Physics 1Seminar3rd MP Project
Mr. ZadroznyEHS - 2011
Alternative Energy Project
The need for reliable energy is critical to people around the world. Whether used to run factories, heat and power our homes, cook our food, transport us or bring us the Internet, everybody uses energy. For the past 150+ years, fossil fuels have been the main source of energy used by developed countries. However, as demand for these energy sources increase and concern for their environment impact grows, the opportunity for developing new sources of energy is becoming more politically and economically attractive.
Working with your assigned group, you will select an alternative energy source and assess its potential for addressing the energy needs of our country in the next 5 – 10 years. Specifically, you are to consider the available technology, potential supply, cost and environment impact of this energy source as well as the ability to it distribute it to where it will be used. You should compare your choice to a traditional energy sources and consider how consumers will accept any needed changes to their current energy use habits.
Your grade will be in two parts: a written report that follows the outline below, and a formal presentation. Your written report should include the following sections:
Introduction: 5 pts
A clear statement of the problem, as you see it, that is driving the need for alternative energy sources and a brief summary of how your energy source will address this problem
Technology Status10 pts
How does this new energy source work? What technical problems need to be solved before it is readily available? How reliable is the energy that it will produce? What changes, if any, will businesses and consumers need to make in order to use it?
Economics10 pts
What are the raw materials needed to generatethis energy? How much will it cost to build generation facilities?How much will the energy it produces cost consumers? How does the cost of energy from this source compare energy from the fossil fuel source it will replace?
Thermodynamic Balance: 5 pts
How energy efficient is this source? How much energyis used to generate the energy produced from this new source? Consider the energy to build the generation facilities.
Fungibility 5 pts
What fossil energy source(s) will it replace? How easily will this change occur?
What percent of our total energy needs will this source be able to provide in 5 – 10 years?
Social and Environmental Impacts 5 pts
What are the environmental tradeoffs involved in using this energy source?
What objections might people raise against the use of this energy source?
Conclusions: 5 pts
What role would you recommend for this source in our nation’s future energy policy?
References: 10 pts
5– 10 quality references from a diverse list of sources including:
Government, Public Policy, Universities, Industry & Research Institutes
Grammar / Comprehension / Paragraph Structure / Organization10 pts
Total Report Score 65 pts
Your written report is due Mar 23, 2011. Typed, double-spaced, 4-6 pages for groups of 3 people, 5-7 pages for groups of 4 people. Use MLA format with embedded footnotes for specific information cited.
Your group will report its findings Mar 23-35 in a 6-8 minute presentation, 8 – 10 min. for groups of 4 people. Your grade will be based on how well you present information following the outline given for the written report and scored as follows:
Introduction 5 pts
Technology Status10 pts
Economics10 pts
Social and Environmental Impacts 5 pts
Fungibility 5 pts
Thermodynamic Balance: 5 pts
Conclusions 5 pts
Question and Answer Session 5 pts
Presentation Quality (see grading rubric)10 pts
Total Presentation Score 60 pts
Maximum Project Score 125 pts
Written Report Grading Rubric:
PointsCriteria
10 / Report approaches the maximum length, no grammatical errors or typos and is very well organized8 – 9 / Report is average ormore in length, has 1-2 errors per page, is well organized
Report meets the minimum length, has no errors and is very well organized
6 – 7 / Report is somewhat less than the minimum length, has no errorsand is very well organized
Report meets the minimum length and has 1 – 2 errors per page average and is well organized
Report is average or above in length and has 3-4 errors per page average and is not well organized
4 – 5 / Report is less than the minimum length and has 1-2 errors per page average and is well organized
Report meets the minimum length and has 3 -4 errors per page average and is not well organized
Report is average or above in length and has 5- 6 errors per page average and no clear organization
2 -3 / Report is less than the minimum length and has 3-4 errors per page average, is not well organized
Report meets the minimum length and has 5 – 6 errors per page average and no clear organization
Report is average or above in length and has more than 6 errors per page average, is well organized
0 – 1 / Report is less than the minimum length and has 5 or more errors per page average no organization
Report meets the minimum length, has more than 6 errors per page average and no organization
Presentation Grading Rubric:
PointsCriteria
10 / Presentation approaches the maximum length, has substantial use of graphics and minimal words8 – 9 / Presentation meets the minimum length and has substantial use of graphics, minimal words
Presentation is average or above in length and has significant use of graphics, moderate words
6 – 7 / Presentation is less than the minimum length, has substantial use of graphics and minimal words
Presentation meets the minimum length and has significant use of graphics, moderate # of words
Presentation is average or above in length and has moderate use of graphics, a majority of words
4 – 5 / Presentation is less than the minimum length, has significant use of graphics, moderate # of words
Presentation meets the minimum length and has moderate use of graphics, a majority of words
Presentation is average or above in length and has minimal graphics, mostly words
2 -3 / Presentation is less than the minimum length, has moderate use of graphics and a majority of words
Presentation meets the minimum length, has minimal graphics and is mostly words
Presentation is average or above in length,no graphics or contains overly wordy slides
0 – 1 / Presentation is less than the minimum length and has minimal graphics
Presentationmeets the minimum length,no graphics or contains overly wordy slides
Add 1 point for the first animated graphic demo and ½ point for each additional animation demo.
Deduct 1 point for every 20 seconds you run over your time limit
Videos over 15 s in length will not count towards your time limit
Alternative Energy Technologies:
1-Wind Power
2 - Photo-Voltaic Cells
Energy from solar electromagnetic radiation
3 - Passive Solar
Energy from solar radiant heat energy
4 - Tidal Energy
5 - Wave Energy
6 - Nuclear Power
7 - Hydrogen Fuel Cells
8 – Geothermal Energy
9 – Biofuels - Biomass specifically growth to produce fuel
Not Corn Ethanol
10 – BioMass - Waste biomass that can be converted into fuel
11 - Electric Powered Cars
Must explain where the electric power comes from
12 - Other???Not Fusion
One Alt Energy source per section
Commercial Information Sources
Wind Power
ABB Ltd. Turbine manufacturer
Windtec, wind turbine designer
American Superconductor, wind turbine manufacturer
Solar Power
US Solar Energy Industry Association
Solargenix Energy, LLC, solar energy plant developer
Biomass
International Paper
Weyerhaeuser Co.
Koch Industries
Georgia Pacific
California Biomass Collaborative
Geothermal
Calpine Corp
Biofuels
Archer Daniels Midland
Hydrogen Fuel Cells
United Technologies
Research Universities
Rice U.: Houston Advanced Research Center
Nuclear Power
Greenspirit Strategies, Ltd
National Geographic – April 2006 edition
Alternative Energy Project Presentation Scoring Sheet
Student(s) ______Period ______Score _____
Introduction5 pts______
Technology Status10 pts______
Economics10 pts______
Social and Environmental Impacts 5 pts______
Fungibility 5 pts______
Thermodynamic Balance 5 pts______
Conclusion 5 pts______
Q & A Session 5 pts______
Presentation Quality10 pts______
Total Time:Total Score 60 pts______
Alternative Energy Project Paper Scoring Sheet
Students ______Period ______Score ______
______Presentation Score ______
______Total Score ______/ 125
Introduction5 pts______
Technology Status10 pts______
Economics10 pts______
Social and Environmental Impacts 5 pts______
Fungibility 5 pts______
Thermodynamic Balance 5 pts______
Conclusions: 5 pts______
Report Quality10 pts______
References10 pts______
Total Score 65 pts______