Section 1: Gathering Information Biomass Basics Web-quest Summary Students access various Web sites and complete the Web-quest Exploration Guide to learn about biomass and bioenergy, including sources, uses, advantages and disadvantages, and the role of biomass energy in regional, national, and international energy supply. Students then create posters and present to the class. Biomass resources can be used for energy production. Background Biomass is biological material from plants or animals that is either living or was recently living (Environmental Literacy Council, 2008b). Biomass, along with other renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar, geothermal, hydrogen, and hydropower, can help to meet growing energy demands in the United States (U.S.) and globally. When biomass is converted into electricity, heat, power, or transportation fuels, it is called biomass energy, or bioenergy. Examples of bioenergy resources are food crops like sugarcane and corn, grassy and woody plants, agricultural and forestry residues, municipal and industrial solid wastes, and landfill gases (NREL, 2008). Biomass is a renewable energy resource because trees and plants can be grown, harvested, and? did you know? Biomass is the most widely used renewable energy source in the world. re-grown in a short period of time. In addition, this process continually produces residues, wastes, and gases. People have been using biomass in the form of firewood for centuries to cook food, heat homes, and produce steam. Currently, many people in developing countries depend on burning biomass to provide heat for both cooking and warmth. Biomass can potentially provide some U.S. communities with a local source of renewable energy. Current research and advances in technologies are making bioenergy cleaner and more efficient. activity 3 n subjects Science, Language Arts n Key Questions 1. What is biomass? What is bioenergy? 3. What are the benefits and barriers to bioenergy? n Objectives By the end of the activity, students will be able to do the following: 1. Explain some of the benefits and barriers related to the use of biomass energy (SC.91E.6.6; SC.91L.17.11; SC.91L.17.15). Describe processes and technologies used to convert biomass into bioenergy. 3. Identify the role of biomass in the national and global energy supply (SC.91L.17.19). 4. Synthesize information gathered by creating a poster and presenting this poster to the class (LA.1115.3). n Materials Copies of Biomass Basics Web-quest Exploration Guide for each student Computers with Internet access for each student or pair of students Headphones for each student for audio sections n Time Estimate 1 hour Should We Use Wood for Energy? Section 1 Activity 3: Biomass Basics Web-quest 39
teacher Teacher Instructions Assessment Suggestions Objective 1: Review student answers to the Web-quest Exploration Guide, parts I and II. Objective 2: Review student answers to the Web-quest Exploration Guide, parts I and III. Objective 3: Review student answers to the Web-quest Exploration Guide, parts IV VII. Objective 4: Score student posters using the rubric on the following page. Preparation 1. Read the Background Information provided at the beginning of this activity and make copies if you plan to assign reading before doing this activity. For more information on woody biomass and bioenergy conversion technologies, read the Background Information in Activity 5: Case Study Jigsaw. Go through the Web-quest Exploration Guide on your own to familiarize yourself with the topic and activity. 3. Ensure that each Web site link is operational and that the video segments upload correctly. Procedure 1. When students are at computer stations, pass out copies of the Web-quest Exploration Guide and provide them with the web address to open the PDF file from the program Web site (this will enable them to utilize active hyperlinks). Also, pass out headphones. Ask students to wear headphones during video/audio sections of the Web-quest or if headphones are unavailable, ask them to lower or mute the volume. Review instructions with your class and make sure each student completes his or her own worksheet. 3. When students complete the Web-quest, initiate a class discussion using the Discussion Questions found in the Conclusion section. If time is limited, you can do the discussion the following day or assign the questions as student homework. 4. After completing this Web-quest, ask students to create a poster using the information they collected about biomass energy. The overarching topic of the poster can be open to students. Students should use graphics or pictures. Encourage students to draw, use magazine clippings, or photos and to be as creative as possible. Students should also cite evidence and resources from the Web-quest in the poster text. Posters can be displayed around the classroom, lunchroom, or in school hallways. 40 Should We Use Wood for Energy? Section 1 Activity 3: Biomass Basics Web-quest
teacher n Student Poster Rubric: Biomass Basics Web-quest Extensions Category 4 Above Standards Graphics Originality Content Accuracy Several of the graphics used on the poster reflect an exceptional degree of student creativity in their creation and/or display. At least 7 accurate facts are displayed on the poster. 3 Meets Standards One or two of the graphics used on the poster reflect student creativity in their creation and/or display. 5-6 accurate facts are displayed on the poster. 2 Approaching Standards The graphics are made by the student, but are based on the designs or ideas of others. 3-4 accurate facts are displayed on the poster. 1 Below Standards No graphics made by the student are included. Less than 3 accurate facts are displayed on the poster. Divide students into groups and ask each group to research additional information on a biomass technology to build on the information they ve gathered in the Web-quest. Take students to the library/computer lab and give them one class period to research this technology and put together a poster or PowerPoint presentation to present to the class. Attractiveness The poster is exceptionally attractive in terms of design, layout, and neatness. The poster is attractive in terms of design, layout, and neatness. The poster is acceptably attractive though it may be a bit messy. The poster is distractingly messy or very poorly designed. It is not attractive. Knowledge Gained Student can accurately answer all questions related to facts in the poster and processes used to create the poster. Student can accurately answer most questions related to facts in the poster and processes used to create the poster. Student can accurately answer about 75% of questions related to facts in the poster and processes used to create the poster. Student appears to have insufficient knowledge about the facts or processes used in the poster. Grammar There are no grammatical mistakes on the poster. There is 1 grammatical mistake on the poster. There are 2 grammatical mistakes on the poster. There are 3 or more grammatical mistakes on the poster. Resources Bioenergy Feedstock Information Network: http://bioenergy.ornl.gov/ Biomass Magazine: http://www.biomassmagazine.com/index.jsp International Energy Agency s Educational Web site on Biomass and Bioenergy: http://www.aboutbioenergy.info/index.html United States Department of Energy: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy: Biomass Program: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/biomass/ Should We Use Wood for Energy? Section 1 Activity 3: Biomass Basics Web-quest 41
STUDENT Biomass Basics Web-quest Exploration Guide (1 of 7) NAME date period Energy demand is growing in the United States and around the world. At the same time, there is increasing public and political concern about the future of energy resources and the impact of energy generation and consumption on the environment. With energy demand increasing, it is important for us to know where our energy comes from, how much we consume, and how we can contribute to energy conservation and a clean energy future. This Web-quest Exploration Guide will direct you to several online resources related to energy. Follow the instructions and complete the worksheet to turn in to your teacher. I. Biomass Energy Basics Go to the Renewable Energy Policy Projects Web site: http://www.repp.org/bioenergy/link1.htm 1. What is biomass? How is biomass currently being used as a renewable energy resource in different regions of the world? 3. Why is biomass considered a renewable resource? Next, scroll to the top of the Web page and click on 1. What are the domestically available biomass resources? Types of Biomass. Briefly describe and provide examples of the five biomass resources listed: 42 Should We Use Wood for Energy? Section 1 Activity 3: Biomass Basics Web-quest
Biomass Basics Web-quest Exploration Guide (2 of 7) STUDENT Next, go to the Click on Clean Energy 101. Click on Union of Concerned Scientists Clean Energy Web site: http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/ How Biomass Energy Works. Click on Converting Biomass to Energy and answer the following questions: 1. According to the Web site, how is most biomass converted to energy? What are the disadvantages of this process? 3. What is co-firing? 4. Describe the following non-combustion technologies used to convert biomass into energy: Thermochemical: Biochemical: Chemical: Should We Use Wood for Energy? Section 1 Activity 3: Biomass Basics Web-quest 43
STUDENT Biomass Basics Web-quest Exploration Guide (3 of 7) II. Benefits and Barriers of Bioenergy Go to the Energy Matters Web site: http://library.thinkquest.org/20331/types/biomass/ Click on Biomass on the left-hand side of the screen, then click on Advantages and Disadvantages. According to the Web site, what are some of the advantages to biomass energy? Do you agree or disagree with the advantages listed? Explain your answer. According to the Web site, what are some of the disadvantages to biomass energy? Do you agree or disagree with the disadvantages listed? Explain your answer. III. What are Biofuels? Go to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Web site: http://www.nrel.gov/learning/ re_biomass.html Click on Biofuels in the menu on the left side of the webpage. 1. What is a biofuel? 44 Should We Use Wood for Energy? Section 1 Activity 3: Biomass Basics Web-quest
Biomass Basics Web-quest Exploration Guide (4 of 7) STUDENT Briefly describe the types of biofuels discussed on this Web page: Ethanol: Biodiesel: IV. Global Bioenergy Go to the Food and Agricultural Organization Bioenergy (FAO) Web site: http://www.fao.org/bioenergy/home/en/ Click on Areas of Work on the left side of the page. 1. How and for what purposes is over 85% of the world s biomass energy consumed? What percentage do biofuels contribute to today s road transport fuels? Next, click on FAO Home on the menu. Click on Forestry under Core activities. Click on Facts and figures under the Databases, information, and resources menu and click on Bioenergy from the left menu to answer these questions: 1. What countries have more than half of the world s woody biomass, and what total percentage do they have? What percentage of worldwide energy consumed comes from biomass? Up to what percentage in developing countries? 3. Why do you think developing countries use more biomass for energy? Should We Use Wood for Energy? Section 1 Activity 3: Biomass Basics Web-quest 45
STUDENT Biomass Basics Web-quest Exploration Guide (5 of 7) IV. U.S. Biomass Resources Go to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory Biomass Maps Web site: http://www.nrel.gov/gis/biomass.html Click on Total Biomass Resources in the United States map. 1. What feedstock categories for this map include? What regions of the U.S. have the greatest availability (> 500,000 tonnes/year) of biomass resources? V. Biomass in Your State Go to the U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, State Assessment for Biomass Resources Web site: http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/sabre/index.php Read about the tool and select your state. 1. What portion of the state has the most forestry and primary mill residues available? What portion of the state has the most biomass crops and crop residue? 3. According to the map, what type and total quantity (thousand tonnes/year) of biomass are available in your county? VI. The Role of Biomass in U.S. Energy Supply Go to the U.S. Energy Information Administration Energy in Brief Web site: http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/energy_in_brief/renewable_energy.cfm Answer the following questions (you will need to fill in the year for the data provided on the Web site): 46 Should We Use Wood for Energy? Section 1 Activity 3: Biomass Basics Web-quest
Biomass Basics Web-quest Exploration Guide (6 of 7) STUDENT 1. In (year), what was the largest source of renewable energy? What percentage of renewable energy did this source supply? Scroll down to the bottom of the page and under Learn More click on Renewable Energy from 1949- (year). Click on the PDF symbol for the graph titled: Renewable Energy Production and Consumption by Primary Energy Source, 1949- (year). 4 1. In (year), what percentage of renewable energy consumed was Wood % Biofuels % Waste % What sources are included in the biofuels and waste categories? 3. What are the trends in wood, biofuels, and waste energy consumption between 1990 current graph year? 4. What do you think might account for these trends? Should We Use Wood for Energy? Section 1 Activity 3: Biomass Basics Web-quest 47
STUDENT Biomass Basics Web-quest Exploration Guide (7 of 7) Conclusion Energy demands and costs are increasing in the United States and internationally. Total primary energy consumption in the U.S. is projected to increase by 19 percent, and international energy consumption is projected to increase by 57 percent between 2005 and 2030 (U.S. EIA, 2008a). Increasing demands on energy resources signify a need to utilize more alternative energy sources. Currently, the U.S. and other countries are exploring renewable, domestically available energy sources. To many people, the wind and the sun are the most familiar renewable energy resources. But, as you have learned, biomass represents another renewable energy source that may help meet growing energy demands. Because it is a locally produced and renewable resource, biomass plays an important role in initiatives to increase energy independence. At the same time, as with any energy source, there are many barriers and potential disadvantages to widespread utilization of biomass that must be considered. Go through the following discussion questions regarding the information you gathered in this Web-quest and be prepared to share your thoughts with the class. Discussion Questions 1 What agencies or organizations sponsored the Web sites you collected information from and what might their bias be? 2 Is the information presented on the Web sites balanced? If not, which ones do you think are biased and why? 3 Why is biomass an important energy resource in the U.S.? 4 Under what circumstances could biomass energy sources be considered nonrenewable? 5 Imagine you re in charge of deciding how every acre of forest and farm land will be used in the southeast U.S. for the next 100 years. Prioritize the following uses (1 = most important, 7 = least important). If you can think of an important use that is not included in the list, add it. Growing crops for people to eat Land for cattle grazing Land for growing crops to convert to transportation fuels Forests to produce wood products Forests to produce wood for energy Forests for recreation and aesthetics Forests for wildlife habitat 48 Should We Use Wood for Energy? Section 1 Activity 3: Biomass Basics Web-quest