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Home > Design and Technology > Innovation and Emerging Technologies > Ethical and Environmental Issues > Environmental considerations for designers and society: Energy

Environmental considerations for designers and society: Energy

In the HSC course of Design and technology you learn about ethical and environmental issues and learn to identify the factors which contribute to the efficiency and sustainability of technologies. This tutorial provides opportunities to examine a range of alternate sources of energy which may impact on innovations you research or indeed on your own major design project.

Outcomes

This material addresses aspects of the following syllabus outcomes:

H2.2 The student evaluates the impact of design and innovation on society and the environment

Source: Board of Studies NSW, Stage 6 Design and Technology Syllabus, Preliminary and HSC Courses (1999)

Development of alternate sources of energy

The development of alternate sources of power may influence design decisions and inform the designers understanding of the impact of different energy sources. Select any of the activities below to examine energy options.

Activity 1 - Australian Government investment
Activity 2 - Visit Energy Australia
Activity 3 - Solar power
Activity 4 - Wind power
Activity 5 - Hydro electricity in Tasmania
Activity 6 - Biomass energy generation
Activity 7 - Wave power

CONTENTS

Alternate sources of energy

• solar power
• wind power
• geo-thermal power
• hydro-electricity
• biomass power
• wave power

Alternate sources of power

Activity 1

The Australian Government has invested large sums of money to address environmental problems.

1. Investigate the Australian Government Renewable Energy Technologies . Select the Projects link.
2. Investigate the variety of renewable energy companies that are active in Australia by visiting the Alternative Technology Association site

Solar power

Solar power - direct use of the sun's energy - is a notable source of alternate power. It is now possible (and common) to heat household water, maintain battery charges and allow constant energy supply to channel markers through solar panels.

Activity 2

Visit the Department of Energy, Utilities and Sustainability web site to investigate solar power. Select Energy and then the quick link on the right to Solar power. Now answer the following questions:

1. Explain what is meant by solar power.
2. Suggest two major ways that solar power can be used to reduce the use of fossil fuel.

These voltaic cells generate about 30% of the electricity needs of this building found at the University of Northumbria, England.

Although high-latitude areas are not usually very successful for solar power this building demonstrates that with good design there is potential.

Activity 3

1. Solar power research in Australia has had some outstanding successes yet the public has not embraced the technology except for heating water. Can you explain why this might be the case?
   Source: MACKENZIE, D., 1997 GREEN DESIGN Design for the Environment Laurence King Publishing:London

Wind power

Wind is caused by uneven heating of the earth surface. The energy stored in wind can be captured by wind turbines and converted into other forms of energy, e.g. electrical and mechanical.

Activity 4

1. Investigate the use of wind power . Select Energy > Renewable energy > Wind.
2. Take a look at the NSW Wind Atlas on the web site. Where would be a good place for a wind farm in NSW?

Geothermal power

Geothermal energy is heat from the earth that is used directly as hot water or steam, or used to produce electricity. While high temperature geothermal sites suitable for electricity are not widespread, low temperature sites almost everywhere in the world can provide heating and cooling for buildings. To find out more about Geothermal power, click here .

Hydro-electric power

Definition: the conversion of the potential energy of water into electrical energy ready for distribution and use.

Activity 5

1. Examine the Snowy Hydro web site, especially the environment section.
2. Explain why the Snowy Water Enquiry was commissioned. What impact will this have?

Biomass power

Definition: the conversion of organic matter to energy.

Activity 6

1. Read the Biomass overview and discover why this is one of the most common forms of energy generation.
2. Select a case study from the web site and discuss the advantages and disadvantages.

Wave power

Wave energy results from energy transmitted from wind to the ocean surface. Ocean waves can travel long distances before reaching coastlines and releasing their energy. There are several companies internationally developing technologies to capture this energy for conversion into electricity. Existing wave power systems can either be a floating device connected to the seabed, or shore mounted devices. Australia has an excellent wave energy resource located around its coastline, which is conveniently located close to the major population centers. Source: http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/renewable/recp/wave/index.html

Activity 7

1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of wave power ?
2. Investigate the Energetech Wave Energy System .