Day 9

The next morning after breakfast we went to the University of Paraná. First we learned about the university and then learned how hydroelectric dams are first modeled on a 100:1 scale in large warehouses. A model of the terrain was created out of concrete and the correct water depth, flow, and velocity were replicated in order to see the effects of building the dam. This is the way they can get different scenarios, such as large storms, and measure their implications on the environment, society, and energy output. Results from these experiments are provided to the government who then gets to choose whether to take the advice. Something a little scary and interesting is that as each portion of the model gets approved, construction starts simultaneously. Although this saves an immense amount of time, if a portion of the model does not get approved, the project could be abandoned or need to be changed after it is built, which wastes vast amounts of time and money. After we explored the models for the dams (mostly the MonteBelo Dam) we went to the biofuel labs. We learned how biodiesel and biogas is obtained from microalgae cultures in a process with essentially no emissions. Hearing this was very exciting from an environmental perspective. However, we learned that not every biofuel lab is as sustainable. This particular lab had reached many of its goals but still had many more to accomplish. Ihor, our ISA staff member, said it was his 4th year taking groups there and he was seen the progression of the labs. After seeing the actual bioreactors in person, it made me want to learn more about bio fuels and microbiology. After we left the university, we got lunch in Curitiba for only R$11 then started our longest bus ride inland. The hotel we stayed at was in a very small town called Sao Pedro do Ivai. There wasn't much to do so we just hangout in one of our rooms, commenting how this was the most modest (to say the least) hotel we stayed at.