Physics 1Seminar 3rd MP Project

Mr. Zadrozny EHS - 2011

Alternative Energy Project

The need for reliable energy is critical to people around the world. Whether used to run factories, heat and
power our homes, cook our food, transport us or bring us the Internet, everybody uses energy. For the past
150+ years, fossil fuels have been the main source of energy used by developed countries. However, as
demand for these energy sources increase and concern for their environment impact grows, the opportunity
for developing new sources of energy is becoming more politically and economically attractive.

Working with your assigned group, you will select an alternative energy source and assess its potential for
addressing the energy needs of our country in the next 5 – 10 years. Specifically, you are to consider the
available technology, potential supply, cost and environment impact of this energy source as well as the
ability to it distribute it to where it will be used. You should compare your choice to a traditional energy
sources and consider how consumers will accept any needed changes to their current energy use habits.

Your grade will be in two parts: a written report that follows the outline below, and a formal presentation.
Your written report should include the following sections:

Introduction: 5 pts
A clear statement of the problem, as you see it, that is driving the need for alternative energy
sources and a brief summary of how your energy source will address this problem

Technology Status 10 pts

How does this new energy source work? What technical problems need to be solved before
it is readily available? How reliable is the energy that it will produce? What changes, if any,
will businesses and consumers need to make in order to use it?

Economics 10 pts
What are the raw materials needed to generate this energy? How much will it cost to build
generation facilities? How much will the energy it produces cost consumers? How does the
cost of energy from this source compare energy from the fossil fuel source it will replace?

Thermodynamic Balance: 5 pts

How energy efficient is this source? How much energy is used to generate the energy
produced from this new source? Consider the energy to build the generation facilities.

Fungibility 5 pts
What fossil energy source(s) will it replace? How easily will this change occur?
What percent of our total energy needs will this source be able to provide in 5 – 10 years?

Social and Environmental Impacts 5 pts

What are the environmental tradeoffs involved in using this energy source?
What objections might people raise against the use of this energy source?

Conclusions: 5 pts
What role would you recommend for this source in our nation’s future energy policy?

References: 10 pts
5– 10 quality references from a diverse list of sources including:
Government, Public Policy, Universities, Industry & Research Institutes

Grammar / Comprehension / Paragraph Structure / Organization 10 pts

Total Report Score 65 pts

Your written report is due Mar 23, 2011. Typed, double-spaced, 4-6 pages for groups of 3 people, 5-7
pages for groups of 4 people. Use MLA format with embedded footnotes for specific information cited.
Physics 1Seminar 3rd MP Project
Mr. Zadrozny EHS - 2011
Your group will report its findings Mar 23-35 in a 6-8 minute presentation, 8 – 10 min. for groups
of 4 people. Your grade will be based on how well you present information following the outline
given for the written report and scored as follows:

Introduction 5 pts
Technology Status 10 pts
Economics 10 pts
Social and Environmental Impacts 5 pts
Fungibility 5 pts
Thermodynamic Balance: 5 pts
Conclusions 5 pts
Question and Answer Session 5 pts
Presentation Quality (see grading rubric) 10 pts

Total Presentation Score 60 pts

Maximum Project Score 125 pts

Written Report Grading Rubric:
Points Criteria
10 Report approaches the maximum length, no grammatical errors or typos and is very well organized
8–9 Report is average or more in length, has 1-2 errors per page, is well organized
Report meets the minimum length, has no errors and is very well organized
6–7 Report is somewhat less than the minimum length, has no errors and is very well organized
Report meets the minimum length and has 1 – 2 errors per page average and is well organized
Report is average or above in length and has 3-4 errors per page average and is not well organized
4–5 Report is less than the minimum length and has 1-2 errors per page average and is well organized
Report meets the minimum length and has 3 -4 errors per page average and is not well organized
Report is average or above in length and has 5- 6 errors per page average and no clear organization
2 -3 Report is less than the minimum length and has 3-4 errors per page average, is not well organized
Report meets the minimum length and has 5 – 6 errors per page average and no clear organization
Report is average or above in length and has more than 6 errors per page average, is well organized
0–1 Report is less than the minimum length and has 5 or more errors per page average no organization
Report meets the minimum length, has more than 6 errors per page average and no organization

Presentation Grading Rubric:

Points Criteria
10 Presentation approaches the maximum length, has substantial use of graphics and minimal words
8–9 Presentation meets the minimum length and has substantial use of graphics, minimal words
Presentation is average or above in length and has significant use of graphics, moderate words
6–7 Presentation is less than the minimum length, has substantial use of graphics and minimal words
Presentation meets the minimum length and has significant use of graphics, moderate # of words
Presentation is average or above in length and has moderate use of graphics, a majority of words
4–5 Presentation is less than the minimum length, has significant use of graphics, moderate # of words
Presentation meets the minimum length and has moderate use of graphics, a majority of words
Presentation is average or above in length and has minimal graphics, mostly words
2 -3 Presentation is less than the minimum length, has moderate use of graphics and a majority of words
Presentation meets the minimum length, has minimal graphics and is mostly words
Presentation is average or above in length, no graphics or contains overly wordy slides
0–1 Presentation is less than the minimum length and has minimal graphics
Presentation meets the minimum length, no graphics or contains overly wordy slides
Add 1 point for the first animated graphic demo and ½ point for each additional animation demo.
Deduct 1 point for every 20 seconds you run over your time limit
Videos over 15 s in length will not count towards your time limit
Physics 1Seminar 3rd MP Project
Mr. Zadrozny EHS - 2011
Alternative Energy Technologies:
1- Wind Power
2 - Photo-Voltaic Cells
Energy from solar electromagnetic radiation
3 - Passive Solar
Energy from solar radiant heat energy
4 - Tidal Energy
5 - Wave Energy
6 - Nuclear Power
7 - Hydrogen Fuel Cells
8 – Geothermal Energy
9 – Biofuels - Biomass specifically growth to produce fuel
Not Corn Ethanol
10 – BioMass - Waste biomass that can be converted into fuel
11 - Electric Powered Cars
Must explain where the electric power comes from
12 - Other??? Not Fusion

One Alt Energy source per section

Commercial Information Sources

Wind Power
ABB Ltd. Turbine manufacturer
Windtec, wind turbine designer
American Superconductor, wind turbine manufacturer
Solar Power
US Solar Energy Industry Association
Solargenix Energy, LLC, solar energy plant developer
Biomass
International Paper
Weyerhaeuser Co.
Koch Industries
Georgia Pacific
California Biomass Collaborative
Geothermal
Calpine Corp
Biofuels
Archer Daniels Midland
Hydrogen Fuel Cells
United Technologies
Research Universities
Rice U.: Houston Advanced Research Center
Nuclear Power
Greenspirit Strategies, Ltd
National Geographic – April 2006 edition
Physics 1Seminar 3rd MP Project
Mr. Zadrozny EHS - 2011

Alternative Energy Project Presentation Scoring Sheet

Student(s) __________________________________ Period ________ Score _____

Introduction 5 pts _______

Technology Status 10 pts ______

Economics 10 pts ______

Social and Environmental Impacts 5 pts ______

Fungibility 5 pts ______

Thermodynamic Balance 5 pts ______

Conclusion 5 pts ______

Q & A Session 5 pts ______

Presentation Quality 10 pts ______

Total Time: Total Score 60 pts ______

Physics 1Seminar 3rd MP Project
Mr. Zadrozny EHS - 2011

Alternative Energy Project Paper Scoring Sheet

Students ____________________________________ Period ________ Score ______

______________________________________ Presentation Score ______

______________________________________ Total Score ______ / 125

Introduction 5 pts ______

Technology Status 10 pts ______

Economics 10 pts ______

Social and Environmental Impacts 5 pts ______

Fungibility 5 pts ______

Thermodynamic Balance 5 pts ______

Conclusions: 5 pts ______

Report Quality 10 pts ______

References 10 pts ______

Total Score 65 pts ______