This introductory video summarizes the process of generating solar electricity from photovoltaic and concentrating (thermal) solar power technologies.

In this 'Energy Education for the 21st Century' design challenge, students construct and evaluate a solar-powered model car. Students utilize the design process and undergo review by their peers to select an optimal gear ratio and components for their car. As a culminating activity, students compete in a Solar Sprint race modeled after the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's Junior Solar Sprint competition.

This activity explores solar energy and the difference between passive and active solar design. Students will design and build a solar structure in order to test how radiation and conduction distribute heat.

Student teams design and build solar water heating devices that mimic those used in residences to capture energy in the form of solar radiation and convert it to thermal energy. In this activity, students gain a better understanding of the three different types of heat transfer, each of which plays a role in the solar water heater design. Once the model devices are constructed, students perform efficiency calculations and compare designs.

In this activity, students calculate electricity use by state and determine, using Google Earth, how much land would be required to replace all sources of electricity with solar panels.

This project applies basic geologic skills to the development of an alternative energy project. The project starts with an interpretation of the basic geology of the site, which is a simplified geologic map of the Front Range structures near Golden, CO. Students are required to construct a cross section and determine the depth of an initial bore hole. They then analyze stresses in that hole for hydrofracturing, and predict the geometry of produced fractures. The final part of the project is to perform three point problems to calculate the depth that the fractures will be encountered at two additional boreholes. There is also a writing component to the project in the reporting of results.

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This visualization is an interactive Energy System Map, which includes short write-ups introducing students to fundamental energy system topics, paired with animated videos and deep dive resources.

A group exercise in trying to understand the many attributes that contribute to an overall assessment of sustainability for alternative energy projects.

(Note: this resource was added to OER Commons as part of a batch upload of over 2,200 records. If you notice an issue with the quality of the metadata, please let us know by using the 'report' button and we will flag it for consideration.)

This 11-minute podcast and accompanying lesson guide encourage students to evaluate the supply chain of green technologies in the context of the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals.

This video presents a brief introduction to an alternative energy source - ocean thermal temperature conversion (OTEC).

This engaging video focuses on national and global wind energy potential by specifically highlighting Texas' role as wind energy leader and energy efficiency efforts in Houston, Texas.

This video discusses how methane digesters turn waste from dairy cows, food garbage, and other organic matter into usable gases and other fuels.

In this activity, students explore energy production and consumption by contrasting regional energy production in five different US regions.

In this unit students will explore surface water and its relationship to the water cycle via watersheds and drainage divides. These topics will inform their analysis of the social and environmental impacts of the planned increase of hydroelectric dams in the Amazon. Case studies include the Ene River and the MaraÃÃn River in Peru.

(Note: this resource was added to OER Commons as part of a batch upload of over 2,200 records. If you notice an issue with the quality of the metadata, please let us know by using the 'report' button and we will flag it for consideration.)

Using Lab Measurements to determine the power output of a solar module and the economic feasibility of photovoltaic panels

(Note: this resource was added to OER Commons as part of a batch upload of over 2,200 records. If you notice an issue with the quality of the metadata, please let us know by using the 'report' button and we will flag it for consideration.)

Visualizing Energy is an open access, interdisciplinary science communication project that aims to increase actionable knowledge about a sustainable and just energy transition. It uses engaging visualizations coupled with accessible data stories to communicate in clear, concise, jargon-free language. It is highly interdisciplinary and uses energy as an organizing principle to reveal logical connections across disciplines. Visualizing Energy knits data analysis, visualizations, and the written word into stories that promote critical thinking and communication. Its initial focus is on three interconnected areas: the connection between energy and human well-being; the history of energy transitions; and equity issues surrounding energy transitions (energy justice, energy burden, energy poverty, energy insecurity).

The project co-leaders are Cutler J. Cleveland, Professor of Earth and Environment, and Heather Clifford, data scientist in the Boston University Institute for Global Sustainability.

Project web site: https://visualizingenergy.org/

In this learning activity, students analyze various sources of information to determine the best location for a new wind farm.

This lesson uses a hands-on approach to teach about renewable energy with a case study in wind turbines. This lesson also uses engineering design to help situate renewable energy within a practical human society.

Video introduces wind energy research at the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) and provides an overview of the NREL Wind Technology Center near Boulder, Colorado.

In this activity, students use Google Earth to investigate ideal features of wind farms.