The Alternative Energies Team is an extracurricular program that involves approximately
20% of the student body. The AET
has investigated bio-fuels, solar energy, wind energy and hydrocarbons. They have
developed projects using alternative
energies to power test vehicles. The team has converted or built go-karts that are
powered by propane, electricity, and
E-85. They have produced a hybrid vehicle for the Toledo Zoo that is powered by electricity
and propane with the
intention to convert to bio-gas (methane generated from animal waste) when time and
funding permits. The team has
investigated bio-fuel production by experimenting with transesterification of vegetable
oils and anaerobic digestion of
elephant waste.
Students have presented their karts at car shows and other public functions where
they have explained the energy
efficiency of hybrid vehicles and the different fuel source options for vehicles to
the public. The TTA go-karts have
been pace cars for several Junior Achievement Gran Prix races bringing attention to
the different energy sources
available.
Anongoing goal of the AET is to explore alternate energies for transportation. The
goal for this grant program will be to
produce a hydrogen fuel cell – battery hybrid vehicle. Within the scope of the budget
available for this project a
go-kart type vehicle will be undertaken. A larger or full size vehicle would require
fuel cell capacity beyond what we
can afford. We will attempt to produce a vehicle that operates with a 1 kilowatt fuel
cell. A hybrid will be undertaken
for the same reason. Sufficient fuel cells to solely power a vehicle would require
more cells than we can afford.
Students will learn the energy content of different fuels, the inefficiencies of energy
conversion, the obstacles to
alternative energies, difficulties in developing alternate energy infrastructures,
and problem solving strategies.
Inquiry based learning by its very nature is open ended. It is difficult to predict
all that will be learned by the
students. As they discover the answers to some problems new problems and directions
are discovered. Energy conversion
and efficiency is an integral part of the Manufacturing Engineering Technology curriculum
that our school delivers.
