3.4 Practical Experiments at Ecolinc

Practical Experiments at Ecolinc

A. Models of Renewable Energy SystemsB. Comparing light globes Watts VS LuxC. Efficiency of Household AppliancesD. Passive Heating and Cooling: Power HouseE. Model Solar CarF. Model Hydrogen Car

Definitions:

You need to know what the following terms mean:

• Convection currents• Transmission• Absorption• Dissipation• Conduction• Radiation• Reflection• Infra-red and ultra-violet radiation• Electromagnetic spectrum

A. Comparing Renewable Energy Systems

Your Aim: To consider the advantages and disadvantages of each energy source including:

• Amount of energy required to build the power stations (transport and construction)

• Suitable locations • Cost (time, labour and financial)• Materials• Environmental limitations

Here, a fan is used to turn a model wind turbine, which converts kinetic energy from the moving air into mechanical energy and then electrical energy for the light globe and the spinning colour wheel.

Wind Energy Conversions

Kinetic Mechanical Electrical

Some energy is wasted, depending on the angle of the blades, friction of the air and the sound energy that dissipates.

Wind Energy

• Advantages• Renewable• No greenhouse gases

produced from operation

• Minimal footprint (can co-exist with agriculture)

• Disadvantages• Not 24/7• Aesthetics• Bird kills?• Expensive to construct• Not all locations are

windy enough to make them viable.

A lamp is used to shine light on a solar panel, which converts light energy into kinetic energy and then into electrical energy.When light excites the electrons in the ‘silicon sandwich’, an electrical current is produced, which powers the buzzer (sound energy), lamp (light energy) or spinner (mechanical energy).

Solar Energy Conversions

Light Kinetic Electrical

Solar panels have become more and more efficient due to developments in the technology over time. They need to be kept clean and usually have a “warranty period” of about 25 years.

Solar Energy

• Advantages• Renewable• No greenhouse gases

produced during operation

• Becoming more efficient

• Government rebates available

• Disadvantages• Solar panels can be

expensive to make and rely on finite materials (silicon)

• Not suitable for all locations and climates

• Not 24/7

The model hydro-electric system transforms the energy from the moving water into electrical energy by using the water to turn a turbine (containing magnets and copper coils) which causes the electrical current to flow.

The water turbine can create power to turn on a lamp or run a motor which causes the colour wheel to spin.

Hydro-electric Energy Conversions

Potential Kinetic Electrical

Water in a dam (or a tap in this case) is released to turn a turbine (with magnets and coils of copper wire) which creates an electrical current, which can be used to power lighting, heating and machinery.

Hydro-Electric Energy

• Advantages• Renewable• No greenhouse gases

during operation• Can be turned on

and off as required (given sufficient water)

• Disadvantages• Not suitable for all

locations (need mountains)

• Can affect habitats downstream.

• Dams take up space for water storage.

B. Comparing Light Globes

Watts (W) ÷ 1000 = kilowatts (kW)

kW = greenhouse gas emissions (kg per hour)

Power (Watts) versus Light (Lux)

• Comment on the relationship between lux level, power of the globe and temperature of the globe in terms of energy efficiency.

• Is the amount of light produced by equivalent globes the same? Explain.

• Is there a significant difference in the energy use between the two types of globes overall? What is contributing to the difference?

C. Efficiency of Household Appliances

Household Appliances

For each of the following appliances list the power output in watts and describe the energy conversions that are taking place.Some of the energy is converted usefully, but some is dissipated or not converted usefully.

For example, this fan converts electrical energy to kinetic energy and has a power output of 70W. Some of the electrical energy is ‘lost’ as sound, heat and vibrations.

Hair dryer

Lamp with incandescent globe

Lamp with compact fluorescent globe

Portable fan heater

Electric kettle

Food Processor

Watts (W) ÷ 1000 = kilowatts (kW)

kW = greenhouse gas emissions (kg per hour)

Household Appliances

• How could an energy meter be used in the home to help save energy?

• Comment on any results that surprised you. Are there any benefits or disadvantages with those results?

D. Passive Heating and Cooling: Power House

Did all temperatures Increase at the same rate?

How was the ‘greenhouse’ similar to the Ecolinc ‘hotbox’?

How does the ‘greenhouse effect’ in the atmosphere mimic this model?

What happened to each temperature when the light was turned on and remained on for a period of time?

Explain the circulation of air in the model house when the temperature outside the glasshouse increases as it would during the day.

Use a diagram and annotations to explain how passive heating and cooling occurs, as it does at Ecolinc. The model house and your results will help you.

E. Model Solar Car

“A solar cell is a diode (an electronic switch element that only lets the current through in one direction) that directly converts solar energy into electrical energy. The base material of a solar panel is silicon with boron or phosphorus added to it, creating two layers in the silicon, one with an excess of electrons and one with a shortage of electrons. When light hits the silicon, enough energy is provided to cause the excess electrons to flow to the other layer. The electrons can only flow in one direction. When the light lands on the panel, an electrical potential is formed which can be utilised.”

F. Model Hydrogen CarA battery provides the energy required to split water into hydrogen and oxygen gas using a ‘hydrogen cell’. The gases are stored in two tanks.

When the gases recombine, they provide the mechanical energy for the wheels to turn.

A Tour of Ecolinc – ESD features

Ecolinc’s award winning building was designed using ESD principles. The building comprises energy efficient features such as:

• natural cooling• ‘hot box’ heating technology• large, double glazed windows which allow natural light to

enter while reducing heat transfer• low power lighting• solar hot water• solar panels which create electricity