Electricity Generation and
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
LESSON PLAN
Page 1 of 4
How do different forms of electricity generation compare in terms of their
greenhouse gas emissions over their life cycles?
OVERVIEW
Suggested Timing: 60 minutes
21st Century Skills Focus: Critical
Thinking, Communication
Subject Focus: Science, Environmental
Science, Technology
Lesson Context
Learning Goals
 Become familiar with the concept of a life cycle for an electricity generating station
 Understand that all forms of large-scale electricity generation emit greenhouses gases at
some point in their life cycle
 Understand that some methods of generating electricity emit more greenhouse gases than
others, and identify some of the reasons for this
Learning Activities
A number of methods of
electricity generation are said
to emit no greenhouse gases
(GHGs). This is not the case,
as all methods of electricity
generation produce GHGs at
some point in their life cycle.
While some methods may not
directly emit GHGs during
operation, they may emit
GHGs during the course of
construction, maintenance and
dismantling.
In this lesson, students will be introduced to the concept of a life cycle for an electricity
generating station by viewing and discussing a PowerPoint presentation. In small groups they will identify and discuss the
sources of greenhouse gases during the life cycles of various forms of large-scale electricity generation.
Big Idea
All forms of large-scale electricity generation emit greenhouse gases at some point in their life cycle. The life cycle of an
electricity generating station includes all of the stages in its existence; including construction, operation and dismantling.
ASSESSMENT & EVALUATION
Prior Knowledge and Skills
Success Criteria
Assessment Strategies
 Familiarity with the main methods of large
 Students participate in meaningful
 Anecdotal records of class participation
-scale electricity generation in Canada
(wind, solar, nuclear, hydro, coal, natural
gas)
class discussions
 Information presented on life cycle
 Experience working in cooperative small
groups
 Ability to interpret data in chart form
emissions demonstrates
understanding of the sources of
greenhouse gases at different phases
of the life cycle
RESOURCES & MATERIALS
 Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Electricity Generation [.ppt]
 BLM – Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions [.doc] [.pdf] – 1/pair of students
 Curriculum alignment [.html]
 Data projector or interactive whiteboard to show PowerPoint
©2015 Canadian Nuclear Association/Let’s Talk Science
http://teachnuclear.ca/
during group discussions
 Assessment of completed Life Cycle
Greenhouse Gas Emissions BLMs
Electricity Generation and
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
LESSON PLAN
Page 2 of 4
MINDS-ON
Suggested Timing: 15 minutes
 Begin a discussion about the most important environmental concerns of today. Global warming and greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions will likely be at the top of the list.
 Brainstorm a list of sources of greenhouse gases. This does not have to be an exhaustive or researched list.
 Watch a short video about greenhouse gases and the greenhouse effect, such as one of the ones on CurioCity (see
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES — CurioCity by Let’s Talk Science).
 In all likelihood, students will identify the burning of fossil fuels such as petroleum and coal as significant sources of
greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide. Discuss with students why these fuels are burned. In Canada, the burning of
these fuels, especially coal, is used to generate electricity (In 2012, 14.3% of Canada’s electricity generation came from the
burning of coal).
 Brainstorm a list of energy sources used to generate electricity in Canada. This should include moving water (hydro, tidal),
moving air (wind), nuclear energy, combustibles (oil, natural gas, coal, biomass) and solar energy.
ACTION
Suggesting Timing: 30 minutes
Part I - Whole Class
 Explain to students that in relation to GHG emissions, each method of electricity
generation produces GHGs in varying quantities.
 Show the first seven slides of the PowerPoint presentation Life Cycle Greenhouse
Gas Emissions from Electricity Generation. For each slide, allow students time to
provide responses to the question on each slide before revealing the answers.
Note: There are animation on the slides. Where these occur are described in
the notes section of each slide.
Part II - Small Groups
 Provide each pair of students with a copy of BLM – Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas
Emissions.
 Assign types of large-scale electricity generation to each group (i.e., wind, solar,
coal, natural gas, nuclear, hydroelectric).
 Each pair will complete the chart identifying the activities for the generation type that
could potentially emit GHGs.
Did You Know?
According to the Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the
world emits approximately 27
gigatonnes of CO2e from multiple
sources, with electrical production
emitting 10 gigatonnes, or
approximately 37% of global
emissions. In addition, electricity
demand is expected to increase by
43% over the next 20 years.
See the Background Information section
for sources.
Part III - Whole Class
 Once students have completed the charts, return to the PowerPoint presentation and show slides 8 to 13. Delete or skip
slides for any generations methods you choose not to discuss. As each method is discussed, have the group(s) which
analyzed the generation method share their responses before revealing the recommended responses using the animation.
Implementation Options
 You may wish to have students focus on the electricity generation methods that are used in your jurisdiction.
 You may wish to add information about other less common large-scale electricity generation methods, such as oil, biomass
and tidal.
©2015 Canadian Nuclear Association/Let’s Talk Science
http://teachnuclear.ca/
Electricity Generation and
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
LESSON PLAN
Page 3 of 4
CONSOLIDATION
Suggested Timing: 15 minutes
 Show slide 14 of the PowerPoint and allow the students a few minutes to read and think about the numbers in the chart.
 Review the concept of a kilowatt-hour (kWh) in the context of electricity generation (unit of energy equivalent to one kilowatt
(1 kW) of power generated for one hour). 1GWh =1 000 000kWh.
 Discuss the data in the chart both horizontally and vertically. Questions for discussion could include:
○ Did any of the numbers surprise you? If so, which one(s) and why?
○ During which part of the coal and natural gas life cycles do you think the majority of GHGs are produced? Why?
The majority of GHGs are produced when the stations combust their fuels.
○ Given coal’s emissions, why do you think some places continue to rely on coal?
○ During which part of the nuclear, hydro and wind life cycles do you think the majority of GHGs are produced? Why?
During construction.
○ Why do you think there is such a wide range in the GHG values for a given source?
There are different definitions of “life cycle,” different technologies at different sites can have different emission
rates, etc.
○ If you were in a position of authority, how could you use this information to determine which types of electricity generation
methods to use?
○ Looking at this chart, what questions do you have about electricity generation and GHG emissions?
Implementation Option
 Students could make a graph of the data on slide 14 of the Power Point presentation.
 After looking at slide 14, students could Think-Pair-Share before discussing the data as a class.
 The final question above could form the basis of an independent study project.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES — Canadian Nuclear Association
TeachNuclear Web pages
○ Solar Energy
 The Environment
○ Tidal Energy
○ Wind Energy
○ Carbon Dioxide Emissions
○ Environmental Protection
 Future Energy Sources
 How Electricity Generation Works
 Present Energy Sources
○ Biomass
○ Fossil Fuels
○ Geothermal Energy
○ Hydroelectricity
○ Nuclear Energy
©2015 Canadian Nuclear Association/Let’s Talk Science
http://teachnuclear.ca/
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Nuclear and the Environment Jeopardy
Nuclear in Our Lives Jeopardy
World Energy Sources Jeopardy
Electricity Generation and
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
LESSON PLAN
Page 4 of 4
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES — CurioCity by Let’s Talk Science
Articles
 How it Works: Nuclear Power Generation (OPG)
 Buckle up! Climate change is here
 How it Works: Hydroelectric Power (OPG)
 Cleaning up coal
 Solar Energy
 What is the greenhouse effect?
Videos
 Energy 101: Solar Power
Educator Resources
 Energy 101: Wind Power
 The Carbon Hokey Pokey (with Starting Points)
BACKGROUND/ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 World Nuclear Association - Comparison of Lifecycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Various Electricity Generation Sources
(Retrieved Jan. 9, 2015)
This document (2011), from the World Nuclear Association, summarizes over 20 research and studies done worldwide
comparing the life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of various electricity generation methods.
 Hydro Quebec - Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions from Power Generation Options (Retrieved Jan. 9, 2015)
This document (2006), from Hydro Quebec, summarizes a smaller number of research reports comparing existing and new
technologies in terms of GHG emissions by electricity generation type.
 Canadian Nuclear Society - CANDU reactors and Greenhouse Gas Emissions (Retrieved Jan. 9, 2015)
This paper, published in the Proceedings of the 19th Annual Conference, Canadian Nuclear Society, Toronto, Ontario, Canada,
October 18-21, 1998, has information on the life cycle GHGs of Canada’s CANDU nuclear reactors.
 International Energy Agency. Energy Technology Perspectives (2014) (Retrieved Jan. 9, 2015)
This page, from the International Energy Agency, includes a webinar (2014) presented on current trends in energy supply and
storage worldwide.
 International Atomic Energy Agency, World Energy Outlook 2009 (Retrieved Jan. 9, 2015)
This document, from the International Atomic Energy Agency, has information about global energy trends to 2030, and is one of
the sources referenced on page 2 of this lesson.
 National Renewable Energy Laboratory - Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Electricity Generation (Retrieved Jan. 9,
2015)
This document (2013), from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (USA), includes a diagram on life cycle stages and has
information on life cycle greenhouse gas emissions.
 Hydro Quebec - Atmospheric Emissions (2013) (Retrieved Jan. 9, 2015)
This page on the Hydro Quebec web site describes in detail both direct and indirect GHG emissions from Hydro-Quebec
operations in 2013. It outlines the types of primary and secondary activities that emit greenhouse gases related to electricity
generation in the province.
 BC Hydro - Greenhouse Gases (Retrieved Jan. 9, 2015)
This page from BC Hydro explains how they monitor, control and report on emissions from electricity generation.
©2015 Canadian Nuclear Association/Let’s Talk Science
http://teachnuclear.ca/