Alternative Energy

For your learning today, start with a quick review of fossil fuels & global warming.

Then, research alternative fuel sources, and choose one that you think is right for Green Valley. Be ready to make your case to your business group.

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What are fossil fuels?
Fossil fuels are made from decomposing plants and animals. These fuels are found in the Earth’s crust and contain carbon and hydrogen, which can be burned for energy. Coal, oil, and natural gas are examples of fossil fuels. Coal is a solid rock and is used widely for power generation. It is considered the "dirtiest" of the fossil fuels since it releases the most carbon and toxic chemicals when burned. Oil is a liquid fossil fuel used for gasoline, jet fuel and plastics. Natural gas is composed mostly of methane. It is found in pockets of rock and often transported in long pipelines across the country. Fossil fuels are extracted using drilling, mining and fracking, which involves blasting chemical solutions into rock at a high pressure.

What are the three types of "fossil fuels"?

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Analyze: what percentage of our energy in the U.S. came from fossil fuels in 2019?

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What's the problem?
Unfortunately, fossil fuels are a nonrenewable resource: which means that waiting millions of years for new coal, oil, and natural gas deposits to form is not a realistic solution. Further, extracting fossil fuels degrades land, destroys habitats and results in water and air pollution. When burnt, fossil fuels are also responsible for almost three-fourths of the greenhouse gas emissions from human activities. Now, scientists and engineers are looking for ways to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and create energy that is cleaner and healthier for the environment.

Why are fossil fuels not a great solution to our energy needs? (You can choose more than one)

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What's the greenhouse effect?
Below, draw a quick model to show how greenhouse gases in the atmosphere affect solar radiation to cause global warming. You may need to watch this video as a review.

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So, we know fossil fuels are not environmentally sustainable. Are they socially sustainable? Watch this 1-minute video about how coal relates to social sustainability.

What did researchers find happen when 3 coal-fired power plants closed in Chicago in 2020?

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So what can we do? Read the text from Alliant Energy:

What is renewable energy?
Renewable energy is made from resources that nature will replace, like wind, water and sunshine. Renewable energy is also called "clean energy" or "green power" because it doesn't pollute the air or the water.

Why don't we use renewable energy all the time?
Unlike natural gas and coal, we can't store up wind and sunshine to use when we need to make more electricity. If the wind doesn't blow or the sun hides behind clouds, there sometimes isn’t enough power for everyone. Another reason we use fossil fuels, like coal and natural gas, is because they're cheaper. It currently costs more money to make electricity from wind or sun.

Summarize - what is the major benefit of renewable energy?

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What are the two drawbacks to renewable energy?

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Learn about alternatives! Here are some types of renewable energy, (and one non-renewable alternative.) Choose any TWO to learn more about by following the links. Then, summarize the pros & cons of each.

Solar Energy (energy from the sun)

Geothermal Energy (energy from the earth's heat)

Biomass (energy from burning dead stuff)

Wind Energy (like windmills)

Tidal Power (energy from motion of waves)

Nuclear Power (this one is non-renewable)

For choice #1 - What kind of power did you look at? Write down one pro & con.

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For choice #2 - What kind of power did you look at? Write down one pro & con

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Based on what you learned, which type of renewable energy would you advocate to use in Green Valley? Why?

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BONUS for fun, watch this...

Challenge: Think of a new way to use this motion-based technology. Where could you install it / how could you you use it to maximize energy generation?

Analyze: what percentage of our energy in the U.S. came from fossil fuels in 2019?

What's the greenhouse effect? Below, draw a quick model to show how greenhouse gases in the atmosphere affect solar radiation to cause global warming. You may need to watch this video as a review.

So, we know fossil fuels are not environmentally sustainable. Are they socially sustainable? Watch this 1-minute video about how coal relates to social sustainability.What did researchers find happen when 3 coal-fired power plants closed in Chicago in 2020?

What is renewable energy?

Why don't we use renewable energy all the time?

Summarize - what is the major benefit of renewable energy?

What are the two drawbacks to renewable energy?

For choice #2 - What kind of power did you look at? Write down one pro & con

Based on what you learned, which type of renewable energy would you advocate to use in Green Valley? Why?

BONUS for fun, watch this...Challenge: Think of a new way to use this motion-based technology. Where could you install it / how could you you use it to maximize energy generation?

What's the greenhouse effect?
Below, draw a quick model to show how greenhouse gases in the atmosphere affect solar radiation to cause global warming. You may need to watch this video as a review.

So, we know fossil fuels are not environmentally sustainable. Are they socially sustainable? Watch this 1-minute video about how coal relates to social sustainability.

What did researchers find happen when 3 coal-fired power plants closed in Chicago in 2020?

BONUS for fun, watch this...

Challenge: Think of a new way to use this motion-based technology. Where could you install it / how could you you use it to maximize energy generation?