On this day we will focus on different forms of energy. In the morning we will visit the JB Sims Generating Station plant followed by the Granger Waster Treatment Plant in the afternoon in order to learn about differing forms of energy consumption in Michigan. Some of the broad topics we will discuss throughout the day include:
Origin of coal deposits - where does the coal burned at the Sims Generating Station come from? What is the geology? What is entailed in transporting that coal to Michigan? West vs. East coal sources?
Energy consumption - heat loss at power plants, what is the efficiency of differing forms of energy?
Climate - Carbon footprint exercise
Is burning the CO2 at refuse plants harmful to the environment?
Compare and contrast – of the power generating facilities you will see which is the best for the future/climate?
Misconceptions
1.Coal burning is not an environmental problem because humans have invented ways to prevent pollutants from coal burning from entering the atmosphere.
2.Burning waste to generate electricity does not cause pollution like burning fossil fuels.
3.Nuclear power is more dangerous than coal power.
4.Nuclear Waste cannot be taken care of and lasts thousands of years.
5.It is easy to obtain coal for power plants because coal can be transported to demand centers quickly, safely and cheaply by ship and rail.
Resources
Investigating 8th Grade Conceptions of “Energy” and Related Concepts
Visualize the Impacts of Burning Coal
Map of Wyoming coal production
Wyoming vs. East coal (Wyoming Geological Survey/University of Wyoming)
(US department of Energy)
Clean Air Act (EPA)
Energy Sources (USGS)Formation of Oil &Gas
Mark Klawiter’s Activities
