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energy resources...activities

© 2002 American Geological Institute http://www.agiweb.org

Contents: All Activities and Investigations

Energy Resources Activities
Activity 1 
Activity 2 
Activity 3 
Activity 4 
Activity 5 
Activity 6 
Activity 7
Activity 8
Students are challenged to produce a report that analyzes how a 20% increase in their community's population would influence energy use in their community and to provide alternative realistic alternatives to avoid an energy-supply shortage. 

Students will:

• Understand how energy resources are tied to other Earth systems.  
• Participate in scientific inquiry and construct logical conclusions based on evidence.  
• Recognize that energy resources are an indispensable natural resources whose use and impact on the environment needs to be carefully monitored.  
• Appreciate the value of Earth science information in improving the quality of lives, globally and within the community.  

Activity 1  --  Exploring Energy Resource Concepts

To learn more about this topic, visit the following web sites:

1. Heat Transfer
 

• "The Educator's Guide to Convection" - Jet Propulsion Laboratory  
• "Introduction to Heat Transfer" - University of Minnesota Dept of Mechanical Engineering 

Site defines heat, explains what heat transfer is and why it is important.
(http://www.me.umn.edu/divisions/tht/tme/ht.html)
2. Energy, Work, and Power
 
• "Work, energy, and power" - HyperPhysics 

Site defines each term.  Click on concept box to view a concept map that visually explains each term.  Site also includes every day examples of these concepts in action and allows you to input numbers and complete various calculations.
(http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/work.html)
• "How force, power, torque, and energy work" - HowStuffWorks 

Through a series of links, this site defines common physics terms and explains how these different concepts work together.  Includes a list of web links for further information.
(http://howstuffworks.lycos.com/fpte.htm)
• "Energy, work, and power" - PhysicsEq.com 

Click on buttons to receive definitions, mathematical derivations, and examples to help in understanding work, kinetic energy, potential energy, power, and more.
(http://www.physicseq.com/energy/energy.html)

To complete the Inquiring Further section of this activity:

To learn more about improving electricity generation efficiencies, visit the following web site:

• "Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN)" - Dept of Energy 

Site reviews technologies to improve energy efficiencies in a variety of sectors:
• Buildings (http://www.eren.doe.gov/EE/buildings.html) 
• Transportation (http://www.eren.doe.gov/EE/transportation.html) 
• Industry (http://www.eren.doe.gov/EE/industry.html) 
• Power (http://www.eren.doe.gov/EE/power.html) 

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Activity 2  --  Electricity and Your Community

To learn more about this topic:

1.  Generating Electric Energy
 
• "Electricity Supply and Demand Fact Sheet" - EIA - DOE 

This site reviews the current issues facing electricity generation in the United States and explains how industry deals with these issues.
(http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/page/fact_sheets/supply&demand.html)
• "Electric Power Industry Overview" - EIA - DOE 

This page contains links to pages that give information on various aspects of the electric power industry.
(http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/page/prim2/toc2.html)
2.  Fossil Fuels and Nuclear Energy
 
• "Introduction to Energy" - DOE 

Online tutorial is designed for students.  Explains how energy is used and how fossil fuels are formed.
(http://www.fe.doe.gov/education/intro_energy.html)
• "Uranium Facts" - Office of Nuclear Energy 

Site uses an illustration to explain the nuclear fuel cycle and includes several facts about uranium and its use as a source of nuclear power.
(http://www.ne.doe.gov/uranium/facts.html)
3.  Hydroelectric Power
 
• "Hydropower Basics" - EREN - DOE 

Site introduces the use of water as an energy resource.  Click on the "Back to Hydropower" button at the top of the page to visit a new page that contains detailed links for more information about types of hydropower, sizes of hydropower plants, trurbine technologies, and the environmental and legal issues surrounding the use of hydropower.
(http://www.eren.doe.gov/RE/hydro_basics.html)
• "Hydroelectric Power" - National Renewable Energy Laboratory 

Site gives an overview of hydroelectric power, including the history of its use, how it works, and the different types of hydropower plants.
(http://www.nrel.gov/lab/pao/hydroelectric.html)
4.  Other Resources Used to Generate Electricity
 
• "Bioenergy Basics" - EREN - DOE 

Site introduces the use of biomass as an energy resource.  Click on the "Back to Bioenergy" button at the top of the page to visit a new page that contains detailed links for more information about biomass resources, biopower, biofuels, and more.
(http://www.eren.doe.gov/RE/bio_basics.html)
• "Ocean Energy Basics" - EREN - DOE 

Site introduces the use of the oceans as an energy resource.  Click on the "Back to Ocean Energy" button at the top of the page to visit a new page that contains detailed links for more information about wave energy, tidal energy, and ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) systems.
(http://www.eren.doe.gov/RE/ocean_basics.html)
• "Wind Energy Basics" - EREN - DOE 

Site introduces the use of wind as an energy resource.  Click on the "Back to Wind Energy" button at the top of the page to visit a new page that contains detailed links for more information about wind energy technologies, wind turbine use, costs of use, and more.
(http://www.eren.doe.gov/RE/wind_basics.html)
• "Geothermal Energy Basics" - EREN - DOE 

Site introduces the use of geothermal heat as an energy resource.  Click on the "Back to Geothermal Energy" button at the top of the page to visit a new page that contains detailed links for more information about geothermal exploration, drilling, use and more.
(http://www.eren.doe.gov/RE/geo_basics.html)
• "Solar Energy Basics" - EREN - DOE 

Site introduces the use of the Sun as an energy resource.  Click on the "Back to Solar Energy" button at the top of the page to visit a new page that contains detailed links for more information about photovoltaics, passive solar heating and cooling, solar water heating, issues surrounding the use of solar power, and more.
(http://www.eren.doe.gov/RE/solar_basics.html)
• "Ocean Energy Systems" - Energy Educators of Ontario 

This site reviews the basics of ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) and wave power plants, including how they work and the advantages and disadvantages of using the oceans as an energy resource.   Includes illustrations of the different type of ocean-powered plants.
(http://www.iclei.org/efacts/ocean.htm)


To complete the investigation, each student group will need:

• Internet access: to obtain copies of your “state electricity profile”: 
• Visit the Energy Information Administration State Electricity Profiles page (http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/st_profiles/toc.html) 
• Profiles can be viewed in either PDF (requires Adobe Acrobat) or HTML format

 
To complete the Inquiring Further section of this activity:
To learn more about storage of solar energy, visit the following web site:
• "Solar Energy Basics" - EREN - DOE 

Site introduces the use of the Sun as an energy resource.  Click on the "Back to Solar Energy" button at the top of the page to visit a new page that contains detailed links for more information about photovoltaics, passive solar heating and cooling, solar water heating, issues surrounding the use of solar power, and more.
(http://www.eren.doe.gov/RE/solar_basics.html)
To learn more about energy from the oceans, visit the following web sites:
• "Ocean Energy Basics" - EREN - DOE 

Site introduces the use of the oceans as an energy resource.  Click on the "Back to Ocean Energy" button at the top of the page to visit a new page that contains detailed links for more information about wave energy, tidal energy, and ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) systems.
(http://www.eren.doe.gov/RE/ocean_basics.html)
• "Ocean Energy Systems" - Energy Educators of Ontario 

This site reviews the basics of ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) and wave power plants, including how they work and the advantages and disadvantages of using the oceans as an energy resource.   Includes illustrations of the different type of ocean-powered plants.
(http://www.iclei.org/efacts/ocean.htm)
To learn more about other methods of generating electricity, visit the following web sites:
• "Bioenergy Basics" - EREN - DOE 

Site introduces the use of biomass as an energy resource.  Click on the "Back to Bioenergy" button at the top of the page to visit a new page that contains detailed links for more information about biomass resources, biopower, biofuels, and more.
(http://www.eren.doe.gov/RE/bio_basics.html)
• "Wind Energy Basics" - EREN - DOE 

Site introduces the use of wind as an energy resource.  Click on the "Back to Wind Energy" button at the top of the page to visit a new page that contains detailed links for more information about wind energy technologies, wind turbine use, costs of use, and more.
(http://www.eren.doe.gov/RE/wind_basics.html)
• "Geothermal Energy Basics" - EREN - DOE 

Site introduces the use of geothermal heat as an energy resource.  Click on the "Back to Geothermal Energy" button at the top of the page to visit a new page that contains detailed links for more information about geothermal exploration, drilling, use and more.
(http://www.eren.doe.gov/RE/geo_basics.html)

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Activity 3  --  Energy from Coal
 

To learn more about this topic:

1.  The Formation of Coal
 
• "How Fossil Fuels Formed" - DOE 

(http://www.fe.doe.gov/education/energy2.html)
• "How Coal Is Formed" - Kentucky Educational Television and the American Coal Foundation 

This site contains a brief overview of how coal is formed. 
(http://www.ket.org/Trips/Coal/AGSMM/agsmmhow.html)
• "How is coal formed?" - Kentucky Geological Survey 

This site explains the processes associated with the formation of coal.  Includes an illustration. 
(http://www.uky.edu/KGS/coal/webcoal/pages/coalform.htm)
• "How did the coal-bearing rocks form?" - Kentucky Geological Survey 

This site explains how sedimentary rocks that form coal reflect the environments in which they were originally deposited.
(http://www.uky.edu/KGS/coal/webcoal/pages/coalbear.htm)
2.  Types of Coal
 
• "Types of Coal" - The Coal Association of Canada 

This site defines the different types of coal, as well as reviewing their uses and distributiions.
(http://www.coal.ca/coaltype.htm)
• "Types of Coal" - Kentucky Educational Television and the American Coal Foundation 

This site explains how coal "rank" is determined and defines the different types of coal.
(http://www.ket.org/Trips/Coal/AGSMM/agsmmtypes.html)
• "Coal Resource Classification System of the U.S. Geological Survey - Specific Instructions" - Wood et al., USGS Circular 891 

Excerpt from online circular explains how the USGS classifies and tracks coal resources in the United States, including rank of coal, thickness of beds, distribution, etc.  Includes maps and data.
(http://energy.er.usgs.gov/products/papers/C891/guidelines.htm#SPECIFIC)
• "Kinds and Types of Coal" - Kentucky Geological Survey 

This site uses illustrations and photographs to explain the different types of coal.
(http://www.uky.edu/KGS/coal/webcoal/pages/coalkinds.html)

 

Part B: Coal Resources
To complete the investigation, each student group will need:

• Geologic map of your state or community 
• Internet access: to view your state’s “Energy, Consumption, Prices, and Expenditures” profile: 
• Visit the Energy Information Administration page (http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/states/_states.html) 
• Click on your state to open a new page 
• Under the heading "Total Energy", click on the "Prices & Consumption" link 
• Students can then use the side-bar menu on this page to find the needed information 

To complete the Inquiring Further section of this activity:

To learn more about plants associated with coal deposits in the United States, visit the following web sites:

• "Plant Fossils" - Illinois Geological Survey 

Site briefly reviews the plants that were found in Illinois during the "Coal Age".
(http://www.isgs.uiuc.edu/fossils/plantfossils.htm)
• "Plant Fossils of West Virginia" 

This site lists common fossil plants from West Virginia, which are the same plant fossils found in all bituminous coal fields of the eastern United States.
(http://www.geocraft.com/WVFossils/TableOfCont.html)
• "Plant Fossils in Kentucky" - Kentucky Geological Survey 

(http://www.uky.edu/KGS/coal/webfossl/pages/plants.htm)

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Activity 4  --  Coal and Your Community

To learn more about this topic:
 
1.  Coal Exploration and Mining
• "How Coal Is Produced" - Kentucky Educational Television and the American Coal Foundation 

Site reviews surface and underground mining methods used to remove coal from the ground.  Also included in the site is information about the regulations governing coal mining and the people who mine coal.
(http://www.ket.org/Trips/Coal/AGSMM/agsmmproduced.html)
• "Coal Resource Recoverability" - Rohrbacher, et al., U.S. Bureau of Mines Circular 9368 

Online circular reviews the factors associated with coal production, including mining, cleaning, recoveries, etc.  Includes tables and figures to illustrate concepts and examples.
(http://energy.er.usgs.gov/products/papers/C9368/index.htm)
• "Coal Resource Classification System of the U.S. Geological Survey - Geophysical Logs as a Source of Coal Bed Data" - Wood et al., USGS Circular 891 

Excerpt from online circular explains how geophysical techniques can be used to identify coal beds and to quantify their resources.  Includes examples and explanations of geophysical logs.
(http://energy.er.usgs.gov/products/papers/C891/geophysical.htm)
• "Coal Mining and Transportation" - Fossil Energy DOE 

Site reviews coal mining techniques.
(http://www.fe.doe.gov/education/coal_mining.html)
• "U.S. Coal Supply and Demand:2000 Review" - F. Freme - EIA - DOE 

(http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/coal/page/special/feature.html)

Part C: Conserving Coal Resources
To complete the investigation, each student group will need:
• Calculator 
• Internet access: to learn about ways to conserve energy resources, visit the following web sites: 
• "Energy Savers - Tips on Saving Energy and Money at Home" - EREN - DOE 

(http://www.eren.doe.gov/consumerinfo/energy_savers/)
• "50 Ways to Save Energy & Money" - Snohomish P.U.D. 

(http://www.snopud.com/?page=193)
• "40 Simple Ways to Save Energy" - Los Angles Department of Water and Power 

(http://www.ladwp.com/resserv/coninfo/wayssave/40ways.htm)
• "Quick and Easy Ways to Save Now" - DOE 

(http://www.eren.doe.gov/energytips/handidea.html)
• "Learning About Saving Energy" - EREN DOE 

(http://www.eren.doe.gov/erec/factsheets/savenrgy.html)
 
To complete the Inquiring Further section of this activity, each student will need:
To learn more about electricity usage in other countries, visit the following web sites:
• "International Electricity Information" - EIA - DOE 

(http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/international/electric.html)
• "International Energy Annual 1999" - EIA DOE 

(http://www.eia.doe.gov/iea/elec.html)

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Activity 5  --  Environmental Impacts and Energy Consumption

To learn more about this topic:
 
1.  Fossil Fuels and the Carbon Cycle:
• "Understanding the Global Carbon Cycle" - Woods Hole Research Center 

Site reveiws the basics of the global carbon cycle and how fossil fuels are linked to the cycle.
(http://www.whrc.org/science/carbon/carbon.htm)
• "Global Warming" - EPA 

Fact sheet explains global warming, which has been linked to emissions of greenhouse gases (including CO2).  PDF format (requires Adobe Acrobat to view).
(http://www.epa.gov/globalwarming/publications/outreach/basics/whatisgwprimer.pdf)
• "The Greenhouse Effect" - EPA 

Fact sheet explains what greenhouse gases are and how the greenhouse effect works.  PDF format (requires Adobe Acrobat to view).
(http://www.epa.gov/globalwarming/publications/outreach/basics/greenhouseeffect.pdf)
• "The Carbon Cycle: past and present" - University of Colorado Geology 

Site uses illustrations and numbers to show the connections between the carbon cycle and the burning of fossil fuels.
(http://www.colorado.edu/GeolSci/courses/GEOL3520/Topic16/Topic16.html)

2.  Coal and Acid Rain:
• "USGS Tracks Acid Rain" -  USGS Fact Sheet FS-183-95 

Online primer defines acid rain and explains how acid rain forms and what impacts it has on the environment.  Site includes color images.
(http://btdqs.usgs.gov/precip/arfs.htm)
• "What is Acid Rain?" - About.com 

Defines acid rain and includes links to images and additional information.
(http://weather.about.com/library/weekly/aa071600a.htm)

3.  Advantages and Disadvantages of Energy Resources:

• "Coal Resources in Environmentally-sensitive Lands Under Federal Management" - Watson, et al., USGS Open-File Report 95-631 

Online report presents estimates of coal-bearing acreage and coal tonnage in environmentally-sensitive areas and explains how these areas are dealt with.  Includes plates that give detailed examples.
(http://energy.er.usgs.gov/products/openfile/OF95-631/)
• "Coal-Bed Methane: Potential and Concerns" - Nuccio, V., USGS Open-File Fact Sheet 123-00

Visit this site to learn more about the potential use of methane as an energy source, as well as some of the problems associated with its use. 
(http://pubs.usgs.gov/factsheet/fs123-00/fs123-00.pdf) 
• "Coalbed Methane--An Untapped Energy Resource and an Environmental Concern" - USGS Fact Sheet FS-019-97 

This site looks at the potential of using coalbed methane as an energy resource, but also considers the environmental implications associated with removing the methane from the ground.
(http://energy.usgs.gov/factsheets/Coalbed/coalmeth.html)
To complete the Inquiring Further section of this activity:
To learn more about the Clean Air Act and SO2 emissions, visit the following web sites:

• "The Plain English Guide To The Clean Air Act" - EPA 

(http://www.epa.gov/oar/oaqps/peg_caa/pegcaa05.html)

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Activity 6  --  Petroleum and Your Community

To learn more about this topic:
 
1.  The Nature and Origin of Petroleum and Natural Gas
• "Fossil Fuels" - Penn State University 

Reviews how hydrocarbon deposits (including oil and gas) deposits form in list format.
(http://www.geosc.psu.edu/People/Faculty/FacultyPages/Kubicki/fossilfuelforms.html)
• "Beginning the Search for Natural Gas" - - Natural Gas Information and Educational Resources 

Site reviews how natural gas deposits form and also how geologists search and discover these deposits.  Includes color diagrams and links to further information.
(http://www.naturalgas.org/overview/background.asp)
• "How Fossil Fuels Formed" - DOE 

(http://www.fe.doe.gov/education/energy2.html)

2.  The History of Oil Production in the United States

• "TODAY in (Energy) History" - California Energy Commission 

List of energy-related events that have occurred over the last 100+ years.
(http://www.energy.ca.gov/m+pco/history.html)
• "An Index of Early Petroleum History Sites" 

Site contains a list of petroleum history links by state.
(http://little-mountain.com/oilwell/)
• "History of WV Mineral Industries - Oil and Gas" - West Virginia Geological Survey 

(http://www.wvgs.wvnet.edu/www/geology/geoldvog.htm)
• "History of Oil and Gas Production in Illinois" - Illinois Geological Survey 

(http://www.isgs.uiuc.edu/servs/pubs/geobits-pub/geobit8/geobit8.htm)

3.  United States Petroleum Production
• "Economics and the 1995 National Assessment of U.S. Oil and Gas Resources" - USGS Open-File Report 95-75-M 

Online fact sheet reviews the status and location of United States onshore and offshore oil and gas ressources as of 1995.  Includes information about known oil and gas fields, as well as estimates of undiscovered reserves and the costs and methods associated with finding these reserves.
(http://energy.er.usgs.gov/products/openfile/OF95-75-M/)
• "A Summary of the U.S. Geological Survey 1995 National Assessment of Oil and Gas Resources" - USGS Fact Sheet 

This report summarizes the findings of the 1995 National Assessment of Oil and Gas Resources, with a focus on undiscovered reserves.
(http://geology.cr.usgs.gov/energy/execsum.html)
 
Part C: Oil and Gas Resource Use in Your Community
To complete the investigation, each student group will need:
• Internet access: to view data regarding your state’s petroleum and natural gas production, consumption, and distribution: 
• Visit the Energy Information Administration State Electricity Profiles page (http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/st_profiles/toc.html) 
• Profiles can be viewed in either PDF (requires Adobe Acrobat) or HTML format 

 

To complete the Inquiring Further section of this activity:

To learn more about the top oil and gas fields in the United States, visit the following web sites:

• "Prudhoe Bay" - BP 

(http://www.bp.com/alaska/bpamoco/oilfields/prudhoebay.htm)
• "Operations in Alaska" - Phillips Petroleum 

(http://www.phillips66.com/locations/alaska.html)
• "The Great Wall of Midway-Sunset" - Ware et al., GSA, Session 30, April, 2001 

(http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2001CD/finalprogram/abstract_4905.htm)
• "The Kern County Oil Industry" - San Joaquin Geological Society 

(http://www.sjgs.com/oilfacts.html)
• "Wasson Field" - University of Texas at Austin 

(http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/view/WW/downk.html)
• "Yates Field" - University of Texas at Austin 

(http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/view/YY/doy1.html)
• "Slaughter Field" - University of Texas at Austin 

(http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/view/SS/dosrb.html)
• "Coal-Bed Gas Development in the San Juan Basin: A Primer for the Lawyer and Landman" By J. H.Kemp and K. M. Peterson, Geology and Coalbed Methane Resources: Northern San Juan Basin 257-280, (8) 1988 

(http://www.dgslaw.com/articles/273977.html)
• "TEXAS TOP PRODUCING GAS FIELDS (1997) - Carthage (Cotton Valley)" - Railroad Commission of Texas 

(http://www.rrc.state.tx.us/divisions/og/activity/carthage.html)
• "TEXAS TOP PRODUCING GAS FIELDS (1997) - Texas Hugoton Field" - Railroad Commission of Texas 

(http://www.rrc.state.tx.us/divisions/og/activity/texas.html)
• " Wattenberg Field, Denver Basin, Colorado" - Weimer et al., AAPG Studies in Geology 24, Geology of Tight Gas Reserviors, 1986, p. 143-164 

(http://www.searchanddiscovery.com/documents/98003/)

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Activity 7  --  Oil and Gas Production

To learn more about this topic:
 
1.  Porosity and Permeability
• "How Does Water Flow Through Rocks?" - Oceanography Careers - Women in Marine Sciences 

Reviews the basics of how fluids move through rocks.  Site makes use of both text and illustrations for explanation.
(http://www.womenoceanographers.org/doc/WenluZ/Lesson/WenluLesson.htm)
2.  Recovery of Petroleum
• "Fuel Oil Facts" - The Energy Source Network 

Site briefly reviews petroleum exploration, drilling techniques, means for petroleum recovery, and transporation.
(http://www.fueloil.com/consumer/explore.html)
• "How oil is recovered" - A-to-Z Science 

Uses illustrations to explain primary, secondary, and tertiary recovery of oil from reservoir rocks.
(http://school.discovery.com/homeworkhelp/worldbook/atozpictures/lr000984.html)
• "Oil & Gas Reservoir Life Extension" - DOE Fossil Energy 

Online article reviews importance of enhancing recovery of oil and gas from rocks.
(http://www.fe.doe.gov/oil_gas/life_extension/)

3.  Estimates of Petroleum Reserves

• "A Summary of the U.S. Geological Survey 1995 National Assessment of Oil and Gas Resources" - USGS Fact Sheet 

Fact sheet summarizes the findings of the 1995 National Assessment of Oil and Gas Resources, with a focus on undiscovered reserves.
(http://energy.usgs.gov/factsheets/NAresults/nat.assess.number.html)
• "Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR)-New Petroleum Estimates (6-2-98)Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR)-New Petroleum Estimates (6-2-98)" - AGI 

(http://www.agiweb.org/legis105/anwr.html)
• "Oil Supplies -- Are We Really Running Out of Oil?" - American Petroleum Institute 

Online article reviews the current status of petroleum reserves.
(http://www.api.org/oilsup.htm)
 
To complete the Inquiring Further section of this activity:

To learn more about secondary recovery methods, visit the following web sites:

• "How oil is recovered" - A-to-Z Science 

Uses illustrations to explain primary, secondary, and tertiary recovery of oil from reservoir rocks.
(http://school.discovery.com/homeworkhelp/worldbook/atozpictures/lr000984.html)
• "Oil & Gas Reservoir Life Extension" - DOE Fossil Energy 

Online article reviews importance of enhancing recovery of oil and gas from rocks.
(http://www.fe.doe.gov/oil_gas/life_extension/)
• "Carbon dioxide flooding may help resurrect old oil wells" - The University of Kansas 

(http://www.newsarchives.ku.edu/01N/MarNews/Mar26/oil.html)
• "Enhanced Oil Recovery With High-Pressure Nitrogen Injection" - by N. Mungan, Journal of Petroleum Technology, January 2001 

(http://www.spe.org/cda/jpt/content1/0,1117,3520,00.html)
• "Horizontal drilling" - University of Wisconsin 

(http://www.geology.wisc.edu/courses/g115/oil/4.html)
• "What is Hydraulic Fracturing?" - EPA Office of Water 

(http://www.epa.gov/safewater/uic/cbmstudy/hfracdef.html) To learn more about the protection of sensitive environments during oil and gas exploration and production, visit the following web sites:
• "Advanced Drilling, Completion & Stimulation" - DOE 

(http://www.fe.doe.gov/oil_gas/drilling/)
• "Fuel Oil Facts" - The Energy Source Network 

Site briefly reviews petroleum exploration, drilling techniques, means for petroleum recovery, and transporation.
(http://www.fueloil.com/consumer/explore.html)

To learn more about careers in the petroleum industry, visit the following web sites:

• "Careers in Geosciences" - AGI 

(http://www.agiweb.org/career/)

To learn more about conservation of transportation fuels, visit the following web sites:

• "Save Money on Fuel Costs" - Commonwealth of Australia 

(http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/fuellabel/costs.html)
• "Cleaner Refueling and Energy-Efficient Driving" - National Safety Center - Environmental Health Center 

(http://www.nsc.org/ehc/mobile/refuelin.htm)

Back to top Activity 8 -- Renewable Energy Sources - Solar and Wind
 

To learn more about this topic:
 
1.  Solar Heating
• "Solar Heating and You" - EREN - DOE 

Site explains how solar heating works, including descriptions of different types of solar collectors.  Also discusses why solar energy is an important resource.  Includes directions for making a solar air heater and a glossary of relevant terms.
(http://www.eren.doe.gov/erec/factsheets/solar.html)

2. Photovoltaics

• "Photovoltaic Cells" - Energy Educators of Ontario 

Site explains how photovoltaic technology has evolved, how it works, and where the technologies are typically applied.
(http://www.iclei.org/efacts/photovol.htm)
• "About Photovoltaics" - EREN - DOE 

List of links to articles that cover topics related to photovoltaics, including how photovoltaics works, different types of photovoltaic systems, materials used to make solar cells, applications and uses of photovoltaics, current uses of photovoltaics, current news about photovoltaics, and more.
(http://www.eren.doe.gov/pv/text_nav.html)

3. Wind Power

• "Wind Energy" - Energy Educators of Ontario 

Site reviews the history of using wind as an energy resource, explains how wind turbine technology works and where it is applied, and also makes predictions about the future of wind-generated power.
(http://www.iclei.org/efacts/wind.htm)
• "Wind Energy FAQ/Technical Information" - American Wind Energy Association  

List of frequently asked questions about wind as an energy resource, including information about how to calculate the amount of power in the wind at a given wind speed, the basic types of wind turbines, the cost of wind power, and more.
(http://www.awea.org/faq/index.html)
• "Wind Energy in California" - California Energy Commission 

Site gives an overview of wind energy.  Also visit the "Fast Facts" page, which gives wind facts in a table format.
(http://www.energy.ca.gov/wind/overview.html)

 

To complete the Inquiring Further section of this activity:

To learn more about solar-thermal electricity generation, visit the following web sites:

• "Large-Scale Solar Thermal Systems" - EREN - DOE 
• (http://www.eren.doe.gov/consumerinfo/refbriefs/ac5.html) 

"The Luz Experience" - EIA - DOE
(http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/solar.renewables/renewable.energy.annual/backgrnd/ch11box.htm)
• "Solar Thermal Energy" - United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) 

(http://www.uneptie.org/energy/act/re/fs/docs/thermal.PDF)
• "The Energy Story - Chapter 9: Solar Energy" - California Energy Commission 

(http://www.energy.ca.gov/education/story/story-html/chapter09.html)

To learn more about photovoltaic electricity, visit the following web sites:

• "Photovoltaic Cells" - Energy Educators of Ontario 

Site explains how photovoltaic technology has evolved, how it works, and where the technologies are typically applied.
(http://www.iclei.org/efacts/photovol.htm)
• "About Photovoltaics" - EREN - DOE 

List of links to articles that cover topics related to photovoltaics, including how photovoltaics works, different types of photovoltaic systems, materials used to make solar cells, applications and uses of photovoltaics, current uses of photovoltaics, current news about photovoltaics, and more.
(http://www.eren.doe.gov/pv/text_nav.html)
• "Photovoltaic Power Generation" - Institute of Energy Conversion 

(http://www.udel.edu/iec/pv-gen.html)

To learn more about the history of wind energy or solar energy, visit the following web sites:

• "Illustrated History of Wind Power Development" - TelosNet 

(http://telosnet.com/wind/)
• "History of Wind Energy Use" - EREN - DOE 

(http://www.eren.doe.gov/wind/history.html)
• "History Of Solar Power" - Go Solar Company 

(http://www.solarexpert.com/pvbasics2.html)
• "History of Solar Energy-Revisiting Solar Power's Past" - by Charles Smith, solarenergy.com 

(http://www.solarenergy.com/info_history.html)

To learn more about wind farms, visit the following web site:

• "Wind Farms and Wind Farmers" - EREN - DOE 

(http://www.eren.doe.gov/consumerinfo/refbriefs/ad2.html)

---

Resources:

Web Sites:

• Department of Energy home page 

http://www.energy.gov/
• Energy Information Administration home page 

http://eia.doe.gov/
• Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN) home page 

http://www.eren.doe.gov/
• United States Geological Survey (USGS) home page 

http://www.usgs.gov/
• USGS Energy Resources home page 

http://energy.usgs.gov/
• USGS Energy Resources Energy-Related Publications, Products, and Data 

http://energy.usgs.gov/pubs.html
• National Renewable Energy Laboratory home page 

http://www.nrel.gov/
• Department of Energy Fossil Energy page 

http://www.fe.doe.gov/
• Nuclear Energy Institute home page 

http://www.nei.org/
• American Coal Foundation home page 

http://www.acf-coal.org/index.html
• American Geophysical Union (AGU) Science for Everyone  

http://www.agu.org/sci_soc/everyone.html
• International Solar Energy Society (ISES) home page 

http://www.ises.org/ises.nsf?Open
• American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) home page 

http://www.awea.org/
• Natural Gas Information and Educational Resources home page 

http://www.naturalgas.org/
• American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) home page 

http://www.aapg.org/indexaapg.html
• American Geophysical Union (AGU) home page 

http://www.agu.org/
• American Petroleum Institute (API) home page 

http://api-ec.api.org/intro/index_flash4.htm
• Energy Education Resources: Kindergarten through 12th Grade - EIA - DOE 

http://www.eia.doe.gov/bookshelf/eer/kiddietoc.html#table

Maps:

• Geologic maps: State and local: 
• The United States Geological Survey National Geologic Map Database contains information on how and where to obtain geologic maps. (http://ngmdb.usgs.gov/) 
• Your state Geological Survey - find your state survey on-line at Association of American State Geologists (http://www.kgs.ukans.edu/AASG/AASG.html). 
• Download state geologic maps at About.com's site.  (http://geology.about.com/science/geology/cs/geomapsusstates/) 
• Reading Geologic Maps - informative review on how to read and interpret geologic maps.  (http://geology.about.com/science/geology/library/weekly/aa100800a.htm) 

 
• Geologic maps: Regional (two or more states): 
• The on-line bookstore of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (http://bookstore.AAPG.org; 918-584-2555) 
• Topographic maps: Local 
• The United States Geological Survey MapFinder allows you to order 7.5 minute maps online for $4 per map plus $5 s/h per order. (http://edc.usgs.gov/Webglis/glisbin/finder_main.pl?dataset_name=MAPS_LARGE) 
• The United States Geological Survey maintains a list of Map Dealers.  Click on your state to obtain a list of retailers who sell maps. (http://mapping.usgs.gov/esic/map_dealers/) 
• The United States Geological Survey National Geologic Map Database site on How to find topographic maps (http://ngmsvr.wr.usgs.gov/Other_Resources/rdb_topo.html) 
• TopoZone site allows you to download topographic maps (including USGS maps) for free, at various scales (from 1:100,000 to 1:24,000).  (http://www.topozone.com/) 
• MapServer offers free online viewing of topo, nautical and aeronautical charts plus high altitude digital ortho quads (nav photos). (www.maptech.com and www.mapserver.maptech.com) 
• General Map Resources: 
• An excellent list of map resources available online can be found on the Central Michigan University Resources for Earth Science and Geography Instruction web site.  Included are links to sites to make maps, as well as links to free downloadable outline maps, satellite imagery, GPS, and GIS databases. (http://personal.cmich.edu/~franc1m/locamap.htm) 
• "Maps" - USGS Earth Science Information Center, includes general map information, from how to read maps to how to obtain them.  Also includes links to further information regarding topographic, thematic, planetary maps, and more. (http://ask.usgs.gov/maps.html) 
• National Geographic (maps and videos): 1-800-962-1643 (http://www.nationalgeographic.com/maps/index.html) 
• "Maps of the United States" - USGS fact sheet, contains a series of depictions of the United States, along with information on how to obtain additional US maps. (http://www.usgs.gov/fact-sheets/maps-us/index.html) 
• "Maps of the World" - USGS fact sheet, contains a series of world maps, including outline maps, seismicity maps, and political maps.  Also contains information for ordering more specific world maps. (http://www.usgs.gov/fact-sheets/maps-world/maps-world.html) 
• "National Atlas Maps" - USGS site of a variety of US maps that are available online, including shaded relief maps, aquifer maps, and further information on how to order maps not available online.  (http://www-atlas.usgs.gov/atlasmap.html?) 

Videos:

• American Coal Foundation - Coal Videos 

Site contains a list of coal videos, the cost of which range from $15.00 to free.
(http://www.acf-coal.org/pages/videos.html)
• Bullfrog Films: Energy Videos (list of about 40 videos that cover energy-related topics, ranging from energy conservation, environmental issues associated with energy use, different energy resources (solar, wind, nuclear, etc.), and more. 
• PicoTurbine: Solar Power, Windmill, and Renewable Energy vidoes 

Books:

• American Coal Foundation - Reading Resources 

Site provides a list of coal-related reading materials.
(http://www.acf-coal.org/pages/reading.html)
• American Petroleum Institute - Educational Materials 

Site contains petroleum-related papers and book reading list.
(http://api-ec.api.org/class/index.cfm?bitmask=001006002000000000)

Magazines:

• Geotimes.  Published by the American Geological Institute, this magazine reviews current issues in the Earth Sciences and can serve as a valuable supplemental resource for teachers and students alike.  Visit the web site for online articles and information about obtaining a one-year subscription (40% discount for AGI Member Society members; 65% discount for students). 

(http://www.geotimes.org/current/)
• Excellent sources of high-school level articles are in both National Geographic (which often has maps), and Science News 

(describing the most recent and interesting events in scientific research.) 

Contents: All Activities and Investigations