The National Grid ensures that the supply of electricity always meets the demand of the consumers - AQA - GCSE Physics - Question 3 - 2018 - Paper 1
Question 3
The National Grid ensures that the supply of electricity always meets the demand of the consumers.
Figure 2 shows how the output from fossil fuel power stations in ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:The National Grid ensures that the supply of electricity always meets the demand of the consumers - AQA - GCSE Physics - Question 3 - 2018 - Paper 1
Step 1
Suggest one reason for the shape of the graph between 15.00 and 18.00 on Monday.
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Answer
The shape of the graph between 15.00 and 18.00 on Monday shows an increase in power output. This can be attributed to the fact that many people return home from work or school during this time, which typically leads to an increase in the demand for electricity as more electrical appliances are being used.
Step 2
Suggest one time on Figure 2 when the demand for electricity was low.
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Answer
The demand for electricity was low at 00.00, as indicated by the lower power output on the graph during this time.
Step 3
Suggest two reasons why fossil fuel power stations in the UK only produce about 33% of the total electricity they could produce when operating at a maximum output.
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Answer
One reason is that the National Grid conserves fuel reserves to ensure availability for future demand. A second reason is that it provides spare capacity to compensate for unreliable renewable resources, ensuring a stable supply of electricity.