Day 12 (Friday )
Today was our final breakfast together and our final goodbyes,for some. I am lucky enough to get to continue my Brazilian adventure for another week. I am meeting my boyfriend in Rio de Janeiro today and we will be there until next Friday. I am thankful for my first half of the trip with the study abroad program but I am so excited to get to Rio and see Ryan. Hopefully I will be able to use a little of what I have learned so far on the trip while we are in Rio!
Let's hope the second half of this adventure is just as exciting as the first!
Tcau!
Jessica
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
Monday, August 25, 2014
Day 11
Day 11 ( Thursday )
Today was a very busy day. First we visited an innovative cow farm that produces biofuel from the waste products produced on the farm to power the facility. By cultivating the methane produced from cow waste the facility was capable of reducing their energy costs by half. The facility also composted the remaining waste and sold it to smaller farms as fertilizer for their fields. It was interesting to see how a large scale cattle farm is run. This farm is a model example of how large scale farming production can be done efficiently, resourcefully and more eco-friendly.
After the cattle farm we went to Itaipu Dam for a tour of the facility. This modern wonder of the world was amazing to see. The size alone of the spam is such an immense engineering accomplishment. The process from start to finish of design and construction, along with the maintenance required to keep the facility functioning properly and efficiently was so interesting to see. Itaipu is the largest hydro electric energy producer in the world and second largest in size only after three gorges dam in China. Another amazing aspect of this facility is the complete cooperation that is required and maintained by the two countries that own it, Paraguay and Brazil. I was extremely impressed by their system to make everything fair and even in the production and function of the dam. It made me wonder if the U.S. would ever be able to work so seamlessly along side another country as these two do, and unfortunately I don't think it would.
After the tour of Itaipu we went back to the hotel to freshen up, since we all smelled like we visited a cattle farm, and then went out for our fair well dinner. The bus drivers taught us some Portuguese words like abacashi which is pineapple. It was fun to try and communicate with the little English they know and what little Portuguese and Spanish I know. Over all today was another great day to add to the books.
I have learned a lot on this trip, not only about engineering and renewable energy practices in another country, but about a beautiful new culture and about myself. This is my first time abroad and my first time traveling with a group of unfamiliar faces. I've made new friends and will go home with so many amazing memories that I will always be thankful for.
Tcau!
Jessica
Today was a very busy day. First we visited an innovative cow farm that produces biofuel from the waste products produced on the farm to power the facility. By cultivating the methane produced from cow waste the facility was capable of reducing their energy costs by half. The facility also composted the remaining waste and sold it to smaller farms as fertilizer for their fields. It was interesting to see how a large scale cattle farm is run. This farm is a model example of how large scale farming production can be done efficiently, resourcefully and more eco-friendly.
After the cattle farm we went to Itaipu Dam for a tour of the facility. This modern wonder of the world was amazing to see. The size alone of the spam is such an immense engineering accomplishment. The process from start to finish of design and construction, along with the maintenance required to keep the facility functioning properly and efficiently was so interesting to see. Itaipu is the largest hydro electric energy producer in the world and second largest in size only after three gorges dam in China. Another amazing aspect of this facility is the complete cooperation that is required and maintained by the two countries that own it, Paraguay and Brazil. I was extremely impressed by their system to make everything fair and even in the production and function of the dam. It made me wonder if the U.S. would ever be able to work so seamlessly along side another country as these two do, and unfortunately I don't think it would.
After the tour of Itaipu we went back to the hotel to freshen up, since we all smelled like we visited a cattle farm, and then went out for our fair well dinner. The bus drivers taught us some Portuguese words like abacashi which is pineapple. It was fun to try and communicate with the little English they know and what little Portuguese and Spanish I know. Over all today was another great day to add to the books.
I have learned a lot on this trip, not only about engineering and renewable energy practices in another country, but about a beautiful new culture and about myself. This is my first time abroad and my first time traveling with a group of unfamiliar faces. I've made new friends and will go home with so many amazing memories that I will always be thankful for.
Tcau!
Jessica
Day 10
Day 10 (Wednesday )
Today was such an amazing day. We started our day at the bird park. The tropical birds are so brightly colored and beautiful it was amazing to see them so close up. After lunch at the bird park we went to Foz Do Iguacçu. The falls are absolutely breath taking. A small group of us took a boat ride into the falls which was amazing and terrifying at the same time. The final event of the day was to go to the look out where you could see Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil all at the same time. Today made the entire trio worth it. Everything here is so beautiful and I'm very thankful to have had the opportunity to see everything first hand.
Until tomorrow,
Jessica
Today was such an amazing day. We started our day at the bird park. The tropical birds are so brightly colored and beautiful it was amazing to see them so close up. After lunch at the bird park we went to Foz Do Iguacçu. The falls are absolutely breath taking. A small group of us took a boat ride into the falls which was amazing and terrifying at the same time. The final event of the day was to go to the look out where you could see Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil all at the same time. Today made the entire trio worth it. Everything here is so beautiful and I'm very thankful to have had the opportunity to see everything first hand.
Until tomorrow,
Jessica
Day 9
Day 9 (Tuesday)
Today was our visit to the sugarcane ethanol plant. The company was founded in India in 1998 and is the fifth largest sugar cane producer in the world. It's main products are sugar, ethanol and power. The plants crushing capacity of sugarcane is 450 tons per day and is capable of producing 18 mw of power. Currently, the plant is not selling power back to the grid, but the plant runs solely off of the energy it creates which makes it a net zero energy facility. The company has also pledged a list of environmental commitments that include reducing gas emissions, improve solid waste management and preserve natural heritage reserves. It was interesting to see the process step by step, first hand, of how the facility manufactures raw sugar. From the harvesting to the crushing to the extraction process to the baggage system.
Until tomorrow,
Jessica
Today was our visit to the sugarcane ethanol plant. The company was founded in India in 1998 and is the fifth largest sugar cane producer in the world. It's main products are sugar, ethanol and power. The plants crushing capacity of sugarcane is 450 tons per day and is capable of producing 18 mw of power. Currently, the plant is not selling power back to the grid, but the plant runs solely off of the energy it creates which makes it a net zero energy facility. The company has also pledged a list of environmental commitments that include reducing gas emissions, improve solid waste management and preserve natural heritage reserves. It was interesting to see the process step by step, first hand, of how the facility manufactures raw sugar. From the harvesting to the crushing to the extraction process to the baggage system.
Until tomorrow,
Jessica
Day 8
Day eight (Monday)
Today we visited the university of Paraná. We were able to meet with two different research groups at the university. The first group was the hydraulic research group. This group started its important studies six years ago in response to the lack of available energy to the region. Buy damning the Paraná river 5 separate hydraulic power plants are capable of providing the area with the energy they were looking for. Itaipu dam which is capable of producing 14 Jw of power, is one closely studied by the group. Their scaled down model of the dam helps them predict the velocity of the water through the dam along with the water levels. Readings are taken in the field and replicated in the model to study their effects. I thought it was interesting that this group didn't analyze any environmental impacts of the dam, but a completely different research group took on those tasks. We also got to see the beginning stages of a spill way design for a smaller dam. Issues with this design have prevented the group from completing it but it was interesting to see the work in progress.
The second group that we had the opportunity to meet with was the ethanol research group led by Dr. Jose Vargas. This group is studying the prospect of producing biodiesel from microalgea production. In the bio tech lab and cultivation room we saw the process of how they are producing biomass using only natural CO2 levels from the air. This process is more sustainable since excess co2 isn't needed. By testing different bacteria and species and studying how to control the growth of these species they are hoping to a be able to find the perfect material to produce the microalgea needed to make biodiesel at optimal levels. The process is slow and meticulous since they need to start small and slowly scale he production up. The existing biodiesel sources require vast amounts ( 846 times the existing cropping area for corn) of land in order to only produce 50% of the fuel needed for transportation in the US. With 30% oil in biomass using microalgea only 2.5 times the existing cropping area is needed.These figures were calculated using raceway ponds not implementing the latest technology (photo bio reactors)that could improve the numbers drastically (13 times more productive).
I was extremely impressed with both groups today and can't wait to see the progress they make in coming years.
Until tomorrow,
Jessica
Today we visited the university of Paraná. We were able to meet with two different research groups at the university. The first group was the hydraulic research group. This group started its important studies six years ago in response to the lack of available energy to the region. Buy damning the Paraná river 5 separate hydraulic power plants are capable of providing the area with the energy they were looking for. Itaipu dam which is capable of producing 14 Jw of power, is one closely studied by the group. Their scaled down model of the dam helps them predict the velocity of the water through the dam along with the water levels. Readings are taken in the field and replicated in the model to study their effects. I thought it was interesting that this group didn't analyze any environmental impacts of the dam, but a completely different research group took on those tasks. We also got to see the beginning stages of a spill way design for a smaller dam. Issues with this design have prevented the group from completing it but it was interesting to see the work in progress.
The second group that we had the opportunity to meet with was the ethanol research group led by Dr. Jose Vargas. This group is studying the prospect of producing biodiesel from microalgea production. In the bio tech lab and cultivation room we saw the process of how they are producing biomass using only natural CO2 levels from the air. This process is more sustainable since excess co2 isn't needed. By testing different bacteria and species and studying how to control the growth of these species they are hoping to a be able to find the perfect material to produce the microalgea needed to make biodiesel at optimal levels. The process is slow and meticulous since they need to start small and slowly scale he production up. The existing biodiesel sources require vast amounts ( 846 times the existing cropping area for corn) of land in order to only produce 50% of the fuel needed for transportation in the US. With 30% oil in biomass using microalgea only 2.5 times the existing cropping area is needed.These figures were calculated using raceway ponds not implementing the latest technology (photo bio reactors)that could improve the numbers drastically (13 times more productive).
I was extremely impressed with both groups today and can't wait to see the progress they make in coming years.
Until tomorrow,
Jessica
Day 7
Day seven (Sunday)
Today we traveled from Florianópolis to Curitiba. After a 5 hour drive we stopped at the Oscar Niemeyer museum of modern art. Oscar Niemeyer is one of Brazils most famous architects who is known for designing Brazils new Capitol Brasilia. The museum is an awesome structure shaped like an eye elevated above its surroundings. His work is futuristic and strange in a beautiful way. We also got to see the Frida Kahlo exhibit. Over 200 of her personal photographs from her massive collection were displayed. The photos showed Frida at different stages of life along with family, friends, models, lovers and some of her own artwork. Tomorrow we visit the university and travel.
Until then,
Jessica
Today we traveled from Florianópolis to Curitiba. After a 5 hour drive we stopped at the Oscar Niemeyer museum of modern art. Oscar Niemeyer is one of Brazils most famous architects who is known for designing Brazils new Capitol Brasilia. The museum is an awesome structure shaped like an eye elevated above its surroundings. His work is futuristic and strange in a beautiful way. We also got to see the Frida Kahlo exhibit. Over 200 of her personal photographs from her massive collection were displayed. The photos showed Frida at different stages of life along with family, friends, models, lovers and some of her own artwork. Tomorrow we visit the university and travel.
Until then,
Jessica
Day 6
Day six (Saturday)
Today was not an easy day. We woke up at 7 after only sleeping for three hours, had to check out of the hotel and were on our way to go rafting in Santo Amaro. The rafting experience was a mix of good and bad. Every view was unbelievable and completely breathtaking. But the water was freezing and it rained the whole time. Although it was challenging and exhausting it was totally worth it.
After rafting we checked into the Águas Mornas hot springs resort. The hot saunas and warm spring fed pools were a nice way to warm up after rafting but exhaustion took over and I needed to get some rest. Early to bed I went.
Until tomorrow,
Jess
Today was not an easy day. We woke up at 7 after only sleeping for three hours, had to check out of the hotel and were on our way to go rafting in Santo Amaro. The rafting experience was a mix of good and bad. Every view was unbelievable and completely breathtaking. But the water was freezing and it rained the whole time. Although it was challenging and exhausting it was totally worth it.
After rafting we checked into the Águas Mornas hot springs resort. The hot saunas and warm spring fed pools were a nice way to warm up after rafting but exhaustion took over and I needed to get some rest. Early to bed I went.
Until tomorrow,
Jess
Day 5
Day five (Friday)
Today was our free day. A group of us walked around the city and explored the whole day. We watched a band play on the church steps in the center of the city and shopped for souvenirs at the artists market. We also got coffee at a little cafe but instead of ordering coffee we accidentally orders cups of hot milk. Haha oops!
Later that night a small group of us went to Treze. I had asked Rodrigo to suggest a bar that he would go to instead of something he thought a "typical American" would want to do. It was an awesome suggestion! The music was all from bands I love and it felt like a bar that I would go to. I see a lot of similarities between young adults in Florianópolis and Pittsburgh. This place especially felt like home to me, the styles were the same the music was the same and personalities felt similar. It's awesome to know that halfway around the world young adults aren't so different than me and my friends.
Until tomorrow,
Jess
Today was our free day. A group of us walked around the city and explored the whole day. We watched a band play on the church steps in the center of the city and shopped for souvenirs at the artists market. We also got coffee at a little cafe but instead of ordering coffee we accidentally orders cups of hot milk. Haha oops!
Later that night a small group of us went to Treze. I had asked Rodrigo to suggest a bar that he would go to instead of something he thought a "typical American" would want to do. It was an awesome suggestion! The music was all from bands I love and it felt like a bar that I would go to. I see a lot of similarities between young adults in Florianópolis and Pittsburgh. This place especially felt like home to me, the styles were the same the music was the same and personalities felt similar. It's awesome to know that halfway around the world young adults aren't so different than me and my friends.
Until tomorrow,
Jess
Sunday, August 17, 2014
Day 4
Day four (Thursday)
Another busy day in Florianópolis today. We spent the day touring the city with Rodrigo and Daniel. They took us to a looks out where we could see all of Florianópolis from about. The view was absolutely amazing. We also went to the beach, sand dunes, the lagoon and visited a small fisher mans town. This town is home to the first cobble stone street that was built for the princess of Portugal when she was coming to visit. Florianópolis is such a beautiful city and everything we saw today made me not want to leave.
After the city tour we went to listen to Professor Dr. Baltazar Guerra speak about his research through the university and with the European Union. As an economist he spoke about Brazils energy demands and how they plan to meet them while maintaining their green initiatives. I asked Dr. Guerra what he thought how Brazils investment in off shore oil would effect the countries ethanol, wind, solar and other renewable energy efforts. He responded by saying that he believes that Brazil views their off shore oil investments are seen as an exporting opportunity and they don't intend to use the oil for their own consumption.
Until tomorrow,
Jess
Another busy day in Florianópolis today. We spent the day touring the city with Rodrigo and Daniel. They took us to a looks out where we could see all of Florianópolis from about. The view was absolutely amazing. We also went to the beach, sand dunes, the lagoon and visited a small fisher mans town. This town is home to the first cobble stone street that was built for the princess of Portugal when she was coming to visit. Florianópolis is such a beautiful city and everything we saw today made me not want to leave.
After the city tour we went to listen to Professor Dr. Baltazar Guerra speak about his research through the university and with the European Union. As an economist he spoke about Brazils energy demands and how they plan to meet them while maintaining their green initiatives. I asked Dr. Guerra what he thought how Brazils investment in off shore oil would effect the countries ethanol, wind, solar and other renewable energy efforts. He responded by saying that he believes that Brazil views their off shore oil investments are seen as an exporting opportunity and they don't intend to use the oil for their own consumption.
Until tomorrow,
Jess
Day 3
Day three (Wednesday)
Today I felt completely exhausted, frozen and on the edge of getting a cold. The hot coffee at breakfast helped a little and the sun was out, so things were looking up.
I was very excited about today's visit! Today we got to tour the wind farm at Osório. I was very impressed with this company, their push for innovation and high standards for their company and it's purpose. They operate in Spain, Canada and Brazil and are in the progress of expanding to Australia. I was extremely impressed with their use of cutting edge direct drive technology in their wind turbines. This type of turbine, as opposed to other commonly used turbines, provides multiple benefits over other models. He direct drive turbine reduces y sound pollution, increases the lifetime of the turbine, increases the speed of rotation and reduces environmental impacts and safety hazards by eliminating the use of oil in the turbine.
Not only was the tour informative and eye opening, it was also beautiful. The 125 giant windmills present at this site location specifically, were scattered through out the farm land and seemed to coexist nicely with the grazing cattle and wild geese.
After the site visit we stopped for lunch and were back on the road. Tonight we're back in Florianópolis until Saturday. I'm excited to see what the rest of the trip has in store for us.
Until tomorrow,
Jess
Today I felt completely exhausted, frozen and on the edge of getting a cold. The hot coffee at breakfast helped a little and the sun was out, so things were looking up.
I was very excited about today's visit! Today we got to tour the wind farm at Osório. I was very impressed with this company, their push for innovation and high standards for their company and it's purpose. They operate in Spain, Canada and Brazil and are in the progress of expanding to Australia. I was extremely impressed with their use of cutting edge direct drive technology in their wind turbines. This type of turbine, as opposed to other commonly used turbines, provides multiple benefits over other models. He direct drive turbine reduces y sound pollution, increases the lifetime of the turbine, increases the speed of rotation and reduces environmental impacts and safety hazards by eliminating the use of oil in the turbine.
Not only was the tour informative and eye opening, it was also beautiful. The 125 giant windmills present at this site location specifically, were scattered through out the farm land and seemed to coexist nicely with the grazing cattle and wild geese.
After the site visit we stopped for lunch and were back on the road. Tonight we're back in Florianópolis until Saturday. I'm excited to see what the rest of the trip has in store for us.
Until tomorrow,
Jess
Day 2
Day two (Tuesday)
Today started with an early breakfast at the hotel and a 3 hour trip to our first company visit. We stopped for a quick lunch before heading to Tractebel Energia. This company surprised me, actually. I was anticipating a progressive power company, which Tractebel is, but I wasn't expecting their view on fossil fuels. The representative explained that their situation is different than that of the United States. We heavily rely on fossil fuels and are constantly pushing towards research and technology improvements that would not only be capable of handling our growth in energy demands, but also ween us off of our fossil fuel reliance. In contrast, Brazil heavily relies on hydro electric power but is pushing towards increasing their use of fossil fuels as their energy demands increase. I found this prospective interesting since the United States is such a strong advocate in the eradication of fossil fuels. But as Brazil views it, they use so little and it's the fastest and most efficient energy source that the benefits outweigh the negative environmental effects.
I don't necessarily agree with this view, although I can understand it. They want the same opportunities the United States was presented with because they utilized such a concentrated and plentiful energy source. I think the US could learn from the diversity in power sources that help power the Brazilian grid. But I also believe hat Brazils solution should be thought of as temporary. Coal in Brazil isn't as energy intensive as that extracted in the states. I think that eventually a more sustainable energy source needs to completely eliminate the use of fossil fuels.
After our visit to Tractebel, we drove another 4 hours to Rio Grande do Sol. It's much colder here than I expected. A hot shower and a good nights sleep will do me some good.
Until tomorrow,
Jess
Today started with an early breakfast at the hotel and a 3 hour trip to our first company visit. We stopped for a quick lunch before heading to Tractebel Energia. This company surprised me, actually. I was anticipating a progressive power company, which Tractebel is, but I wasn't expecting their view on fossil fuels. The representative explained that their situation is different than that of the United States. We heavily rely on fossil fuels and are constantly pushing towards research and technology improvements that would not only be capable of handling our growth in energy demands, but also ween us off of our fossil fuel reliance. In contrast, Brazil heavily relies on hydro electric power but is pushing towards increasing their use of fossil fuels as their energy demands increase. I found this prospective interesting since the United States is such a strong advocate in the eradication of fossil fuels. But as Brazil views it, they use so little and it's the fastest and most efficient energy source that the benefits outweigh the negative environmental effects.
I don't necessarily agree with this view, although I can understand it. They want the same opportunities the United States was presented with because they utilized such a concentrated and plentiful energy source. I think the US could learn from the diversity in power sources that help power the Brazilian grid. But I also believe hat Brazils solution should be thought of as temporary. Coal in Brazil isn't as energy intensive as that extracted in the states. I think that eventually a more sustainable energy source needs to completely eliminate the use of fossil fuels.
After our visit to Tractebel, we drove another 4 hours to Rio Grande do Sol. It's much colder here than I expected. A hot shower and a good nights sleep will do me some good.
Until tomorrow,
Jess
Day 1
Day one (Monday)
After a long long long day of traveling I finally made it to Florianópolis. Rodigo took Summer, Adam and me to our hotel and checked us in. After settling in and letting my family know I made it, the three of us went to find something to eat in down town Florianópolis.
We walked to the coast and found a small restaurant to have lunch. The waiter at the restaurant was very nice and patient with our sparse and broken Portuguese. He knew a little English and taught us a few Portuguese words and saying. I also got my first authentic caipirinha here. The brown sugar, fresh limes and casaça were perfect and delicious!
Until tomorrow,
Jess
After a long long long day of traveling I finally made it to Florianópolis. Rodigo took Summer, Adam and me to our hotel and checked us in. After settling in and letting my family know I made it, the three of us went to find something to eat in down town Florianópolis.
We walked to the coast and found a small restaurant to have lunch. The waiter at the restaurant was very nice and patient with our sparse and broken Portuguese. He knew a little English and taught us a few Portuguese words and saying. I also got my first authentic caipirinha here. The brown sugar, fresh limes and casaça were perfect and delicious!
Until tomorrow,
Jess
Thursday, May 15, 2014
The Road to Brazil
Hi Friends!
This is where you can check up with me on my journey to Brazil. I know it's a little premature, but the gears are in motion and plans are being set for the big trip. I am unbelievably excited to visit such an amazing country. First and foremost, I am anxious to get a first hand look at how Brazil is pushing for energy alternatives, their progressing in engineering practices and simply to see how another country's infrastructure works or can be improved. Also, I can't wait to experience the culture, beaches and food.
Until next time.
- Jess
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