Alternative Energy & Our Future

1. Alternative Energy & Our Future www.questgarden.com

2. 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 .

3. 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)

4. 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

5. 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)

6. 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

7. 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.

8. 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?

9. Links http://www.energy.gov/science-innovation/energy-sources http://eia.doe.gov/kids/index.cfm

10. 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/

11. 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/

12. 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

13. 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

14. Nuclear http://www.nei.org/ http://www.energy.gov/ne/office-nuclear-energy http://www.howstuffworks.com/nuclear-power.htm

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

16. 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

17. Ocean Power http://www.oceanpowertechnologies.com/ http://www.worldchanging.com/archives/005178.html http://www.ecobusinesslinks.com/ocean_power/

18. 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=portal http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/our-energy-choices/renewable-energy/how-biomass-energy-works.html http://www1.eere.energy.gov/bioenergy/

19. 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

20. 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

21. Presenting to the President • Each group will present their recommendation to the President (class)