Sustainable Engineering: Solar Water Quality Monitoring Project

This report details a student's project focused on developing a solar-based water quality and improvement monitoring system utilizing wireless sensor networks (WSN). The project aims to monitor water quality impacted by pollution using underwater WSNs powered by solar panels. The report covers the selection of the engineering project, a detailed project plan including initiation, planning, and execution phases, a feasibility study considering technical limitations, cost analysis, and resource availability, and the effects of legislation and ethics on decision-making. It further explores project activities, alternative monitoring methods, and an evaluation of the project's success. The report concludes with an analysis of project outcomes, recommendations for future development, and a discussion on the usage of critical analysis and assessment techniques.

Managing
A
Professional Project

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
LO1..................................................................................................................................................1
Task 1...............................................................................................................................................1
Selection of engineering based project.......................................................................................1
Task 2...............................................................................................................................................2
Project plan for engineering project............................................................................................2
Task 3...............................................................................................................................................4
Feasibility study of engineering project......................................................................................4
Task 4...............................................................................................................................................5
Effects of legislation as well as ethics on decision making while development of project plan.
.....................................................................................................................................................5
LO2..................................................................................................................................................7
Task 5...............................................................................................................................................7
Project activities..........................................................................................................................7
Task 6.............................................................................................................................................11
Alternative methods for monitoring as well as meeting project milestones.............................11
Task 7.............................................................................................................................................13
Critical evaluation of success of project plan...........................................................................13
LO3................................................................................................................................................13
Task 8.............................................................................................................................................13
Production of project report along with analysis of outcomes..................................................13
Task 9.............................................................................................................................................20
Usage of critical analysis as well as assessment techniques.....................................................20
LO4................................................................................................................................................21
Task 10...........................................................................................................................................21
Presentation of project report via suitable media......................................................................21
Task 11...........................................................................................................................................22
Analysis of own behaviour along with performance and suggestions for improvisation.........22
Task 12...........................................................................................................................................22

Critical analysis of project outcomes and recommendations for development.........................22
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................22
References......................................................................................................................................24

INTRODUCTION
Sustainable engineering refers to process associated with designing as well as operating
systems that utilises energy along with resources sustainably so that natural environment is not
compromised (Gary, 2015). It denotes capability of future generation to acknowledge their
requirements. Generally, this implies the usage of resources in a way that material is not depleted
with respect to future generation. It comprises of interdisciplinary approach with respect to
environmental engineering. This denotes revolutionary approach to have long lasting
improvisations. In context of this, sustainable engineers are liable for taking environmental
engineering concepts to next level by acknowledging interactions that occur in between
ecological, economic, social as well as technical systems through which shifting problems can be
avoided from one region to other.
Professional engineers possess relevant role within sustainability as they aims at
enhancing health & safety along with welfare of all by making minimum usage of resources for
ensuring resources safety. The reason for having such kind of engineering is to protect the
environment from impact that is being created due to growing world population, their
consumption, climatic change, loss of biodiversity, enhanced water stress, pollution and various
others (Campbell and et. al., 2013). This denotes that there is amplified need for engineers to
take some steps through which its effects can be declined. This report will be dealing with Solar
based advanced water quality and improvisation monitoring systems with the usage of wireless
sensor networks. In this the quality of water will be monitored which have been impacted due to
certain factors such as pollution. This report involves project plan, its feasibility and effect of
legislation & ethics related with it. In addition to this, project activities, alternative methods for
monitoring and success will be evaluated. Furthermore, the recommendations will be provided
with respect to future development.
LO1
Task 1
Selection of engineering based project
The project that has been chosen with respect to sustainable engineering is:
“Solar based enhancement of water quality through Sustainable Engineering via WSN”
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The emphasis of project is on improvisation of quality of water by the usage of WSN. At
present scenario, water is getting depleted and also it is contaminated there are wide reasons for
the same, for an instance waste from industries goes into rivers, seas and soil, pollution, people
who travels to ocean or river side throws the waste (plastic, eatables, etc.) into water. This means
that quality of water gets degraded which denotes that there is need for some projects through
which it can be made usable and negative impacts can be interrogated so that before it is being
consumed by someone then it has been monitored (Pohl, 2016). The reason behind this is that it
is primary requirement of humans and if it is not satisfied then survival will be next to
impossible. This illustrates that there is need to work on this aspect.
In this project, underwater WSN (wireless sensor network) will be used for monitoring
the water quality that will be powered by usage of solar panel. The WSN technology Zigbee will
be used for connecting nodes as well as base station. Its designing as well as implementation will
be carried out by solar cell. In addition to this, WSN data will be gathered that will contain
details related with oxygen, pH and turbidity levels. The data received will be evaluated by
making use of simulation tools (Roham and et. al., 2015). The benefit that will be rendered by
this is that the power consumption will be minimum, more flexible as well as there will be no
carbon emission.
Task 2
Project plan for engineering project
The procedural step within project management in which necessary documentation is
formulated for making sure that it is accomplished successfully is referred to as project planning.
Documentations involves all the actions needed for defining, preparing, integrating as well as
coordinating additional plans (Kendrick, 2015). Basically, it denotes the ways in which project
will be carried out, monitored, controlled as well as closed. This involves objectives along with
goals of project and ways in which that can be attained by analysing resources required for the
same. The step by step project plan for water quality & improvisation monitoring systems has
been elaborated below:
Initiation phase: This is the initial stage within engineering project in which objectives
will be identified as well as related problems. Along with this, feasibility will be analysed. The
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objectives of Solar based advanced water quality & improvisation monitoring systems has been
illustrated below:
 Measuring turbidity, oxygen as well as pH levels of water by making use of sensors
within remote place.
 Collection of data from diverse sensor nodes as well as send this to base station by the
usage of wireless channels.
 To stimulate as well as analyse quality parameters to have quality control.
 To publish record on internet for public knowledge so that further assessment with
respect to water resources.
In addition to this, feasibility study will be carried out to identify that whether this project
is feasible or not (Shareef and Reddy, 2018). The solar based system is feasible as it is being
deployed by the usage of simulation tools.
Planning phase: After carrying out feasibility study, project will be carried out to next
stage in which it will be further sub-divided into small sections. For an instance, smaller goals
will be created to ensure that they can be attained in specified time duration (Nicholas and Steyn,
2017). The goals of solar based system are: pH sensor interfacing, oxygen sensor interfacing,
turbidity sensor interfacing, zigbee module interfacing, solar panel interfacing and ARM base
control. The interface will be created so that it do not get affected through various factors such as
environmental temperature, voltage and processors those are being used. For an instance Redox
probe is liable to generate voltage that is proportional to the free oxygen that exists within water.
The aim of this phase is to plan the different factors (frequency, voltage, temperature, etc.) so
that feasibility of the project do not gets impacted and the desired objectives can be attained.
Execution/Implementation phase: In context of this phase, plan will be implemented so
that project can be carried out. For this, it is necessary to have appropriate control as well as
communication with other team members. The implementation of Solar based advanced system
has been illustrated below: pH sensor interfacing: In this, pH probe IH20 will be utilised, the output voltage that
will be attained by this can get impacted via environmental temperature. This makes it
crucial to compensate this factor (Shi and et. al., 2018) Further, this will be converted to
0~2.5V so that processing can be done.
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 Oxygen sensor interfacing: The Redox probe will be used as it generates voltage which
is proportional to free oxygen in water and lies within range of 0 to 95V. This sensor will
be utilised for measuring density of oxygen. Turbidity sensor interfacing: They will be utilised for measuring clarity of water. The
turbidity values will lay in between 0 to 4000 NTU (nephelometric) and voltage will be
approximately 5V which will be given to ARM controller. Zigbee module interfacing: This works on IEEE 802.15.4 protocol. This will render low
power, low cost as well as AES encryption which denotes that it will be apt for utilisation
within solar based system. Solar panel interfacing: This is water quality monitoring system in which sensor nodes
will be distributed. In this solar panel will be utilised otherwise power will become a
bottleneck for the system (Chouler and Di Lorenzo, 2015).
 ARM base control: Sensors as well as Zigbee modules will be linked via ARM
controller board. Power consumption is less in this case.
Project monitoring & control: It involves measuring of performance to ensure that all
the things are aligned with project management planning. In this case, professional engineer will
be liable to identify whether that project is on track or not. With respect to this project, objectives
will be measured, quality of deliverables will be ensured and performance of project will be
identified (Sinulingga and Siregar, 2017). The results will be measured by monitoring quality of
water as well as accidents that takes place within water.
Project closure: In this success of solar based system will be identified as well as overall
performance will be measured.
Task 3
Feasibility study of engineering project
The scrutiny that is being carried out for evaluation of specified action will make some
sense or not from economic as well as operational perspective is defined as feasibility study.
Basically, it assists within identification whether the project can be undertaken with respect to
delineating costs as well as risks related with diverse areas within development of project
(DeBell and et. al., 2015). With respect Solar based system, it involves:
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 Technical limitations: In this case analysis will be carried out with respect to whether it
is technically achievable or not. If it is possible then risks associated with this will be
analysed. For an instance, if wires are being used for connecting nodes then it do not
seems practically possible as nodes are distributed in diverse location. In case batteries
will be used within project then also they possess restricted lifespan and it is not affirm-
able to stand for longer time frame (Devabhaktuni and et. al., 2013). Therefore, solar
panel can be utilised for recharging.
 Cost analysis: The project will be developed by the usage of low cost modules but it
does not implies that quality of project will be affected. All the perspectives will be taken
into consideration. In addition to this, RISC processor architecture is being utilised which
offers the quality monitoring system which is liable for rendering minimal power cost,
frequency, etc. This denotes that cost along quality of products is being analysed while
their usage.
 Resources available: It involves whether the resources that are available are enough to
accomplish the project till its completed (Lundin and et. al, 2015). This comprises of all
the equipments as well as supplies that are required for accomplishment of the project.
Solar based system comprises of, pH probe IH20, Redox sensor probe, turbidity sensor,
Zigbee (wireless technology), solar panel and ARM controller board.
 Time: After analysing all the requirements as well as their availability, it is necessary to
identify period required for completion of the project. Solar based system will be taking
around 8 months for its accomplishment.
 External factors: While carrying out feasibility analysis, it is necessary to take into
account other essential elements also. In case of Solar based project, geographical
locations, political, ethical as well as legal components will be taken into account so that
project do not turn to a failure (Solpico and et. al., 2014).
Task 4
Effects of legislation as well as ethics on decision making while development of project
plan.
It is essential for the professional engineer to take into account the laws and legislations
pertaining to the development of project plan. Such laws and litigations could be associated with
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safety and security, utility of technology, ethical conduct etc. Furthermore, it is important for the
professional engineer to ensure that ethics is taken into due consideration while executing the
project plan (Dong and et. al., 2015). The project plan consists of 5 stages which are key to the
implementation of solar based project. The ethical agencies that lay down the provisions
associated with development of project plan are regarded to be The Engineering Council and
Royal Academy of Engineering’s Statement of Ethical Principles and The National Society for
Professional Engineers’ Code of Ethics. Engineer needs to conduct the activities of solar based
project in an ethical manner so that there is no violation of any statute.
Professional ethics comprises of corporate as well as personal standards of behaviour that
is anticipated via professionals. Ethics denotes a discipline with respect to how things can be
carried out in a best manner. They renders thought-provoking look within the business ethics
(Statement of Ethical Principles, 2019). In case of Solar based systems ethics will lead to
reduction within risks, improvise productivity, formulate effectual decisions and minimise the
potential legal issues so that competitive positioning can be strengthened in industry. According
to The Engineering Council and the Royal Academy of Engineering, a statement has been
formulated for engineering professionals. This involves that, they (professionals) works for
enhancement of well-being of society, promotion of ethical standards as well as challenges
within unethical behaviour. There exists four fundamental principles that are related with ethical
behaviour which assists within decision-making. They are: honesty & integrity, respect for life,
environment, law as well as public goods, accuracy & rigour and leadership as well as
communication. Each involves certain perspectives through which professional conduct can be
carried out in a relevant manner. This will enable professional engineer to abide to all the crucial
regulations along with laws.
As per National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE), engineering possess vital as
well as direct impact on life. This denotes that there is need to engineers to adhere to standards of
ethical conduct. With respect to NSPE, they are liable to acknowledge fundamental canons, rules
of practice and professional obligations.
Fundamental canons: Engineers are liable for issuing public statements in terms of
truthful and objective manner (Code of Ethics, 2019). Also, professional engineer needs to
conduct themselves in an ethical, responsible, lawful and honourable manner by which
effectiveness of profession can be amplified.
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Rules of practice: Professional engineer is liable for hold predominant in context of
health & safety along with society's welfare. They must carry out their services within their
competence areas.
Professional obligations: Engineers must be guided via high standards of integrity as
well as honesty. In addition to this, they need to avoid practice or conducts that may deceive
public (Gawali and Chaudhari, 2016). Furthermore, they should not expose confidential
information related with technical processes or business affairs with respect to solar based
system.
This denotes that professional engineer with respect to Solar based system needs to
adhere to all the specified ethics as well as government regulations so that their project do not
face any kind of trouble and well-being of individuals so not get impacted.
LO2
Task 5
Project activities
The fact is that water is mandatory resource for every living organism, therefore there is
need to examine the quality of water. This denotes that turbidity, acidity as well as oxygen levels
of water must be measured (Talari and et. al., 2017). The quality of water via remote access and
wireless communication will aid within quality control, analysis through wireless
communication and record keeping. The activities involved in this project have been specified
below:
 Identification of stakeholders: This is the initial step in which individuals may get
affected via activities or outcomes that are attained by project as well as contributing
resources (money, equipments, time and people).
 Definition of appropriate objectives: Success of project entirely depends on how well
goals can be attained. With respect to Solar based system, the objectives are: measure
quality of water in terms of pH, Oxygen as well as its turbidity. Collection of data by
usage of sensor nodes, control data communication, stimulate as well as analysis of
quality parameters (Tzounis and et.al., 2017).
 Determination of scope, resources as well as major tasks: With respect to this, work
breakdown structure tool can be utilised that will aid professional engineer within
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assessment of identification of scope, tasks as well as development of estimates (Güngör
and Hancke, 2015).
 Preparation of trade-offs: In this, cost, quality as well as time are taken into
consideration. If these factors will alter then there will be also modification within results
that are being attained. For an instance, if planning phase has been allotted a time frame
of one month and it is accomplished before this duration then there is also need to ensure
that quality is not being compromised.
 Creation of schedules: As this Solar based system project is expected to be completed in
around eight months then this denotes that each phase associated with project must be
allotted some time. This will aid professional engineer to accomplish it in specified time
frame. But it is necessary to have a realistic schedule for each.
 Formulation of budget: Solar based system will be making use of different hardware
devices, this means that there is need to formulate budget accordingly by which cost
related with entire project can be met in an appropriate manner so that quality of project
is not hindered.
 Execution: Planning has been done, now professional engineer needs to implement the
plan accordingly. It should be ensured that as per the system architecture, interface must
be developed so that goals can be attained (Hancke, Silva and Hancke, 2013).
 Monitor & control: As the project deals with quality of water, there is a continuous need
to analyse the different factors such as pH, turbidity, etc. For this simulation tools are
being used by which progress can be monitored.
 Weekly meetings: It will assist to find out the solutions if any kind of problems have
been observed by team members. This will also aid to acknowledge what has been done
and what all is still required to attain the specified objectives.
 Evaluation of project performance: In this case, it will be analysed that water quality
has been measured or not and whether it can be improvised so that it can be used for
drinking or irrigation purposes (Wang, Bou‐Zeid and Smith, 2013). This can be attained
by making comparison in between progress as well as scope on which project was being
carried out.
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 Closure of project: Once professional engineer attains the specified goals then the
project will be accomplished. In addition to this, time and cost must be evaluated with
respect to stipulated details.
These activities will aid within Solar based system as they assists to provide a flow in the
ways in which project will be carried out.
Recording progress of Solar based system has been carried out by the usage of Gantt
chart. This has been illustrated below:
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