An electricity grid operator has enough capacity to cover the normal power demand, but not enough during extreme summer heatwaves.
During a heatwave, the sudden use of air conditioning can cause demand for electrical power to increase instantly by 15,000 MW15{,}000\text{ MW}15,000 MW. The operator needs to build new power stations to meet this sudden increased demand.
Type of power stationMaximum power output (MW)Time to reach maximum powerRelative running costsolar PV park50variablenonehydroelectric plant8005 minutesnonebiomass power station40012 hoursmediumgeothermal power station2007 dayslowoil-fired power station15001 hourhigh \begin{array}{|l|c|c|c|}\hline\textbf{Type of power station} & \textbf{Maximum power output (MW)} & \textbf{Time to reach maximum power} & \textbf{Relative running cost} \\\hline\text{solar PV park} & 50 & \text{variable} & \text{none} \\\hline\text{hydroelectric plant} & 800 & 5 \text{ minutes} & \text{none} \\\hline\text{biomass power station} & 400 & 12 \text{ hours} & \text{medium} \\\hline\text{geothermal power station} & 200 & 7 \text{ days} & \text{low} \\\hline\text{oil-fired power station} & 1500 & 1 \text{ hour} & \text{high} \\\hline\end{array} Type of power stationsolar PV parkhydroelectric plantbiomass power stationgeothermal power stationoil-fired power stationMaximum power output (MW)508004002001500Time to reach maximum powervariable5 minutes12 hours7 days1 hourRelative running costnonenonemediumlowhighUsing only information in the table, evaluate which types of power station would be the most suitable to meet this increased demand.
33 exam-style questions on Edexcel IGCSE Physics Energy resources and electricity generation. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.