1. 1
   An island nation currently generates most of its electricity by burning imported coal in a power station. Government advisers are considering building a wind farm as an alternative.

   (a)

   Which of the following correctly classifies coal and wind as energy resources?

   [1 mark]

   • ACoal is renewable and wind is non-renewable
   • BCoal is non-renewable and wind is renewable
   • CBoth coal and wind are renewable
   • DBoth coal and wind are non-renewable

   (b)

   Which of the following is a key advantage of the wind farm compared with the coal power station, in terms of environmental impact?

   [1 mark]

   • AThe wind farm produces no carbon dioxide emissions during electricity generation
   • BThe wind farm can generate electricity reliably regardless of the weather
   • CThe wind farm requires no importing of any resources
   • DThe wind farm takes up less land area than the coal power station

   (c)

   State one disadvantage of the wind farm compared with the coal power station in terms of reliability, and explain why this is a disadvantage for the island's electricity supply.

   [2 marks]

   Total for question 1: 4 marks

2. 2
   A hospital in a remote mountain region has an unreliable mains electricity supply and is considering installing a small hydroelectric generator on a nearby fast-flowing river to provide backup power.

   (a)

   Which statement about hydroelectric power is correct?

   [1 mark]

   • AHydroelectric power is a non-renewable energy resource
   • BHydroelectric power produces large amounts of carbon dioxide during generation
   • CHydroelectric power is a renewable energy resource
   • DHydroelectric power relies on burning biofuel

   (b)

   Compared with a diesel generator, which of the following is a likely advantage of the hydroelectric generator for the hospital?

   [1 mark]

   • AIt requires no initial construction cost
   • BIt can be installed anywhere, regardless of river access
   • CIt generates more power when the river flow is lowest
   • DIt does not require ongoing fuel purchases once built

   (c)

   Explain one reason why the reliability of the hospital's hydroelectric generator could still vary throughout the year, despite hydroelectric power generally being considered a fairly reliable renewable resource.

   [2 marks]

   Total for question 2: 4 marks

3. 3
   National government data shows that over the last twenty years, the percentage of national electricity generated from coal has fallen from 40% to 5%, while wind and solar combined have risen from 2% to 30%. Nuclear and gas generation have stayed roughly the same. The government plans to keep some gas power stations running.

   (a)

   A national government publishes data showing that, over the last twenty years, the percentage of national electricity generated from coal has fallen from 40% to 5%, while the percentage generated from wind and solar combined has risen from 2% to 30% over the same period. Nuclear and gas generation have stayed roughly the same. Describe the trend shown by this data, and suggest two possible reasons for this trend.

   [3 marks]

   (b)

   Despite the fall in coal use, the government still plans to keep some gas power stations running rather than replacing them entirely with wind and solar. Explain why gas power stations might still be considered useful even as wind and solar generation increases, and explain why the decision to keep them is not only a scientific issue.

   [4 marks]

   Total for question 3: 7 marks

4. 4
   A developing country with abundant sunshine, moderate wind, and a large river system is planning its electricity strategy for the next 30 years. It currently has no nuclear power and limited fossil fuel reserves of its own, so it must import coal and gas at high cost. Some groups want nuclear power included in the plan, while others oppose it.

   (a)

   Evaluate the environmental impact and reliability of solar power, wind power and hydroelectric power as options for this country, and suggest which combination of resources might best meet the country's needs.

   [6 marks]

   (b)

   Environmental campaigners in the country argue that the government should also invest in nuclear power alongside renewable resources, while opposition groups argue nuclear power is too risky and expensive. Evaluate the case for and against including nuclear power as part of this country's future electricity strategy, considering environmental impact, reliability and factors beyond science.

   [6 marks]

   Total for question 4: 12 marks

End of questions