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Title
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Evaluating our Energy Portfolio
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Type
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Primary: Mission Briefing Article
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Operation
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Infinite Potential
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Mission:
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Mission 4: Energy Independence
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Print Page
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72,73
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Subjects
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Personal and social issues | Humans and the environment | Renewable resources | Science and technology | Energy technology | Science
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Grades
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5 | 6 | 7 | 8
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Keywords
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nonrenewable, oil, coal, resource, renewable, inexhaustible, alternative, sun, wind, advantage, limitation, world energy usage, pristine habitat, geothermal heat, wave, tide, biofuel, nuclear fusion, fuel cell, energy portfolio, demand, energy, impact, carbon footprint, carbon-based, greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide
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Duration
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00:00:00 (HH:MM:SS)
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Audience
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Teachers | Elementary Grades | Junior High
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Created On
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4/28/2009
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Copyright
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House photo: Wikimedia Commons; Solar panel photo: Sandia National Lab; Join the Team photo: Peter Haydock, The JASON Project
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From: Infinite Potential Mission 4: Energy Independence (pp: 72,73) |
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Evaluating our Energy Portfolio Today, we rely primarily on nonrenewable resources, such as coal and oil, for our energy needs. As we move toward using renewable and inexhaustible resources for energy, there are factors that we should consider. Learn more about what we should consider when restructuring our energy portfolio in this article. |
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Imagine a world where non-renewable resources, such as coal and oil, run out! It may not be in our lifetime, but there will be a time when this will happen. What can we do now to prepare for this future event? We must research new sources of energy and take another look at renewable and inexhaustible sources that were once considered “alternative,” such as sunlight and wind. As we prepare for a “greener” tomorrow, we must carefully weigh the advantages and limitations of each source.
Currently, renewable and inexhaustible sources of energy account for only about seven percent of our total world energy usage. By increasing the use of these sources, we could decrease our dependence on non-renewable sources, such as coal and oil, and extend the amount of time these resources would be available. We may even help the environment along the way!
Energy Portfolio Options
How can you decide which energy sources are viable options for your local area? We are living in a world where science and technology give us more energy options than ever. Wind, sunlight, geothermal, waves, tides, biofuels, nuclear, and fuel cells are just some of the energy sources you could have access to when restructuring your energy portfolio.
Energy Portfolio Considerations
It is likely that no single energy source will solve the problem on its own. Therefore, think about how you could use several different energy sources within your region. What factors should you consider?
First, you need to assess the current and future demand for energy in your area.
Second, you need to become educated about current and future energy resources that are, or could be, available and appropriate for your location.
Finally, consider the impact each energy source has on the planet. For instance, can it help reduce our carbon footprint? A carbon footprint is a measure of human impact based on the emission of carbon-based greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide. Keep these considerations in mind as you read about each energy source described so on the following pages. |
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When we rethink our energy
options, we come up with
innovative ways to capture and
utilize energy to suit our everyday
needs.
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