2. Renewable
Energy
Purpose of session:
• To improve our understanding of renewable energy‟s contribution
to Australia‟s energy mix.
• To improve our understanding of the types of renewable
technologies that exist.
• To provide two simple practical ideas for investigating renewable
energy in the classroom.
5. Renewable
Energy
AusVELS
AusVELS Science Level 6:
Energy from a variety of sources can be used to generate electricity
Scientific understandings, discoveries and inventions are used to
solve problems that directly affect peoples’ lives
Decide which variable should be changed and measured in fair
tests and accurately observe, measure and record data, using
digital technologies as appropriate
Suggest improvements to the methods used to investigate a
question or solve a problem
7. Renewable
Energy
So where‟s Renewable Energy at?
Q: What percentage of Australia‟s electricity
is delivered from renewable sources?
A: 13 %
Australia currently has a commitment under
the RET (Renewable Energy Target) to
achieve 20% by 2020.
14. Renewable
Energy
Wind Energy
What about the environmental impacts of a wind farm? !!
• Manufacture of components
• Roads development
• Servicing
• Concrete footings
How do we compare the impacts?
15. Renewable
Energy
Wind Energy
Full LCA (Life Cycle Analysis) conducted of Waterloo Wind Farm
• Waterloo, South Australia
• 37 3.0MW Turbines
• 111 MW capacity
• 25 year life
24. Renewable
Energy
Solar Water Heating
The electricity used to heat
water is the largest single source
of greenhouse gas emissions
from the average Australian
home, producing almost a
quarter of household emissions.1
1. Clean Energy Council Solar Hot Water and Heat Pump Study, Mito Energy, 2011
Affinity Diagram:- Something you want to find out about renewable energy (sticky notes)These are then categorised.This can set the basis for the unit.
Purpose of session:For teachers to improve their understanding of renewable energy’s contribution to Australia’s energy mix.For teachers to improve their understanding of the types of renewable technologies that exist.To provide two simple practical ideas for investigating renewable energy in the classroom.
Teachers list renewable sources of energy, in a list down the page.What was their criteria for renewable?
This fun activity helps students establish that once it’s gone, it’s gone.
Teachers list their known renewables.Are they all environmentally friendly? i.e. can they all be all considered ‘clean energy’ or is one type of renewable energy better than another. Examples? BioMass (combusting organic material) Hydro (effects on river systems). Can you rank them?Show sustainability slide…there is a lot to consider Is hydro sustainable – arguable on the effects on river systems.Geothermal – economic?Wind – socially?
Students answers (Year 7’s) vary enormously.RET under current review.
The costs of wind powered electricity is now comparable to modern gas fired power stations.
The real positive out of the increased network prices, is that consumers are looking for new ways (e.g. decentralising the network) of cutting costs. Off-grid is rising in popularity.Should our focus for reducing energy costs be focused on reducing peak consumption?
Wind energy has seen the highest growth of large scale renewable technology.
Waubra – 192 MW, 128 1.5MW turbinesBlades 37m long110m highApprox 1000 homes / turbineScience of how a turbine works. Compare this to preconceptions from students.
In just 2 months of operation, the wind farm overtook their fossil fuels competitors in greenhouse emission savings.It took under 6 months for the energy provided to construct the farm to be generated by the wind farm.
Black Liquor – pulp mill waste
1 plant in Birdsville QLD. Direct use applications exist.
Huge uptake – 600% growth in last 4 years2012 – 1 in 10 Aus homes have solarFeed-in tariffs – originally over 60c / kWh, now at 8c, consumers are still installing.Works in well with reducing the requirement for infrastructure for peak demand.
Huge update – 600% growth in last 4 years2012 – 1 in 10 Aus homes have solarThe great aspect of rooftop solar, is that it’s production peak lines up closely with the demand peak.
Focus on Fair Testing:Cows Moo Softly – Change one variable, Measure/Observe, Same other variablesYou could start with just the black cardboard and then improve the design to come up with a way to keep the heat in.This activity can be extended to design the best passive solar collector possible. Students can predict what’s going to happen, and draw on their own experiences (e.g. when I wear dark clothes in the sun, I feel hotter)Make inferences about what has happened.The experiment can then be extended to include trapping the heat. The students might even design the method, or begin by following the given method and then design their own, e.g. by changing the material of the cup.
Variations:Record temperatures at multiple intervals for construction of a line graphWhat happens when it’s cloudy…do we still see a result?
Use ICT to record results. In this case, Excel.
Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System in California, is up and running. (World’s largest)produces a total 392MW of power through 173,500 multi-mirror units. That's enough to power 140,000 nearby homes.
Tassie is the hydro-capital of Australia.
San Remo Tidal (atlantis)– 150kW – 4000 homes.Atlantis has plans for 150MW off grid in Scotland.Wave and tidal power – predictable.Portland Wave – dependant on funding – 19MW Buoys