Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 3
ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION
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ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION
Download the Lessonotes Mobile Ghana app for faster lesson access on Android and iPhone.
Subject: Engineering
Class: SHS 3
Term: 2nd Term
Week: 17
Grade code: 3.2.3.LI.4
Strand code: 2
Sub-strand code: 3
Content standard code: 3.2.3.CS.1
Indicator code: 3.2.3.LI.4
Theme: ENERGY SYSTEMS
Subtheme: ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION
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In Ghana, we are all familiar with the challenges of managing our electricity. Whether it's the frustration of "dumsor" (power outages) or our parents complaining about the high cost of the monthly ECG (Electricity Company of Ghana) bill, we know that energy is a precious and expensive resource. This lesson is not just about theory; it's about giving you the practical skills to solve this real-world problem in our homes and communities. We will move beyond simply switching off lights to actively designing and building simple, smart systems that manage energy for us, helping us save money and reduce the strain on our national power grid.
2.1. Energy Efficiency vs. Energy Conservation
These two terms are often used interchangeably, but they mean different things. Understanding the difference is key to becoming a good engineer. Energy Conservation: This is about reducing energy consumption through behavioural change. It's about using less energy. Example in Ghana: Switching off the lights when you leave a room, or ironing clothes in a large batch instead of one at a time. You are consciously deciding to use less power. Energy Efficiency: This is about using less energy to perform the same task. It's about using technology to get the same result with less waste. Example in Ghana: Replacing an old, yellow 100-watt incandescent bulb with a 15-watt LED bulb. Both light up the room, but the LED does it using over 80% less energy. The task (lighting the room) is the same, but the energy used is much lower.
Our focus today is on engineering solutions that promote both, especially by creating systems that automate energy efficiency and conservation. 2.2. Building Blocks for Energy Management Systems
To design and construct our solutions, we need a toolkit of electronic components. These are the "brains" and "muscles" of our systems.