We're on the side of the highway about 20 miles outside of Reykjavik, you can see this little guy spinning around all day powering telecommunications equipment. Back in downtown Reykjavik, there's smaller versions of this sitting on top of a bus stop they're powering a Wi-Fi base station an advertising board, and a smartphone recharging station. In an industrial suburb on the edge of Reykjavik the company called Icewind has set up shop in an abandoned coal power plant to build these turbines by hand. It's run by Thor the company's business chief and Saethor a former nuclear engineer. This type of turbine is called the Savonius vertical access wind turbine. In case you missed it that would be a Savonius vertical access wind turbine for all you turbine noobs out there. Technically it's an old technology I mean it dates back to the Persian Empire or something. We have taken this base design and kind of brought it to the modern age.
With modern materials carbon fiber or stainless steel, we've made it really, really strong we have engineered and cut the blades so that the turbine never goes on over spin and we just done the system so it's really, really simple and therefore we can keep the price down, but it also can take really, really harsh weather. And the weather is a serious problem. This is what can happen to a conventional wind turbine when excessive wind speeds hit. In Iceland, windmills can last for about three years before the weather does them in. The shape of the ice wind turbines allows them to function in low wind and to stop from spinning out of control and high wind, and beyond that they just look cool. People when they look at it, they don't realize what it is. They just think it's a sculpture or something. They're not thinking about this as an ugly energy production device, so we started putting more emphasis on the design itself, how it looks all the curves, and stuff like that.
“off the record it doesn't look promising”
Icewind has trials running throughout this country and expects to be in selling its turbines worldwide later this year. Thor is anxious to test out Iceland's ingenuity on a bigger stage. We've been isolated for a long time, and I think we're fought for a long time for several different things this is part of the fighting inventing new things and going new ways.
Questions:
Part 1: Comprehension
Watch and summarize the video thinking of who, what, when, where & why.
Part 2: True or False Questions
a) True or false –There are bus stops on the highway 20 miles outside of Reykjavik that use small turbines. T/F
b) True or False – The coal power plant helps to power the turbines. T/F
c) True or False – Using modern technology means that it’s relatively expensive. T/F
d) True or False – Icewind will most likely be selling the turbines worldwide from next year. T/F
Part 3: Guess the meaning of unknown vocabulary
a) "Set up shop" (0:28 min)
b) "Noobs" (0:51 min)
c) "Brought it to the modern age" (1:02 min)
d) “Harsh” (1:25 min)
Part 4: Dictation
a) Fill in the blanks (0:01 - 0:20 minutes) Back in downtown Reykjavik ____________________________________________________and a smartphone recharging station.
b) Fill in the blanks (0:53 - 1:25 minutes) We have _________________________________________________________________________ modern age.
c) Fill in the blanks (2:00 - 2:21 minutes) They're not _______________________________________________________________________and stuff like that.
Part 5: Talking Points
Part 6: Role play Scenarios
Scenario 1: Customer and Sales Representative
The customer is interested in purchasing a wind turbine for their home. They have heard about the unique design and durability of the Savonius vertical access wind turbine from Icewind. The sales representative is knowledgeable about the product and can answer any questions the customer may have.
Scenario 2: Environmental Activist and Energy Company CEO
The environmental activist is concerned about the impact of traditional energy production on the environment and is advocating for the use of renewable energy. The CEO of an energy company is skeptical of the cost-effectiveness of renewable energy and is hesitant to invest in it.
Scenario 3: Journalist and Thor, the Business Chief of Icewind
The journalist is interested in writing an article about the innovative use of abandoned coal power plants by Icewind. They interview Thor, the business chief of Icewind, about the company's mission, the benefits of the Savonius vertical access wind turbine, and their plans for expansion.
Part 7: Writing Activity
Write a short paragraph describing a renewable energy source that you find interesting.
Part 8: Critical Thinking - Renewable Energy
Objective: To find a renewable energy source for your school/company.
As a group, decide which renewable energy source would be the best fit for your company/school.
Then create a presentation outlining what the source is and why it's a good fit for your school or business.
Finally, as a class reach a consensus on the best one.
Answers:
Part 1: Comprehension
Ashlee Vance from Bloomberg's Hello World visited Reykjavik, Iceland, to explore advancements in green energy. He highlighted a start-up named Icewind, which he founded, focusing on innovative wind turbines. These turbines are unique because they work well in both low and high winds, preventing damage or fires. Near Reykjavik, these turbines power telecommunications equipment, and smaller versions in the city power bus stops and advertising boards. Icewind operates from a former coal power plant and constructs these turbines, known as the Savonius vertical axis wind turbines, using durable modern materials. This technology has historical roots in the Persian Empire. The company, led by Thor and business chief Saethor, emphasizes aesthetically pleasing designs with more curves to avoid the typical 'ugly' turbine look.
Part 2: True or False
A: False B: False C: False D: True
Part 3: Guess the meaning of unknown vocabulary or phrases
a) "Set up shop" Answer: I think this means to set up a business because in the video they talk about how they have set up their wind turbines and telecommunications equipment in an abandoned coal mine.
b) "Noobs" Answer: I think a noob is someone who doesn’t have a lot of knowledge or experience in a specific area because in the video the speakers confirm exactly what the type of turbine is called so that even people who don’t understand get it.
c) "Brought it to the modern age" Answer: I think this means a hostile environment or difficult weather conditions because in the video the speakers talk about how they need to design and use materials that could survive in difficult weather conditions.
d) "Harsh" Answer: I think this means something that is severe and often string or forceful because in the video the speakers talk about how their turbines can cope with even the extreme weather conditions in Iceland.
Part 4: Dictation
a) Fill in the blanks (0:01 - 0:20 minutes) Back in downtown Reykjavik, there's smaller versions of this sitting on top of a bus stop they're powering a Wi-Fi base station an advertising board, and a smartphone recharging station. b) Fill in the blanks (0:53 - 1:25 minutes)We have taken this base design and kind of brought it to the modern age. c) Fill in the blanks (2:00 - 2:21 minutes)They're not thinking about this as an ugly energy production device, so we started putting more emphasis on the design itself, how it looks all the curves, and stuff like that.
Part 7: Writing (example)Solar energy is one of the most fascinating renewable energy sources in the world. It is produced by harnessing the energy from the sun's rays using solar panels. The panels convert the sun's energy into electricity that can be used to power homes, businesses, and even cities. One of the biggest advantages of solar energy is that it is clean and renewable. Unlike fossil fuels, solar energy does not produce harmful emissions or contribute to climate change. Solar energy is also becoming more affordable and accessible to people all over the world, making it an increasingly popular choice for those looking to reduce their carbon footprint.
