GCSE Revision

Sustainable energy supply

A sustainable energy future

A is the amount of greenhouse gas released by a person, product or activity. Using energy sustainably means reducing it:

  • insulation, double glazing, efficient boilers and appliances, and solar panels.
  • At work: efficient lighting and heating, and recycling heat.
  • Transport: walking, cycling, public transport and electric vehicles.
  • Reducing demand: for example, turning down heating and buying less.
  • more efficient power stations, and capturing carbon dioxide before it escapes, called .

Key terms

Micro-hydro in Chambamontera, Peru

Chambamontera is a remote farming community in the Andes of northern Peru, more than two hours by rough track from the nearest town, Jaén. It had no connection to the electricity grid, and families farmed, including coffee.

Its scheme, set up with help from the charity Practical Action, uses the steep mountain streams:

  1. Water is taken from a stream and carried down a pipe.
  2. The falling water turns a turbine.
  3. The turbine drives a generator, making electricity for the community's homes.

It cost about US$51,000, paid for partly by the government, partly by Japanese investment and partly by the community.

Key terms

How sustainable is it?

Benefits:

  • renewable: it uses the stream's flow, with no fuel to buy and no greenhouse gases;
  • the stream keeps flowing, with little damage to the environment;
  • local control: local people are trained to run and repair it, so it doesn't depend on outside experts;
  • better lives: electric light lets children study at night, and power supports small businesses.

Limits: the supply depends on the stream's flow, which falls in the dry season, and it produces only a small amount of power.

Across Peru, Practical Action has built 47 micro-hydro schemes serving about 5,000 families.

Judgement: a highly sustainable scheme for a remote community.

Exam practice

Plan your own answer first, then open the model answers to see what each level looks like.

6 marks · about 6 minutes

Using an example, explain how a local renewable energy scheme in an LIC or NEE can provide sustainable energy.

Explain means: Give the reasons why something happens, developing each point with "because" or "so".

Link it

Use the facts from:

Level 1 (Basic)· 2/6 marks (band 1–2)
In Peru, a village uses water to make electricity. This is renewable.

Why this level: A relevant idea, but no name, no detail on how it works, and "renewable" isn't explained. To reach Level 2: name the scheme and explain how it works and why it is sustainable.

Level 2 (Clear)· 4/6 marks (band 3–4)
Chambamontera is a remote community in the Andes of northern Peru, with no connection to the electricity grid. Its micro-hydro scheme takes water from a stream down a pipe to turn a turbine, which generates electricity for homes. It is renewable, so there is no fuel to buy.

Why this level: Clear, named scheme explaining how it works. To reach Level 3: develop why it is sustainable, with evidence such as cost and local training, and include a limit.

Level 3 (Detailed)· 6/6 marks (band 5–6)
Chambamontera is a remote farming community in the Andes of northern Peru, over two hours by rough track from Jaén, with no connection to the electricity grid. Its micro-hydro scheme takes water from a stream down a pipe to turn a turbine, which generates electricity for homes. It cost about US$51,000, paid for partly by the government, Japanese investment and the community. The scheme is sustainable because it uses a renewable source, so there is no fuel to buy and little damage to the environment, and local people are trained to run and repair it, so it doesn't depend on outside experts. However, the supply falls in the dry season, when streams run low.

Why this level: Detailed, accurate explanation of the scheme, why it is sustainable and a limit. This is Level 3.

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