Off the Grid
"Off the grid" solar home in Coal Creek Canyon, CO.Copyright National Renewable Energy Laboratory http://www.nrel.gov/data/pix/searchpix.cgi?display_type=verbose&max_display=5&skip_hf=1&query=%5E05488
Students learn and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of renewable and non-renewable energy sources. They also learn about our nation's electric power grid and what it means for a residential home to be "off the grid."
Engineers learn the concepts of energy, work and power as they design products and process that use renewable and non-renewable energy sources. Mechanical engineers must know these fundamental physics concepts to design things such as cars, roller coasters and biomechanical devices. Civil and environmental engineers might use these concepts as they create devices such as dams and wind turbines that harness renewable energy sources.
After this lesson, students should be able to:
- Define renewable and non-renewable energy sources.
- Describe some advantages and disadvantages to using renewable energy sources to power a home.
- Explain what it means for a house to be "off the grid."