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What is Hydrogen?

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Hydrogen is the most plentiful element on Earth and is found in combination with oxygen in water, and in organic matter including living plants, petroleum, coal, natural gas and other hydrocarbon compounds. The great attraction of hydrogen is that, once isolated, it is a clean burning fuel that produces neither carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas) nor toxic emissions and can be used for electricity production, transportation, and other energy needs.

Many see a movement to a hydrogen economy as the long-run solution to the environmental and security problems associated with fossil fuels. However, before hydrogen can be used as fuel it must first be extracted from hydrogen-bearing compounds either through electrolysis or high temperature reformation of organic compounds like coal. Many of the extraction processes can create substantial pollution and so for hydrogen to be truly pollution free the extraction process must be pollution free.

If the problems of extracting hydrogen can be solved in a pollution free, cost effective manner and if technologies such as fuel cells can be made cost effective, then hydrogen has the potential to provide clean, alternative energy for a number of uses, including lighting, heating, cooling, and transportation.

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Hotlinks to Additional Internet Resources:
California Hydrogen Highway: Provider of technology education and research in the areas of biotechnology, chemistry, biochemistry, computer science, electric and computer engineering and mechanical engineering. Services are provided to multiple industries.
Cleaner Energy, Greener Profits: This Hydrogen Powered World site is run by The Clean Energy Educational Trust to promote the concept of a hydrogen-powered world. The aim is to raise general awareness of the possibility of changing the source of the world’s energy supplies from fossil fuels and nuclear power to a pollution-free energy system based on renewable energy sources and hydrogen.  Has news, views and articles about hydrogen and its role in a sustainable future.
Inflating Hydrogen Needs: Provider of energy industry consulting services. Parent/Holding company with high-tech operating units which manufacture industrial gas generation systems and fuel cells. Products and services are sold to the fuel and industrial industries.
The University Of Calgary Hydrogen Program:  E04-05, In an unpublished letter to Science, Amory Lovins points out that CalTech researchers overstated by about tenfold the amount of hydrogen that would be needed to run the U.S. economy. This continues a series of technical errors by the same group, including its famous two-order-of-magnitude overestimate of how much hydrogen might leak from a hydrogen-based energy system, ostensibly endangering the ozone layer. See E03-02 (02 February 2004).

More Hydrogen Links   

Hotlinks to Fuel Cell – Internet Resources

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A Strategy for the Hydrogen Transition :  new link — Geothermal resource data for the southeastern U.S. through the Regional Geophysics Laboratory; summary of geothermal resources, technology, and potential of geothermal heat pumps in the southeastern U.S. 
ASME:  Provider of energy programs and services within the transportation, residential, commercial, and industrial sectors.
BCS Technology :   
Bellona of Norway: Fuel Cells :  University of Arizona research center 
BMW:   at The Pennsylvania College of Technology
Cellennium :  The Yestermorrow Design/Build School is a dynamic learning community exploring and teaching the integrated creative process of designing and building a sustainable future. 
Celsius :  PDF-144k — T99-07, This paper illustrates how the careful coordination of fuel-cell commercialization in stationary and transportation applications, the use of small-scale, distributed fueling appliances, and Hypercar® vehicles combine to offer leapfrog opportunities for climate protection and the transition to hydrogen (1999).
Ceramatec :  new performance test code for fuel cells 
Cetiner Engineering Corporation :  Developer of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells.
Cleaner Energy, Greener Profits :   
Comparative study of fuel cell vehicles and vehicles with internalcombustion engines:   
Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas :  Commercializing new designs of regenerative fuel cells using vanadium salts as electrolytes.
DailmerChrysler:   
DaimlerChrysler Fuel Cell Car:   
DaimlerChrysler Unveils Fuel-Cell Vehicle :  Provides tips on feasibility studies, design, engineering, project services and operations support for methanol, ammonia, hydrogen and fuel cells.
Dais-Analytic :  new link — PDF-1.5 MB — U02-02, This research paper explores the cost-effectiveness of fuel cells as an electrical generation source to provide domestic, commercial and industrial power. Cleaner Energy, Greener Profits finds that, over the next decade, the once-centralized electric power industry will evolve toward a more competitive and heterogeneous structure. In this new environment, the use of fuel cells will become economical if their proponents can capture their benefits as small, decentralized power sources. Fuel cells and other distributed generation sources require less power distribution infrastructure (wires and transformers) because they can be sited close to where power is used. They are cleaner and quieter than conventional power generation sources, so they can be located near or inside buildings where their output is used. Because fuel cells are modular and flexible in size, they don’t result in overbuilding of capacity as do large power plants. Also, they can provide power with better reliability than conventional systems (2002).
EBARA Ballard Corporation :   
Element 1 Power Systems (E1PS) :   
Elf Atochem North America :   
E-TEK Inc :  hydrogen-powered NECAR 2 prototype uses fuel cell technology to generate electricity and water vapor. 
Eye for fuel cells:  ENN News article on DaimlerChrysler’s unveiling of its NECAR 4 fuel cell vehicle, March 1999.
Ford Motorcompany:  Developing PEM fuel cell based portable and stationary power products.
Fuel Cell Bus Club:  www.ebara.co.jp
Fuel Cell Commercialization Group :  Maker of fuel cells and fuel cell learning kits.
Fuel Cell Markets :  www.elf-atochem.com
Fuel Cells – Frequently Asked Questions :  www.etek-inc.com
Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Energy:  Subscription based FC market analysis
Fuel Cells for Electricity:   
Fuel Cells UK:  comprises the participants of the fuel cell bus projects who intend to introduce fuel cell transit buses to their fleets and establish a hydrogen refueling infrastructure in their cities
Gaskatel GmbH :  Focus is on the commercialization of carbonate fuel cells for power generation, with history, applications, research and demonstration programs, publications and resource information.
Gaz De France :  The "Personals" page of the FC newspaper
GE Energy and Environmental Research Corp :  Answers to frequently asked questions about fuel cells, courtesy of The American Hydrogen Association.
General Electric (GE) MicroGen :   
General Motors:  From the California Energy Commission, explains what fuel cells are, and lists the various types of fuel cells. 
H tec Hydrogen Energy Systems:  established to foster the development of the U.K. fuel cell industry, elevate the U.K. industry in the international arena, and raise the profile of U.K. fuel cell activity. 
Honda:  members.aol.com
Honeywell International Inc / Research and Technology Center :  www.gazdefrance.com
Hydride Information Center :   
Hydro Quebec Research Institute :  Distributes the HomeGen 7000s, a residential fuel cell power generation system, through qualified energy-industry retail resellers.
HydroCell UK Ltd :   
Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Resource Guide :  new link — Manufacturers of fuel cells and solar hydrogen systems for education and demonstration. Many PDF files describing the company and its products. German based, site in English.
Hydrogen and Fuel Cells:   
Hydrogen and Fuel Cells :  Researcher and developer of engineered materials. Specific areas of research include catalysts, separation processes and media, enzyme systems and bioprocessing, specialty chemicals and advanced materials. The company performs research for al..
Hydrogen Benefits Page :  hydpark.ca.sandia.gov
Hydrogen Economy: Not So Difficult—Without Nuclear Power :  www.ireq.ca
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Locomotive:  www.fuelcells.co.uk
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Program :  www.afdc.doe.gov
Hydrogen, Fuel Cells & Infrastucture Programs:  source of information on types of fuel cell devices, with animations, links, and downloads. 
Hydrogen: The Future of Energy :   
HyGen Industries :  www.hydrogenus.com
Hypercars, Hydrogen, and Distributed Utilities: Disruptive Technologies and Gas-Industry Strategy :  PDF-136k  —  E03-07, RMI’s CEO Amory Lovins replies to a Nature article by EPRI’s Paul Grant, who claimed that a hydrogen economy would be impractical (taking too much land, capital, fossil fuel, etc.)…except with nuclear power, whose dismal economics he conveniently ignored (23 August 2003).
ICP-CSIC :  engineering students team up to research and create a new fuel cell stack that will power an amusement park train. 
ICTP-CSIC :  Desert Research Institute’s fuel cell site, with information on technologies, vehicle designs, global efforts and renewable fuel options.
ICV-CSIC :  Hydrogen and fuel cells have the potential to solve several major challenges facing America today: dependence on petroleum imports, poor air quality, and greenhouse gas emissions. The Hydrogen, Fuel Cells & Infrastructure Technologies Program is working with partners to accelerate the development and successful market introduction of these technologies. 
Inflating Hydrogen Needs :  PDF-1.3 MB — E03-15, Public interest in hydrogen as a fuel for the future has reached an all-time high. Yet conflicting, confusing, and often ill-informed commentary accompanies the excitement. This PowerPoint presentation explains basic hydrogen facts and fallacies. This presentation was given by Amory Lovins at the Given Institute, Aspen, Colorado (06 August 2003).
Intelligent Optical Systems :  Develop, manufacture and market systems for on-site hydrogen production, convert fleets to run on hydrogen, market vehicle conversion kits, and develop comprehensive educational products. / (added 09/2005)
International Fuel Cell Workshop:  PDF-1.5 MB — E00-25, This PowerPoint presentation informed the American Gas Association’s joint marketing/operations conference of how Hypercars’ multiple roles, in transportation and power generation, could profoundly affect fuel markets (09 May 2000).
Japan Automobile Research Institute Inc :   
Lund Institute of Technology :   
Massachusetts Institute of Technology :   
Materials and Electrochemical Research (MER) :  PDF-64k  —  E04-05, In an unpublished letter to Science, Amory Lovins points out that CalTech researchers overstated by about tenfold the amount of hydrogen that would be needed to run the U.S. economy. This continues a series of technical errors by the same group, including its famous two-order-of-magnitude overestimate of how much hydrogen might leak from a hydrogen-based energy system, ostensibly endangering the ozone layer. See E03-02 – (02 February 2004).
McDermott Technology Inc / Alliance Research Center :  Specializes in the design and development of proprietary optical communications, monitoring and signal-processing technologies, including sensors for fuel cell technologies.
Metallic Power :  international conference on polymer electrolyte fuel cells for electric vehicles. November 12-14, 2001, in Yamanashi, Japan.  / (added 09/2005)
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries :   
More Energy Ltd :   
MTU Friedrichshafen GmbH : 
National Aerospace Laboratory :  Research and development corporation focused on advanced composites, powders, coatings and fullerenes, as well as energy conversion systems that include batteries, fuel cells and gas storage.
Netherlands Energy Research Foundation :  Provider of defense, energy and electronic R&D services and nuclear power plant services. Services are provided to the Department of Energy, Department of Defense, Electric Power Research Institute, Gas Research Institute, Nuclear Regulatory Co..
News and Trends :  Company developing a zinc-air fuel cell.
Northwest Power Systems :   
Ocean Power :   
ONSI Corporation :   
Pinnacle VRB :   
Power+Energy Inc :   
Powerball Technologies LLC :  Trends and investment news in hydrogen production, storage and infrastructure.
Procyon Power Systems Inc :  A subsidiary of IDACORP Technologies, Inc., a non-regulated member of the IDACORP, Inc., family of energy-related companies. This Oregon company manufactures and sells patented PEM fuel cell components, subsystems and fully integrated systems.
REB Research & Consulting :  Designs and manufactures modular, water desalination and renewable power generation systems powered by fuel cells.
Rebuttal to Tromp et al’s Response in Science, Science magazine :  The manufacturing arm of International Fuel Cell (IFC), both of South Windsor, Connecticut. Both are subsidiaries of United Technologies Corporation. Manufactures, markets and supports fuel cells for stationary power applications. IFC also is d..
Renewable Energy Information: Hydrogen & Fuel Cells:  Manufacture new energy storage system allowing electricity to be stored via fuel cells using redox flow cell technology.
Report: Role of Fuel Cells in New York :   
Schafer Corporation :   
Siemens Westinghouse :   
T/J Technologies :  new link — Michigan-based research and consulting firm. Specializes in hydrogen purifiers and membrane reactors for electronics and fuel cells. Consultants on hydrogen extraction, purification, sorption (gettering), transport and transport barriers.
The Fuel Cell Bus Club:  PDF-136k  —  E03-02, Amory Lovins argues that the authors of the erroneous Science (www.sciencemag.org) article claiming enormous hydrogen leaks have misinterpreted their references (again) in an effort to conceal their original mistake (13 October 2003).
Toyota:   
Twenty Hydrogen Myths :  National Resources Defense Council’s report on the role fuel cells can play in New York State.
US DOE Fuel Cell Technologies :   
UTC Fuel Cells : About Fuel Cells:  siemens.com
WestinghouseSavannah River Company :  Designs, develops and manufactures advanced materials and devices for electrochemical energy storage and conversion.
What are fuel cells? :  comprises the participants of the fuel cell bus projects who intend to introduce fuel cell transit buses to their fleets and establish a hydrogen refueling infrastructure in their cities
What is a Fuel Cell? :   
What types of fuel cells are there? :  PDF-350k  —  E03-05, This documented white paper demystifies hydrogen energy, debunks popular misconceptions, and proposes a surprisingly easy, attractive, and profitable path to the hydrogen economy (23 June 2003). / (added 09/2005)
Worcester Polytechnic Institute :  Information on the achievements of the U.S. Laboratories work on fuel cell technologies. Also resource information and links.
Xcellsis :  This explains how a fuel cell works, shows the systems that are available, lists the types of fuel cells, tells why they are beneficial, and gives related links. 

Overview of Bioenergy

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Bioenergy is stored energy from the sun contained in materials such as plant matter and animal waste, known as biomass. Biomass is plant matter and animal waste that can be harvested to create bioenergy in the form of electricity, heat, steam and fuels.  Biomass is considered renewable because it is replenished more quickly when compared to the millions of years required to replenish fossil fuels.

Bioenergy is one of the oldest energy sources. It all started when humans learned how to control fire to provide heat from the elements.  Ancient civilizations also used animal fats or vegetable oils for their lamps – this is an example of biofuels.

By definition, Bioenergy technologies use renewable resources to create energy such as electricity or fuels. According to the US Department of Energy, bioenergy ranks second (to hydropower) in renewable U.S. primary energy production and accounts for 3% of the primary energy production in the United States.

  • Biomass, simply, is material derived from recently living organisms.  It includes dedicated energy crops and trees, agricultural food and feed crops, agricultural crop wastes and residues, wood wastes and residues, aquatic plants, animal wastes, municipal wastes, and other waste materials.  The wide variety of biomass fuel sources includes algae; biogas made from anaerobic digestion of agricultural waste and animal waste; wood such as pulp/paper mill residue, urban wood waste, and forest residue; and energy crops.

    Biomass is grown from several plants, including miscanthus, switchgrass, hemp, corn, poplar, willow and sugarcane
     

  • Biofuel can be broadly defined as solid, liquid, or gas fuel consisting of, or derived from biomass. Biofuels help meet transportation fuel needs. The most common types of biofuels are biodiesel; ethanol; methanol; methane from landfills and animal waste; and hydrogen.
     
  • Alternative fuels, as defined by the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct), include ethanol, natural gas, propane, hydrogen, biodiesel, electricity, methanol, and p-series fuels. These fuels are being used worldwide in a variety of vehicle applications.

What are Fuel Cells?

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A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, with water and heat as its by-product.  As long as fuel is supplied, the fuel cell will continue to generate power.  Since the conversion of the fuel to energy takes place via an electrochemical process, not combustion, the process is clean, quiet and highly efficient – two to three times more efficient than fuel burning.

No other energy generation technology offers the combination of benefits that fuel cells do.  In addition to low or zero emissions, benefits include high efficiency and reliability, multi-fuel capability, sitting flexibility, durability, sand ease of maintenance.  Fuel cells are also scalable and can be stacked until the desired power output is reached.  Since fuel cells operate silently, they reduce noise pollution as well as air pollution and the waste heat from a fuel cell can be used to provide hot water or space heating for a home or office. 

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Hotlinks to Additional Internet Resources:
A Strategy for the Hydrogen Transition: Geothermal resource data for the southeastern U.S. through the Regional Geophysics Laboratory; summary of geothermal resources, technology, and potential of geothermal heat pumps in the southeastern U.S
Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Resource Guide:  Manufacturers of fuel cells and solar hydrogen systems for education and demonstration. Many PDF files describing the company and its products. German based, site in English.
T/J Technologies:Michigan-based research and consulting firm. Specializes in hydrogen purifiers and membrane reactors for electronics and fuel cells. Consultants on hydrogen extraction, purification, sorption (gettering), transport and transport barriers.

More Fuel Cell Links   

Education Links

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For  Kids
Energy Kids Page   Solar Energy:  new link — An online, interactive educational Web site that encourages students in grades 3-7 to become Energy Hog Busters, teaching them about energy efficiency. (Developed by the Advertising Council and Energy Outreach Colorado)
Learning About Electricity:  new link — As we have seen, it’s important that we reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. To do this, we need to limit the amount of fossil fuels that we burn in our factories and power stations. We also need to cut down on the amount of fuel that we burn in our cars and other transport. From the Solar School
Solar Energy: Become a Sun Chef!:  new link — School gardening projects fit easily into the curriculum and enhance studies in a wide range of subjects, but they also have a special value all their own. Some schools have always had gardens, but gardens for teaching have a more recent history.  A small visitor to our garden — he was fascinated with the pots of green pepper plants (Midori Hiraga) Over the last 30 years many thousands of schools have incorporated gardening into the curriculum. With the growing experience of school gardening has come a great deal of evidence of the multiple benefits to be gained.
Wind with Miller: Activities:  new link — Famous gothic horror characters present educational activities relating to different forms of energy, as well as energy conservation, for grades K-12. (Developed by the Miami Museum of Science)

more For Kids links    

For Teachers
Renewable Energy Sources:  new link — geology and history of oil. It is aimed at 13-15 year olds, but should be useful to children and adults of all ages. Various topics provide information on the history of oil, the geology basis for oil, its uses, tools used to find oil, the steps that need to occur for there to be an economic accumulation of oil underground, and so forth.
Teachers: FREE Hands-on, Multidisciplinary Lesson Plans:  new link — Study the rotation rate of the Sun and the planets. This lesson includes several hands-on activities to familiarize yourself with the concept of rotation. You will then use movies made with actual solar images to study the rotation rate of the Sun.
Tidal:  new link — a treasure-trove of information and activities to support energy studies in UK schools. Energy Chest has been developed for pupils aged 8-14 years 
Wind Energy Study Unit for Kids:  new links — The latest science news. Their “Science Education/Science Pages for Kids” links are mostly very general.

more For Teachers links    

University Programs
Centre for Research on Transportation (CRT)  :  new link — at the University of Minnesota includes information about seminar series and other resources. It features a biocatalysts database for bioconversion.
Please see our Contractor Training Guide:  new link — The (IEC) at the University of Delaware is a multi-disciplinary laboratory devoted to research and development of thin-film photovoltaic cells. An educational mission that enables both undergraduate and graduate students to obtain degrees while working with professionals engaged in solar cell research complements IEC’s research program. 
The University of Newcastle Wind Turbine Group :  new link — A Berkley Laboratory project, The Standby Power web site educates the benefits of reducing standby power that is power used while a product is providing no function. Their web site provides statistics and publications relating to the field. 
University of Idaho:  new link — Energy Research Group Carry out research on low-energy and passive solar building design and host the site for the European Solar Industry Federation ESIF. Many excellent well-illustrated reports on EU funded research projects are available in pdf format but you’ll need a fast link to deal with the monster file sizes!

more University Programs links    

Education – University Programs

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Links to University Programs on Renewable or Alternative Energy
Aalborg University Denmark :  Provider of information regarding use of water as a renewable energy resource in the Northwest. Website includes tour of a hydroelectric project.
Agricultural University of Norway:   
Aprovecho Research Center:   
Biomass Pyrolysis Network:   
Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research:   a non-profit school research center public demonstration site and public education center dedicated to the design research and dissemination of sustainable living practices
Center For Sustainable Systems:  University of Wisconsin Forest Products Laboratory. A resource for bioenergy, bioconversion, and bioprocess technology.
CWPR:  Watson Institute for International Studies Project plans to incorporate green objectives. 
Energy Group:  The University of Iowa’s CGRER promotes research efforts that focus on the multiple aspects of global environmental change. Their web site outlines CGRER goals and offers links to research and reports done by the group on a multitude of environmental issues. Their web site also offers a section aimed towards K-12 students interested in atmospherics and related sciences.
Fossil Fuels :  Institute at the University of Michigan promoting sustainable development through education. Includes research on buildings, agriculture, transportation, renewable energy, and packaging, as well as methodologies, projects, publications, statistics, and educational resources.
Fox Maple School of Building:  A university-based multidisciplinary organisation dedicated to problems of transportation. 
Georgia Tech:  Based at University of East Anglia. The latest information on global climate change.
Information Center for the Environment:  The Centre for Waste and Pollution Research web site has been established to disseminate information within the general field of waste and pollution. This site contains information about waste management, waste policy and regulation, composting and contaminated land.
Institute of Energy Conversion (Delaware):   
International Economic Platform for Renewable Energies :  Department of Engineering at Reading University, UK 
National Fuel Cells Research Center (NFCRC) :   
Photovoltaic Testing Laboratory :  University of California Davis
Purdue University :  Provider of information and free emails regarding renewable energies in Europe including solar, hydropower, wind, and bioenergy.
Real Goods Institute for Solar Living:   
San Francisco Institute of Architecture:  University of California, Irvine, center promotes and supports the genesis of a fuel cell industry by providing technological leadership within a vigorous program of research, development and demonstration.
Standby Power :   
Texas A&M School of Irrigation:  Provider of solar racing is a student organization services devoted to pushing the limits of solar technology by designing, building, and racing competitive solar powered vehicles.
The Ecosa Institute:   
The Fox Maple School of Building:  Evening and Saturday courses in: Ecological Design, Nature-Based Architecture, Visionary Creativity
The University of Arizona Cooperative Extensions AZMET  :  Provider of research in solar thermal, building analysis, and HVAC systems. Colorado State University
The University of Oregon Solar Radiation Monitoring Lab  :  Research and educational programs supporting the Texas Irrigation Industry 
The Weatherization Training Center:   
UC Davis biodiesel study:   
UC Davis biodiesel study:   
University College Dublin:   
University of Agriculture:  Home page of the University of Newcastle Wind Energy Group contains some papers online.
University of Arizona Cooperative Extensions AZMET  :  
University of California White Mountain Research Station:   at The Pennsylvania College of Technology
University of Central Florida:   
:   
University of Idaho:  new link — Energy Research Group Carry out research on low-energy and passive solar building design and host the site for the European Solar Industry Federation ESIF. Many excellent well-illustrated reports on EU funded research projects are available in pdf format but you’ll need a fast link to deal with the monster file sizes!
University of New Mexico School of Architecture:  University website 
University of New South Wales :   
University of Oregon :  University of California White Mountain Research Station
University of Oregon Solar Radiation Monitoring Lab  :  Distributed learning, Florida Solar Energy Center, admissions, and campus life.
University Of South Floridas Clean Energy Research Center:  Solar Energy and Energy Conversion Laboratory
University of Texas Solar Energy Laboratory:  shares up-to-date information about biodiesel production, availability and use
University of Wisconsin Biotechnology Center:  Resource site for renewable and efficient technologies, publications, contacts and Internet resources.
University of Wisconsin Solar Energy Lab (SEL) :  an overview of the clean energy research center’s activities at the university of south Florida. Our focus is on hydrogen and photovoltaic research.
Virginia Tech Geothermal Data:  Provider of wind energy research website from the University of Utah.
Washington State University Cooperative Extension Energy Program :  Supplier of computer program containing information including feasibility studies and optimization of micro-hydro power installations.
:   
Water Resources Research Center:   
Weatherization Training Center:  Laboratory established to educate students through research experiences in solar and conventional energy utilization.
Yestermorrow Design Build School:  Energy Systems Research Unit

Please suggest additional links       

Education – For Teachers

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Links to Lesson Plans for Renewable or Alternative Energy
6th grade unit on magnets:  The layer of air surrounding our Earth contains important gases which keep the atmosphere at just the right temperature for life and which filter out harmful forms of radiation from the sun. We say that these gases "trap" heat in the Earth’s atmosphere and call this planetary warming mechanism the "greenhouse effect." From the Solar School
Alternative Energy Online Lesson:  The Virtual PV Power Station is unlike any other power station in Australia. Firstly, it consists of different PV systems across the country, all linked to you by the World Wide Web. Secondly, this power station doesn’t produce any of the gases that cause global warming. And thirdly, you can access the PV systems to see exactly how they are performing.  From the Solar School
Ask the commissioners!:  has 16 lessons. Alternating Current (AC) would not be possible without magnets .
Ben Wiens Energy Science Infosite :   
Biomass power:  online science unit on alternative fuels. / (added 09/2005)
Centre for Alternative Technology – Wales UK :  An international, interdisciplinary water education for formal and nonformal educators 
Classroom Energy org:   
Consumer Energy Resources:  University of Dayton  / (added 09/2005)
Driving to a Cleaner Future Lesson:   
Energy Ed Online:   
Energy Education Resources: Kindergarten Through 12th Grade:   / (added 09/2005)
Fossil Energy Lessons:  an Australian site containing a thesaurus, dictionary, encyclopedia, and a database of over 30,000 kid safe sites that are arranged by topic.
Geothermal Energy is energy from heat inside the Earth :  is a partnership — a joint effort of Government and private organizations — led by the U.S. Department of Energy. The partnership’s goals are to reduce energy consumption and costs and increase use of clean energy technologies in K-12 schools nationwide and to increase student, teacher, and community awareness of energy and related issues including financial management, air quality, climate change, and new technologies.
How People Create and Use Energy:  a statewide research institute, which dedicates substantial effort to the development of educational resources for teachers and children.
Hydoelectric energy:   
Hydro electric:  Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC)  "…dedicates substantial effort to the development of educational resources for the teachers of our children. We do this out of the simple belief that clean and efficient energy resources are key to our future generations’ ability to achieve a safe and sustainable environment." / (added 09/2005)
Hydro electricity:   
Inventors Inventions Biographies:   
Kentucky Coal Education   Lessons:  University of Wisconsin-Madison 
Kids World:  Information about how water’s mechanical energy is turned into electricity. From the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
Measuring Solar Activity:  Does the Texas Railroad Commission develop an educational site.
Measuring the Distance to the Sun:   
Minerals Management Service:   
National Energy Education Development Project (NEED):  Children can get an idea about how a refinery operates and about the tools Chevron uses in the search for oil and natural gas; learn about the history and properties of crude oil; and find out what a Chevron service station is all about.
National Energy Foundation-Resources for Education:  click on EE Education, and scroll down. “What’s a Watt?” is listed as an activity for middle school level, but is good for even older students who are unfamiliar with the concept that different appliances use different amounts of electricity. Teaches by requiring investigation at home. / (added 09/2005)
Nature of Water Power Curriculum:  Investigate the cycles of the Sun with 250 years of data! Learn to recognize common features and match x-ray images of the sun with visible light images from the same day. 
Nature of Water Power The:  Investigate the shape of the Earth’s orbit based on the apparent changing size of the Sun. Is the orbit elliptical? Is it circular?
Office of Nuclear Energy Science and Technology:  hands-on science curriculum for students. 
Oil Spill Lesson:   
Paleontological Research Institution Ithaca New York :   / (added 09/2005)
Planet Earth   Solar:  provides a list of teaching material about energy, transportation, and the environment.
Planet Earth   Wind Energy:  is part of the U.S. Department of Energy. This site provides lots of nuclear energy information. / (added 09/2005)
Solar Enegy for older kids:  a video about nuclear energy that you can download ("Splitting Atoms — An Electrifying Experience"). / (added 09/2005)
Solar Energy for younger kids:  In this lesson from Science NetLinks, students will use Internet resources to investigate renewable sources of energy. The students should already have a basic understanding of energy, and know several examples of renewable and nonrenewable sources.
Solar Power is energy from the Sun :  is a service of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). Provides a fun way to learn about solar energy and energy efficiency.
Solar Rotation:  technically oriented web presentation from the Department of Energy. 
Story Of Powering A Generation:  for teachers and students in grades 4-8.
Teachers: FREE Hands-on, Multidisciplinary Lesson Plans:  new link — Study the rotation rate of the Sun and the planets. This lesson includes several hands-on activities to familiarize yourself with the concept of rotation. You will then use movies made with actual solar images to study the rotation rate of the Sun.
The Academy of Energy website:  for high school teachers and students.
The Energy Chest:  an RE educational website. All of us here at SolarKnowledge.com are dedicated to getting the word out about solar.
The Energy Planet   Think Quest:  has an award-winning, site for anyone who wants to understand electricity and power utilities better. It’s for kids, teachers, parents – and anyone who ever wondered how the juice gets to the plug . It’s also for folks looking to learn more about current issues like utility deregulation.
The Energy Planet: Solar Power:  provides electricity basics and history, including an explanation of electricity restructuring in the United States.
The Energy Planet-Hydroelectric power :  slide and movie presentations, lesson plans, work sheets – from the Abess Center for Environmental Studies at Miami Country Day School. Introduction to solar cookers, student webcasts and international projects: see what the students are doing, see how they teach, and see how they affect others abroad.
The Nature of Water Power Curriculum:  elementary and middle school. "Teachers around the nation told us that they would like free, hands-on, multidisciplinary lesson plans in the hot area of energy…You can view complete lesson plans on-line. You can then download the plan as a PDF file and print it out." – Alliance to Save Energy.
The Story Of Powering A Generation:  provides an information-rich, action-based journey that provides valuable information, tests knowledge, enables access to outstanding teaching and learning resources, and encourages everyone to take action in terms of energy conservation.
Tidal:  new link — a treasure-trove of information and activities to support energy studies in UK schools. Energy Chest has been developed for pupils aged 8-14 years  / (added 09/2005)
Tidal energy   Energy from the sea:   
Tracking Satellites Using the Internet:   
Understanding Energy:   
US Department of Energys Office of Science:   
Using thecomputer to Measure Sunspots:  provides electricity basics and history, including an explanation of electricity restructuring in the United States.
Video tutorials:   
Walk Through a Hydro Project :   
Wave Energy:  Have you ever seen a satellite passing overhead at night? Did you wonder how high up it was? In this lesson you will obtain the period of the Yohkoh satellite from an image of its orbital path, which is updated regularly. With this information you will calculate the height of the satellite above the Earth’s surface / (added 09/2005)
Wave Power   energy from the wind on the sea:   
Wind power – Energy from the air :  Learn image-processing skills that will help you measure the size of solar sunspots. You will be able to use these skills to measure features on any electronic image. Graphics processing software is needed. Download links are provided in the lesson.
Wind Power Gathers Speed:  about solar, wind, and hydrogen power.

Please suggest additional links       

Education – For Kids

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Kids Learn about Renewable Energy
A lesson about astronomical imaging:   
A science and technology program:  prepared by the staff of the National Wind Technology Center, tests knowledge of both the history and capability of wind energy and wind energy systems.
Adventures of Iggy Coloring Book:  The Youth Climate Change Conference (‘YC3’) is a youth-lead initiative, focused on action, alternatives, and solutions for a changing world
Alliant Energy Kid   Geothermal:  Build your own inexpensive, color, filter wheel and use it to study an image of the Crab Nebula! Discover why scientists use different filters to study astronomical images. View several images of the Sun as seen through different solar filters
Alliant Energy Kid   Hydropower:   for children in grades one through six has four distinct units for each grade level. These 24 units provide energy-related experiences in the life, earth, and physical sciences and technology while simultaneously developing critical-thinking and problem-solving skills.
Alliant Energy Kids   Wind Power:  A coloring book that teaches younger elementary students about the use and benefits of geothermal heat pumps. Print copies can be ordered by calling 1-800-626-GSHP. (Developed by the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association) 
Discovering the Principle of the Fuel Cell at Home or at School:  A math activity that teaches students about wind, including wind energy.
Dr  Es Energy Lab:  Fun ways to color Buster and drink safe water 
Easter egg anemometer :  For grades 4-8, an activity to construct a solar collector, determining how to maximize the amount of sunshine it collects. (Developed by Online Science-athon)
Electricity and Magnetism Experiments:  An online book that teaches younger elementary students about electric cars and their environmental benefits. (Developed by the U.S. Department of Energy)
Energy and Science Lesson Plans:  The Energy Information Administration Try clicking on Kids’ Page. Energy Ant as host, at first looks like it is aimed at younger children. However, the level of technical information is high enough that even adults can benefit from looking over the site. Take it on at whatever level you find yourself, it’s well laid out and well presented. Other links include “Roofus’ Solar Home”, science projects, and “Ask an Energy Expert”.
Energy Education Site:  A series of experiments designed to teach students in the grade 4 about electricity and magnetism. (Developed by the Hands-On Technology Program)
Energy Kids Page:  A coloring book that teaches younger elementary students about transportation-related air pollution. (Developed by the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Postal Service) 
Energy Kid’s Page:  California site starts with an interactive picture of a room. Move the mouse over objects to see where you can go from there. For both students and parents/teachers.
Energy Story – Ocean Energy:  students use the scientific method to examine school lighting technologies and determine if there are opportunities to save energy and money. This lesson plan was developed by the Green Schools team at Fortuna Middle School of Fortuna Union Elementary School District in Humboldt County, CA.
Energy Story – Wind Energy:  Biomass is matter usually thought of as garbage. Some of it is just stuff lying around — dead trees, tree branches, yard clippings, leftover crops, wood chips (like in the picture to the right), and bark and sawdust from lumber mills. It can even include used tires and livestock manure. 
Fun with the Sun:  US government public information document evaluating the health risks and effectiveness of ozone generating units.
Geothermal energy   Energy from the earths core :   
Global Handbook:  An online quiz to help you find ways to make your home more energy efficient. (Developed by Energy Smart Schools, U.S. Department of Energy)
Guided Tour of Wind Energy:  Energy activities for grades K-2, including those on energy conversion and conservation. (Developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory)
Hydropower   Energy from moving water:  A children’s book about how a hydro-car can save the world from pollution. (From Stonehedge Books) 
Kids Energy Page:  students increase their awareness of the impact of their choices on the Earth by studying the ecological footprint concept. They also learn how to calculate the mean, median, mode, and standard deviation of a set of data! This lesson, appropriate for grades 8-12, was written by David Casey of Analy High School of West Sonoma County Union High School District, CA.
New Mexico Solar Energy Association:  Everyone can make a pinwheel by following a few simple steps and using ordinary classroom materials. Remember, the more colorful, the more fun!
Ocean Energy-Kid’s Pge:  Basically a simplified windsock, this indicator will very quickly has your students measuring the wind’s direction.
PUZZLING AND PERPLEXING PROBLEMS:  Commonly called a "weather vane," the wind vane indicates wind direction.
Renewable Energy Activities—Choices for Tomorrow:  Kids may find "anemometer" difficult to say, but they’ll find an anemometer easy to make by following the instructions for this simple Dixie cup model.
Science Fair Projects for Kids:  Includes activities on solar energy, biomass, hydropower, and wind energy for students in grades 6-8. (Developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory)
Solar Cooking Plans:  Gardening and composting go hand-in-hand, especially in school garden projects: gardening without composting only teaches half the lesson. 
Solar Energy: Become a Sun Chef!:  new link — School gardening projects fit easily into the curriculum and enhance studies in a wide range of subjects, but they also have a special value all their own. Some schools have always had gardens, but gardens for teaching have a more recent history.  A small visitor to our garden — he was fascinated with the pots of green pepper plants (Midori Hiraga) Over the last 30 years many thousands of schools have incorporated gardening into the curriculum. With the growing experience of school gardening has come a great deal of evidence of the multiple benefits to be gained.
StarChild: A Learning Center for Young Astronomers:  Features several energy-related science fair projects for grades K-9
The Atoms Family:  A booklet featuring three projects for grades 6-12 on the use of solar thermal energy and one project on solar electric energy. (Developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory)
Wind with Miller: Activities:  new link — Famous gothic horror characters present educational activities relating to different forms of energy, as well as energy conservation, for grades K-12. (Developed by the Miami Museum of Science)

Please suggest additional links       

Hotlinks to General Education – Alternate Energy Internet Resources

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10-course 250-hour online water management course:  Kanazawa Institute of Technology
2004 Drop Savers poster winners:  ZAPWORLD is the leader in the electric vehicle market and manufacturer of the ZAPPY electric scooter.
A Butterfly’s Wind:  Collaboration on curriculum development has involved over 60 academics and professionals from organizations worldwide. UN University diploma to global graduates.  / (added 09/2005)
A Little Cup Will Do You!:  Encourages water conservation among children 
A Water Cycle Tour:   
A water-saving adventure:  Using a chart, students compare the amount of water they use when brushing their teeth while letting the water run, compared to the amount used when putting the water in a cup. 
Abess Center for Environmental Studies:  Follow water drop Dewey along 
Academy of Energy website:  Save water like Mr. Leaky!  / (added 09/2005)
Adopt-a-Watershed:  at Miami Country Day School. Solar cookers, lessons, international outreach. Making a difference with sunlight. / (added 09/2005)
Adventures in Energy:  provides an information-rich, action-based journey that provides valuable information, tests knowledge, enables access to outstanding teaching and learning resources, and encourages everyone to take action in terms of energy conservation. / (added 09/2005)
Agua Pura Leadership Institute:  Curriculum Units by Grade Level through 12th 
Airhead:   
All About Petroleum:  A manual for planning a workshop for leaders in Latino communities wanting to promote involvement of Latino youth in water stewardship projects. 
All About Water:  is an interactive website that allows visitors to calculate their own environmental impact by entering in the number of miles they drive a car any given month, how many airplane trips they take, the cost of their electric and natural gas bills, and other related information.  It is also possible to look up specific products like refrigerators, computers, and air conditioners to assess their environmental impact.  “Eco-Geeks” is a section that has information on energy markets, water and land impact, energy efficiency, energy use, links, and ways to get involved.
An Introduction to Wind Power for Nebraskans :   
Aqua Pals for students ages 12 to 18:  View home water treatment alternatives 
Atomic Museum Virtual Tour:   
AWWAs Water Conservation Resources:  Looking for classrooms around the globe to partner with students in Washington state, USA.  / (added 09/2005)
Backyard Conservation and Local Laws:   
Biogas Study:  Hand books, planning manual, children’s videos, bill stuffers and Xeriscaping video 
Bullfrog Films:  Importance of water, shelter and space for wildlife while conserving precious resources. Grades 7-12.  / (added 09/2005)
California Water Awareness Campaign:  What is Biogas? … Biogas is produced when certain bacteria decompose biological matter in an anaerobic (no oxygen is present) environment. … 
Clean Energy Basics: Solar Hot water for students and teachers:  Bullfrog Films is the oldest and largest publisher of videos and films about the environment in the United States.
Coal Education:  The third in a series of five education books for 4th-5th grades is now available. The completed series will create a comprehensive look at the workings of the water industry within California’s infrastructure. 
Colorado Water Knowledge:  This part of the well-developed NREL (National Renewable Energy Lab) site lists solar hot water teaching sites, with projects and lesson plans.
Comparing Alternative Energy Forms :   
Conservation Concentration Game:  Excellence in water resources at CSU 
Curriculum Suggestions:  Provides insight and explanations into the science behind alternative energy forms and compares them with traditional energy forms.
Destination Conservation in Canada:  Can you beat Level three? You may learn a new conservation tip or two while trying.  / (added 09/2005)
Directory of Units of Measurement – University of Exeter:   / (added 09/2005)
Down the Drain:  Conservation education in 914 schools in six Canadian provinces provides practical, activity-based programs.  / (added 09/2005)
Draft-o-meter:  This web site provides a summary of the units of measurement. Also found here are the appropriate conversion factors needed to change those measurements into a "standard" unit of the System International.
Drop Savers photo contest:  On-line classroom project comparing water usage around the world from Stevens Institute of Technology.  / (added 09/2005)
Earthweek:  students learn an easy technique to measure the presence of drafts in their homes and classrooms.
Educating Young People About Water:  This annual contest, sponsored by AWWA Florida Section, encourages children in grades K-12 to design a T-shirt poster with a water conservation theme.   / (added 09/2005)
Education Sources for Teachers:   
Electricity basics:  U. of Wisconsin’s Environmental Resources Center suggests to plan and evaluate a water education program in relation to a local water issue and work in partnership with local experts. 
Energy for Keeps: Electricity from Renewable Energy:  Classroom material free within Phoenix service area. 
Energy Smart University:  electricity encyclopedia / (added 09/2005)
Environmental New Network’s Energy Quiz:  "An illustrated guide for everyone who uses electricity. Teacher Edition, Grades 6 – 12.   All files (240 pages) are in PDF format and may be downloaded for free."
Environmental Protection Agency:  Funded by New York Stock Energy Research & Development Authority, Energy University teaches children through this fun and interactive web site about energy conservation and energy related issues. The University contains a variety of courses, reference materials, labs and other materials. / (added 09/2005)
Enviroscape:   
Florida Center for Understanding Sustainability :  A global warming site for kids produced by the EPA.
Floridas Springs: Protecting Natures Gems:  Hands-on watershed education tools that connect what we do on land to what happens in our rivers, lakes, oceans and even groundwater. 
Frontier Energy :  A comprehensive site for architectural, planning, environmental, and educational communities. with original content from member organizations, a library of digital documents, an exhaustive index of organizations, and soon a calendar of events, j..
Fuel Cells   Education and Programs:  Educational photo-documentary about Florida’s major freshwater springs highlights efforts to protect springs and the aquifer. 
Gateway:  Contains information on solar energy systems and home energy conservation.
General Electric Wind Energy:   
Geothermal Education Office:  allows teachers to type in a topic, grade level, and other relevant information on a search screen that then retrieves lessons, instructional units, and other free educational materials related to the chosen topic.
Give Water a Hand:  GE Wind Energy offers "Just 4 Kids & Teachers" curriculum, activities and worksheets.
Global Sun/Temperature Project:  Collaborative Science Education Project:  The Geothermal Education Office (GEO) produces and distributes educational materials about geothermal energy to schools, energy/environmental educators, libraries, industry, and the public. GEO collaborates frequently with education and energy organizations with common goals, and, through its website, responds to requests and questions from around the world.
Government of Canada-teacher’s resources:  For young people taking action in their community. 
H2O University:  Join schools from around the world as they try to figure out how their geographic location (i.e. where they live) affects their average daily temperature and hours of sunlight." / (added 09/2005)
History of Anthracite Coal Mining:  The Government of Canada has produced a series of seven classroom posters on the regional impacts of climate change in Canada.
History of Fuel Cells:  Research and learning tools for students; resources for teachers and parents; games and multimedia presentations on water treatment and other water issues. 
Home Energy Audit:   
How close are you to the average water use?:  from their origins to future technology and uses at:
How Does a Wind Turbine Work?:   
How is Coal Mined:  Entering times-a-day boxes help UK students calculate total family water usage. 
How Is Electricity Made from the Windmills?:   
Inspirational maths:   
Introduction: Wind Is Air in Motion:   
Is yours a water efficient family?:  How much coal do you throw on the fire?
Kids Discovery Club:   
La Ciencia del Agua para Escuelas:  The Water Family game is for everyone interested in environmental facts. 
Learn about an aquifer and its zones wells and springs:  Find Jr. Smart Water Savers in these pictures. 
LearnOnLine Inc:  This is the Spanish version of Water Science for schools. 
Linn County REC:  Edwards Aquifer Authority Water Conservation/Education 
Manning Municipal Utilities:  REEL Power (Renewable Energy Education Lab) project uses renewable energy technologies – solar, wind and fuel cells – to help students better understand and apply the math and science they are studying in school.
NDBC Science Education Pages :  The Linn County REC is an electric distribution cooperative that provides service to Eastern Iowa. In addition they offer efficiency incentives, product upgrades and an energy audit service on this web site. Also included is a section for customers to submit meter readings to track electric costs.  / (added 09/2005)
New Mexico Water Conservation Program:  A smaller West Central Iowa utility provider, their site supplies information regarding electricity, water, natural gas, sanitation and telecommunication services provided to their customers. 
New Year’s Resolution:  Website sponsored by the National Data Buoy Center.
New York City workshops on water education:  On-line classroom water conservation material for xeriscaping, tips, water harvesting etc. 
NREL Center for Education Programs :  students brainstorm with their families about ways the family can save energy at home and then share the ideas generated at home with their class at school. This lesson is appropriate for all grade levels and was written by Carolyn Flanagan if Hacienda Environmental Science Magnet of San Jose Unified School District, CA.
Office of Biorenewable Programs (ISU) :  Promoting water conservation in a fun and educational environment 
One Tonne Challenge for Youth:  The Center for Education Programs presents opportunities for students, teachers, and faculty to learn about renewable energy and energy efficiency through research participation, curricula enhancement, and partnerships with schools, colleges, an..
Over Unity Power :  The Iowa State University Bioeconomy Initiative develops cross-disciplinary research, education, and extension programs that promote the greater and more efficient use of biorenewable resources, and more generally, support the emergence of Iowa and Iowa State University (ISU) as leaders in the new bioeconomy.
Pembina Institute:  This site is for youth, and shows how we can change the way we travel, eat, shop, and live to reduce our emissions by a walloping fifth – even while living in our parents’ houses, or renting from landlords. 
Photovoltaics: Devices, Systems and Applications CD-ROM:  A big collection of do-it-yourself over unity projects and experiments. Build one in your basement, and then decide for yourself if over unity is fact or fiction. 
Poul la Cour Museum :  The Pembina Institute has developed high-quality educational resources for use in Canadian schools. / (added 09/2005)
Principles of Water Conservation & Reuse:  "A key barrier to the introduction of photovoltaics is the lack of general technical information. The Photovoltaics:  Devices, Systems and Applications CDROM (PVCDROM) is a new publication that provides information on a wide range of photovoltaic issues from device physics to practical implementations of photovoltaic systems."
Project WET:  Danish wind energy museum at Askov (Vejen) / (added 09/2005)
Reading List for Water Conservation & Water Science:  Online courses on Principles of Water Conservation and Reuse  / (added 09/2005)
Renewable Energy Research Laboratory :  To Reach Children, Parents, Educators and Communities of the World with Water Education. Website also in Spanish and French. 
Resource Action Programs:  1st through 12th grade  / (added 09/2005)
San Diego students provided programs and materials:  Promoter of education and research in wind and solar energy conversion technologies. Renewable energy research programs for graduate students.
Saving Water Partnership: Curricula Field Trips Grants Materials Presentations & Videos/CDs:  Receive the tools and tips you need to become conservation-wise 
Scavenger Hunt: Making Your Home Energy Efficient:  Water science projects for 3rd through 6th grade students and a Xeriscape gardening teacher’s workshop. 
Science Station:  A group of local utilities funding water conservation programs in Washington state 
SEI (Solar Energy International):   
Significant distinctions between greywater and blackwater:  A Cedar Rapids based museum that makes science and learning fun for people of all ages. This is done through an innovative approach to science learning based on hands-on interaction. There are over 130 hands-on exhibits and many educational programs to serve visitors to the museum and the web site. The museum has over 7500 square feet of exhibits on three floors and a new IMAX theatre facility. / (added 09/2005)
Solar Cookers International:  SEI’s Renewable Energy Education Program teaches the practical use of solar, wind and waterpower. Their workshops teach the skills to design, install and maintain renewable energy systems and to build state-of-the-art solar homes that are efficient, and earth friendly. 
Solar Energy International (SEI) :  Grey water: What it is, how to treat it and how to use it. 
SolarBotics:  Located in Sacramento, California
Spinning Windwheel:  SEI’s Renewable Energy Education Program teaches the practical use of solar, wind and waterpower. Their workshops teach the skills to design, install and maintain renewable energy systems and to build state-of-the-art solar homes that are efficient, and earth friendly. 
Stockholm Junior Water Prize Winners:  Can you say, "COOOL" ?  Introducing Dave Hrynkiw’s solar-powered robots, capturing solar power in capacitors and delivering pulses of pure power. B is for Biology, E is for Electronics, A is for Aesthetics, and M is for Mechanics. BEAM Robotics…get your hands on…!
Story of Drinking Water:   
Students Leading the Way 2004-2005: Energy Saving Success Stories from California: 
International winners 1997-2004. 
Taxhead.com:  Fun water facts and graphics for youngsters.  / (added 09/2005)
Ten top tips for saving water in your school: 
Texas Water Conservation Lesson Plans
The Gateway:   
The Global Sun/Temperature Project:  Collaborative Science Education Project:  Web site designed to help people prepare and file federal income tax returns. The company’s goal is to create secure, easy, accurate and low-cost ways for most individuals to prepare and file their own income tax return. We strive to offer innovative products so simple to use that customers cannot imagine going back to the old way – paper forms – or would not consider using another company. We work to be the very best at what we do: "short form" tax returns (IRS Form 1040-A, which also applies to 1040-EZ filers). This covers about 70% of all tax returns in the United States. Energy Matters LLC is an authorized IRS software developer and e-file tax return provider. We are also an IRS e-File partner.
The NDBC Science Education Pages :  Effective education programs in UK schools 
The Office of Biorenewable Programs (ISU) :  Three different plans for 3rd through 12th grade students.
The Poul la Cour Museum :  allows teachers to type in a topic, grade level, and other relevant information on a search screen that then retrieves lessons, instructional units, and other free educational materials related to the chosen topic.
The Science Station:  Join schools from around the world as they try to figure out how their geographic location (i.e. where they live) affects their average daily temperature and hours of sunlight." / (added 09/2005)
The Story of Drinking Water:  Website sponsored by the National Data Buoy Center.
The Water Resources Education Initiative:  The Iowa State University Bioeconomy Initiative develops cross-disciplinary research, education, and extension programs that promote the greater and more efficient use of biorenewable resources, and more generally, support the emergence of Iowa and Iowa State University (ISU) as leaders in the new bioeconomy.
The Water Stewards Network:  Danish wind energy museum at Askov (Vejen)
The Why Files:  A Cedar Rapids based museum that makes science and learning fun for people of all ages. This is done through an innovative approach to science learning based on hands-on interaction. There are over 130 hands-on exhibits and many educational programs to serve visitors to the museum and the web site. The museum has over 7500 square feet of exhibits on three floors and a new IMAX theatre facility.
This Renewable House:  Fun water facts and graphics for youngsters. 
Towards a global water strategy for a world running out of water:  Water education posters for students through 8th grade.  / (added 09/2005)
University of New Mexico  Taos:  Classroom and educator materials with resources for students 
USEPAs Teaching Center:  The science behind the news / (added 09/2005)
Video Of Total Solar Eclipse:  is an educational video program that helps homeowners understand modern solar or wind energy systems, and summarizes the important steps to install a system. The program originally aired in 2002 across public television (PBS) stations in California and is now available on DVD. This video was developed under funding from the California Energy Commission’s Renewable Energy Consumer Education grant program.
Walk Through a HydroElectric Project :  "The World’s Water, is there enough?" in pdf format. Pease choose the language: English, French, Spanish or Russian. 
Warsitz :  Solar Summer Intensive offers Hands on courses and evening sessions in Photovoltaics, Solar Hot Water, Organic Farming, Green Building, Rainwater Harvesting and more
Waste into Water A Natural Miracle!:  Water Curriculum Resources 
Watch Your Water Ways!:   
Water — Use it Wisely:   
Water cycle diagram available in 37 languages:  A company with a kit for making an educational Fuel Cell. 
Water for Kids:  The wastewater flows through a vertical flow reedbed, a deep settling pond, and a cascade of oxygenating flow forms, a horizontal flow reedbed, a wildlife pond and a lake.  / (added 09/2005)
Water Resources Education Initiative:  Youth book list of recommended water conservation reading 
Water Science for Schools:  How much water can you save with a broom, toothbrush, tuna can and a shovel? Click on your state and find out. © Copyright 2003 Park&Co. All rights reserved. 
Water Stewards Network:  Click on any of the 15 topics. A useful education tool. 
Water: To the Last Drop:  USEPA Office of Water Games and Online Activities 
Waterawise Schools Water in Africa:  Water education posters for students through 8th grade. 
WaterBusters Game:  Choose a topic from the water menu  / (added 09/2005)
Watt Does It Cost to Use It:  Classroom and educator materials with resources for students 
WET in the City:  From the Discovery Channel School  / (added 09/2005)
Wind Energy and the Environment:  Peace Corp’s World Wise School’s innovative education program seeks to engage U.S. Students in an inquiry about the world, themselves, and others 
Wind Energy Quiz:  Help Bert the Salmon and Phil Dumpster find and fix water leaks before they get washed away! 
Worm Warmers:  students learn how electrical usage is counted and priced and measure and evaluate representative household and school electrical items. This lesson, written by Mark Ziesmer of Sultana High School of Hesperia Unified School District, CA, is appropriate for students in grades 7-12.
Youth Climate Change Conference:  An urban environmental education program of the Council for Environmental Education (CEE) focusing on water resources. 

Research & Reference materials

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For  Kids
Energy Kids Page   Solar Energy:  An online, interactive educational Web site that encourages students in grades 3-7 to become Energy Hog Busters, teaching them about energy efficiency. (Developed by the Advertising Council and Energy Outreach Colorado)
Solar Energy: Become a Sun Chef!:  School gardening projects fit easily into the curriculum and enhance studies in a wide range of subjects, but they also have a special value all their own. Some schools have always had gardens, but gardens for teaching have a more recent history.  A small visitor to our garden — he was fascinated with the pots of green pepper plants (Midori Hiraga) Over the last 30 years many thousands of schools have incorporated gardening into the curriculum. With the growing experience of school gardening has come a great deal of evidence of the multiple benefits to be gained.

more For Kids links    

For Teachers
Renewable Energy Sources:  geology and history of oil. It is aimed at 13-15 year olds, but should be useful to children and adults of all ages. Various topics provide information on the history of oil, the geology basis for oil, its uses, tools used to find oil, the steps that need to occur for there to be an economic accumulation of oil underground, and so forth.
Teachers: FREE Hands-on, Multidisciplinary Lesson Plans:  Study the rotation rate of the Sun and the planets. This lesson includes several hands-on activities to familiarize yourself with the concept of rotation. You will then use movies made with actual solar images to study the rotation rate of the Sun.
Tidal:  a treasure-trove of information and activities to support energy studies in UK schools. Energy Chest has been developed for pupils aged 8-14 years 
Weather Works: Wind:  Site contains three simple lesson plans to introduce the concept of wind to the class and its many roles.

more For Teachers links    

University Programs
Centre for Research on Transportation (CRT)  :  at the University of Minnesota includes information about seminar series and other resources. It features a biocatalysts database for bioconversion.
University of Idaho:  Energy Research Group Carry out research on low-energy and passive solar building design and host the site for the European Solar Industry Federation ESIF. Many excellent well-illustrated reports on EU funded research projects are available in pdf format but you’ll need a fast link to deal with the monster file sizes!

more University Programs links