- - AGRICULTURAL CORE CURRICULUM - - (CLF100) Core Area: CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURE (CLF130) Unit Title: AGRICULTURE AND CALIFORNIA RESOUCES ____________________________________________________________________________ (CLF133) Topic: ENERGY AND Time Taught in Year(s) AGRICULTURE 1 hour 1 ____________________________________________________________________________ Topic Objectives: Upon completion of this lesson the student will be able to: Learning Outcome #: (D-1) - Identify the major sources of energy in California (D-2) - Describe three ways agriculture is using alternative energy. Special Materials and Equipment:Guest speakers on conventional and alternative sources of energy used in agriculture. Evaluation: Quiz by instructor and report (oral or written) on energy sources and resources for agriculture. TOPIC PRESENTATION: ENERGY AND AGRICULTURE I. INTRODUCTION A. Energy is required to maintain all forms of life and to drive all growth and production processes. B. Energy is never lost. It simply takes different forms as it is used. 1. For example, solar energy may be transformed into chemical energy as it is trapped by photosynthesis, then into heat energy as livestock feed on plants to sustain their life processes. C. Humans use large quantities of energy for agricultural production. D. Vast quantities of energy are captured through photosynthesis in agricultural production __________________________________________________________ ACTIVITY: Brainstorm the major sources of energy used today discuss each and list alternate types of energy. __________________________________________________________ II. Major Sources of Energy: Californians use many different sources of energy. Some of these, along with their advantages and disadvantages, are listed below. A. OIL: Oil (petroleum) comes to us from domestic wells here in California, and other states, and is shipped from abroad (mostly the Middle East). 1. Oil provides a high quality source of energy. 2. Refined into gasoline, diesel, and other fuels which can be easily transported and used where they are needed. 3. For this reason these fuels are used primarily for transportation, but are excellent for heating, industrial processes and generation of electricity. ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES * Cheap * Causes Air Pollution * Versatile * Non Renewable Resource B. NATURAL GAS: From domestic and Canadian wells, mostly. 1. Very high quality energy source used primarily for heating (space and water) and industrial purposes. 2. Natural gas is the primary raw material for nitrogen fertilizer. ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES * Cheap * Difficult/Dangerous to Handle * Relatively Clean * Non-Renewable C. HYDRO-ELECTRIC: California's mountain reservoirs provides us with an excellent source of electricity. 1. This is produced by turbine generators driven by the force of falling water. 2. Hydro- electricity is used for residential, agriculture and industrial needs. ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES * Cheap * Less Versatile * Clean * Limited Geographically D. NUCLEAR: This source of electricity is derived through the controlled breakdown of fissionable materials such as uranium. 1. Heat generated from this process drives steam turbines which in turn produce electricity. ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES * Fuel is Plentiful * Expensive Technology * Produces no Hydrocarbon * Produces long-lived by-products radioactive waste products. E. SOLAR: Solar energy is captured and used locally. 1. Solar produces either thermal energy, stored in water tanks, or electricity, stored in batteries. 2. Solar energy is used primarily for space heating and water heating. 3. Electricity produced by solar energy is too expensive to be widely used, but is expected to cost less in the near future, as energy costs rise, and solar technology improves. ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES * Very Clean * Undependable (seasonal effects) * Plentiful * Non-versatile Expensive electricity F. WIND: Modern windmills produce a significant amount of electricity in California. 1. Like hydro-electric power, wind generated electricity is very clean, but requires a significant investment in equipment "up front". ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES * Clean * Undependable * "Renewable" * Limited Geographically (to windy areas) G. BIOMASS: More use is now being made of fuels such as firewood, and agricultural and industrial waste products to generate electricity. ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES * Uses Waste Products * Can Cause Air Pollution * Cheap * Expensive to Transport Biomass H. GEOTHERMAL: This energy technology taps heat from deep below the earths surface to superheat steam used to dive turbines. ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES * Clean * Limited Geographically * Non-Versatile __________________________________________________________ ACTIVITY: Form work groups and develop reports on the major sources of energy and alternatives to these sources. __________________________________________________________ III. ENERGY AND AGRICULTURE: Major types of energy consumption for agriculture includes: A. Gas and Diesel fuels for farm power and transportation. B. Electricity for pumping irrigation water, processing and refrigeration. C. Natural gas for producing fertilizer, heating greenhouses processing food products. IV. ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES IN AGRICULTURE: Many agriculturists are using "alternative" forms of energy to provide farm power and to process agricultural products. A. Consider the following examples: 1. BIOMASS: Many farmers are now using agricultural by products which were once burned in the field or dumped to provide heat and electricity. This is usually feasible on a large scale. 2. FUEL ALCOHOL: Crops high in starch and sugar, such as corn and sugar cane can be processed and fermented to provide ethanol. a. This alcohol can be blended in with other fuels or even used on its own to power machinery. 3. METHANE: For many years farmers have captured methane gas produced by decomposing manure or crop residues to run machinery or to ship or resale. 4. SOLAR AND WIND power are used by agriculturists for applications in remote areas not served by electricity. Examples include windmills to pump water for livestock and sugar panels to control irrigation valves. ___________________________________________________________ ACTIVITY: Invite guest speakers, from private industry utilizing conventional or alternative energy sources in their businesses, to review methods, costs, and conveniences of their energy sources. ___________________________________________________________ 9/30/88 gfv