Science Projects in Renewable Energy and Energy …

SCIENCE PROJECTS IN

RENEWABLE ENERGY

AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY

NREL/BK-340-42236 C October 2007

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Some of the educational lesson plans presented here contain links

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These links, product descriptions, and prices may change over time.

NOTICE

This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States

government. Neither the United States government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees,

makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy,

completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents

that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial

product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily

constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States government or any

agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect

those of the United States government or any agency thereof.

Printed on paper containing at least 50% wastepaper, including 20% postconsumer waste

SCIENCE PROJECTS IN RENEWABLE

ENERGY AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY

A guide for Secondary School Teachers

Authors and Acknowledgements:

This second edition was produced at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory

(NREL) through the laboratory¡¯s Office of Education Programs, under the leadership of

the Manager, Dr. Cynthia Howell, and the guidance of the Program Coordinators, Matt

Kuhn and Linda Lung. The contents are the result of contributions by a select group of

teacher researchers that were invited to NREL as part of the Department of Energy¡¯s

Teacher Research Programs. During the summers between 2003 and 2007, fifty four

secondary, pre-service, and experienced teachers came to NREL to do real research in

renewable energy sciences. As part of their research responsibilities, each teacher

researcher was required to put together an educational module. Some teacher

researchers updated a previous NREL publication, "Science Projects in Renewable

Energy and Energy Efficiency" (Copyright 1991 American Solar Energy Society).

These contributing teacher researchers produced new or updated science project

ideas from the unique perspective of being involved in both education and laboratory

research. Participants that contributed to this publication include Nick Babcock, Jennifer

Bakisae, Eric Benson, Lisa Boes, Matt Brown, Lindsey Buehler, Laura Butterfield, Ph.D.,

Don Cameron, Robert Depew, Alexis Durow, Chris Ederer, Brigid Esposito, Linda

Esposito, Doug Gagnon, Brandon Gillette, Rebecca Hall, Brenna Haley, Brianna Harp,

Karen Harrell, Bill Heldman, Tom Hersh, Chris Hilleary, Loren Lykins, Kiley Mack, Martin

Nagy, Derek Nalley, Scott Pinegar, Jennifer Pratt, Ray Quintana, Steve Rapp, Kristen

Record, Emily Reith, Leah Riley, Nancy Rose, Wilbur Sameshima, Matthew Schmitt,

Melinda Schroeder, Tom Sherow, Daniel Steever, Andrea Vermeer, Brittany Walker,

Dwight Warnke, Mark Wehrenberg and Rick Winters.

Finally, this book owes much to the original authors and advisors of the 1st

Edition in 1991. They include Ann Brennan, Barbara Glenn, Suzanne Grudstrom, Joan

Miller, Tom Milne, Dan Black, Hal Link, Bob Mconnel, Rick Schwerdtfeger, Patricia Bleil,

Rosalie Craig, Steve Iona, Larry Jakel, Larry Lindauer, Bob McFadden, Beverly Meier,

and Helen Wilson.

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The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is the nation's premier

laboratory for renewable energy research and development and a leading laboratory for

energy efficiency R&D. NREL is managed by Midwest Research Institute and Battelle.

Established in 1974, NREL began operating in 1977 as the Solar Energy Research

Institute. It was designated a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy

(DOE) in September 1991 and its name changed to NREL.

NREL develops renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies and

practices, advances related science and engineering, and transfers knowledge and

innovations to address the nation's energy and environmental goals. NREL's renewable

energy and energy efficiency research spans fundamental science to technology

solutions. Major program areas are:

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Advanced Vehicle Technologies & Fuels (Hybrid vehicles, fuels utilization)

Basic Energy Sciences

Biomass (Biorefineries, biosciences)

Building Technologies (Building efficiency, zero energy buildings)

Electric Infrastructure Systems (Distribution & interconnection, thermal systems,

superconductivity)

Energy Analysis

Geothermal Energy

Hydrogen & Fuel Cells (Production, storage, infrastructure & end use)

Solar (Photovoltaics, concentrating solar power and solar thermal)

Wind Energy

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Contents

Introduction ...................................................................................................... 4

The Role of the Teacher ..................................................................................... 7

How to Do a Science Project ..............................................................................14

Project Ideas ....................................................................................................18

What Does the Sun Give Us .....................................................................19

Photovoltaics and Solar Energy ................................................................31

Material and Chemical Processing .............................................................56

Modeling the Process of Mining Silicon Through a

Single-Displacement/Redox Reaction ...................................................60

Utilizing Photovoltaic Cells and Systems ....................................................73

Photosynthesis and Biomass Growth .........................................................85

Statistical Analysis of Corn Plants and Ethanol Production ...........................98

Biofuel Production ................................................................................. 103

Renewable Energy Plants in Your Gas Tank:

From Photosynthesis to Ethanol ........................................................ 110

Cell Wall Recipe: A Lesson on Biofuels .................................................... 129

Reaction Rates and Catalysts in Ethanol Production ................................. 140

A Pre-treatment Model for Ethanol Production Using a

Colorimetric Analysis of Starch Solutions ............................................ 151

The Bio-Fuel Project .............................................................................. 158

Biofuel Utilization .................................................................................. 193

Wind .................................................................................................... 198

Hydropower ......................................................................................... 207

Ocean Power ........................................................................................ 211

Alternative Fuels Used in Transportation ................................................. 216

Computer Based Energy Projects ............................................................ 226

Environmental Aspects .......................................................................... 231

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