Different methods of electricity generation are suited to different locations. In this activity, students will label which energy resources they would put in different places on an island. Students will first have to decide what methods they will select, then determine where it will go and why they have chosen to put it there.
Copying the assignment will give you both the example above and a blank storyboard. You can remove the labels on the example and add it as a template, or have students add this island from the Scenes > Outdoor section.
| Energy Resource | Preferred Location |
|---|---|
| Fossil Fuels | Anywhere, although there needs to be transport links to deliver the fuel, such as rivers |
| Nuclear Power | Anywhere, although they are often put near the coast so seawater can be used for cooling |
| Wind Energy | Windy areas such as coastal areas, open plains, and gaps in mountains |
| Solar Energy | Anywhere with significant sun exposure; they can be put in the roofs of buildings |
| Tidal Energy | Need to be in an area that has big tides |
| Wave Energy | A part of the sea with lots of waves; they don’t work well in sheltered bays |
| Geothermal Energy | Normally at tectonic plate boundaries |
| Biomass Energy | Somewhere near a source of biofuel |
| Hydroelectricity | A valley where a dam can be built |
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
There are lots of different renewable and nonrenewable ways to generate electricity. Decide where to put different types of electricity generators on an island and justify why each one is put there.