Unit R071 – How scientific ideas have an
impact on our lives
Module 1 – Using energy
The four activities below cover ‘Module 1 – Using energy, LO1 and LO2’
How to Choose: Different views about what
makes a good energy source
Making a decision about which types of energy sources to use can be very difficult
because different groups and individuals have different views about what is
important.
Activity 1
Look at the table on the following page which lists some of the issues or concerns
that are important to different groups of people when they make decisions about
energy sources. Think about the different viewpoints of these groups and complete
the lists of issues that are important to them.
Extension: Are there any other groups of people who would have different views
about what makes a good energy source? Make a list of 10 issues that they would
consider important in choosing an energy supply.
Government
Energy Company
Risks to health
Efficiency of energy transfer
Pollution
Reliability of energy source
Global warming
Cost of energy source
Political problems with energy source
Cost of transporting energy source
Sustainability
Cost of waste disposal
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Cost of installing a power plant
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Consumers – homes
Cost of electricity
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Personal concerns relating to health
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Pollution
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Global warming
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Activity 2
Think about the views and responsibilities of each group above and prioritise the list
of issues – give each issue a number with the most important issue scoring 10, down
to the least important factor scoring 1.
Activity 3
Use the tables provided to review the different energy sources from the perspectives
of each of the different groups:
PERSPECTIVE: Energy
Energy Source:
Company
Solar
Score
Importance
Issue:
Score x
Importanc
e
Most
10
Cost of energy
9
source
1
Reliability
5
1 x 10 = 10
5 x 9 = 45
c) Multiply each score by the
a) List the issues in
importance of the issue and
order of importance in
add these up to get a total
the third column
score for each energy source.
b) Then research a range of different energy sources and give each one a
score from 1 to 5 on how well it addresses each of the issues listed:
A low score
indicates that
an energy
source doesn’t
cause much of
a problem in
terms of that
particular issue
1
2
3
4
5
A high score
indicates that
an energy
source causes
a lot of
problems in
terms of that
particular issue
For example as an energy company you may give wind power a score of 1
for cost of energy source (as there is no cost for wind) or disposal of waste
(as no waste materials are generated) but a score of 4 or 5 for reliability (as
the amount and strength of the wind varies widely with the weather patterns
each day) and efficiency of energy transfer.
The energy sources with the lowest total [Score x Importance] should represent the
ones that best suit the needs of that particular group.
Activity 4
Discuss in pairs or as a group:
Do you think the results are accurate?
Do different energy sources best meet the needs for different groups?
Which group’s needs are most important?
Who should get to decide?