Process

Follow the process step by step. You will be led through research, analysis, and calculations based on the websites given. Complete your graphic organizer as you progress through the process.

Step 1 – Research

Research Wind, Solar, and Hydroelectric energy sources using the websites below and list the three most important advantages and disadvantages for each on your graphic organizer (you decide which are most important).

https://energyinformative.org/wind-energy-pros-and-cons/

https://energyinformative.org/solar-energy-pros-and-cons/

https://energyinformative.org/hydroelectric-energy-pros-and-cons/

Step 2 – Analysis

Using the advantages and disadvantages list that you created and additional research from the websites below, rank each energy source from best to worst using your graphic organizer. You must have a 1, 2, and 3 ranking for each category. Form you own opinions here, there are no wrong answers.

Websites

https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/hydropower/

https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/wind/

https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/solar/

Videos

https://www.energy.gov/eere/videos/energy-101-hydroelectric-power

https://www.energy.gov/eere/education/videos/energy-101-solar-pv

https://www.energy.gov/eere/education/videos/energy-101-wind-turbines-2014-update

Step 3 - Choice

Based on your analysis from Step 2, choose one renewable energy source and determine how much annual energy is produced by that source.

Wind

Choose one of the wind farms from this list as your renewable energy resource. You will find Total Nominal Power listed on each site.

https://www.thewindpower.net/windfarm_en_3137_allegheny-ridge-wind-farm.php

https://www.thewindpower.net/windfarm_en_24087_amazon-wind-farm-us-east.php

https://www.thewindpower.net/windfarm_en_23717_arbuckle-mountain.php

Solar

Choose one of the solar farms from this list as your renewable energy resource. You will find the capacity of each project (given in MW) listed with each entry.

https://albaenergy.com/biggest-solar-power-plants-in-america/

Make sure you convert the capacity from MW to kW for the next calculations. If you don’t remember how to do this conversion, see this website.

https://www.asknumbers.com/mwh-to-kwh.aspx

Hydroelectric

Choose one of the hydroelectric power plants from this list as your renewable energy resource. You will find the installed capacity of each project (given in kW) listed under the “Details” section.

https://www.usbr.gov/projects/index.php?id=522

https://www.usbr.gov/projects/index.php?id=540

https://www.usbr.gov/projects/index.php?id=556

Once you have chosen your source and filled out your graphic organizer, click here to go to the calculation step.

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