Blackout: Energy Game
Play Blackout, a renewable energy game where the object is to construct wind turbines to power the city of Metropolis.
The city of Metropolis is experiencing a blackout; however, there is good news: wind power could solve the city’s serious energy crisis. Players are challenged and empowered with the opportunity of restoring power to the city using the clean renewable energy source of wind power.
Blackout players are supported by an informative educational component that facilitates educating and reinforcing windpower science about the function of wind turbines in converting the kinetic energy of the wind into electrical energy; wind turbine sizes; and structural functions including turbine parts: rotor, gears, tower, nacelle and anemometer. An informative video depicts how wind turbines convert energy. Players are invited to roll over the turbine parts for educational details.
Players advance through 3 rounds to experience the challenges of designing and constructing wind turbines in 3 operational settings: Valley, Ocean and Forest. You are
provided with a budget to build a wind turbine that is best suited in each of the locations while given the challenge of trying to generate the most power while being cost-effective by trying to conserve money. Following each round, players see the power that they have generated with the goal of bringing the city of Metropolis back to life – the
extent of which depends on the individual player.
During each round of wind turbine construction players prepare for their mission by first surveying winds in each locale (Valley, Ocean and Forest), keeping in mind that each location has unique wind conditions. Players have to operate a wind gauge instrument (anemometer) as the basis of rationale for each wind turbine construction.
Skills are developed. “Choosing a Tower” involves making a choice on tower size (determining the size of power output), and positioning the rotor (large or small) to harness varying wind velocities. Cost-effectiveness is an important consideration. The ‘bank’ icon “Save Money” has players beginning with $1,500 in their account, then being advanced an additional $1,300 after each of the 3 rounds. A ‘bonus’ icon “Earn Bonus”
provides players with the opportunity of earning a $250 bonus in each round provided they have been successful in constructing the optimal wind turbine. Although players can’t spend more than their current account, they can, however, spend less and have the opportunity of carrying extra money to the next round they will play. Bear in mind that players are cautioned to be frugal and not to waste money.