Bell Ringer
Instructions: Answer the prompt provided by your teacher.
Vocabulary
Instructions: Watch the Introduction to Efficiency video and listen for the vocabulary words.
| Word | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Demand | noun; the amount of energy people want and are able to use at a given time | “We built the global energy system . . . for just one purpose – to meet the human demand for energy.” |
| Efficiency | noun; using less energy to do the same task or produce the same result, without wasting resources | “Efficiency and conservation – smarter use of energy – have many benefits.” |
| Conservation | noun; the careful use of resources to avoid waste and protect them for the future | “Efficiency and conservation – smarter use of energy – have many benefits.” |
| Conventional facilities | noun phrase; traditional power plants or energy systems that are widely used and based on established technologies | “Efficiency can make existing conventional facilities, like a coal plant, power more people . . .” |
| Emissions | noun; pollutants or gases released into the air | “ . . . with fewer emissions per person – carbon and everything else.” |
| Infrastructure | noun; the physical systems used to produce, transport, and deliver energy, such as power plants, pipelines, and electrical grids | “Lower electricity demand means less new energy infrastructure . . .” |
| Capital | noun; money or resources used to build or improve things like equipment, buildings or projects | “ . . . less land use, less capital required.” |
| Imports | noun; goods or resources brought into one country from another | “Lower oil demand means fewer energy imports, greater security, and can help moderate rising prices.” |
| Supply | noun; the amount of energy available to be used | “One [big challenge to energy efficiency] is on the supply side.” |
| Incentivize | verb; to encourage a person, company, or group to take action by offering a benefit or reward | “It’s hard to incentivize energy producers to sell less energy.” |
| Upfront cost | noun phrase; the money that must be paid at the beginning of a project or purchase | “Some efficiency measures have an upfront cost that may take a few years to pay back.” |
| Cultural norm | noun phrase; a shared belief or behavior that is common and accepted in a group or society | “If energy awareness becomes a cultural norm, efficiency will too” |
Quiz & Cloze Notes
Instructions: Circle the correct answer based on what you learned in the Introduction to Efficiency video and then fill in the blanks using the word bank.
Q1. What is the main purpose of our global energy system?
- to create new technologies
- to meet the human demand for energy
- to reduce pollution
- to grow the economy
Q2. Which of the following is not a benefit of energy efficiency mentioned in the video?
- fewer emissions per person
- less water use
- more land use
- lower energy costs
Q3. What is one challenge to energy efficiency on the supply side?
- Energy companies want to sell more, not less.
- People are resistant to new technologies.
- Solar power is unreliable.
- Coal plants are shutting down.
Q4. According to Dr. Tinker, the biggest challenge to efficiency is
- high costs
- energy imports
- culture
- weather
Word Bank
| cultural | demand | efficiency | emissions |
| incentives | infrastructure | upfront |
Our global energy system exists to meet the human ____________________ for energy. ____________________ helps future and existing energy systems provide power to more people while reducing ____________________, water use, and land impact. Using less energy also lowers costs, reduces the need for new energy ____________________, and improves energy security. However, energy efficiency faces challenges, including ____________________ costs, limited ____________________ for energy producers, and the need for change in ____________________ norms and habits.