Renewable Energy How Can We Keep the Lights On?
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Commonwealth Class Renewable Energy How can we keep the lights on? In collaboration with Commonwealth Class Introduction Commonwealth values: Sustainable development, protecting the environment, valuing the importance and contributions of young people Curriculum links: Science, English and drama, design and technology, geography, citizenship, ICT, personal social and health education Core skills: Communication and collaboration, critical thinking and problem solving, digital literacy, global citizenship and civic responsibility Fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural Carbon capture and storage is gas) are non-renewable energy developing technology that resources, which means their separates carbon dioxide from supply is limited and they will the waste gases produced when eventually run out. Fossil fuels do burning fossil fuels. The carbon not renew themselves, while fuels dioxide is then transported and such as wood can be renewed if stored underground, for example new trees are planted. Coal and oil in old oil fields or gas fields such as release sulphur dioxide gas when those found under the North Sea. they burn, which causes breathing One of the UN’s Sustainable problems for living creatures and Development Goals is to ensure contributes to acid rain. access to affordable, reliable, Fossil fuels release carbon dioxide sustainable and modern energy when they burn, which adds to the for all. greenhouse effect and increases global warming. Of the three fossil fuels, for a given amount of energy released, coal produces the most carbon dioxide and natural gas produces the least. 2 Commonwealth Class Contents Overview: importance and scientific background 3 Activity 1: what keeps your lights on? 7 Activity 2: windmill energy challenge 8 Activity 3: solar heating 9 Cross-curricular activities 10 Appendix 12 3 Commonwealth Class OVERVIEW Why is it important? disturbed the balance of the Fossil fuels are also limited in Greenhouse gases such as carbon carbon cycle – the natural supply. Different estimates are dioxide absorb heat (infrared processes that could restore the given for when oil, natural gas and radiation) emitted from the Earth’s balance are too slow compared to coal are likely to run out. It surface. Increases in the the rates at which human activities depends on estimates of demand, atmospheric concentrations of are adding carbon dioxide to the estimates of supply available (often these gases cause Earth to warm atmosphere. As a result, a in remote areas) and use of by trapping more of this heat. substantial fraction of the carbon renewable energy. Detailed analyses have shown that dioxide emitted from human In December 2015, 195 nations the warming during this period is activities accumulates in the from around the world came mainly a result of the increased atmosphere, where some of it together in Paris and adopted a concentrations of carbon dioxide will remain not just for decades new and universal agreement on and other greenhouse gases. or centuries, but for thousands climate change. The new Continued emissions of these of years. agreement aims to put the world gases will cause further climate The present level of atmospheric on track to a low-carbon future change, including substantial carbon dioxide concentration is that holds global temperature rise increases in global average almost certainly unprecedented in well below 2oC, with individual surface temperature and important the past million years, during which countries submitting national changes in regional climate. time modern humans evolved and climate action plans. Example Human activities have significantly societies developed. The actions include increasing the disturbed the natural carbon cycle atmospheric carbon dioxide amount of power produced by by extracting long-buried fossil concentration was, however, geothermal and solar sources, and fuels and burning them for energy, higher in Earth’s more distant past increasing the use of energy thus releasing carbon dioxide to (many millions of years ago), at efficient lighting. the atmosphere. The additional which time palaeoclimatic and carbon dioxide from fossil fuel geological data indicate that burning and deforestation has temperatures and sea levels were also higher than they are today. 4 Commonwealth Class Scientific background Most ways of generating electricity Possible solutions to the problem work by having a magnet and a coil There are a number of existing wire, and creating movement Energy sources are either renewable energy sources, but between the two. This movement they have different advantages non-renewable or renewable. induces a current in the coil of Non-renewable energy is and disadvantages (see page 6). wire. When fossil fuels burn, it As yet, they are not enough to produced by burning fossil fuels heats water, producing steam. The (coal, gas or oil). This also produce all the world’s energy steam turns turbines, which causes supply. There are also measures produces carbon dioxide as a side the magnets to move in relation to product, which contributes to that could be taken to use energy the coil of wire, generating more efficiently and changes to climate change. Nuclear sources electricity. Similarly, nuclear power can also be a non-renewable behaviour that could reduce uses the energy produced from energy demand. energy. They generate electricity splitting nuclei to heat water to in a similar way to fossil fuels, produce the steam. Wind turbines although they do not produce and hydroelectric power use wind carbon dioxide. Renewable energy and water to turn the turbines. sources include: wind turbines, Solar power however uses special solar panels and hydroelectric material in photovoltaic cells to power (dams). Biomass is also a produce electricity. Solar power renewable fuel but it is burnt in a can also be used directly for similar way to fossil fuels and also heating water. produces carbon dioxide. 5 Commonwealth Class ENERGY soUrce ADVANTAGes DisaDVANTAGes Solar cells. Infinite energy supply. Currently costly to Does not produce carbon dioxide. manufacture panels. No fuel costs. Not sufficient power at higher latitudes. Currently not very efficient. Need storage methods to store overnight. Wind farm. Infinite energy supply. Can cause local opposition due to Does not produce carbon dioxide. visual impact on the landscape. No fuel costs. Not always sufficient wind. Amount of electricity produced depends on the strength of the wind. Better wind offshore, but more of a challenge in technology. Tidal energy works by using a Reliable and can be easily Can destroy the habitat of tidal barrage (a kind of dam) and switched on. estuary species. building this across estuaries, Does not produce carbon dioxide. forcing water through gaps. No fuel costs. Wave energy works by Does not produce carbon dioxide. Difficult to scale up technology harnessing the power of No fuel costs. to produce large amounts seawater moving in and out of of electricity. cavities which drives a turbine. In volcanic parts of earth it is Potentially infinite supply. Currently expensive to set up. possible to use the natural heat No fuel costs. Only works in parts of the world of the earth. Cold water is where there is volcanic activity. It pumped underground and comes can also be dangerous; the out as steam. Steam can be used elements found underground must for heating or to power turbines, be disposed of carefully. creating electricity. Biomass is decaying plant or Readily available. Only a renewable source if crops animal waste. are replaced. Depending on the type of biomass, fuel production could be in competition with food production. Hydroelectric power is produced Reliable and can be easily Currently costly to build. through the movement of water switched on. Can cause flooding to communities. through lakes, rivers Does not produce carbon dioxide. and dams. No fuel costs. Wood. Readily available. Only renewable if trees are replanted. Gives off greenhouse gases when burnt. Can reduce natural habitats. 6 Commonwealth Class ACTIVITY 1: WHAT KEEPS YOUR LIGHTS ON? Overview Sample questions to investigate Sharing your results This is a research activity and record might include: Results should be shared and to investigate the electricity • Do you have access to electricity discussed with other countries via supply local to you. Students all the time at home and school? the teacher forum on Schools will need to research online as • Where does that electricity Online or through your links with well as ask questions and should come from? partner schools. You might like to share their findings with schools consider what differences there in other countries. • Do you know anyone who are between your area and other gets their electricity from a countries and why that might be. Activity different source? Different countries across the • Is mains electricity available world have different sources for in your area? their electricity. This can lead to a • What source(s) are used to difference in the amount of generate the mains electricity? electricity that is available in homes and schools. Some areas • How often do you use electricity may be connected to mains and for what? electricity supplies, while others • Do you know how much may have a separate generator or electricity your school uses in a run off solar powered lights. week, term or year? How might Ask your students to investigate energy demand be reduced in what the electricity supply is like at your school? their home and school. If mains Extension: If you have access to an electricity is available, the energy monitor, you can measure investigation should include what the amount of electricity used in sources of electricity their country your school and see what you can uses to generate mains electricity change to reduce it. (online sources may need to be used for this). 7 Commonwealth Class ACTIVITY 2: WINDMILL ENERGY CHALLENGE Overview students that a turning motion can • What will you change? Students will build a basic windmill be converted into electricity by • How will you decide which and investigate how to make it using a bicycle dynamo and cycle is the best? more efficient.