Renewable EnergyIulian Balan, Derek Suelzle

Technology Access Foundation Academy

Need for the Study

Pollution is a major cause of global warming -Causes asthma

-Animals become extinct

-Glaciers melt and cause floods

Non-renewable energy drains the earth of its natural resources and cause pollution

-Oil spills pollute oceans

-Coal releases carbon dioxide which affects the environment in a negative way

Driving Question and Hypothesis

How can one produce renewable energy that functions efficiently for everyone’s daily use?

The design would use easy to get materials, produce a small amount of energy that could be increased and there would be a way to reuse that energy.

Materials and Methods

-Hydroelectric and wind power design -Water powered battery designMaterials:1.Zinc Nails $3.002.Copper Wire $7.00 per 100 ft3.Water/Vinegar $11.00 per gallon4.Cup $7.00 for 100 cups5.Voltage Meter $22.00

How it works

Batteries are made of two different metals suspended in an acidic solution. With

the water powered battery, the two metals are zinc and copper. The nail is coated with

zinc which prevents rust and the acid comes from the water inside the cell. When all

are combined in a circuit an energy source is created.

Results

The prototype produced a small amount of energy and when the amount of cells increased the amount of energy produced also increased. The supplies were cheap and easy to get.

Graphs or Images Section

Table

Amount of cups Voltage

1 Cell/cup 0.021

2 Cells/cups 0.039

3 Cells/cups 0.057

Analysis and Conclusion

According to the data table the prototype produced more energy when more cups/cells were added to the circuit. Since the prototype uses water, the water could be reused instead of gathering new resources.

Evaluation and Future Implications

-Next time we could build both designs to test if one would produce more energy than the other

-We could have changed up the wires and or liquid to test for more voltage such as using Vinegar because it has a greater acidity level than water

References

Ballard, Stuart. (2014), 3rd generation tidal turbines: too efficient to ignore?. Retrieved

from http://www.greenworldtrust.org.uk/Energy/Documents/3rd gen tidal turbines.pdf

Brain, Marshall, Freudenrich, Craig. (2014) How submarines work. Retrieved

from http://science.howstuffworks.com/transport/engines- equipment/submarine3.htm

Harris, Tom. (2001). How water slides work. Retrieved

from http://science.howstuffworks.com/engineering/structural/wate r-slide4.htm

Perlman, Howard. (2014). Hydroelectric Power: How it works. Retrieved

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

Water Webserver Team. (2014). Water Resources of the United States. Retrieved

from http://water.usgs.gov/

AbstractThis abstract explains the importance of renewable energy as well as how people

can use this renewable energy in their everyday life without harming the environment. Renewable energy is very useful in today’s society not only because it’s renewable but because it is clean energy and does not deprive earth of its natural resources. The experiment has to do with making a prototype that can produce energy as well as not harm animals. The prototype requires little space but is efficient in producing energy for regular household items. This is an important experiment because animals including fish and birds get harmed by wind and water turbines, also the renewable energy sources that are being used now take up huge amounts of land and water areas and solar panels for households cost too much and require the sun for power. This land could be used for more than just giant turbines; this land could be used for stores and houses as well as useful industries. The outcome of the experiment will produce an efficient energy source that could be placed anywhere including underground as well as produce power and not harm any living creatures.