Top Secret Alternative Sources of Energy UtahNeeds You! Utah Needs You! Brian D. Beadle Webquest Designer ©

Alternative Sources of Energy Introduction You are a part of a committee of energy consultants commissioned by the Governor of Utah. Your group will report to the Governor who recognizes that most of the state’s coal supply, which is used to produce electricity, is dwindling. You know the governor is under immense pressure from several special interest groups who request you do something immediately. You are a part of a committee of energy consultants commissioned by the Governor of Utah. Your group will report to the Governor who recognizes that most of the state’s coal supply, which is used to produce electricity, is dwindling. You know the governor is under immense pressure from several special interest groups who request you do something immediately. You know that the industrialists require energy to maintain a healthy and strong economy whose revenues support many governmental functions, while the environmentalists want to keep the environment clean with minimal impact on natural habitats and reduce the effects of global warming by keeping the air clean. You know that the industrialists require energy to maintain a healthy and strong economy whose revenues support many governmental functions, while the environmentalists want to keep the environment clean with minimal impact on natural habitats and reduce the effects of global warming by keeping the air clean. It is up to you to help the governor decide how to best appease the two parties and appeal to the constituents of his state. It is up to you to help the governor decide how to best appease the two parties and appeal to the constituents of his state. ProcessResourcesEvaluationConclusionTask

Task The governor needs to act fast and will act on your suggested energy plan. Your group of energy researchers has supplied you with several options of alternative energy sources. Your group of energy researchers has supplied you with several options of alternative energy sources. [found in the Resources section] [found in the Resources section] Your mission, is to research all six sources of energy and formulate an energy plan that would work for the State and Geographical setting of Utah and present your findings in a town hall meeting at the state capital. Be prepared to meet the public, governmental officials, press, and special interest groups. Your mission, is to research all six sources of energy and formulate an energy plan that would work for the State and Geographical setting of Utah and present your findings in a town hall meeting at the state capital. Be prepared to meet the public, governmental officials, press, and special interest groups. ProcessResourcesConclusionTaskEvaluation

Process Research all six sources of energy Research all six sources of energy Obtain 3 copies of the Energy Assessment hand outs. Obtain 3 copies of the Energy Assessment hand outs. At the top of the page, make a brief summary of what the energy source is and how each energy option works. At the top of the page, make a brief summary of what the energy source is and how each energy option works. Fill in the next table with the pro’s and con’s of each energy source. Fill in the next table with the pro’s and con’s of each energy source. In the conclusion section, write a paragraph description as to why you did or did not choose that source of energy as the option for Utah In the conclusion section, write a paragraph description as to why you did or did not choose that source of energy as the option for Utah (Be specific when defending your position). (Be specific when defending your position). Make a final evaluation of all your energy resources and create an energy plan that would best fit the Geography of Utah – defend it. Make a final evaluation of all your energy resources and create an energy plan that would best fit the Geography of Utah – defend it. As a group, creatively present your energy solutions to the class in a PowerPoint presentation and describe your energy plan. As a group, creatively present your energy solutions to the class in a PowerPoint presentation and describe your energy plan. (Click the down arrow for the next page) ProcessResourcesConclusionTaskEvaluation

Discuss the following in your Plan: Energy Plan: Energy Plan: What are the current energy consumption rates now? What are the current energy consumption rates now? How much energy does coal produce? How much energy does coal produce? How much energy does coal produce? How much energy does coal produce? How are you going to replace that energy loss? How are you going to replace that energy loss? Will it produce enough energy for Utah? Will it produce enough energy for Utah? Alternative Energy Source: Alternative Energy Source: How does it work? How does it work? How reliable is it? How reliable is it? What are you going to do if that one fails? What are you going to do if that one fails? Resources: Resources: Where would you build it? Where would you build it? How are you going to transport the energy to the city where its needed? How are you going to transport the energy to the city where its needed? Where can you best find the resources in the state? Where can you best find the resources in the state? Where would you put or handle the waste? Where would you put or handle the waste? Economics: Economics: How will this impact the economy? How will this impact the economy? How expensive will it be? – is it cost effective? How expensive will it be? – is it cost effective? How will we pay for this and recoup the costs? How will we pay for this and recoup the costs? Public v. Private Funding – who’s going pay for it? Public v. Private Funding – who’s going pay for it? Environmental Impact: Environmental Impact: How will the surrounding habitats be affected? How will the surrounding habitats be affected? Can it be minimized? Can it be minimized? How are you going to address the environmental concerns and issues (cons) How are you going to address the environmental concerns and issues (cons) ProcessResourcesConclusionTaskEvaluation

Resources Sources of Suggested Alternative Energy. Biomass Biomass Biomass Nuclear Nuclear Nuclear Solar Solar Solar Hydro-electric Hydro-electric Hydro-electric Wind Wind Wind Geothermal Geothermal Geothermal ProcessResourcesConclusionTaskEvaluation

Biomass Resource Resource What is it and how does it work What is it and how does it work What is it and how does it work What is it and how does it work Where are your sources located in Utah – and where would you build your power plant? Where are your sources located in Utah – and where would you build your power plant? Where are your sources located in Utah Where are your sources located in Utah Economic Impact Economic Impact What are the costs to build a facility (₤1 = $2) What are the costs to build a facility (₤1 = $2) What are the costs to build a facility (₤1 = $2) What are the costs to build a facility (₤1 = $2) How are you going to fund it and recoup the costs? How are you going to fund it and recoup the costs? What is your financial business plan. What is your financial business plan. How much power can it produce How much power can it produce How much power can it produce How much power can it produce How many homes can benefit How many homes can benefit Environmental Impact Environmental Impact How will your sources and waste effect the environment How will your sources and waste effect the environment How will your sources and waste effect the environment How will your sources and waste effect the environment What do you propose to do to minimize its impact? What do you propose to do to minimize its impact? How does your plan benefit the environment? How does your plan benefit the environment?

Nuclear Resource Resource What is it and how does it work What is it and how does it work Where are your sources located in Utah – and where would you build your power plant? Where are your sources located in Utah – and where would you build your power plant? Economic Impact Economic Impact What are the costs to build a facility (₤1 = $2) What are the costs to build a facility (₤1 = $2) How are you going to fund it and recoup the costs? How are you going to fund it and recoup the costs? How much power can it produce How much power can it produce How many homes can benefit How many homes can benefit Environmental Impact Environmental Impact How will your sources and waste effect the environment How will your sources and waste effect the environment What do you propose to do to minimize its impact? What do you propose to do to minimize its impact? How does your plan benefit the environment? How does your plan benefit the environment?

Solar Resource Resource What is it and how does it work What is it and how does it work Where are your sources located in Utah – and where would you build your power plant? Where are your sources located in Utah – and where would you build your power plant? Economic Impact Economic Impact What are the costs to build a facility (₤1 = $2) What are the costs to build a facility (₤1 = $2) How are you going to fund it and recoup the costs? How are you going to fund it and recoup the costs? How much power can it produce How much power can it produce How many homes can benefit How many homes can benefit Environmental Impact Environmental Impact How will your sources and waste effect the environment How will your sources and waste effect the environment What do you propose to do to minimize its impact? What do you propose to do to minimize its impact? How does your plan benefit the environment? How does your plan benefit the environment?

Hydro-Electric Resource Resource What is it and how does it work What is it and how does it work Where are your sources located in Utah – and where would you build your power plant? Where are your sources located in Utah – and where would you build your power plant? Economic Impact Economic Impact What are the costs to build a facility (₤1 = $2) What are the costs to build a facility (₤1 = $2) How are you going to fund it and recoup the costs? How are you going to fund it and recoup the costs? How much power can it produce How much power can it produce How many homes can benefit How many homes can benefit Environmental Impact Environmental Impact How will your sources and waste effect the environment How will your sources and waste effect the environment What do you propose to do to minimize its impact? What do you propose to do to minimize its impact? How does your plan benefit the environment? How does your plan benefit the environment?

Wind Resource Resource What is it and how does it work What is it and how does it work Where are your sources located in Utah – and where would you build your power plant? Where are your sources located in Utah – and where would you build your power plant? Economic Impact Economic Impact What are the costs to build a facility (₤1 = $2) What are the costs to build a facility (₤1 = $2) How are you going to fund it and recoup the costs? How are you going to fund it and recoup the costs? How much power can it produce How much power can it produce How many homes can benefit How many homes can benefit Environmental Impact Environmental Impact How will your sources and waste effect the environment How will your sources and waste effect the environment What do you propose to do to minimize its impact? What do you propose to do to minimize its impact? How does your plan benefit the environment? How does your plan benefit the environment?

Geothermal Resource Resource What is it and how does it work What is it and how does it work Where are your sources located in Utah – and where would you build your power plant? Where are your sources located in Utah – and where would you build your power plant? Economic Impact Economic Impact What are the costs to build a facility (₤1 = $2) What are the costs to build a facility (₤1 = $2) How are you going to fund it and recoup the costs? How are you going to fund it and recoup the costs? How much power can it produce How much power can it produce How many homes can benefit How many homes can benefit Environmental Impact Environmental Impact How will your sources and waste effect the environment How will your sources and waste effect the environment What do you propose to do to minimize its impact? What do you propose to do to minimize its impact? How does your plan benefit the environment? How does your plan benefit the environment?

Additional Resources General Energy Web Sites General Energy Web Sites The Renewal Energy Policy Project The Renewal Energy Policy Project The Renewal Energy Policy Project The Renewal Energy Policy Project Department of Energy Department of Energy Department of Energy Department of Energy National Renewable Energy Laboratory National Renewable Energy Laboratory National Renewable Energy Laboratory National Renewable Energy Laboratory Idaho national laboratory Idaho national laboratory Idaho national laboratory Idaho national laboratory Hydro-electric Hydro-electric USGS (U.S. Geological Survey) USGS (U.S. Geological Survey) USGS Geothermal Web Sites Geothermal Web Sites Geothermal Education Office Geothermal Education Office Geothermal Education Office Geothermal Education Office Geothermal Resources Council Geothermal Resources Council Geothermal Resources Council Geothermal Resources Council Geothermal Energy Association Geothermal Energy Association Geothermal Energy Association Geothermal Energy Association Geo-Heat Center Geo-Heat Center Geo-Heat Center Geo-Heat Center Wind Power Wind Power American Wind Energy Association American Wind Energy Association American Wind Energy Association American Wind Energy Association ProcessResourcesConclusionTaskEvaluation

Other Resources State Energy Policy State Energy Policy State Energy Policy State Energy Policy State Renewable Energy Program State Renewable Energy Program State Renewable Energy Program State Renewable Energy Program National Energy Plan National Energy Plan

UT Coal Production Coal ProductionCoal Production Coal Generation - Power Plant Equivalents Coal Generation - Power Plant Equivalents In order to replace the current 300 gigawatts of coal capacity the US has today, it would require: In order to replace the current 300 gigawatts of coal capacity the US has today, it would require: Solar Setups: 300 million. It may take more - average daily sunlight by region varies. Solar Setups: 300 million. It may take more - average daily sunlight by region varies. Windmills: 860,000 large windmills They would occupy an area the size of Ohio, NJ, PA & MD combined Windmills: 860,000 large windmills They would occupy an area the size of Ohio, NJ, PA & MD combined Nuclear Plants: ,000 megawatt plants could take as long as 50 years to build Nuclear Plants: ,000 megawatt plants could take as long as 50 years to build Combined Cycle Natural Gas Plants: 1 thousand The US would need to increase its annual gas supplies by 70% Combined Cycle Natural Gas Plants: 1 thousand The US would need to increase its annual gas supplies by 70% Source: CONSOl Energy Inc., (as reported in Coal Leader, September 2003) Source: CONSOl Energy Inc., (as reported in Coal Leader, September 2003)

Research Evaluation CriteriaExcellent10-9Good8Average7Poor6-0 Evaluation of Pros & Cons Conclusion ProcessResourcesConclusionTaskEvaluation

Energy Plan Evaluation ProcessResourcesConclusionTask CriteriaExcellent10-9Good8Average7Poor6-0 Environmental Impact Economical Impact Financial Plan Evaluation

Presentation Evaluation ProcessResourcesConclusionTask CriteriaExcellent10-9Good8Average7Poor6-0 Questions & Answers Presentation Style Organization & Creativity Defense Evaluation

Group Evaluation Assume your group was given $100 for your research and presentation, You get to decide how you would split up $100. Assume your group was given $100 for your research and presentation, You get to decide how you would split up $100. ProcessResourcesConclusionTaskEvaluation

Conclusion Energy development is a controversial topic with ties to a healthy economy and environment. It is our hope that upon completion of this project you will have a greater understanding and appreciation of the ethical considerations that engineers, government officials and citizens of any state consider before making an informed decision. Energy development is a controversial topic with ties to a healthy economy and environment. It is our hope that upon completion of this project you will have a greater understanding and appreciation of the ethical considerations that engineers, government officials and citizens of any state consider before making an informed decision. ProcessResourcesConclusionTaskEvaluation

Teacher Page This Webquest is designed to have small groups of students (2-3) work together for up to 4 class periods and present on the 5 th. This Webquest is designed to have small groups of students (2-3) work together for up to 4 class periods and present on the 5 th. This could be used to help students learn about the different viable energy sources and how we can use it to develop usable energy for society. This could be used to help students learn about the different viable energy sources and how we can use it to develop usable energy for society. Materials: Materials: Access to the internet via a computer Access to the internet via a computer Paper/pencils Paper/pencils

Teacher Page 8 th Grade Integrated Science Core Standard: Theme Theme The themes for Eighth Grade Integrated Science are change and energy. The themes for Eighth Grade Integrated Science are change and energy. Relevance Relevance Personal relevance of science in students’ lives is an important part of helping students to value science and should be emphasized at this grade level. Personal relevance of science in students’ lives is an important part of helping students to value science and should be emphasized at this grade level. Providing opportunities for students to gain insights into science related careers adds to the relevance of science learning. Providing opportunities for students to gain insights into science related careers adds to the relevance of science learning. It is important for students to understand not only the skills of science but also simple concepts of engineering. It is important for students to understand not only the skills of science but also simple concepts of engineering. The Most Important Goal The Most Important Goal Science instruction should cultivate and build on students’ curiosity and sense of wonder. Science instruction should cultivate and build on students’ curiosity and sense of wonder. ILO’s ILO’s 2. Manifest Scientific Attitudes and Interests 2. Manifest Scientific Attitudes and Interests Read and look at books and other science materials voluntarily. Read and look at books and other science materials voluntarily. Raise questions about objects, events, and processes that can be answered through scientific investigation. Raise questions about objects, events, and processes that can be answered through scientific investigation. Maintain an open and questioning mind toward ideas and alternative points of view. Maintain an open and questioning mind toward ideas and alternative points of view. Check reports of observations for accuracy. Check reports of observations for accuracy. Accept and use scientific evidence to help resolve ecological problems. Accept and use scientific evidence to help resolve ecological problems. 4. Communicate Effectively Using Science Language and Reasoning 4. Communicate Effectively Using Science Language and Reasoning Provide relevant data to support their inferences and conclusions. Provide relevant data to support their inferences and conclusions. Use precise scientific language in oral and written communication. Use precise scientific language in oral and written communication. Use correct English in oral and written reports. Use correct English in oral and written reports. Use reference sources to obtain information and cite the sources. Use reference sources to obtain information and cite the sources. 5. Demonstrate Awareness of Social and Historical Aspects of Science 5. Demonstrate Awareness of Social and Historical Aspects of Science Cite examples of how science affects life. Cite examples of how science affects life. Standard 4: Movement involves one form of energy being transformed into another form. Standard 4: Movement involves one form of energy being transformed into another form. Objective 4 Analyze various forms of energy and how living organisms sense and respond to energy. Objective 4 Analyze various forms of energy and how living organisms sense and respond to energy. Trace the conversion of energy from one form of energy to another (e.g., light to chemical to mechanical). Trace the conversion of energy from one form of energy to another (e.g., light to chemical to mechanical).

Teacher Page How to Grade For the presentation: For the presentation: I evaluated and gave a score I evaluated and gave a score I had 6 students evaluate and took the average of all the student evaluations and compared them to mine. I had 6 students evaluate and took the average of all the student evaluations and compared them to mine. For the research and conclusions. For the research and conclusions. I graded them based on the rubric. No student involvement. I graded them based on the rubric. No student involvement. For the group evaluation: For the group evaluation: I took the average of what each student gave each other, then divided it by the top score in the group. I took the average of what each student gave each other, then divided it by the top score in the group.

Acknowledgements Matthew Cope Daniel Carpenter Allen Plumb Christian Burrell Stacey Beadle