Smart City Energy Grid Design
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Smart City Energy Grid Design

Grade 12Science100 days
In this project, students design a smart city energy grid that maximizes renewable energy integration and minimizes energy waste. Beginning with a simulated blackout to highlight grid vulnerabilities, students create a detailed blueprint, integrate renewable energy sources, and develop an energy efficiency optimization plan using data analytics and IoT devices. The project culminates in a portfolio showcasing their designs, reports, and optimization strategies, all evaluated through a comprehensive rubric that assesses their understanding of smart grid components, renewable energy integration, and energy efficiency principles.
Smart GridRenewable EnergyEnergy EfficiencyIoT DevicesData AnalyticsUrban Planning
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we design a smart city energy grid that maximizes renewable energy integration and minimizes energy waste, while addressing the unique challenges and opportunities of urban implementation?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • How can smart grids improve energy efficiency and reduce waste in a city?
  • What are the key components of a smart city energy grid, and how do they interact?
  • How can renewable energy sources be integrated effectively into a smart city energy grid?
  • What are the challenges and opportunities in implementing smart grid technologies in urban environments?
  • How can data analytics and IoT devices be used to optimize energy distribution and consumption in a smart city?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Students will be able to design a smart city energy grid model.
  • Students will be able to explain how smart grids improve energy efficiency.
  • Students will be able to identify the key components of a smart city energy grid.
  • Students will be able to describe how renewable energy sources can be integrated into a smart city energy grid.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

"The Blackout Challenge"

A simulated city-wide blackout plunges students into darkness. They must analyze the cascading effects, identify vulnerabilities in the existing grid, and propose immediate solutions using limited resources, sparking urgent inquiry into resilient energy systems.
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Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

Smart Grid Blueprint

Students will create a detailed blueprint of their smart city energy grid model, labeling all key components and energy flow pathways.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Research existing smart city energy grids and identify common components and technologies.
2. Brainstorm potential renewable energy sources suitable for an urban environment (solar, wind, geothermal, etc.).
3. Sketch a preliminary design of the smart city energy grid, including energy generation, distribution, storage, and consumption points.
4. Label all components on the blueprint, including sensors, smart meters, substations, renewable energy sources, and control systems.
5. Indicate the direction of energy flow with arrows and annotations.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA comprehensive blueprint of the smart city energy grid model, including labeled components and energy flow pathways.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses learning goals related to designing a smart city energy grid model and identifying key components of a smart city energy grid.
Activity 2

Renewable Energy Integration Report

Students will write a report detailing how renewable energy sources are integrated into their smart city energy grid, explaining the benefits and challenges of each source.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Select three renewable energy sources to integrate into the smart city energy grid.
2. Research the energy generation potential, environmental impact, and cost-effectiveness of each selected renewable energy source.
3. Describe how each renewable energy source will be integrated into the smart city energy grid, including location, infrastructure, and energy storage solutions.
4. Analyze the benefits and challenges of using each renewable energy source in an urban environment.
5. Write a report summarizing the findings, including recommendations for optimizing renewable energy integration.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed report on renewable energy integration into the smart city energy grid, including analysis of benefits and challenges.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses learning goals related to describing how renewable energy sources can be integrated into a smart city energy grid.
Activity 3

Energy Efficiency Optimization Plan

Students will develop a plan to optimize energy efficiency and reduce waste in their smart city energy grid, using data analytics and IoT devices.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Identify potential areas of energy waste in the smart city energy grid (e.g., transmission losses, inefficient buildings, outdated appliances).
2. Research data analytics and IoT devices that can be used to monitor and optimize energy consumption in these areas.
3. Develop a plan to implement these technologies in the smart city energy grid, including sensor placement, data collection methods, and data analysis techniques.
4. Describe how the collected data will be used to identify and address energy waste issues.
5. Quantify the potential energy savings and environmental benefits of the proposed optimization plan.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA comprehensive plan to optimize energy efficiency and reduce waste in the smart city energy grid, using data analytics and IoT devices.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses learning goals related to explaining how smart grids improve energy efficiency.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Smart City Energy Grid Portfolio Rubric

Category 1

Smart Grid Blueprint Design

Evaluates the clarity, accuracy, and completeness of the smart city energy grid blueprint, including the identification and labeling of key components and energy flow pathways.
Criterion 1

Component Identification & Labeling

Accuracy and completeness of identifying and labeling key smart grid components (sensors, smart meters, substations, renewable energy sources, control systems).

Exemplary
4 Points

All components are correctly identified and clearly labeled with detailed annotations.

Proficient
3 Points

Most components are correctly identified and labeled with sufficient annotations.

Developing
2 Points

Some components are identified and labeled, but accuracy or completeness is lacking.

Beginning
1 Points

Few components are identified or labeled, and there are significant inaccuracies.

Criterion 2

Energy Flow Pathways

Clarity and accuracy of indicating energy flow pathways with arrows and annotations.

Exemplary
4 Points

Energy flow pathways are clearly and accurately depicted with detailed annotations explaining the flow of energy throughout the grid.

Proficient
3 Points

Energy flow pathways are generally clear and accurate with sufficient annotations.

Developing
2 Points

Energy flow pathways are partially depicted, but clarity or accuracy is lacking.

Beginning
1 Points

Energy flow pathways are poorly depicted or inaccurate.

Criterion 3

Blueprint Completeness & Organization

Overall completeness and organization of the blueprint, including clarity and visual appeal.

Exemplary
4 Points

Blueprint is exceptionally complete, well-organized, and visually appealing, demonstrating a thorough understanding of smart grid design.

Proficient
3 Points

Blueprint is complete, well-organized, and visually clear.

Developing
2 Points

Blueprint is partially complete or lacks organization, making it difficult to understand.

Beginning
1 Points

Blueprint is incomplete, disorganized, and difficult to interpret.

Category 2

Renewable Energy Integration Report

Assesses the depth of research, analysis, and recommendations for integrating renewable energy sources into the smart city energy grid.
Criterion 1

Renewable Energy Source Selection

Appropriateness and justification of selected renewable energy sources for an urban environment.

Exemplary
4 Points

Selected renewable energy sources are highly appropriate for the urban environment, and the justification is comprehensive and well-supported.

Proficient
3 Points

Selected renewable energy sources are appropriate for the urban environment, and the justification is clear and supported.

Developing
2 Points

Selected renewable energy sources are somewhat appropriate, but the justification is weak or incomplete.

Beginning
1 Points

Selected renewable energy sources are inappropriate for the urban environment, and the justification is lacking.

Criterion 2

Integration Strategies & Analysis

Depth and clarity of describing how renewable energy sources are integrated into the smart city energy grid, including location, infrastructure, and energy storage solutions.

Exemplary
4 Points

Integration strategies are detailed, innovative, and well-analyzed, demonstrating a deep understanding of renewable energy technologies.

Proficient
3 Points

Integration strategies are clearly described and analyzed with sufficient detail.

Developing
2 Points

Integration strategies are vaguely described or lack sufficient analysis.

Beginning
1 Points

Integration strategies are poorly described or missing.

Criterion 3

Benefits & Challenges

Thoroughness and accuracy of analyzing the benefits and challenges of using each renewable energy source in an urban environment.

Exemplary
4 Points

Analysis of benefits and challenges is exceptionally thorough, insightful, and supported by evidence.

Proficient
3 Points

Analysis of benefits and challenges is thorough and accurate.

Developing
2 Points

Analysis of benefits and challenges is superficial or incomplete.

Beginning
1 Points

Analysis of benefits and challenges is missing or inaccurate.

Category 3

Energy Efficiency Optimization Plan

Evaluates the effectiveness and feasibility of the plan to optimize energy efficiency and reduce waste in the smart city energy grid using data analytics and IoT devices.
Criterion 1

Identification of Energy Waste Areas

Accuracy and completeness of identifying potential areas of energy waste in the smart city energy grid.

Exemplary
4 Points

Identifies all significant areas of energy waste with detailed explanations.

Proficient
3 Points

Identifies most significant areas of energy waste.

Developing
2 Points

Identifies some areas of energy waste, but with limited detail.

Beginning
1 Points

Fails to identify significant areas of energy waste.

Criterion 2

Technology Implementation Plan

Clarity and feasibility of the plan to implement data analytics and IoT devices to monitor and optimize energy consumption.

Exemplary
4 Points

Plan is highly detailed, innovative, and feasible, demonstrating a strong understanding of data analytics and IoT technologies.

Proficient
3 Points

Plan is clear, feasible, and well-organized.

Developing
2 Points

Plan is vague, lacks feasibility, or is poorly organized.

Beginning
1 Points

Plan is missing, unclear, or infeasible.

Criterion 3

Quantification of Energy Savings

Accuracy and justification of quantifying the potential energy savings and environmental benefits of the proposed optimization plan.

Exemplary
4 Points

Quantification is highly accurate, well-justified, and supported by data, demonstrating a strong understanding of energy efficiency principles.

Proficient
3 Points

Quantification is accurate and well-justified.

Developing
2 Points

Quantification is inaccurate or lacks sufficient justification.

Beginning
1 Points

Quantification is missing or completely inaccurate.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

How did the 'Blackout Challenge' entry event influence your approach to designing a resilient smart city energy grid?

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Question 2

To what extent do you think your smart city energy grid design effectively addresses the challenges of integrating renewable energy sources in an urban environment?

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Question 3

Which aspect of the Energy Efficiency Optimization Plan (data analytics and IoT devices) was most challenging to develop, and why?

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Question 4

Looking back at the Smart Grid Blueprint, what is one component you would improve or redesign, and why?

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Question 5

How well did your group collaborate in developing the different components of the smart city energy grid?

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Question 6

What is the most important thing you learned about energy systems and smart cities from this project?

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