Energy and the Environment Assignment

I expect that energy issues will dominate life in the US and the world for much of your life.  You need to be aware of the issues and possibilities in order to make intelligent choices as an adult.  To help you begin to understand these, I am giving you a major assignment on energy.   Your assignment is to investigate alternative energy by way of a project.  You must produce some physical structure capable of generating electricity or power using something other than fossil fuels.  In the alternative, you may demonstrate the production of biodiesel from cooking oil (I can help with the chemistry). 

Some possibilities are:

1. Solar power - either direct to electricity or to produce heat.

2. Wind power

3. Water power

4. Nuclear - model fission or fusion

5. Geothermal

6. Hydrogen Fuel Cell

7. Hybrid vehicle technology

8. Human power

Your project must include a report describing your power source and the model or device that you have built.  You must also analyze the power usage in this country and write about the future of energy in the United States. 

Does your project  fit in with our energy future? 

How much energy can it produce?  For example, only certain areas get wind.  Some areas are better than others for solar power.

What are its positive points?  Is it cost effective?  Is it renewable?  Is it portable?

What are its negative points or limitations?  For example, solar only works during sunlight hours, wind power only works when the wind blows, hydropower requires dams that alter the local environment, fission produces radioactive waste, etc.

How, in your opinion, should this country proceed to develop or use the various energy resources that it has available?