Geodesign Summary

2015 SIMCenter Summer Series

As the demand for freshwater and energy increases in San Diego County and Northern Baja, the fresh water supply continues to shrink while energy generation remains heavily dependent on fossil fuels. Due to these opposing trends in supply and demand, it becomes increasingly imperative to identify solutions that move these communities to their preferred state in which they are largely reliant on renewable energy and use water sustainably. Large-scale energy solutions include wind power, one of the must abundant sources of energy in these regions.

There are several different directions that our planet can take to address the ever growing need for water and energy. This will involve integrating technologies of a large and small scale into our grid and into our homes as well. There are two main technologies in which to address large scale water sustainability: desalination and ‘pure water’ recycling. As the California dries out, it is increasingly important to adopt proven strategies to maintain the current standard of living.

San Diego and Baja

San Diego and Baja

San Diego and Baja

Brazil

San Diego and Baja

By 2050, average August temperatures in San Diego County are projected to increase by 8 °F. San Diego and Northern Baja are experiencing severe droughts as our demand for water outstrips our supply. Fires are becoming more frequent and more intense. Sea levels will continue to rise around 1 centimeter per year, which will total a minimum increase of a foot by 2050. Areas at and below sea level in coastal San Diego will be submerged.

Introduction

This year’s global classroom series focuses on geodesign, or engineering the transition to sustainable water and energy management. Essentially, geodesign is a comprehensive approach that attempts to resolve a broad cost-benefit analysis of political, economic, technical, and environmental concerns. This first presentation provides a wide-angle view of the current situations in San Diego, Northern Baja, and Brazil.

San Diego

Introduction

This year’s global classroom series focuses on geodesign, or engineering the transition to sustainable water and energy management. Essentially, geodesign is a comprehensive approach that attempts to resolve a broad cost-benefit analysis of political, economic, technical, and environmental concerns. This first presentation provides a wide-angle view of the current situations in San Diego, Northern Baja, and Brazil.

San Diego