Contextualization

The energy sources that power our world are vital to our modern society. They fuel our cars, homes, cities, and industries, while playing a key role in broader issues such as energy security, sustainability, and climate change.

However, notably, our dependence on fossil energy sources such as oil, coal, and gas has serious environmental consequences. The burning of fossil fuels to produce electricity and heat is the single largest source of global greenhouse gas emissions contributing to climate change. Additionally, the extraction of fossil fuels can cause significant harm to the environment.

In this scenario, renewable energies have emerged as a vital part of the solution to our energy and environmental challenges. Renewable energies, such as the sun, wind, water, geothermal heat, and biomass, provide a source of clean and virtually inexhaustible energy. They can reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and decrease our greenhouse gas emissions.

But what are these energy sources and how do they work? What technologies are we using to harness them and what are their advantages and disadvantages? How do they compare to the non-renewable energy sources that currently dominate our energy supply? These are the questions that this project seeks to answer.

Importance

The study of energy sources is fundamental to understanding contemporary environmental and social issues. The choice of an energy matrix reflects the priorities and values of a society, whether it be the valuation of short-term profits, energy security, environmental well-being, or social justice.

Renewable energies represent an opportunity to reverse environmental degradation, create jobs, improve public health, promote energy security, and increase equity in societies. Furthermore, the use of renewable energies is becoming a requirement for companies and governments seeking to achieve the climate goals set out in the Paris Agreement.

However, the transition to a sustainable energy future is not simple. It involves technical, economic, and political challenges. Therefore, it is essential for young people to understand the issues at stake and be able to effectively participate in decisions about our energy future.

Practical Activity

Activity Title: "Exploring Renewable Energies"

Project Objective

The objective of this project is to investigate a renewable energy source, analyzing its advantages and disadvantages, its potential for use, its environmental and social implications, and its economic viability.

Students will be asked to research a renewable energy source, create a presentation about it, and propose a project to install this energy source in a specific location.

Project Description

Students will be divided into groups of 3 to 5 people. Each group must choose or be assigned one of the following renewable energy sources:

1. Solar Energy
2. Wind Energy
3. Hydropower
4. Geothermal Energy
5. Biomass Energy

The groups will research the respective energy source, focusing on the following areas:

1. How does the energy generation technology work?
2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this energy form?
3. What are the environmental and social implications of using this energy?
4. What is currently being done regarding the use of this energy form (locally, nationally, and globally)?
5. Case study: If the group were responsible for implementing an energy generation installation of this type in their city, how would it be? Where would it be located? What would be the size of the installation? How many houses could it supply?

The groups will create a 20-minute presentation on their research and project proposal, which will be presented to the class. Students will also prepare a report documenting their research and describing their proposed project.

Required Materials

1. Computers with Internet access for research.
2. Paper and pen for notes.
3. Presentation software (e.g., Google Slides, PowerPoint).

Step by Step

1. Formation of groups and choice/assignment of the type of renewable energy to be researched.
2. Research on the specific energy generation technology operation.
3. Research on the advantages and disadvantages of this energy form.
4. Research on the environmental and social implications of using this energy form.
5. Research on what is currently being done regarding the use of this energy.
6. Planning a project for an energy generation installation of the researched type in their city.
7. Preparation of the project presentation and report.

Project Delivery

As part of the project, each group must deliver two things:

1. A 20-minute presentation on their research and project proposal. The presentation time should include a question and answer session.
2. A written report documenting the research conducted and the proposed project.

The report should include the following topics:

• Introduction: Contextualization of the theme, its relevance and real-world application as well as the project's objective.
• Development: The theory behind the researched energy source, detailed explanation of the activity, the methodology used, and finally presentation and discussion of the results obtained.
• Conclusion: Recap of the main points, explanation of the learnings obtained, and the conclusions drawn about the project.
• Bibliography: Indication of the sources used to work on the project such as books, web pages, videos, etc.

Students should take into account both the oral presentation and the written report in the project development. Additionally, they should work collaboratively, demonstrating communication, time management, problem-solving, and creative thinking skills.