The United States power grid is a network that delivers electricity from the supplier to the consumer. It is made up of power plants, substations, transmission lines, and consumers. Because the US power grid is old and outdated, there are many ways to update it. One way is by creating microgrids. Microgrids are a local power grid that can connect or disconnect to the main power grid when needed. Microgrids provide a better connection to renewable resources and can provide greater stability for a city. It is important to design a network that powers all of the homes and buildings as needed and microgrids can help achieve that goal.
The student handout will be given to all students working on the design challenge. It gives a brief recap of the story, it helps the students identify what they are attempting to achieve, and it recaps the design process.
Microgrids and the Power Grid TEK8 Instructor’s Guide
This Instructor’s Guide provides the instructor additional information on how to run the design challenge with alternatives for materials and test setups as well as information to help make the design challenge a good educational experience.
The Telling the Story Video conveys the societal impact of the student’s research that is the basis for the design challenge and will set the problem-solving context for students.
The Design Challenge Video leads students through the design process. It indicates materials available, states what the criteria are for success and any constraints. It also gives a second ‘level’ of the design challenge that allows ‘early completers’ to move on to a slightly more difficult challenge.