Description: The world energy landscape is changing as a result of unprecedented concerns about the environmental, economic, and security implications of our current systems. These concerns are likely to result in a fundamental restructuring of the way we produce and consume power though this transition will almost certainly occur gradually. Ultimately, we will move toward an energy infrastructure that is solar-based rather than fossil-based. Such a future will include a suite of technologies that are powered by the sun, either directly (such as photovoltaics) or indirectly (such as algae). This module allows students to think critically about how this transition is likely to play out. In particular they will consider how algae might play a part in the move toward sustainable energy systems. Using basic principles of material and energy balances, the students will calculate the energy and resource burdens of corn and algae-based biofuels and predict their viability in light of future technical and economic constraints.
Cost: Free
Learning Resource Type: Teaching - Course (College Freshman - Graduate)
Media Type: Document
Difficulty: Easy
Audience: From College Freshman To College Sophomore
Interventions: Not Specified
Resource Use: Not Specified
Interactivity: Not Specified
Publication Date: Not Specified
Platform: WWW
Copyright: Not Specified
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