looked like a direct replica of the model of a segment of the Mississippi where a bridge traverses the river that resides at ERDC.

After some examination, it seems that the expansive models in both locations were constructed, first, by drawing a 100:1 topographic map.  Then, thin sheets of steel are vertically planted into the concrete foundation to form contour lines.  Lastly, each elevation is filled with concrete and leveled.  I stood with John – who is a fellow returning participant – to discuss whether the model had a fish ladder [pictured].  {Unofficial} Answer: negative.  Oh, the poor Brazilian catfish…

As we stood under the boiling tent, I remembered the event that the Brazilian students anticipated most last year: cold snow and lots of it; but last year was an abnormally calm winter in the northeast – a sign of global warming?  There was not a single dusting of snow for the first 3 weeks of the course.  Then, miraculously, snow began falling on the last night of the course, as we approached midnight and our last day together.  Everyone was excited and bundled up to go outside to experience their first taste of snowfall. 

I am certain my nostalgia will fade as we make new visits and continue on our journey as a unit.  My time in Brazil has already proven to be amazing due to the special site visits and, especially, the people.  We are en route to Paraty and I’m already looking forward to jumping into the Atlantic Ocean for the first time, and adding more ‘memories to last a lifetime.

Jessica is an undergraduate at Harvard in the S.B. in Mechanical and Materials Engineering program.

Maurício Salles, Assistant Professor, Department of Electric Energy and Automation Engineering, Escola Politécnica da Universidade de São Paulo provides an overview of wind power generation and explains recent innovations in the field.  

 

Professors Monica F. A. Porto, Full Professor and Chair, Department of Hydraulic and Sanitary Engineering, Escola Politécnica da Universidade de São Paulo (left), José Rodolfo Scarati Martins, Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Escola Politécnica da Universidade de São Paulo (center) and Chad Vecitis, Assistant Professor of Environmental Science and Engineering, Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) (right), discuss the principles of hydropower generation.

By Junling Huang

This field trip, consisting of lectures and site visits in Brazil, offered us lots of valuable opportunities to explore the energy system in real world. The well prepared lectures provided the very essential background for understanding energy technologies. For instance, the second day’s lecture covered the many aspects of hydropower including its history, current technologies as well as its cost, and there was also a lively exchange of ideas between professor and students, as shown by the picture above. The followed-up site visits gave us a very explicit illustration on how scientific theory and engineering design could be put into practice, and the real projects never cease to amaze us. On the third day, we visited a hydropower plant located at on the south side of Sao Paulo. The 700 m height of the dam, the associated large scale artificial lake, and the entire system’s contribution to Sao Paulo’s economic growth impressed everyone, and convinced us the powerfulness and importance of engineering. 

Junling Huang is a Ph.D. Candidate in Environmental & Energy Sciences at Harvard

By John Azubuike '13

It was great to hear from Professor Mierzwa about his work. He is developing new water filtration technologies. While at the surface it seems to be a distant topic from energy, it didn’t take long for him to explain the tie-in. The product that he was developing and optimizing would make for a faster, more energy efficient, and less chemical dependent water treatment system. Projects like his strike me as especially important for developing countries, which often lack the funds and access to chemicals that modern water treatment techniques require. I couldn’t help but think of the applicability of such a project to my home country of Nigeria. As both a bioengineering student and a person born in a developing country, I view technologies that efficiently increase access to clean water as being key to reducing health risks and increasing productivity in the developing world. Hopefully Professor Mierzwa’s work will one day come to benefit both his country and my own. 

John Azubuike '13 is an Engineering Sciences concentrator at Harvard College

Basic Cycle Engineer Building (Ciclo Basico) also known as “Cirquinho” (Little Circle)

By Fernando Augosto Coelho ’14

Definitely, the tour of Poli-USP was a great day. After breakfast in the hotel, we went straight to University of Sao Paulo, where Harvard’s students could learn about Escola Politecnica and the Engineering curriculum. We made a tour through Poli’s buildings guided by the host students. After the tour we had a delicious lunch where we had the most typical Brazilian food, rice and beans. During the lunch it was possible to exchange experiences about how each University works, and the importance of this course for our academic and professional  life. The discussions helped us show how we can transfer this knowledge to other people. In the afternoon, we had the great  pleasure and opportunity to enjoy the lecture of Jose Goldemberg, who has already been the president of USP and is one of the most respected experts on Energy. In this lecture he presented a real overview of the world situation and projections for the future. He talked about the potential of the new renewable energy sources.

Fernando is a 4^th year undergraduate student in Environmental Engineering at Poli-USP

 

By Luciana Mascarenhas’13 and Fernando Beck’15

An awesome part of the trip has been cultural outings. As hosts, our job is to show the city around to Harvard students, make sure they understand our reality, and, of course, have fun.

We have been to different restaurants, where they get to know better our food and culture. We showed them USP’s main campus and Sao Paulo downtown, where we had the chance to go up Martinelli building (in the picture) and had a nice view from the city. Last night we went to Vila Madalena, and everybody had a good time learning how to dance, or at least trying.

Everybody’s very interested in knowing more about Brazil and the way we live, and we more than glad to explain to them! Some people are even learning some phrases in Portuguese!!

Fernando is a 2nd-year undergraduate student in Electrical Engineering, Poli-USP - Escola Politécnica da Universidade de São Paulo.

Luciana is a 5th-year undergraduate student in Environmental Engineering Poli-USP - Escola Politécnica da Universidade de São Paulo.

The collaborative field course in Brazil begins with a walking tour of Poli-USP and a welcome message from Professor José Roberto Cardoso, Poli-USP Dean.