World Energy Sources
Extended Research Assignment
Introduction
In this project you will look at local electrical energy needs as provided by the power
output of a local (fossil fuel) power plant. This will include set-up costs, production costs
and of course power output and environmental effects.
You will then look at alternative energy sources that may be utilized to service that need.
This should again be based on cost to produce the required power and environmental
effects incurred.
Lastly, based on your research, you will generate a pie chart that shows the percentage of
each source of energy that should be used to provide the needed power. You should
justify the percentages that you chose based on earlier reporting.
Part 1: Local Energy Needs
The local Power Plant is Karn/Weadock situated near Bay City.
Find out the following:
Geographical area served
Operation of Plant – how electrical energy is produced from fuel
Cost to build
Power Output
Cost to produce power output – fuel cost, production cost, maintenance,
limiting emissions etc
Environmental effects – emissions, disposal of waste etc
Part 2:
How might the following be used to produce the power outlined in part 1?
1. Hydroelectric
2. Photovoltaics
3. Active solar heaters
4. Wind
5. Nuclear
6. Geothermal
7. Tidal
8. Biofuels
(Each person will be assigned an energy source to report on from the options above.)
You should again report on operation, set-up costs, production costs, maintenance and
environmental effects.
You should determine the number of sites/units required to produce the required power
and the feasibility of this option.
Due to a national grid (albeit aging, and inefficient) you may consider location of sites within the
continental USA.. If the recommended site is in California you should report on estimated power
losses due to distribution to Mid-Michigan.
Part 3: Pie chart based on class research with justification of each suggested percentage.
World Energy Sources – Extended Research Project
Rubric/Check List (Total Points 100)
Part 1:
Local Energy Needs
Geographical area served ______
Operation of Plant
_______
Cost to build
______
Power Output
______
Cost to produce power output
– fuel cost, production cost, maintenance, limiting emissions etc ______
Environmental effects – emissions, disposal of waste etc _______
Part 2:
Alternative Energy Sources
Energy source picked (write on line) _________________________________________________
Location of site ______
Operation
______
Cost to build
______
Power Output
______
Cost to produce power output
– fuel cost, production cost, maintenance, limiting emissions etc ______
Environmental effects – emissions, disposal of waste etc _______
Part 3: Comparison
Pie Chart ______
Justification ______
Format:
Presentation
Multimedia - PowerPoint/ Prezi etc. ______
Easy to read ______
Good use of graphics ________
Good use of Grammar and Spelling ________