Lesson summary
Students learn about the concept of energy efficiency and how this can be calculated and represented scientifically. They explore the efficiency of thermal power plants and the difference between useful and wasted energy in real-life situations, as well as renewable sources. Students also consider the other factors that influence the overall suitability of various energy sources.
Learning intentions:
Students will...
- understand the concept of energy efficiency and how this can be calculated and represented using Sankey diagrams, as well as explore the energy efficiency of various forms of electricity generation in society.
Success criteria:
Students can...
- define energy efficiency and represent it using a Sankey diagram.
- describe the energy efficiency of a thermal power plant and recognise where and how energy is lost.
- compare and contrast electricity generation from fossil fuels and renewables in terms of their efficiency and other environmental impacts.
Lesson guides and printables
Curriculum links
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Lesson details
Skills
This lesson is designed to build students’ competencies in the following skills:
- critical thinking
- collaboration
- communication
- global citizenship
- problem-solving
Curriculum Mapping
Australian Curriculum (v9.0) content description: Year 9 Physics
- Apply the law of conservation of energy to analyse system efficiency in terms of energy inputs, outputs, transfers and transformations AC9S9U05
General capabilities: Critical and Creative Thinking, Personal and Social Capability
Syllabus outcomes: Stage 5: PW3
Cross-curriculum priority: Sustainability
Relevant parts of Year 9 Physics achievement standards: Students can analyse energy conservation in simple systems and apply wave and particle models to describe energy transfer and analyse the different ways in which science and society are interconnected.
UN Sustainable Development Goals
UN SDG 7: Affordable and clean energy
- 7.2 By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
- 7.3 By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency.
- 7.A By 2030, enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology, including renewable energy, energy efficiency and advanced and cleaner fossil-fuel technology, and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology.
Resources Required
- Device capable of presenting audiovisual material
- Student devices for research
Additional Info
This unit of lessons, along with the other units in the Skills and Jobs For a Transitioned Economy package, aims to teach students how to be climate solution entrepreneurs. These lessons will equip students with the relevant skills and knowledge of jobs and career pathways that will be able to sustain our economy once it has transitioned away from fossil fuels. Cool.org thanks our philanthropic partners, the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation and Boundless Earth, for their generous contributions in helping us to create these resources.
Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium – some explicit teaching required, facilitation of research and discussion
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