In this project we covered content that was relevant to our main project, which was designing a micro grid for San Marin High School. We reviewed the concepts of wind turbines, electromagnet, electrical fields, and dissecting motors to help expand our knowledge for when we designed the micro grid. The main question that my group and I had to figure out was how we would create enough energy to power the whole school in a cost effective and efficient way. To do this we had to take a lot into account, such as how much energy San Marin uses on a daily basis, monthly, and yearly. We found this information by looking at a recent survey from 2015 in regards of San Marin's energy use. The next step we did was take detailed notes, and spent a lot of time researching about different parts we could use in the micro grid. Using all of our knowledge we finally completed our design for a San Marin micro grid. Below are descriptions of all the content we covered before we started our micro grids.
Wind Turbine Design:
For this project, my group and I were assigned to create multiple wind turbine designs to see which ones were the most successful. We spent two days testing our different blades with indoor fans that could be set to different wind speeds, we even used a leaf blower in the end. We measured the amount of energy produced from the blades on a completed turbine using an energy reader. What we conclude was that blades that were between 12-17 cm were the most ideal length and most successful, from our data collected ( see right) it showed that our blades with these dimensions proved to generate the most energy. Our reasoning was that the longer the blade is the more energy it needs to maintain the same velocity as the shorter blade (same for any length). Below is our claim, evidence, reasoning poster we presented to the class. To the right is some data that I collected from our trials with images of our design and how much energy it created on a specific fan setting (setting go from low to highest). The leaf blower trials are not included because our blades only flew off when we used it since it was so powerful.
For this project, my group and I were assigned to create multiple wind turbine designs to see which ones were the most successful. We spent two days testing our different blades with indoor fans that could be set to different wind speeds, we even used a leaf blower in the end. We measured the amount of energy produced from the blades on a completed turbine using an energy reader. What we conclude was that blades that were between 12-17 cm were the most ideal length and most successful, from our data collected ( see right) it showed that our blades with these dimensions proved to generate the most energy. Our reasoning was that the longer the blade is the more energy it needs to maintain the same velocity as the shorter blade (same for any length). Below is our claim, evidence, reasoning poster we presented to the class. To the right is some data that I collected from our trials with images of our design and how much energy it created on a specific fan setting (setting go from low to highest). The leaf blower trials are not included because our blades only flew off when we used it since it was so powerful.
Electromagnet Lab:
In this project, my group and I had to create and design our own lab and procedure surrounding the concept that an electrical current can lead to a magnetic filed. We had been learning about electromagnets, how they work, and that electromagnets can create an electromagnetic field. Electromagnets are essentially a piece of metal that is made into a magnet by electric currents traveling through coils that are wrapped/surround the metal. Electromagnets work when insulated wire, usually copper, is wrapped around a piece of iron or a similar piece of metal, and two ends of the wire are attached to both ends of a battery. The electric currents from the battery are sent through the wire which creates a magnetic field around it. The magnetic field disappears when the wire is disconnected from the battery or other power source. Our lab objective investigated if the amount of volts a battery has effects how many paper clips it can pick up as an electromagnet. This project was very complex and required us to work very diligently and use all of our time wisely. We created and included every possible detail that we could need to make up the lab, and in the end we had a fully understandable lab. Below is my lab write up that includes analysis, directions, my hypothesis and so on.
In this project, my group and I had to create and design our own lab and procedure surrounding the concept that an electrical current can lead to a magnetic filed. We had been learning about electromagnets, how they work, and that electromagnets can create an electromagnetic field. Electromagnets are essentially a piece of metal that is made into a magnet by electric currents traveling through coils that are wrapped/surround the metal. Electromagnets work when insulated wire, usually copper, is wrapped around a piece of iron or a similar piece of metal, and two ends of the wire are attached to both ends of a battery. The electric currents from the battery are sent through the wire which creates a magnetic field around it. The magnetic field disappears when the wire is disconnected from the battery or other power source. Our lab objective investigated if the amount of volts a battery has effects how many paper clips it can pick up as an electromagnet. This project was very complex and required us to work very diligently and use all of our time wisely. We created and included every possible detail that we could need to make up the lab, and in the end we had a fully understandable lab. Below is my lab write up that includes analysis, directions, my hypothesis and so on.
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Electrical Fields: One of the main topics we needed to grasp in this unit was electricity and electrical fields, since it was a stepping stone for all the projects we did. We did some labs and experiments with this topic including a sticky tape lab, electric field hockey, and reviewing static electricity. In reviewing static electricity, we completed a sticky tape lab and discovered why static electricity can repel and attract two objects ; in short we learned about adhesion. On the bottom left you can find my completed lab document. We also did some other forms of learning for electrical fields. We used online simulators that can be found below: 1. http://www.physicsclassroom.com/Physics-Interactives/Static-Electricity/Put-the-Charge-in-the-Goal/Put-the-Charge-in-the-Goal-Interactive 2. http://www.physicsclassroom.com/Physics-Interactives/Static-Electricity/Coulomb-s-Law/Coulomb-s-Law-Interactive The first link will take you to an electric field hockey game, which is played by the player changing the electric charges and trying to get the hockey puck into the goal. It was a fun way to learn how charges interact with each other. My write up on this simulator can be found on the top left. The second link will take will take you to to another electric charge simulation. This simulation covers and shows the Coulomb's Law in an interactive way. |
Dissect a Motor:
In this section of the unit, my class and I split up into groups and opened up a large and small motor to see what was inside. To the right you can see the notes that I took while opening up the motors as well as diagrams of what I saw. The first motor we looked at was a small one and it contained 2 magnets, copper wire, and was three parts all together. The second motor we looked at was the larger one, that came from a car. It consisted of many parts, but it also had some magnets and copper coils. When we went over our discoveries as a class we found out that motors essentially give off a magnetic field, which is transferred into an electrical current that powers your car, and anything else that requires a motor. This related to our electromagnet labs/experiments because motors actually create an electromagnet with their magnetic field. To the right are my notes with images of the motors we dissected. |
Design a Micro Grid:
Finally we made it to our final project, which was designing a Micro grid for San Marin High School. This part of the project was to design what would be a fully functioning micro grid for our own campus. This project required a lot of research and our groups ability to focus since we only had three days to put everything together. We had the option of choosing to focus or presentation on one area of the construction of the micro grid such as cost, location, materials, and logistics. My group decided to focus on the logistics of our project, such as quantity and location as apposed to precise calculations. Below is the slide show we used to present our final design to our class and teacher. (It includes all of our necessary information). Also below is a shared document that my group and I used to organize our work.
Finally we made it to our final project, which was designing a Micro grid for San Marin High School. This part of the project was to design what would be a fully functioning micro grid for our own campus. This project required a lot of research and our groups ability to focus since we only had three days to put everything together. We had the option of choosing to focus or presentation on one area of the construction of the micro grid such as cost, location, materials, and logistics. My group decided to focus on the logistics of our project, such as quantity and location as apposed to precise calculations. Below is the slide show we used to present our final design to our class and teacher. (It includes all of our necessary information). Also below is a shared document that my group and I used to organize our work.
We choose two different power sources for our micro grid, because we did not want one single point of failure. These two sources were hydro power and solar power. We actually choose these two sources for a couple reasons.
We choose solar power because we live in California and it is almost always sunny here. Solar panels are also very inexpensive, which is important for a large scale project. We choose hydro power because San Marin is only three miles away from the Stafford Lake damn. Besides this being a great nearby resource, we thought it would be more beneficial than other power sources such as wind power because our town does not receive a significant amount of wind. Our main thinking behind these two different power supplies was that no matter the weather we will still get some energy. For example if it is sunny then we harness energy from the sun, and if it is cloudy and rainy we get energy from the damn by Stafford Lake. We made sure that our design was able to flow with our campus and not turn it into an eyesore. We decided to have two types of batteries from Tesla to store and convert our energy, they are the power wall and power pack. Above you can find where we placed our batteries, and we planed to have 5 of them ( four power packs and one power wall). We choose to have this many because we wanted a lot of batteries to store any excess energy and ave a sense of security, and we have one power wall because they are converters so they would harness the energy created and bring it to the classrooms/school. |
Red dots indicate where the solar panels are planned to go.
Top image is Tesla power wall, and bottom image is Tesla power pack. (Our batteries used).
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The next part was to install/place the solar panels around school so we did so by placing them around campus on top of all the buildings. To make sure we got all the energy we could get, we wanted to place the solar panels at the South end of campus in South East and South West formations. Our reasoning around this was that the sun is the highest in the South, and we would be able to track all of our energy as it rises and sets if the panels are in SE and SW formations. Next, our hydro power would be located at Stafford Lake damn. We plan to have the energy created there through our machinery built, and transported through over ground power lines. ( You can see our plan of where the lines will go above). The power lines will be connected from the hydro power plant and then connect to where our batteries will be near the back of campus. Then as I mentioned before the Tesla power pack will store any energy we have and then the Tesla power wall will convert that energy into electricity and send it to the school.
Estimated Price : $ 3,183,600
For more information regarding our final price estimation, floor plan, or any other logistics you can look at our slideshow embedded above.
Estimated Price : $ 3,183,600
For more information regarding our final price estimation, floor plan, or any other logistics you can look at our slideshow embedded above.
Reflection:
This was definitely a lot of fun, and I feel that I learned so many important lessons. Two skill areas that I preformed well in were organization and time management. The first skill area I preformed well in was organization. A specific example of when I did this skill well was the very first day of the micro grid project because I took initiative and created a document and google slideshow where my group and I could organize our thoughts/answers and work on our final design. The second skill area that I preformed well in was time management. Like I mentioned earlier we only had three days to complete the micro grid project, which required a lot of research and prepping. A specific example of when I used the skill well was on the second day my group and I sat down and made plans of what we wanted to accomplish that day and what we would do on our own time to have everything ready for the next day when we would present. We finished everything on time and were completely ready for our presentation.
Although, I still made some mistakes and have some areas to improve upon for my next project. Two skills I still need to work on are communication and patience. The first skill I need to work on is communication. A specific example of when I did not preform my best in this skill area was in the beginning of the unit and my group members did not know that they had to bring in some materials to work on and we were set behind in our wind turbine design. We had to do the best that we could in the situation, but it was definitely a set back. In the future I will make sure that my group members and I are all on the same page and know what is expected of each other. The second skill I still need to work on is patience. A specific example of when this proved a problem was one day during our micro grid project all of my group members seemed to be off task or behind and it was tough to talk to them with out sounding really irritated. In the future I will be more understanding of my group members and their tasks and talk with them if any problems occur and in general be more open.
All in all, this was such an interesting project! We even got to go on a field trip to see an actual micro grid, which was extremely interesting and gave inspiration for our own design. I really hope in the future our world and generations to come will utilize clean energy and alternative energy sources so we can take care of our beautiful world.
This was definitely a lot of fun, and I feel that I learned so many important lessons. Two skill areas that I preformed well in were organization and time management. The first skill area I preformed well in was organization. A specific example of when I did this skill well was the very first day of the micro grid project because I took initiative and created a document and google slideshow where my group and I could organize our thoughts/answers and work on our final design. The second skill area that I preformed well in was time management. Like I mentioned earlier we only had three days to complete the micro grid project, which required a lot of research and prepping. A specific example of when I used the skill well was on the second day my group and I sat down and made plans of what we wanted to accomplish that day and what we would do on our own time to have everything ready for the next day when we would present. We finished everything on time and were completely ready for our presentation.
Although, I still made some mistakes and have some areas to improve upon for my next project. Two skills I still need to work on are communication and patience. The first skill I need to work on is communication. A specific example of when I did not preform my best in this skill area was in the beginning of the unit and my group members did not know that they had to bring in some materials to work on and we were set behind in our wind turbine design. We had to do the best that we could in the situation, but it was definitely a set back. In the future I will make sure that my group members and I are all on the same page and know what is expected of each other. The second skill I still need to work on is patience. A specific example of when this proved a problem was one day during our micro grid project all of my group members seemed to be off task or behind and it was tough to talk to them with out sounding really irritated. In the future I will be more understanding of my group members and their tasks and talk with them if any problems occur and in general be more open.
All in all, this was such an interesting project! We even got to go on a field trip to see an actual micro grid, which was extremely interesting and gave inspiration for our own design. I really hope in the future our world and generations to come will utilize clean energy and alternative energy sources so we can take care of our beautiful world.