Our Project
During this project we learned about different ways of generating electricity and how we could use them as a power source. We did multiple projects and experiments, but the main project was designing our own microgrid. We had three days to design a microgrid that would power either Novato or San Marin High School. My group chose to do San Marin. We had two power sources, the main one was solar and the second one was a natural gas turbine. We presented all of our research to the class.
Wind Turbines
One project we did was designing a small wind turbine. We used paper to make blades, then connected them to a generator. When we blew a fan on our turbine it we measured the voltage to determine its effectiveness and compare it to the other designs. We also tested them on different wind speeds. We decided to compare having 6 blades and having 4 blades. We discovered that with higher winds 4 blades works better, but with lower winds 6 blades works better. This is because you have to find a balance between the amount of wind that the blades could catch and the drag from the blades. More blades means that you can catch more wind, which is why it works better when you need to maximize the amount of wind that you're getting. However with higher winds the extra blades add too much drag which slows them down.
Electrical Fields
To experiment with electrical fields we used an online simulation called Electric Field Hockey. You had to move a negative charge into the goal by repelling it with other negative charges and attracting it with positive charges. In most of the simulations you had to use multiple positive and negative charges and you could see how it changed where the negative charge would move to.
We experimented with Coulombs Law using a simulation where you could change the distance between a positive and negative charge, as well as the magnitude of both their charges and see how it affected the force between them. The higher the magnitude and the closer they were, the stronger the force was.
The last thing we had to do was the Sticky Tape Lab. We observed the transfer of electrons in two pieces of tape, and how it affected them. When the pieces of tape were stuck on the counter they repelled each other after. This is because they both had the same charge. When we stuck the two pieces of tape together, after we took them apart them they were pulled towards each other. That's because they have opposite charges.
We experimented with Coulombs Law using a simulation where you could change the distance between a positive and negative charge, as well as the magnitude of both their charges and see how it affected the force between them. The higher the magnitude and the closer they were, the stronger the force was.
The last thing we had to do was the Sticky Tape Lab. We observed the transfer of electrons in two pieces of tape, and how it affected them. When the pieces of tape were stuck on the counter they repelled each other after. This is because they both had the same charge. When we stuck the two pieces of tape together, after we took them apart them they were pulled towards each other. That's because they have opposite charges.
Electromagnet Lab
Dissect a Motor
For this experiment we had to take apart motors to see all the parts and how they work. We had to take apart a car motor as well as a small motor. The small motor was able to clearly show what was happening. When electric current goes into the motor it goes through copper coils, which creates a magnetic field. The magnets inside the motor pull on the copper coils which causes it to turn.
Microgrid
The biggest project was designing a microgrid for San Marin High School. We went to Stone Edge Farm to see an example of a microgrid. Our microgrid's primary power source was solar panels. We would store extra energy in Tesla lithium ion batteries. Solar panels can't provide enough power during the winter or on cloudy days, so we would have a turbine to use if needed. The turbine would run on natural gas. A big part of this project was figuring out the cost of everything. We also had to figure out where we would put the turbine.
Important Concepts
Microgrid- A group of energy sources that are able to connect to the main grid or function independently.
Solar Panels- A panel that absorbs sunlight and turns it into energy.
Turbine- A machine that uses rotational energy from a liquid and turns it into energy
Wind Turbine- A turbine that spins using wind power instead of liquid
Natural Gas- A mixture of 4 naturally occurring gases, the cleanest form of fossil fuel energy
Electromagnet- A type of magnet that is created by an electric field going through a metal coil
Coulombs Law- The relationship between charges use to find the force of attraction or repulsion between two charges. F=kq1q2/d²
Solar Panels- A panel that absorbs sunlight and turns it into energy.
Turbine- A machine that uses rotational energy from a liquid and turns it into energy
Wind Turbine- A turbine that spins using wind power instead of liquid
Natural Gas- A mixture of 4 naturally occurring gases, the cleanest form of fossil fuel energy
Electromagnet- A type of magnet that is created by an electric field going through a metal coil
Coulombs Law- The relationship between charges use to find the force of attraction or repulsion between two charges. F=kq1q2/d²
Reflection
One thing that went well during this project was that we were able to include as much information as possible. We continued to improve our project even when it could've been done. Another thing that went well was we actually practiced our presentation. That way we all knew what we were going to say during the presentation. Something that we could've improved on is working until the end of the period. Sometimes we would get distracted towards the end of class and stop working. We could've got even more work done if we had worked for the full period. Also, it was easy to get distracted talking to other group. We could work on only focusing on our own group. Another part that we could've done better on is staying serious. We weren't as formal as we should've been with the presentation and slideshow.