Renewable Energy Unit Plan
Feldheim Renewable Energy

This unit contains four explorations on Renewable Energy. During a visit to Feldheim, students will explore the energy mix of Germany and their community. Then they will dive into three explorations to learn more about wind energy, solar energy, and bioenergy.

↓ Unit Overview
↓ Explorations
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Essential Question

How can carbon dioxide emission from human activity, such as electricity generation and heating, be reduced in your community?

Unit Overview

Germany has pledged to transform its electricity supply to 100 percent renewable energy by 2050. The goal of using renewable energy is reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Germany’s targets are reduction of GHG by 80-85% of 1990 levels by 2050.

Electricity production accounts for 80% of GHG emissions in Germany. Electricity production also accounts for 40% of energy-related CO2 carbon dioxide) emissions. In Germany, 54% of generated electrical power comes from the burning of fossil fuels, especially brown coal, also known as lignite. By shifting electricity production away from fossil fuels to sustainable energy, Germany could meet its GHG reduction goals.

As part of sustainability planning, the transition includes consideration of economic benefit, energy security, and environmental benefit. The plan to transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy is called the Energiewende.

Germany’s renewable energy portfolio includes wind, solar, biomass, and geothermal. It is expected that in the short term, sustainable energy will be supplemented by nuclear power and fossil fuel power generated using carbon capture and storage technology. The long-term plan is to phase out nuclear and fossil fuel power plants.

Explorations

Introduction
Introduction to Renewable Energy

This Introduction provides background information about the Earth’s atmosphere, greenhouse gases, and sources of greenhouse gases. It discusses Germany's present energy mix, as well as the Energiewende—Germany's strategy to move away from nonrenewable energy sources