Energy: Past, Present, and Future

CONTENTS OF CURRICULUM UNIT 24.04.04

  1. Unit Guide
  1. Introduction and Rationale
  2. School Demographics
  3. Content Objectives
  4. Teaching Strategies
  5. Classroom Activities
  6. Bibliography
  7. Appendix on Implementing District Standards
  8. Notes

The Future of Renewable Energy and Solar Electric Innovations

Jana Jimison

Published September 2024

Tools for this Unit:

Bibliography

“Alternative Fuels Data Center: Hydrogen Production and Distribution.” n.d. https://afdc.energy.gov/fuels/hydrogen-production#:~:text=Electrolysis%3A%20An%20electric%20current%20splits,and%20has%20numerous%20emissions%20benefits. This web page provides information on hydrogen production and distribution.

Brown, Ethan. 2023. “How Can Solar Energy Be Stored for When the Sun Isn’t Shining?” Peril & Promise. March 7, 2023. https://www.pbs.org/wnet/peril-and-promise/2022/03/how-can-solar-energy-be-stored-for-when-the-sun-isnt-shining/#:~:text=There%20are%20numerous%20types%20of,and%20coming%20of%20these%20options. This web page provides information explaining how batteries can be used to store energy from the sun.

Crail, Chauncey. 2023. “Everything You Need to Know About Solar Batteries.” Forbes Home, September 14, 2023. https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/solar/what-is-a-solar-battery/. This article explains the safety and cost concerns of lithium-ion batteries.

Goldstein-Rose, Solomon. 2020. The 100% Solution: A Plan for Solving Climate Change. Melville House. This book was useful and provided a clear explanation on how fuel cells work. Explores the idea of decarbonization of energy systems through electrification.

“History | World Solar Challenge 2025.” n.d. https://worldsolarchallenge.org/the-event/history. Solar powered cars push boundaries in solar innovation and efficiency.

Kisela, Rachel. 2022. “California Landfills Are Filling up With Toxic Solar Panels - Los Angeles Times.” Los Angeles Times, July 16, 2022. https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2022-07-14/california-rooftop-solar-pv-panels-recyclingdanger#:~:text=Many%20are%20already%20winding%20up%20in%20landfills%2C%20where%20in%20some,as%20lead%2C%20selenium%20and%20cadmium. This article explains the negative impact of solar energy waste and safety concerns.

“Learn About Green Vehicles | US EPA.” 2023. US EPA. August 28, 2023. https://www.epa.gov/greenvehicles/learn-about-green-vehicles. This web page provides information on the increasing number of electric and hybrid (green) vehicles in the market.

Lozanova, Sarah. 2024. “Comparing Different Types of Solar Energy Storage.” GreenLancer (blog). March 15, 2024. https://www.greenlancer.com/post/different-types-solar-energy-storage#:~:text=Chemical%20Energy%20Storage%20Systems.%20These%20solar%20energy,both%20short%20and%20long%20periods%20of%20time. This webpage explains the different types of solar energy storage: solar thermal, batteries, pumped hydro, hydrogen, and chemical storage.

“Passive Solar Homes.” n.d. Energy.Gov. https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/passive-solar-homes. This web page provides information on the different types of passive solar homes.

“Passive Solar Technology Basics.” n.d. NREL. https://www.nrel.gov/research/re-passive-solar.html#:~:text=Passive%20solar%20technologies%20convert%20sunlight,active%20mechanical%20or%20electrical%20devices. This web page gives examples of different types of solar thermal systems.

Prisco, Jacopo. 2024. “Fully Electric 90-passenger Plane Could Fly 500 Miles.” Cnn.Com. July 15, 2024. Accessed July 16, 2024. https://www.cnn.com/travel/elysian-electric-plane-90-passenger-spc/index.html. This article highlighted a recently manufactured fully electric airplane.

Sneideman, Joshua, and Erin Twamley. 2024. Renewable Energy: Power the World with Sustainable Fuel with Hands-On Science Activities for Kids. This book was useful and explored how humans have used the sun to create energy for thousands of years.

“Solar Integration: Solar Energy and Storage Basics.” n.d. Energy.Gov. https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/solar-integration-solar-energy-and-storage-basics. This web page explained the basics of solar energy and storage.

“Solar-Plus-Storage 101.” n.d. Energy.Gov. https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/articles/solar-plus-storage-101. Information on the different types of solar storage.

“System of Registries | US EPA.” n.d. https://sor.epa.gov/sor_internet/registry/termreg/searchandretrieve/glossariesandkeywordlists/search.do?details=&glossaryName=Clean%20Energy%20Glossary. How solar panels work.

“The Energy Sciences Institute: Developing Tomorrow’s Energy.” 2016. YaleNews. November 22, 2016. https://news.yale.edu/2016/11/22/energy-sciences-institute-developing-tomorrow-s-energy. This article explains how the artificial leaf is being developed.

United States Environmental Protection Agency. 2013. “Renewable Energy Fact Sheet: Solar Cells.” https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2019-08/documents/solar_cells_fact_sheet_p100il8r.pdf. This web page provides general information on renewable energy.

Unknown. 2021. Mechanical Energy Storage. https://netl.doe.gov/sites/default/files/2021-02/Mechanical_Storage.pdf. This web page explains how pumped hydro storage systems work.

Villamar, Diliana. 2023. “Solar Energy Storage Methods: How to Store Your Solar.” KCGREEN ENERGY. August 22, 2023. https://www.kcgreenenergy.com/blog/solar-energy-storage-methods-how-to-store-your-solar/. This website provides information on the different types of solar storage options for homes and businesses.

“What Is Green Power? | US EPA.” 2024. US EPA. April 24, 2024. https://www.epa.gov/green-power-markets/what-green-power. This web page defines what green power is and provides information on the different types of renewable energy.

“What is renewable energy storage.” 2023. Https://Www.Nationalgrid.Com/Stories/Energy-Explained/What-Is-Renewable-Energy-Storage. June 26, 2023. This website explains how renewable energy storage works and what green energy is.

“Why We Need to Decarbonize Transportation | US EPA.” 2023. US EPA. August 17, 2023. https://www.epa.gov/greenvehicles/why-we-need-decarbonize-transportation. This website explains how green vehicles are increasing in numbers and how this shift is away from traditional fossil fuels.

Comments:

Add a Comment

Characters Left: 500