Can you think of any renewable energy sources that are near Charlotte? Science Starter What types of renewable energy sources do you think are available in North Carolina? Can you think of any renewable energy sources that are near Charlotte? *Extend screen rather than duplicating image on projector in order to view these notes while presenting

Today’s Agenda Warm Up & Objective Alternative Energy Sources Notes Energy Articles Energy Madness Brackets Exit Ticket

Alternate Energy in North Carolina SWBAT evaluate sources of alternate energy in North Carolina

Political Connection! NC is one of just a few states in the US that has a legislative renewable energy mandate.  The NC Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (REPS) requires that NC utilities must have a percentage of their retail sales come from renewable energy sources by specific dates – up to 12.5% by 2021.  By 2021, 12.5% of North Carolina’s energy must come from renewable energy sources!

Alternate Energy Sources Solar Energy Alternate Energy Sources Solar energy has two major advantages: Instead of using fossil fuels, solar power technologies use photovoltaic (PV) panels to convert sunlight directly into electricity. This process involves no moving parts. PV systems can be very small (using only a few panels) or many panels can be connected together to construct large systems.  1. Solar energy’s “fuel” is free. 2. Solar energy is non-polluting.

Duke’s Smart Dorm Duke’s Smart Dorm is a house on the campus of Duke University. This house is run almost entirely off of solar energy. Tour of the Duke Smart Dorm http://smarthome.duk e.edu/dorm Click on the “Virtual Tour” link (during slideshow) to open a virtual tour of the NCSU Solar House. After opening the page, you can click “enter home” and can take a tour of the home. Click on the “more” tab at the top of the page in order to see how the home uses Daily Tar Heel article on a solar farm in Hillsborough: http://www.dailytarheel.com/index.php/article/2010/09/ribbon_cut_on_solar_field_at_maple_view More info on Hillsborough solar farm: http://www.dasolar.com/solar-blog/index.php/2010/09/new-north-carolina-solar-farm-goes-live/ Additional article on NC Solar: http://www.reflector.com/node/318793 More resources: http://www.ncgreenpower.org/types/solar.html

Solar Energy: Pros & Cons Initial cost of solar panels Weather can affect effectiveness of solar panels Solar panels only work during daylight hours. This means they can only create energy during daylight hours, and must use stored energy during dark hours Pros Once they are manufactured, solar panels produce no pollution Once solar panels are paid for, they continue to provide free energy Solar energy production is very quiet, unlike energy created from fossil fuels and other forms of energy

Alternate Energy Sources Nuclear Energy Alternate Energy Sources  In nuclear fission, the nuclei of heavy atoms such as uranium-235 are bombarded with neutrons. “Split” hyperlink: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0v8i4v1mieU Television commercial using mouse-traps and ping-pong balls (shows how nuclear fission works). “Smaller nuclei” hyperlink: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zcuynn_i4_k&feature=related (demonstrates fission more specifically)  The uranium nuclei split into smaller nuclei and emit neutrons and heat energy.

North Carolina State University Nuclear Plant Click on picture of reactor rods (during presentation mode) to open the NCSU Nuclear Reactor website, and then click “History of the reactor” at the bottom of the slide for more historical information. Youtube link is hooked to the “Cons of a nuclear plant.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlrYYaalzZY History of the reactor Cons from a nuclear plant

Nuclear Energy: Pros & Cons Create very small amounts of pollution Very reliable (require little to no outside fuel to operate) High levels of electric energy can be created at one nuclear energy plant Cons Radioactive waste (must be monitored for 10,000 years after it is used Example: Chernobyl Where was it? What happened? Threat of nuclear terrorism https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=51.494817,24.120841&spn=0.018676,0.045447&vpsrc=6&doflg=ptk&t=f&z=15&ecpose=51.48886237,24.11209862,2732.19,42.428,19.262,0&output=classic&dg=brw

Alternate Energy Sources Wind Energy Alternate Energy Sources  In the next 50 to 60 years, wind power could be used to create between 5 to 10 percent of the country’s demand for electricity.

Wind Turbines Traditional Wind Turbine

Modern Vertical Wind Turbine

Wind in North Carolina Have students discuss (1 minute in table partners) where they would place wind turbines if they were creating a new company that was going to sell wind energy.

Where are North Carolina’s Wind Turbines? Click on map during slideshow to go to live website: http://wind.appstate.edu/turbine-map Go back to the previous slide and have students analyze if the location of these wind turbines makes sense, based on the wind levels listed on the previous map. Are there any near Charlotte?

Wind Turbines: Pros & Cons Self-sustaining (does not require support from other resources or inputs) Reliable Causes little to no harm to plant and animal life on the ground Cons Not 100% reliable (wind speeds must be at least 16 mph) Avian mortality (bird killers!) High initial cost

Alternate Energy Sources Hydroelectric Power Alternate Energy Sources  Hydroelectric power is the power generated by falling water.  The water held in a reservoir behind a dam is a form of stored energy that can be released through the dam to produce electric power.  The strong water flow that results drives turbines and electric generators.

Cowans Ford Dam Cowans Ford Hydro Station is located in Huntersville, N.C., approximately 20 miles north of Charlotte on Lake Norman. It is the largest conventional hydro station owned by Duke Energy. Cowans Ford Dam created Lake Norman, the largest man-made body of fresh water in North Carolina. The lake provides a dependable supply of water to Lincoln County and the communities of Davidson, Mooresville, Charlotte-Mecklenburg and Huntersville. Link to more information on Duke Energy’s website: http://www.duke-energy.com/power-plants/hydro/cowans-ford.asp Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cowans_Ford_Dam More facts about Lake Norman: http://www.lakenormansweb.com/lake_norman/lake_norman_nc_facts.php

Hydroelectric Power: Pros & Cons Completely independent of fossil fuels Can be shut off immediately (thermal plants can take hours, nuclear plants can take weeks) Controls flooding Very few breakdowns Cons Disrupts natural ecosystems Plant decay that is created as a result of dams can cause release of greenhouse gases Expensive to build

Energy Articles Choose a partner in the classroom (only 2 people) Both of you will receive an article about energy in North Carolina Read the article to your partner and then list pros/cons about your energy type in the article on a piece of paper. Make it look nice! You will have 10 minutes to do this for both!

Return to your seats for the Exit Ticket!!

Describe the pros and cons of the facility you chose in question #2. Exit Ticket! Name two types of alternative energy sources that are available in North Carolina Give an example of one specific renewable energy facility that is in North Carolina. Describe the pros and cons of the facility you chose in question #2.