Distributed generation

High school (ages 12+)
Science & Technology

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/distributed-generation

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the key renewable DER sources?Commonly include small hydro, biomass, biogas, solar power, and wind power
2. Why do we need tiny power plants instead of big ones?Tiny power plants reduce the need for long power lines, making the grid stronger and less likely to fail during storms or equipment problems. They also let people use clean energy right at home.
3. How do tiny power plants help the environment?Many tiny power plants use renewable sources like sunlight and wind, which produce no harmful gases and help lower the amount of pollution that hurts the planet.

Distributed Energy Resources (DERs): Small-scale power generation and storage units located close to energy consumers.
Microgrid: A localized energy network capable of operating independently from the main utility grid.
Grid Resilience: The capacity of an electrical grid to withstand, adapt to, and recover from disruptions.
Intermittency: The unpredictable nature of energy generation from sources like solar and wind.