Designing a Net-Zero Energy Sustainable Classroom, Workplace, or Home

Abstract

SCI 225 Module 6 Lab: Designing a Net-Zero Energy Sustainable Classroom/Work/Home >>> NOTE: this lab was designed as an application of knowledge activity -- to complete AFTER you finish your module ebook readings, watch your module video clips, and learn your module unit content! You will need that information to complete this lab activity! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lab Purpose: This lab is designed to reinforce your skills of critical thinking, inquiry, application of knowledge, and synthesis of information. READ this handout carefully and follow ALL instructions. You will be completing a lab procedure, collecting data, analyzing your data, making conclusions, and addressing critical thinking questions in your lab write-up. For Module 6, you will be focusing on sustainable energy and designing a net-zero plan for either your current classroom, workplace, or home. Once you have completed this lab, you will understand the physics and concept of energy, how you get electricity, the nature of our current energy usage, what energy equity is, what sustainable energy alternatives are possible, and how to design practical solutions that meet society’s needs while preserving our planet. Lab Background and Summary: You are going to be writing a reflective proposal on how you would re-design a building/campus/area/home to be more sustainable and achieve a net-zero energy goal! You will be considering major elements in the engineering of buildings, cities, and domiciles. You will also need to consider how to maintain a realistic level of comfort, while considering solutions that are economically pragmatic. Don’t forget to take into account the amount of energy that is required to power daily activities (hint: a typical home uses 28 kWh per day and 10,244 per year). The purpose of this lab is for you to gather information on electricity usage, consider alternative energy sources, learn about sustainable design and energy elements, and realize that solutions are possible -- they just take a bit of creativity, vision, research, and work! There are many terms to understand before completing this lab. These terms are often used incorrectly and taken out of context. In science, terms have very precise and specific definitions -- so it is important to understand and use them accurately. Just as someone would not want to be called by some other person’s name, they want their own correct and specific name recognized and respected. Topics in science are often maligned due to misuse and misconception of simple terms. Here are some terms to learn for this lab and unit: Energy = anything that allows a system to produce work (ex. battery causes chemical reaction and produces light energy in a flashlight) Kinetic Energy = the energy of movement (ex. football being thrown, excited electrons, particle waves, etc.) Potential Energy = the resting energy of things NOT moving or involved in reactions at the moment (ex. a battery in its holder, a book sitting on a table, an exercise bike sitting in a room) Alternative Energy = energy derived from any non fossil-fuel based substrates Renewable Energy = energy that is infinitely available and always replenishable (ex. sunlight, wind, ocean waves, geothermal heat) Green Energy = energy that is good for the planet and does not harm the environment Sustainable Energy = energy that is equally good for the THREE P’s of sustainability: planet, people, and profits. This means that the energy solution is green and does not harm the Earth. However, it is also healthy for people, accessible for all, promotes equitable living, and is fair. Finally, sustainability is always good...