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An Investigation of Energy Resourcesunder construction

Life is dependent upon the availability of energy sources. In order to survive, people
must transform these energy resources to generate useful work.  All people should
have a basic understanding of existing energy resources both old and new.

You have just completed your initial pre-search and selected an energy resource for further research.  In science you have established a few basic concepts regarding energy. 

Energy is defined as:
"the ability to do work and to cause change"

Our need for energy is steadily increasing. We use huge amounts of energy to move, lift, warm, light, and produce things.   Most of this energy today comes from "fossil fuels" which come in 3 major forms--coal, oil, and natural gas.  We know that these non-renewable fossil fuels are finite or limited in supply.   We also know that non-renewable energy resources hold great promise, but remain experimental and/or too expensive to produce.  To ensure the health and well-being of our planet and our people, we will need to make the best use of existing energy resources while instituting newer, advanced energy technologies.  You are part of an energy task force who is making that first step to a  better future.

It's time to do some in-depth research.  Your research expertise is needed immediately.  You are a member of an energy resource committee which is educating the town of Amherst on energy resources.  You are assigned to research one particular energy resource. Your research will be used to educate the community about the range of energy resources.  You will present your final research results at a community forum through a poster presentation.    This forum will give all members a basic foundation in making decisions about future energy use.

Your research task consists of  3 stages: online research, and poster creation, presentation.  Members of the forum will use this research to

Stage I - Research
Using online web resources you will research your assigned energy resource by recording all information on your research form.   To find out specific requirements of this assignment proceed to Process.

Part II - Poster
You will synthesize your findings into a poster (or brochure???) to be presented at a community educational energy forum.

Part III - Presentation

Presentations will be divided into two sessions, a non-renewable energy resource session and a renewable energy resource session.  You will present your poster research in one session and gather information in another session.  As you hear each presentation you will keep track of the information on this chart.
 

• What is the source of my energy resource?
• Is this a renewable or non-renewable resource?
• What kind of equipment is needed to extract this resource?
• How does my energy resource work?
• How does my energy resource generate useful work?
• How do consumers use the energy resource?
• Has this energy resource been used successfully in the past? 
  Where?
• What are advantages and disadvantages of this energy resource?

Gather Info  

When working with your notes you need to select information that is relevant to your question or topic.
Evaluate the source and content of your information for reliability.

• Who or what is the authority or the source of this information?

• What makes them an expert in the subject?

• Is the information accurate and timely?

• Can you at least 2 other sources or experts who agree?

Share your understanding through a final product---poster & presentation.
As each energy presentation is given use this chart to record specific data.

Use a rubric to assess your work.

What will you do differently next time?

http://www.teachers.ash.org.au/jmresources/energy/nonrenew.html

Energy Resources

Transportation http://www.eere.energy.gov/state_energy_program/projects_by_topic.cfm/topic=601  alt fuels

http://www.cc.utah.edu/~ptt25660/tran.html

Solar Energy Industries Association
 

National Biofuels Program
http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/story/index.html

http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/links/index.php?pagetype=energyed#energy

General Energy Information on the Internet

Power Generation

http://api-ec.api.org/frontpage.cfm

Power/Fuels

General links
 

Some Basic Energy Information. Energy: Fuel for Thought. An Educational Resource from BLM (Bureau of Land Management). Includes classroom activities It's a Gas, Blowin' in the Wind, WaterWorks, Let the Sun Shine In, An Energy Profile, Energy for the Future, and An Energy Budget.

Renewable Energy Resources - General Resources

About.com: Renewable Energy. Links to renewable energy resources.

 Best Practices. Selected documents on best energy efficient practices across North America, from Canadian Energy Efficiency Centre.

 Canadian Centre for Pollution Prevention: Energy. Links to major Energy sites, e.g. Canadian Renewable Fuels Association, Green Globes, Office of Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy - Greenpeace Canada, CREST - Center for Renewable Energy Sustainable Technology, IPPSO - Independent Power Producers' Society of Ontario, and others. See also Government of Canada - What is Sustainable Development?

CanREN - The Canadian Renewable Energy Network (CanREN) from Natural Resources Canada. Browse by Technologies: Bioenergy, Earth Energy, Hydroelectric Energy, Solar Energy, and Wind Energy.

Clean Air & Energy: Energy, Global Warming, Clean Water & Oceans, Toxic Chemicals & Health, Nuclear Weapons & Waste, Cities & Green Living, U.S. Law & Policy, International Issues, and other topics from Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).

Clean Energy Basics from NREL - National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Provides answers to these questions: What is renewable energy? Why is it important? Why is energy efficiency important? (Environmental benefits, jobs and the economy). What does clean energy have to do with me as a homeowner, a small business owner, a student, a teacher, an inventor? Includes Educational Resources for K-12.

Climate Change - New Scientist Special Report.

Current Situation & 2005 Projections by Dale Allen Pfeiffer. "Find some place or some way to grow as much of your own food as you can, where your neighbors are supportive. Plan to do without gas or electricity. Rediscover the old ways. Dust off those back copies of Mother Earth News stacked in the attic. It is time to prepare." Read a summary of Dale Allen Pfeiffer's article: Eating Fossil Fuels or read the article in its entirety in PDF: Eating Fossil Fuels.

Energy Quest. Colorful, award winning educational site from California Energy Commission for K-12. Includes: Ask Professor Quester (energy Q&A), Devoured by the Dark (energy "horror" story), Energy Story (what is energy), Games, puzzles and jokes, Glossary, How Things Work, Saving Energy (tips), Science Projects, Super Scientists (biographices), Time Line of Energy History, and Transportation Energy (how energy is used by vehicles). (Slow loading).

Environmental History Timeline is partly based on original archival research in U.S. federal and industrial archives as well as the generally untapped mass media record.

National Energy Foundation: Student Links and Teacher Links to educational resources.

National Renewal Energy Laboratory (NREL) - U.S. Department of Energy's effort to secure an energy future for the nation that is environmentally and economically sustainable. Research and developments areas: Solar, Wind, Biomass, Geothermal, Hydrogen & Fuel Cells, Buildings & Thermal Systems, Advanced Vehicles & Fuels, Electric Infrastructure Systems, Energy Analysis, and Basic Sciences - The science behind renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies.

Odysen Renewable Energy Portal. Renewable energy calculators, directory, events, games, news archive, and location specific information for U.S. as well as International locations in Africa, Asia, Central America, Europe, Middle East, North America, Oceania, and South America. Use the calculators to estimate a renewable energy system.

Renewable Energy Fact Sheets from Texas State Energy Conservation Office. Potential and benefits of renewable energy e.g. solar, wind, and biomass power.

Residential Energy Factsheets. Publications in PDF. Includes Fuel Calculators, Energy Solutions, and more.

U.S. Department of Energy. Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE): Site map. Information on Renewable Energy sources include: Bioenergy, Geothermal, Hydrogen, Hydropower, Ocean, Solar, and Wind.

Why is Fuel Economy Important? Topics: Protect the Environment, Global Warming, Oil Spills, Air Pollution, Conserve Resources for Future Generations, Reduce Oil Imports, from U.S. Department of Energy.

http://www.districtenergy.org/   energy distribution

Co-generation - Links

Hydrogen and Fuel Cells - Links
National Fuel Cell Research Center

Graphics/Maps/Charts
California On-Line Energy Maps

Energy Experiments
Energy & Science Projects

Agencies - State/National
National Energy Technology Laboratory - U.S. Department of Energy
California Energy Commission

Alternative Fuels, Alternative Fuel and Electric Vehicles, Advanced Transportation Technologies

Electric Cars - How

Questions/Information
Ask An Expert - NETL (Nat. Energy Tech. Lab)

Environmental Affects/Issues/Concerns
Air Quality: Agencies and Issues