Renewable Energy Resources Computer Lab
(10 points)
Overview: Renewable resources can be replenished fairly rapidly (from hours to decades) through natural processes as long as it is not used faster than it is replaced. These resources are called flow resources. These flow resources pass through plants, economies, and other systems. Examples of renewable resources come from forests, grasslands, freshwater, fresh air, and fertile soil. These resources help to generate energy efficiency and create new energy sources through solar power, wind, geochemical, biomass, or hydropower.
Objective: In this lesson you will investigate various energy sources and in the end, decide which type of energy the United States should put the most funding behind.
Procedure: You will use the internet to research each type of energy resource. Use your research to fill in the table below. Copy the fill the table in your notebooks.
Solar / Geothermal / Biomass / Wind / Hydropower / BiofuelWhat is it?
How does the technology work?
How could this energy source be used?
What are some examples of its current use?
What are the environmental benefits to using this technology?
Are there any hidden environmental or social costs with this technology?
Is this technology widely accepted today? Why or why not?
Do the costs of this technology make it difficult for common use? Why or why not?
Where is this technology used closest to your community?
Where is the biggest source of this technology located?
What countries use this technology the most? How much of their energy does it account for?
Does the United States use this technology? If so how much of our energy does it account for?
Place the technologies in order of which ones the United States should be investing time and money into (1-6)
Extension:
1. The development of plans for ling-term resource management depends on understanding the patterns and consequences of resource use.
A. Describe what makes a resource renewable or nonrenewable. Give a specific example of a renewable resource and of a nonrenewable resource.
B. Describe and compare total resource use per capita in developed and developing countries
C. What is meant by sustainable resource use? Give an example
D. Economic policies and practices affect society’s progress toward achieving sustainable resource use. Discuss one policy or practice that facilitates this progress, and one that impedes it.
2. Upon receiving notice from their electric utility that customers with solar power systems are permitted to sell excess power back to the utility, an Arizona family is considering the purchase of a photovoltaic solar energy system for their 27,000 square foot suburban home. The initial costs of the systems they are considering range from $7000 to $30,000. While gathering information prior to making a decision, the homeowners find the following information at the website of the United States Department of Energy.
Stand-Alone vs Grid-Connected Systems
Stand-alone systems produce power independently of the utility grid. In some off-the-grid locations as near as one-quarter from the power lines, stand-alone photovoltaic systems can be more cost effective than extending power lines. Direct-coupled systems need no electrical storage because they operate only during daylight hours, but most systems rely on battery storage so that energy produced during the day can be used at night. Some systems, called hybrid systems, combine solar power with additional power sources such as wind or diesel.
Grid-connected photovoltaic systems supply surplus power back through the grid to the utility and take from the utility grid when the home system’s power supply is low. These systems remove the need for battery storage, although arranging for the grid interconnection can be difficult. In some cases, utilities allow net metering, which allows the owner to sell excess power back to the utility.
A. Describe one environmental benefit and one environmental cost of photovoltaic systems.
B. From the two types of solar systems described on the government website, select the system (either stand-alone or grid-connected) that you think best meets the needs of the homeowners. Write an argument to persuade them to purchase the system that you selected. Include the pros and cons of each system in your argument.
C. Describe TWO ways that government and/or industry could promote the use of photovoltaic power systems for homeowners in the future.
D. Describe TWO ways that homeowners could use passive solar designs and/or systems and explain how each would reduce the homeowners’ energy costs.
E. Another form of alternative energy that can be used to supply energy for cars or household use is provided by fuel cells. What is a fuel cell? Why aren’t they more commonly used at present?