Lesson: Renewable Energy Sources - 1

A. Vocabulary Categorization

Pairwork. Read the words in the box.

1. Identify: Which of the words are related to energy?
2. Categorize: Underline the odd word in each column that doesn’t belong to the group.
3. Compare: Compare your answers with your partner.
4. Dictionary: Look up the meanings of any new words in a dictionary.

| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 | |----------|----------|----------|----------| | fuel | desert | relic | sun | | oil | forest | remnant | wind | | gas | valley | sign | water | | soil | waterfall| | coal |

B. Reading

Seeking Solutions to the Energy Crisis

In a speech at the 90th Science Congress, internationally acclaimed scientist and former Indian president Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam discussed an essential aspect of humanity’s future energy crisis. He pointed out that the era of wood and biomass has almost ended. The age of oil and natural gas will soon be over within the next few decades. Massive burning of the world’s coal reserves may lead to a global ecological disaster because coal burning emits the highest amount of carbon into the atmosphere. The Chernobyl disaster in Ukraine (former Soviet Union) in 1986 demonstrated that nuclear energy can also be potentially dangerous. Therefore, according to Kalam, the only solution for humankind is the massive use of solar energy in the future because it has several advantages over other forms of renewable energy.

Now, why did Kalam emphasize the issue of energy so strongly? Energy sources have always been a significant driver of change throughout history. The world’s petroleum consumption has risen from 3 billion barrels annually in 1930 to 80 billion barrels today. In the next quarter-century, the world’s population is projected to reach 8 billion, which is 30 percent higher than today. Developing countries will grow their economies about twice as fast as industrialized countries. Global economic growth is expected to continue at 3 percent per year. Consequently, the global demand for energy will increase by an average of 1.7 percent per year. This indicates a 50 percent rise in energy consumption by 2030. If the world’s daily petroleum consumption is 220 million barrels now, it will rise to 335 million barrels by that time.

The present reserve of hydrocarbon energy resources is limited and will not be sufficient to meet the future energy needs of the world. Therefore, leading industrialized countries are taking initiatives to develop alternative energy sources, primarily green or renewable energy sources. The essence of Kalam’s speech highlights the concerns of humankind in the 21st century.

[Statistics from: Rex W. Tillerson]

(Picture: Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam)

Questions:

1. What is scientist Kalam concerned about?
2. Why do you think the massive burning of coal may lead to an ecological disaster?
3. What do you understand by the potential danger of nuclear energy?
4. What, according to Mr Kalam, is the solution to the future energy crisis?
5. Why does Mr Kalam place so much importance on the issue of energy?
6. Why does Mr Kalam emphasize solar energy?

C. Sentence Construction

Make sentences using the words from the substitution table:

| The energy industries | have | taken | the use of renewable energy sources. | | :-------------------------------- | :--- | :--------- | :----------------------------------------------------- | | The global petroleum consumption | has | been | a major factor for change throughout history. | | Major industrial economies | | emphasised | to three billion barrels per year. | | Scientists | | increased | initiatives to tap alternative energy sources. |

D. Gap Fill

Complete the following passage with words from the box. There are more words than needed.

Words: suggested, radiates, would, effective, conducted, either, energy, affected, crisis, tap, were

To address the ______ ______ in the world, scientist, professor, and former Indian president Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam ______ that solar energy can be harnessed by establishing space stations in outer space to ______ solar power around the clock.

Kalam explained that the sun ______ about 10 trillion times the energy humans consume worldwide today. If we ______ able to extract even a small portion of this energy from the sun, it ______ be sufficient to meet our future energy needs.

Pointing out that space-based solar power plants are not ______ by weather, the scientist argued that they would be much more ______ in efficiency and power generation than surface-based systems.

Professor Kalam proposed that the energy could be transmitted from space to Earth ______ through microwaves or other technologies like lasers. Careful research into the impact and safety concerns ______ have to be ______ in this regard.

E. Opinion

“Massive burning of the world’s coal reserves may lead to a worldwide ecological disaster…” — Do you agree with this view? Explain why/why not.

F. Dialogue

In Sohan’s village, some people from an organization, led by Mr. Asadul Islam, came to hold a meeting at the local Union Parishad (UP) Office. Their objective was to introduce alternative power supply systems in rural households. Read the dialogue between the UP Chairman and Mr. Islam.

Chairman: What’s your alternative power supply system?

Mr. Islam: Well, it’s solar power, and we are going to install solar power units in rural areas.

Chairman: What is that? Is it something new?

Mr. Islam: Not exactly. It’s already common in many parts of the world. We’ve introduced it in our country too. But yes, in this area, it’s something new.

Chairman: I see. Why do you call it an ‘alternative power supply system’?

Mr. Islam: Because solar power is a substitute for conventional electricity. It’s actually a renewable energy source. Our solar units can be installed on open rooftops or any open space where sunlight is available.

Chairman: That sounds good. How much electricity can they generate? Can they run my irrigation pump?

Mr. Islam: I’m afraid, Mr. Chairman, they can’t. Our solar panels are small and designed for domestic use only. They can produce enough electricity to run, say, two or three tube lights, two fans, a TV, and similar appliances. But larger units can run…

Chairman: Sorry to interrupt, Mr. Asad. I have to go to the bus stand to pick up a sick friend. Anyway, several villages in our Union are still without electricity. I hope people will welcome your “alternative power supply system.”

Mr. Islam: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Goodbye.

Chairman: Goodbye, Mr. Islam. See you again.

G. True/False

Indicate whether the statements are true or false. If false, write the correct information.

1. The alternative power supply system is entirely new to our country.
2. A renewable energy source can be a substitute for conventional electricity.
3. Mr. Islam’s solar power units are for commercial use only.

H. Question Formation

What questions would you like to ask Mr. Islam about solar panels, solar units, energy sources, the alternative power supply system, its capacity, and its advantages and disadvantages? Make a list of your potential questions.

I. Role Play

Work in pairs. One of you will play the role of the Chairman, and your partner will play the role of Mr. Islam. Rewrite the dialogue from Section F and then act it out.