A Decarbonized Electric Power Sector

Provided by: Stanford Understand Energy |Published on: June 25, 2024

Articles/Websites

1112AP

Synopsis

This resource includes graphs, quick facts, and a video lecture discussing the goals and implications associated with decarbonizing the electric grid.
Students will look at several different distributions of energy sources throughout the electric grid, discuss the economic, political, and behavioral aspects of decarbonization, and learn about the difficulties for policy-makers in trying to balance equity with the goals of decarbonization.
Students will also evaluate California policies on the matter of decarbonization, electrification, and energy efficiency.

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Subjects: Physics, Engineering

Authors: Stanford Understand Energy

Region: United States, Global

Languages: English

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Teaching Materials

Positives

The resource provides a variety of additional videos and articles to provide students with background knowledge about the electric grid, the different sources of renewable and non-renewable energy, and the intricacies of decarbonizing while also increasing electrification.

Prerequisites

Before watching the lecture, there is a video and an article under the Essential heading that students should watch and read.
Students should already have a basic understanding of how clean energy works environmental impact from burning fossil fuels for energy.

Differentiation & Implementation

In a flipped classroom, students can watch the lecture as homework and discuss what they learned the next day in class.
Students can analyze the graphs provided to determine the best solution for a stable grid.
After discussing the proposal to change human behavior to accommodate the higher levels of solar energy in the middle of the day, students can create infographics or public service announcements advising others on how to make this change.
Students in civics classes can discuss and debate the California policies to encourage electrification and energy efficiency.

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About the Partner Provider

Stanford Understand Energy

Stanford University’s Understand Energy Learning Hub provides free access to Stanford course content on energy resources from fossil fuels like oil and coal to renewable resources like the wind, the sun, and efficiency; energy currencies like electricity and hydrogen; and energy services such as transportation and buildings. Explore the Hub and build your energy literacy to address climate change and sustainability issues, engage on equity and human development challenges, participate in energy industry markets and technology innovations, and make informed energy decisions.

Related Teaching Resources

All resources can be used for your educational purposes with proper attribution to the content provider.