Alternative Energy &

Our Future

www.questgarden.com

America and Americans are dependent on oil, gasoline, coal, and natural gas for much of our energy needs. These fossil fuels are non-renewable  and have finite limits.

We need to develop more environmentally friendly alternative energy sources, renewable energy resources. The sun, the wind, and the Earth's natural heat are renewable resources that can be used to provide energy without negative environmental impacts.

These alternate forms of energy  are in constant supply and will not run out.  They are renewable energy resources.  The sun, the wind, and the Earth's natural heat are renewable resources that can be used to provide energy to buildings without negative environmental impacts.

It is important that we begin to develop renewable energy, alternative energy sources for the future .

TASK

You have been selected by the President of the United States to research and prepare a report on Alternative Renewable Energy Sources

Your task is to research different alternative renewable energy resources using the links provided. The first two links provided will introduce you to many energy systems you will use these to answer the questions in process 2. Then you will create a PowerPoint presentation about which Alternative Energy Technology you think has the most potential to change the future.

Your group will give an oral presentation of your PowerPoint. (All most speak)

PROCESS Your task is to research different alternative Energy

Resources in groups of 3,

Each of you will research a different renewable resource

You will find information, share it with your group members

Formulate some opinions about the use of renewable energy resources

Each of you will be in charge of researching a different aspect of this topic, and will go to a number of websites to find information

In each group you will need to individually research Alternative Renewable Energy Sources

Each member will report out to the group

The group will decide on which energy source to recommend and WHY

The group will develop and present a PowerPoint to the President (class)

Getting Started

All team members will open the first two links

Team members will each research a type of Renewable Alternative Energy resources

You will report out to your team on your findings

Questions to answer when researching 1 What web site did you find the most helpful?

2 What surprised you the most about your topic?

3 Would you recommend this renewable energy resource to your group?

4 Why would this resource be the best choice?

5 Is it feasible?

6 List the important facts from your research.

General Energy Info – (Answer the following questions) 1 What does the term “Biomass” mean? 2 Where does Bio-Energy rank in terms of renewable

energy? 3 What are 4 nonrenewable energy sources listed on the

US Dept of Energy website? 4 What are the 4 renewable energy sources listed on the

US Dept of Energy website? 5 Solar Energy can be converted into what type of

energy? AND in what 2 ways? 6 What renewable energy source is most used? 7 A large number of wind turbines are called a _____? 8 The two forms of energy harvested from the ocean are?

Links

http://www.energy.gov/science-innovation/energy-sources

http://eia.doe.gov/kids/index.cfm

Wind

http://www.awea.org/

http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-science/wind-power.htm

http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energy.cfm?page=wind_home-basics-k.cfm

http://www.otherpower.com/otherpower_wind.html

http://www.windpowermonthly.com/

Solar

http://www.ge-energy.com/products_and_services/index.jsp

http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/energy/solar-cell.htm

http://www.otherpower.com/otherpower_solar.html

http://www.aboutmyplanet.com/category/alternative-energy/solar/

Oil and Natural Gas

http://energy.gov/fe/services/petroleum-reserves

http://www.petroleum.gov.pg/ (Not working at this time)

http://www.naturalgas.org/environment/naturalgas.asp

http://www.naturalgas.org/index.asp

http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energy.cfm?page=natural_gas_home-basics

Coal

http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energy.cfm?page=coal_home-basics

http://energy.usgs.gov/Coal.aspx

https://secure.sierraclub.org/site/Advocacy?page=UserActionInactive&id=8181

http://www.epa.gov/cleanpower/energy-and-you/affect/coal.html

http://teachcoal.org/faqs-about-coal

Nuclear

http://www.nei.org/

http://www.energy.gov/ne/office-nuclear-energy

http://www.howstuffworks.com/nuclear-power.htm

Water/Hydroelectric

http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/hyhowworks.html

http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energy.cfm?page=hydropower_home-basics-k.cfm

http://www.enviroliteracy.org/article.php/59.html

http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/wuhy.html

http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/energy/hydropower-plant.htm

Geo Thermal

http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/energy/geothermal-energy.htm

http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/energy/future-geothermal-energy.htm

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/geothermal/gpp_animation.html

Ocean Power

http://www.oceanpowertechnologies.com/

http://www.worldchanging.com/archives/005178.html

http://www.ecobusinesslinks.com/ocean_power/

Biomass

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/fuel-efficiency/biofuels/crops-used-biomass-energy.htm

http://www.eia.gov/kids/energy.cfm?page=biomass_home-basics

http://www.biomassenergycentre.org.uk/portal/page?_pageid=76,15049&_dad=portalhttp://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/our-energy-choices/renewable-energy/how-biomass-energy-works.html

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/bioenergy/

After the research

As a group review each members notes and reports on their research

As a group decide which Renewable Alternative Energy source your group will recommend to the President

Create a Presentation

The entire group will develop a multimedia presentation on their recommendation of alternative renewable energy source

Listing the facts & information

Why is this energy source the group’s choice?

PRACTICE YOUR PRESENTATION AS A GROUP

Presenting to the President

Each group will present their recommendation to the President (class)