A2 Science in Society 3.5

Energy futures

This topic explores the challenge of reconciling the growing demand for energy resources worldwide with the policy imperative to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Governments aim to provide secure energy resources as cheaply as possible while abiding by international agreements. The topic pays particular attention to electricity supplies and covers nuclear power and renewables as alternatives to fossil-fuel power stations.

The main areas of science that are covered are:

·  energy quantities and the analysis of comparative energy data

·  energy sources including burning fossil fuels, nuclear fission and harnessing renewables,

·  the distinction between primary and secondary sources of energy

·  transfers of energy involved in generating electricity

The topic thus provides opportunity for development of How science works ideas to A level standard from two sets:

·  assessing and managing the risks from new technologies and

·  decision making in an international context where economic, social and environmental factors may lead to different outcomes in different parts of the world.

This scheme of work is divided into ten 2-hour sessions. This can easily be reorganized to match other timetables for the course.

The references below to How Science Works (HSW) and to Science Explanations (SE) use the code letters found in sections 3.5 and 3.6 of the specification.

Focus of session / Suggested activities
Worldwide use of energy resources
1 / Energy, standard of living and the quality of life
(SE Oe, Ok)
(HSW Ag)
Measures of energy and power. Simple interconversions. Energy efficiency.
(SE Oe, Oj) / Textbook p. 136-139 (Reading and questions)
Presentation: Energy, standard of living and the quality of life
How much energy? A series of short calculations.
2 / The nature and impact of small-scale renewable technologies
(SE: Oa, Oh)
(HSW: Ha, Hb, Hg) / Textbook pages 154 – 156 (Reading and questions)
Renewable energy for a Nepalese community - watching two short videos on the Practical Action web site and then planning a scheme for providing energy to meet the needs of a scattered, rural community in Nepal.
Energy resources in the UK – opportunities and risks
3 / Case study
(HSW Af, Ag, Db, Df, Fa, Hf) / Case study: Why did B & Q stop selling wind turbines?
4 / Analysing the UK’s uses of energy and potential energy resources from renewables
(SE Oa, Oh)
(HSW Hb, Hf, Hg) / Could we meet our energy needs with renewables?
Activity based on David Mackay’s book
that is available free on-line.
5 / Activities covering cost-benefit analysis and risk and uncertainty in policy making with particular reference to energy policy.
(SE )
(HSW ) / Costs and benefits of a Severn Barrage
Risk and nuclear power
6 / A debate about the arguments for and against developing new nuclear power stations in the UK
(SE: Od, Og)
(HSW: Ga, Ha, Hb, Hf, Hg) / The nuclear power debate
Policy making in conditions of uncertainty
7 / Problem based learning activity - introduction and planning (to be completed in session 10).
(SE Ee, Oc, Oe and Oi)
(HSW Ha, Hb (part), Hd, He, Hf and Hg) / Problem based learning - The Future of Coal in the UK
8 / Implications of energy policy for future developments.
Investigating the nature and implications of two energy scenarios
(HSW HB, He, Hf) / Energy futures
Textbook p. 156-157 reading and discussion
9 / New energy technologies
Experts and policy makers
(HSW Ga, Gb, Gf, Gg, Hb, He)
Exam-style question
(SE Ee, Mb, Oh, Oj)
(HSW Ef, Gd, Ge, Hd) / Studying the textbook pages 165 – 170 and answering selected questions
Risk and uncertainty in policy making
Exam style question: A hydrogen economy for transport?
10 / Issues involved in PBL, response to the problem - group work and review / Problem based learning – The Future of Coal in the UK


July 2011