Energy Technologies

Energy Technologies

Step 1: Energy Past

“Energy” can refer to electricity, heating, and transportation technologies. Most of these modern technologies stem from steam-powered models invented during the Industrial Revolution. For example, even today, electricity is primarily generated at thermal power plants, which use steam to create electricity. Electricity then moves through a network of power lines known as “the grid” to reach homes and buildings; this network was informally built in the early 20th century as electricity infrastructure spread across the country.
Our energy past informs our current energy landscape and creates both challenges and opportunities for a cleaner energy future.
These videos were shown in class and are here for your reference; you are not required to re-watch.How Coal & Fossil Fuels FormedWhy almost all coal was made at the same timeElectricity GenerationEnergy 101: Electricity GenerationElectricity Transmission & DistributionWhy the US isn't ready for clean energy

Step 2: Energy Present

Our current centralized energy mix relies on power plants and transmission and distribution networks to use electricity. These power plants typically use coal or natural gas and sometimes oil. Each of these fossil fuels has a biomass alternative available as well, which relies on short-term sunlight (rather than long-term, stored, fossilized sunlight).
This video was shown in class and is here for your reference; you are not required to re-watch.Clip: “Before the Flood”Before The Flood - Coal- Oil- Tar Sands- Natural Gas
Watch the videos below to learn more about fossil fuels and alternative technologiesFossil FuelBio-AlternativeCoalCoal 101BiomassHow Biomass worksOilOil 101BiofuelBiofuels 101Natural GasHow does fracking work? - Mia NacamulliBiogasHow Rotting Vegetables Make Electricity | World Wide WasteIn 3 or more sentences, describe what you have learned about these technologies. What are some positive and negative consequences of fossil fuels and their bio-alternatives? What are some of the challenges or opportunities you notice in implementing bio-alternatives? Exploring various technologies, including coal, oil, fracking, Biomass, and biogas, has shed light on the multifaceted aspects of fossil fuels and their bio-based alternatives. Historically, fossil fuels like coal and oil have been dependable energy sources, driving economic advancement. However, their use has come at a considerable environmental cost, contributing to issues such as air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, thus exacerbating climate change and affecting air quality (Student Energy, 2015; TED-Ed, 2017).Conversely, bio-alternatives like Biomass and biogas offer more sustainable energy options by harnessing organic materials and waste for power generation. Biomass can be a cleaner substitute for coal in energy production, while biogas offers an innovative means of extracting energy from organic waste, reducing landfill contributions, and generating electricity (Howarth Timber, 2016; Insider Business, 2021).Nevertheless, implementing bio-alternatives prese...