Question bank: Innovation and Energy

Imagine that you are a scientist from the future and have discovered a new technology that can help transform wind and sunlight into energy for our homes and schools. Describe how this technology would work and explain why it is important to use energy sources like wind and sun, instead of relying solely on fossil fuels such as coal and oil. Remember to consider the benefits for the environment and our health.

Imagine that you are a scientist and your city wants to use more air-pollution-free energies, such as wind energy and solar energy, to help the planet. Think of a creative solution for your school to start using one of these clean energies. How would you explain your idea to the other children in your classroom? Remember to describe how this energy works and why it is important to use less energy that harms the environment.

Imagine that you and your family are responsible for creating a house of the future, which uses modern and environmentally friendly technologies to generate energy. Think of ideas like solar panels on the roof or wind turbines in the garden! Now, write a short text explaining how the energy would work in the future house you invented. What is the importance of technologies like solar and wind energy for the environment?

The energy transition to renewable sources is essential for sustainable development and mitigating climate change. Technological innovations have allowed a significant advancement in the efficiency and cost reduction of wind and solar energy production, making them increasingly competitive compared to traditional energy sources. Given the current context, where sustainability becomes an increasingly present value in everyday life and the global economy, renewable energy not only represents a less polluting alternative but also an opportunity for innovation and economic growth. According to physicist and researcher Amory Lovins, 'Energy efficiency and renewable energies are the largest source of energy for the future; the coal stone is no longer a solar module under development.' Based on this perspective, how can innovations in the field of renewable energies, particularly wind and solar, contribute to the economic development of a society while meeting demands for sustainability and environmental protection?

In the city of Energiópolis, the students from the municipal school participated in an interdisciplinary project that combined Geography and Science. They learned about the importance of renewable energies, such as wind and solar energy, and how these sources can contribute to a more sustainable future. During a field trip to the wind farm in the region, they were able to see up close the huge wind turbines, which convert the kinetic energy of the wind into electrical energy. After returning to school, the students decided to calculate how long a wind turbine would need to produce the same amount of energy that a solar panel is capable of generating in a certain period. Considering that the wind turbines in Energiópolis have a power of 2 megawatts (MW) and that 1 megawatt-hour (MWh) is equivalent to 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh), and that a solar panel generates 300 kWh per month, they want to know how many months the solar panel would need to generate the same amount of energy that a wind turbine would produce in a full day of operation. Based on their knowledge of mathematics and science, what would be the necessary calculation to solve this problem and what is the final answer in months to the question presented?