Investigate energy transformations, renewable energy systems, and conservation principles through hands-on experiments and Caribbean energy applications.
Activity 1: Caribbean Renewable Energy Systems Investigation
Design and test renewable energy systems suitable for Caribbean island environments
110 minutes
Teams of 4
Energy conversion & system design
Learning Objectives
• Design renewable energy systems for island communities
• Investigate energy conversion efficiency
• Analyze factors affecting energy production
• Evaluate environmental impacts of energy systems
• Calculate energy costs and benefits
Energy System Components
• Small solar panels and photovoltaic cells
• Wind turbine construction materials
• LED lights and small motors
• Batteries and capacitors
• Multimeters and measurement tools
• Construction materials (wood, plastic)
Design Process
1
Energy Assessment (25 minutes)
Analyze Caribbean energy resources and community needs
2
System Design and Construction (50 minutes)
Build and optimize renewable energy prototypes
3
Performance Testing (35 minutes)
Measure efficiency and analyze optimization strategies
Caribbean Energy Resources
• Solar: 300+ days of sunshine annually
• Wind: Trade winds 15-25 mph
• Geothermal: Volcanic island potential
• Ocean: Wave and tidal energy
Energy System Design Challenges
Solar Power System
• Optimize panel angle for latitude
• Design battery storage system
• Calculate daily energy production
• Account for weather variability
Wind Energy System
• Design efficient turbine blades
• Optimize for trade wind patterns
• Consider hurricane resistance
• Minimize noise and visual impact
Hybrid System Integration
• Combine solar and wind sources
• Design smart grid connections
• Implement energy storage solutions
• Create backup power systems
Energy Efficiency Analysis
Performance Metrics
• Power output measurements (watts)
• Energy conversion efficiency (%)
• Cost per kilowatt-hour
• Environmental impact assessment
Optimization Strategies
• Maximum power point tracking
• Load balancing techniques
• Maintenance scheduling
• System redundancy planning
Activity 2: Energy Conservation and Efficiency Laboratory
Investigate energy conservation principles through thermal dynamics and mechanical efficiency experiments
90 minutes
Teams of 3
Conservation laws & efficiency analysis
Learning Objectives
• Investigate conservation of energy principles
• Analyze energy transformations in mechanical systems
• Measure thermal energy transfer rates
• Calculate efficiency of energy conversion devices
• Design energy-efficient solutions for Caribbean buildings
Laboratory Equipment
• Pendulum apparatus and timing devices
• Inclined planes and rolling objects
• Calorimeters and thermometers
• Insulation materials for testing
• Spring scales and force meters
• Data logging sensors
Investigation Protocol
1
Mechanical Energy Conservation (35 minutes)
Test pendulum and inclined plane energy transformations
2
Thermal Energy Transfer (35 minutes)
Investigate heat conduction, convection, and radiation
3
Building Efficiency Design (20 minutes)
Apply findings to Caribbean building design challenges
