scholarly journals Insertion of Photovoltaic Solar Systems in Technological Education Institutions in Brazil: Teacher Perceptions Concerning Contributions towards Sustainable Development

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 1292 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maurisete Fernando Ferreira ◽  
Marcos Aurélio Vasconcelos Freitas ◽  
Neilton Fidelis da Silva ◽  
Antonia Francimar da Silva ◽  
Luciana Rocha Leal da Paz

Teaching spaces are seen as institutions presenting relevant power to promote sustainability. Thus, in addition to knowledge (re)producers, they must also assume ethical obligations to incorporate daily sustainability-oriented actions. In this context, this study evaluates faculty perceptions regarding contributions to the teaching–learning process and the diffusion of a pedagogical practice adhering to sustainability assumptions, arising from the insertion of photovoltaic solar systems in educational institutions. A study was conducted at the Rio Grande do Norte Federal Institute of Education Science and Technology, with 2.2 photovoltaic MWp distributed throughout its 21 campuses. This study investigated teacher knowledge and attitudes towards renewable energy sources in their school practice, as a way of understanding these issues and presenting propositions that will strengthen their role in daily school life. Teachers are aware of the importance of these sources, but their knowledge does not form links with their practice. Thus, the necessary connections to promote sustainability from the existence of institutional photovoltaic systems were proven insufficient. They did not support the concept, nor the adoption of pedagogical practices linked to this technology. In addition, teacher inability to bring knowledge related to renewable energies to the classroom and link them to daily student lives was also noted. The adoption of renewable energy to promote a sustainability culture demands the formation of teacher knowledge and attitudes, and this training must follow a continuous path.

Author(s):  
Piotr Gradziuk

The paper presents an assessment of economic efficiency of investment expenditures on the reduction of CO2 emissions by use of renewable energy sources. The source data were obtain from the Department of Regional Operational Programme in the Marshal’s Office for Lubelskie voivodeship in Lublin and the Department of European Funds in Ministry of Energy. Analyses show that in the Lubelskie voivodeship the total value of completed renewable energy investments under investigated programmes and measures amounted to 360.9 million PLN, in which 284.9 million PLN came from the funding. The largest amount of funds was allocated to the installation of solar systems for the preparation of hot tap water (87.7%). The rest were spent on photovoltaics (4.6%), biomass boiler rooms (4.2%) and biogas plants: agricultural (2.8%) and in sewage treatment plants (0,7%). The most effective in reduction of CO2 were biomass-fired boilers (793 PLN/Mg CO2) and biogas plants (1,024-2,344 PLN/Mg CO2). The highest rates were recorded for photovoltaic installations (6,193 PLN/Mg CO2) and solar collectors (4631 PLN/Mg CO2). The key factor affecting these values were significant differences in the amount of produced energy and investment expenditures per unit of installed capacity.


2018 ◽  
Vol 33 ◽  
pp. 02055
Author(s):  
Alexander Kolosov ◽  
Dmitry Chudinov ◽  
Sergey Yaremenko

Nowadays, the renovation program is being implemented in the megapolises of Russia. Innovative high-rise buildings are built instead of morally and physically obsolete houses, where non-traditional renewable energy sources are used to the fullest extent, under the effect of which they are located. The possibility to use solar systems with variation of their design parameters is considered. It is established that solar systems have high technical potential. The share of heat load, that is provided by using solar energy, varies from 4 to 84% depending on the time of the year. Economic indicators restrain the use of such panels. The payback period is about 8 years at the current cost for thermal energy.


2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 85-92
Author(s):  
Jasna Tolmac ◽  
Slavica Prvulovic ◽  
Marija Nedic ◽  
Dragisa Tolmac

AbstractThe paper analyzes the development opportunities of solar systems in the Republic of Serbia. Renewable energy sources and their energy potential, such as solar energy, should be considered in order to meet the needs of consumers. Solar energy can be considered the most modern renewable energy whose utility is still developing, and it is not represented as the utilization of hydro energy sources. Researches show that Serbia is a country with a high RES potential and that it has favorable conditions for production of electrical and heat energy from renewable sources. The aim of this paper is to present the possibilities of using solar energy in Serbia. Energy supply from renewable energy sources is a key factor for each country's strategy, because it directly contributes to reducing the negative effect on the environment.


ForScience ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. e00925
Author(s):  
Rafael Vinicius Tayette da Nobrega ◽  
Cristina Alves Maertens ◽  
Cláudio Alves Pereira

Neste trabalho investigou-se a utilização da metodologia ativa denominada Aprendizagem Baseada em Problemas (ABP) nos cursos técnicos integrados ao Ensino Médio da Rede Federal de Educação Profissional, Científica e Tecnológica (Rede Federal) brasileira. Para isso, primeiramente, realizou-se um estudo bibliométrico para identificar trabalhos relacionados ao tema, publicados nos últimos cinco anos, cujas referências subsidiaram conceitualmente a confecção do questionário sobre a metodologia ABP. Neste contexto, questões organizacionais, de infraestrutura, de formação e aceitação da metodologia ABP foram implementadas com o objetivo de mensurar o quanto essa metodologia está difundida entre as práticas pedagógicas dos docentes que atuam na Rede Federal. Posteriormente, o questionário eletrônico foi enviado às unidades desta rede para que fosse divulgado aos seus docentes. A amostra da pesquisa foi constituída por quinhentos e trinta docentes pertencentes a trinta e sete Institutos Federais, de todas as regiões do Brasil, e do Colégio Pedro II. Os resultados indicaram que, conceitualmente, a metodologia ABP é bem aceita, entretanto, ainda existe uma dificuldade em inseri-la na prática pedagógica cotidiana, embora haja o incentivo dos campi para aplicação de metodologias ativas e possibilidades de capacitação na área. Como fator limitante, observou-se que a organização curricular dos cursos técnicos integrados da Rede Federal dificulta a utilização de metodologias ativas. Por fim, observou-se que as questões cotidianas de elevada carga horária de trabalho e salas com grande quantidade de alunos impactam na redução do tempo disponível para a preparação das aulas, impedindo a evolução, mudança e autoavaliação das práticas docentes. Palavras-chave: Aprendizagem Baseada em Problemas. Ensino Técnico Integrado. Rede Federal de Educação Profissional, Científica e Tecnológica.   Investigating the use of the PBL methodology in the brazilian Federal Network in the context of technical education integrated to the high school Abstract In this work, we investigated the use of the active methodology called Problem-Based Learning (PBL) in Technical Courses Integrated to High School of the Brazilian Federal Network of Professional, Scientific, and Technological Education (Federal Network). For this, at first, a bibliometric study was carried out to identify works related to the theme in the last five years, whose references conceptually subsidized the questionnaire about the PBL methodology. In this context, organization, infrastructure, training, and acceptance of the ABP methodology were implemented aiming to measure how much this methodology is disseminated among the pedagogical practices of teachers working in the Federal Network. Subsequently, the electronic questionnaire was sent to teachers who work in the Federal Technical High School. The research sample consisted of five hundred and thirty teachers belonging to thirty-seven Federal Institutes, all over Brazil, and Colégio Pedro II. The results indicated that, conceptually, the PBL methodology is well accepted; however, there is still a difficulty in inserting it in the daily pedagogical practice, although there is an incentive from federal educational institutes for applying active methodologies and training possibilities in the area. As a limiting factor, it was observed that the curricular organization of the integrated technical courses of the Federal Network makes it challenging to use active methodologies. Finally, the daily issues of high workload and classrooms with many students impact the reduction of time available to prepare classes, preventing the evolution, change, and self-assessment of teaching practices. Keywords: Problem-Based Learning. Integrated Technical Education. Federal Network of Professional, Scientific and Technological Education.


IEE Review ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 152
Author(s):  
Kenneth Spring

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 189-193
Author(s):  
Aisha Naiga ◽  
Loyola Rwabose Karobwa

Over 90% of Uganda's power is generated from renewable sources. Standardised Implementation Agreements and Power Purchase Agreements create a long-term relationship between Generating Companies and the state-owned off-taker guaranteed by Government. The COVID-19 pandemic and measures to curb the spread of the virus have triggered the scrutiny and application of force majeure (FM) clauses in these agreements. This article reviews the FM clauses and considers their relevance. The authors submit that FM clauses are a useful commercial tool for achieving energy justice by ensuring the continuity of the project, despite the dire effects of the pandemic. Proposals are made for practical considerations for a post-COVID-19 future which provides the continued pursuit of policy goals of promoting renewable energy sources and increasing access to clean energy, thus accelerating just energy transitions.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Lauren K. D’Souza ◽  
William L. Ascher ◽  
Tanja Srebotnjak

Native American reservations are among the most economically disadvantaged regions in the United States; lacking access to economic and educational opportunities that are exacerbated by “energy insecurity” due to insufficient connectivity to the electric grid and power outages. Local renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and biomass offer energy alternatives but their implementation encounters barriers such as lack of financing, infrastructure, and expertise, as well as divergent attitudes among tribal leaders. Biomass, in particular, could be a source of stable base-load power that is abundant and scalable in many rural communities. This case study examines the feasibility of a biomass energy plant on the Cocopah reservation in southwestern Arizona. It considers feedstock availability, cost and energy content, technology options, nameplate capacity, discount and interest rates, construction, operation and maintenance (O&M) costs, and alternative investment options. This study finds that at current electricity prices and based on typical costs for fuel, O&M over 30 years, none of the tested scenarios is presently cost-effective on a net present value (NPV) basis when compared with an alternative investment yielding annual returns of 3% or higher. The technology most likely to be economically viable and suitable for remote, rural contexts—a combustion stoker—resulted in a levelized costs of energy (LCOE) ranging from US$0.056 to 0.147/kWh. The most favorable scenario is a combustion stoker with an estimated NPV of US$4,791,243. The NPV of the corresponding alternative investment is US$7,123,380. However, if the tribes were able to secure a zero-interest loan to finance the plant’s installation cost, the project would be on par with the alternative investment. Even if this were the case, the scenario still relies on some of the most optimistic assumptions for the biomass-to-power plant and excludes abatement costs for air emissions. The study thus concludes that at present small-scale, biomass-to-energy projects require a mix of favorable market and local conditions as well as appropriate policy support to make biomass energy projects a cost-competitive source of stable, alternative energy for remote rural tribal communities that can provide greater tribal sovereignty and economic opportunities.


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