Environment, Energy & Compute · Capstone brief
ENV-05 · Water for cooling
Model water demand scenarios; identify where public data is missing and how that limits claims.
The question
Model water demand scenarios; identify where public data is missing and how that limits claims.
Sources / materials
Public water-use reports, facility disclosures if any, engineering ranges labeled as estimates. Scenario worksheet (wet vs dry cooling, utilization). Missing-data log is a graded deliverable.
Expected failure modes
One precise gallon figure. Ignoring consumptive vs withdrawn. Filling gaps with confident fiction.
Done looks like
Scenario model; missing-data log; claim-limit paragraph; recommendation that hinges on what data would need to exist.
Five C's
CT: withdrawn vs consumed. CR: labeled estimates. CO: peer finds a silent gap. CM: water memo. CZ: other water users in the basin.
Mentor role
Env teacher reviews missing-data log. School-supervised.
Rubric calibration
R1: one facility/context. R2: scenarios documented. R3: status-quo water use if known. R4: gaps are the point. R5: memo clear. R6: refuses fake precision.
Two ways this goes wrong
(a) A single magic gallon number. (b) Gaps filled with invented “industry standard” figures.
Credit lane fit
Lane A immediately. No verified credit claim.