Exploring the Power Grid of the Future

Provided by: Undecided with Matt Ferrell |Published on: April 27, 2021

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Synopsis

This video from Undecided with Matt Ferrell explains and compares the future prospects of powering the world through utility-scale power grids (macrogrids) and small-scale power grids (microgrids or distributed power systems).
Students will learn about the infrastructure, environmental impacts, technology, cost, and politics that are involved in building and using macrogrids and microgrids.
The video also explains how British company, Xlinks, plans to build a renewable energy plant in Morocco that will supply eight percent of the United Kingdom's energy needs.

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Subjects: Economics, Engineering

Authors: Undecided with Matt Ferrell

Region: Africa, Europe, Global

Languages: English

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Teaching Materials

Positives

This video highlights the benefits of communities being more self-sufficient and having a more local mindset.
The video offers many graphics and visuals to support comprehension.

Prerequisites

This video begins with an advertisement and there is sponsored content in the middle at 4:31-5:20.
The video discusses complicated electricity costs that might be confusing for students.

Differentiation & Implementation

Speech and debate clubs or English language arts classes can debate the benefits of macrogrids vs. microgrids.
Physics classes can use this video after a lesson about resistance, capacitors, and electrical circuits.
Civics, social studies, and economics classes can research and discuss the political or monetary influence that utility providers and non-renewable energy providers have and how it has shaped current policies and infrastructure.
Other resources on this topic include this Vox video on the value of microgrids, this video on producing and storing renewable energy, and this interactive map that shows energy infrastructure in the United States.

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Exploring the Power Grid of the Future

Synopsis

Teaching Materials

Scientist Reviewed

Related Teaching Resources