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Renewable Energy Action Plan

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Renewable Energy Action Plan

A coastal town in Aotearoa New Zealand wants to cut emissions while keeping its electricity reliable. Use the evidence in this worksheet to design a realistic renewable energy action plan. Show your physics thinking: energy transfer, power, variability and storage.

Part A: Read the evidence

Town energy snapshot Peak electricity demand: 2.0 megawatts (MW) in the early evening. Wind option: two turbines can produce up to 1.2 MW together, but output varies with wind. At the time of the town’s peak demand, they are expected to produce 0.8 MW. Solar option: rooftop panels can produce up to 0.9 MW around midday, but produce little or no electricity after sunset. At peak demand, they are expected to produce 0.2 MW. Small hydro option: a river turbine can produce a steady 0.5 MW, subject to protecting river flow and habitat. Battery option: stores 1.0 megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity. It can deliver 0.5 MW for two hours, then needs recharging. The town currently uses a mix of renewable and non-renewable electricity. Electricity demand is highest in the early evening.

1.Which source in the snapshot gives the steadiest output, and what condition must be considered before building it?

2.At peak demand, how much power do wind and solar provide together? How much of the town’s 2.0 MW peak demand remains to be supplied?

3.The battery can deliver 0.5 MW for two hours. How much energy does it deliver in that time, and could it cover the 1.0 MW gap from Question 2 for both hours?

4.A student says, “A 1.0 MWh battery can supply 1.0 MW for two hours.” Is the statement correct? Explain using the relationship between power, energy and time.

Part B: Build your action plan

A strong plan combines evidence-based choices with care for people and the environment. Remember that renewable sources can vary, and energy systems need to match supply to demand.

5.Which plan best combines reliable supply with renewable generation? Choose one and give one reason.

Use only solar panels, because they produce the same power day and night.
Combine wind and solar with storage and a steady source such as carefully managed small hydro.
Use only the battery, because stored energy is created inside the battery.

6.Complete the energy transfer chain for a wind turbine supplying a home: moving air → energy in the turbine blades.

7.Complete the energy transfer chain for a wind turbine supplying a home: energy in the generator → energy in the home.

8.Why might a town need more than one renewable electricity source, even if one source has a high maximum power rating?

9.Name one possible environmental or community concern linked to wind turbines or small hydro, and suggest one way to reduce it.

10.Write a three-step action plan for the town. Include one step to investigate local conditions, one step to choose or test a solution, and one step to check whether the plan works.

11.Explain one way the town’s energy plan could show kaitiakitanga while still meeting people’s energy needs.