Renewable Energy
Our Re-Newable Energy Mission
Renewable energy has become a topic of increasing interest and importance within the United States. Between 2000 and 2014 the use of renewable sources for electrical production doubled and is projected to continue expanding. About 13% of U.S. electricity was provided by renewable energies in 2015.
Oklahoma has traditionally been known for its production of fossil fuel, non-renewable, energy sources. The state ranks 5th nationally in crude oil production and 3rd nationally in natural gas production. However, in recent years, Oklahoma has also climbed to be nationally ranked at 4th place in wind power production.
Education in renewable energy use and production has not been implemented in Oklahoma to the degree that it has been in some other states.
This website provides a database of current curriculum and activities that educators
in formal and non-formal settings can use to breach this education gap with the children
of Oklahoma or nationwide.
Hydro
Hydroelectric power generates approximately 10% of the nation's energy. Credit: US Army Corps of Engineers. By capturing flowing water, it creates enough kinetic energy, which can be captured and turned into electricity. We call this by-product hydroelectric power or hydropower.
Commonly, this is harnessed by a hydroelectric power plant, dam, reservoir, or a river. Water flows through a turbine, rotating propellers and, which in turn activates a generator engine to generate electricity. However, hydroelectricity necessarily does not require an extensive dam. Hydroelectric power plants can use a small channel or waterway to funnel water through a turbine. Energy collected from hydroelectricity can be obtained and stored for later use.
Generators will rotate turbines backward; this kinetic energy causes turbines to pump
water of a river or reservoir to an upper reservoir, in turn, this is where power
will be stored. Appropriating the potential energy, the water is released from an
upper reservoir into a lower river or reservoir. Which, spins turbines forward, activating
the generators to produce electricity.
Curriculum:
The link provides a lesson plan for two 50-minute class periods consisting of an introduction of several commonly used alternative power sources. This exercise is designed for an in-depth conversation and analysis of hydropower. The exercise will include demonstration and give an examination and experiments for hydro-electric power generation. The introductory lesson and video on conventional energy sources would best introduce this lesson. Knowledge from this lesson could be consolidated into the discussions.
Colorado State University Extension has created a program with the expertise University expertise to Colorado communities and neighborhoods throughout local extension office. With the states need to concentrate on reliable electricity sources as a possible job producer proficient enough to address both state and national security as well as environmental concerns. Colorado State Extension made an important arrangement to present relevant and impartial scholarly sources. The curriculum describes attempts to separate energy knowledge to Colorado’s children.
Resources:
Wind
Environmental Benefits of Wind Energy in Oklahoma:
2015 annual water consumption savings: 3.6 billion gallons
2015 equivalent number of water bottles saved: 27 billion
2015 annual carbon dioxide emissions avoided: 6.9 million metric tons
2015 equivalent cars worth of emissions avoided: 1.5 million
The wind is a byproduct of solar energy. Winds are created by the irregular heating and pressures of the atmosphere by the sun and the anomalies of the earth's surface, and revolution of the planet. Wind current patterns are redirected by earth's bodies of water, terrain, and vegetative cover. This wind pattern can be "harvested" by modern wind turbines, and are used to generate electricity.
Commonly used terms to describe the collection of energy generated by mechanical power
or electricity are "wind energy" or "wind power." Turbines transform kinetic energy
from the wind into mechanical power. This energy can be utilized for particular tasks,
or a generator can turn this energy into electricity for homes, businesses, and schools.
Curriculum:
Colorado State University Extension has created a program with the expertise University expertise to Colorado communities and neighborhoods throughout local extension office. With the states need to concentrate on reliable electricity sources as a possible job producer proficient enough to address both state and national security as well as environmental concerns. Colorado State Extension made an important arrangement to present relevant and impartial scholarly sources. The curriculum describes attempts to separate energy knowledge to Colorado’s children.
Resources:
Geothermal
In the state of Oklahoma geothermal energy has become the epicenter of ground source heat pump research and expansion. The International Ground Source Heat Pump Association which was formed in Oklahoma and remains housed on the campus of Oklahoma State University. Due to this fact, many Oklahoma residents are converting to alternative energy practices and establishing Geothermal practices before the rest of the states have joined the bandwagon!
Geothermal energy is one of the most critical energy resources for electricity production and is used directly for heating, food, agriculture, and aquaculture. Possible applications of geothermal energy for agricultural and agro-industry divisions are heating and cooling, space heating, pools and spas, greenhouses and nurseries, aquaculture, and manufacturing processes. Agricultural and agro-industrial practices form a very significant part of geothermal energy utilization. Four primary types of application of geothermal energy in agriculture can be distinguished as greenhouse heating; aquaculture (fish farming and algae production); agro-industrial processes; and soil heating (of open-field plant root systems).
If you dissect the word “geothermal” its roots are from the Greek words Geo which
means (earth) and thermal (heat); thus it refers to the heat of the earth. The most
direct-use of geothermal energies depends on high-temperature ground water to heat
buildings or to produce electricity. However, the direct-use of geothermal heating
is limited to regions that have naturally occurring hot springs or can obtain high-temperature
ground water in the 100 – 250°F range. This byproduct, water is suitable for spas,
greenhouses, or building heating systems.
Curriculum:
Colorado State University Extension has created a program with the expertise University
expertise to Colorado communities and neighborhoods throughout local extension office. With
the states need to concentrate on reliable electricity sources as a possible job producer
proficient enough to address both state and national security as well as environmental
concerns. Colorado State Extension made an important arrangement to present relevant
and impartial scholarly sources. The curriculum describes attempts to separate energy
knowledge to Colorado’s children.
Resources:
Department of Geothermal Energy
Biomass
Biomass is commonly known as an organic or carbon- based material that comes from plants and animals. Additionally, it is a renewable source of energy.
In the past decade, the interest in biomass energy has been worldwide. Technological advancements have allowed conversions about, crop production, and the utilization of the biomass byproduct with lower cost with higher gains. Biomass is now being considered competitive with fossil fuels and energy productions.
Biomass materials contain stored energy from the sun and earth. Plants continuously absorb energy from the sun during a process known as photosynthesis. Biomass is derived from plant materials reaction to CO2 in the air, water, and sunlight, via photosynthesis, to produce carbohydrates that form the building blocks of biomass. As a result of biomass being burned, chemical energy is released as heat; biomass is incinerated and transformed to liquid or commonly known as biofuels or biogas which can be used as fuel. Crops and waste materials can be burned and converted to fuel or liquid biofuels.
In the past decade, the interest in biomass energy has been worldwide. Technological
advancements have allowed conversions about, crop production, and the utilization
of the biomass byproduct with lower cost with higher gains. Biomass is now being considered
competitive with fossil fuels and energy productions.
Curriculum:
Colorado State University Extension has created a program with the expertise University expertise to Colorado communities and neighborhoods throughout local extension office. With the states need to concentrate on reliable electricity sources as a possible job producer proficient enough to address both state and national security as well as environmental concerns. Colorado State Extension made an important arrangement to present relevant and impartial scholarly sources. The curriculum describes attempts to separate energy knowledge to Colorado’s children.
Resources:
Solar
Oklahoma has the 8th best solar resource in the nation. Solar energy is that which is received from the sun, which is the most abundant renewable source available to mankind. The amount of sunlight that struck the earth’s surface in an hour and hour time span could be completely captured it would handle the energy needs of the world for one year.
A primary advantage of solar energy is that it does not create any pollutants and is one of the reliable and abundant sources of energy. It is a renewable source of energy, which requires a low amount maintenance. With the help of modern technology, energy can be used in a multitude of applications which, included generating electricity, for domestic, commercial, or industrial uses.
Curriculum:
Colorado State University Extension has created a program with the expertise University expertise to Colorado communities and neighborhoods throughout local extension office. With the states need to concentrate on reliable electricity sources as a possible job producer proficient enough to address both state and national security as well as environmental concerns. Colorado State Extension made an important arrangement to present relevant and impartial scholarly sources. The curriculum describes attempts to separate energy knowledge to Colorado’s children.
Resources: