This Alternative Energy STEM project was designed not only for our group to do in depth research in alternative energy, but to spark our interest in a new kind of science and to practice the important life skill of working in a group. Our experiment was based on a simple question: which is most efficient: a hydrogen fuel cell, a battery, or a solar panel? We hypothesized that of the three energy resources we would test, the battery would be the most efficient, powerful, and quick, due to the fact that batteries have an unwavering set voltage that is usually a large amount of volts. We then theorized that the solar power would be the second most efficient, because our research told us that solar energy was more efficient than hydrogen fuel …show more content…
The average speed (in the three trials) for the battery-powered car was about 2.34 miles per hour, and the voltage was measured at 1.87 V. The average speed of the solar-powered car was untested, as the panel didn’t function with the car, and the voltage of the solar panel was measured at 2.7 V. The average speed of the hydrogen fuel cell car was 0.62 miles per hour, and the voltage was measured at 1.44 V. Using these numbers, we were able to calculate the efficiency of each vehicle, using the efficiency formula (Work output/Work input * 100%). The efficiency of the battery was around 93%, the efficiency of the solar panel was around 15%-18%, and hydrogen-fuel cell had a high of 192% efficiency. These numbers surprised us because of the slowness of the hydrogen-fuel cell car and the low voltage produced from the car, for we assumed that the fuel cell would be the least efficient, but it was able to do the most with the energy provided, making it the most efficient. Next, in these important labs, the percent error is a vital thing to keep track of. In our three trials for the battery-powered car, our percent error was 0.43% (Trial 1), 3.42% (Trial 2), and 2.14% (Trial 3). In our three trials …show more content…
We learned about two alternative energies, solar-power and hydrogen fuel cells, and put them to the test by comparing them to battery power. Nowadays, when pollution from fossil fuels is growing day by day, ruining the environment, it is important to start thinking of ways around fossil fuels, like alternative energy. Nearly 784,000 U.S. homes and businesses have now gone solar, helping to save our planet fuels. Fun fact: hydrogen fuel cells were used to power spaceships into orbit, and the pure water produced by electrolysis was drank by the crew! So measuring the efficiency of these alternative energies has a real life application, as it can help us personally decide (each student) if one day in the future, we personally would start using solar panels or hydrogen fuel cells in our home. Finally, we learned quite a lot in this project, and several big ideas. Prior to this lab, I knew absolutely nothing about how hydrogen fuel cells work, about electrolysis, and its importance, but now I am a certified expert in these topics. In electrolysis, oxygen and hydrogen are separated in water, and the hydrogen fuel cell is powered by the combining of the pure hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, heat and water.In addition, I thought that alternative energy was a waste of time because of the large amount of drawbacks, but after researching the topic, alternative energy
Lab 4: Energy Conservation: Hot Stuff!! The purpose of this experiment is to try to find the original temperature of the hot water in the heater using the 60 degrees C thermometer. Use your 60°C thermometer, and any materials available in your laboratory, to determine the temperature of the water in the coffee pot. During this experiment we calculated the original temperature of a heater after it had been cooled down, and we did this by measuring hot, cold, and warm water, with a thermometer that had tape covering 60 degrees and up.
http://www.army.mil/article/79388/ (accessed March 16, 2014). Tiwari, G.N., and R.K. Mishra. Advanced Renewable Energy Sources. Cambridge, U.K.: RSC Publishing, 2011. U.S. Congressional Record - Senate.
Central Idea: Nuclear energy only contributes a small amount to the world’s electricity yet it has hazards and dangers that far out-way its benefits. There are many other alternative power producing sources that can produce energy more efficiently and more safely than nuclear power plants can.
Preview: Today I will discuss the potential that solar power has to become this country’s main supply of energy and the latest research that can make solar power more efficient and cost effective. I will also present the environmental benefits that come with using solar power over other and more harmful forms of energy.
How Efficient is Solar Energy Technology? Engineering Challenges. n. d. a. d. a. d. d. 8 April 2014. http://www.engineeringchallenges.org/cms/8996/9082.aspx>. How do Nuclear Plants Work?”
In chapter thirteen of our book, Environment by Raven and Berg, it shows us just how important renewable energy sources are. Currently the United States of America thrives on the use of fossil fuels and nuclear power. The main problems with these types of fuel are that they are both limited and can be extremely harmful to our environment. They cause global warming, air pollution, acid rain, and oil spills (Environment), and not only that, but in the grand scheme of things, these sources really aren’t even that cheap of a fuel source. There are many alternatives to these all but outdated fuel sources.
When picking an energy resource for the topic of this paper, I bounced around a lot of ideas. Then it occurred to me that I should write about what I will be living with in about a month. My mom just finished designing and building our earthbag, solar, off-grid house, a four-year endeavor. I will soon live in a place powered by one of the most common alternative energy resources, solar energy, so I should learn more about it. At our new house, we have two stand alone pedestals with six 170W panels on each pedestal, making for a 2040W or 2kW solar system.
One of the most compelling arguments for the use of renewable energy is how many forms exist of it. Nuclear power, solar power, wind power, tidal power, hydroelectric power, pumped storage, wave power, geothermal power, biomass, and biogas are the most widely known renewable energy sources (Darvill, 2013). This large selection of fuels supports the idea of renewable fuels one day powering the entire planet. All the sources of energy have different niches and benefits. Solar energy is extremely effective when providing energy for small establishments such as a house or small store, but hydrothermal power would be a more plausible solution for factories or large establishments....
In the search for alternatives to fossil fuels, scientists and policy makers have focused on three options: nuclear power, energy from biomass; and a combination of wind, water, and solar power. Nuclear power, however, is much more costly and runs the risk of having it fall into the wrong hands where it could be turned into a weapon of mass destruction. The third option entails wind turbines, photovoltaic power plants and rooftop systems, concentrated solar thermal power plants,...
For years man has relied on energy in order to be successful in life. The industrial revolution relied on coal for the new inventions brought into the world. Life as has never been the same since then. However since that time, there has been little done to improve on energy efficiency and humans still primarily rely on fossil fuels for energy. For over a hundred years the Earth has become more polluted and dirtier than ever before. Now, with new, innovative technology there is an opportunity to change that and to rely on renewable, cleaner sources of energy. The main source of energy for the world should be alternative energy instead of energy from fossil fuels.
Over the past decades, geologists and scientists alike have determined that the Earth is running out of non-renewable resources, particularly those resources that provide us with energy that fuels our world’s economies, jobs, and most importantly our daily lives. Without this energy, whole countries can collapse, and the human race would struggle to survive. Therefore, it is safe to assume that we as a nation are entirely dependent on energy, or the ability to do work (Gale Science in Context). Consequently, we are now actively searching for more cost efficient and useful forms of energy to replace those we currently use. By doing this we will be helping the earth by reducing carbon emissions and cutting down on air and water pollutants. This may ultimately prolong the life of our planet, and save money and resources while doing so.
Web. 07 Dec. 2011. . Alternative Energy - ProCon.org. Web.
My next step was solar energy investigation. The thought of a panel of treated glass exposed to the sun, with no other work involved, pumping out usable electricity was overwhelming. What a gold mine this was. No air pollution was being produced and there were no moving parts to brake. Later I learned that there were a few more variables to this energy production system, costly variables, such as inverters to transform and condition the electricity and battery banks to store it.
With the depletion of fossil fuel resources comes speculations and debates about alternative energy sources. The world, including the Philippines, is practically dependent on a dwindling non-renewable source of energy. Today, experts are debating about and considering three options: Nuclear, Solar, or Wind Energy. Everyone has been accustomed to the bad image of nuclear energy as a result of the Chernobyl and Fukushima incidents above all others. The popular belief is that radiation from a nuclear meltdown is very harmful to humans and other living things—which is true—and that nuclear power plants are very dangerous and not ideal—which is not. According to Smith, et. al (n.d), all the nuclear disasters that ever occurred were caused by human error and natural disasters like tsunamis, not one because of system failure. Putting the false beliefs aside, with proper engineering and adequate maintenance by experts, a nuclear power plant is a very ideal and viable source of energy for the following reasons:
Using fossil fuels such as coal and oil is inefficient, dangerous, and otherwise a process that is known to eventually fail as a long lasting energy source. Yet, there is hope for the future of energy, this new hope has many shapes and forms, but requires a chance to be fully implemented in our everyday life. Such energy sources like solar energy, wind energy, geothermal energy, and hydro power are the key to our future. These energy sources are proven to be long lasting, safe, more reliable, and the next innovation. In short, all Americans should switch to renewable energy, resulting in a safer and more efficient world.