Examine the changing importance of energy sources other than oil.

Answers should focus on the changing importance (production/consumption) of other major energy sources. Responses could look at other non-renewable fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas and renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, bio-fuel, geothermal, tidal, hydroelectric power and of course nuclear power – although it is not essential to cover all.

Answers should recognize that the global demand for energy is increasing as populations grow and countries develop economically. Most, if not all, of the energy sources above are becoming increasingly important in terms of production and consumption. Some quantitative or qualitative detail would be expected in terms of explaining and comparing the changed importance.

Stronger responses may consider at least one fossil fuel, renewables and nuclear energy. Answers may also refer to any scale (local, national, regional, global), but this is not a requirement for the award of full marks. A discussion of national energy sources might link with the concept of energy security – this approach should be highly credited if done well.

Answers that do not describe a range of energy sources and do not examine their changing importance should not progress beyond band D.

Responses based on appropriate, well-supported ideas and examples and which arrive at some conclusion about the changing importance of these sources of energy are likely to be credited at bands E/F.

Marks should be allocated according to the markbands.

There were some very good answers that gave comment on the reasons why oil was an issue looking at reserves, prices and geopolitical considerations. These used this as a springboard to look at the alternatives to oil and usually focusing on renewables. There was some good discussion of the importance of these energy sources and their relative merits. Candidates were usually well versed in exemplar materials. These stronger answers were well developed and covered most aspects of the question allowing the candidates to demonstrate and to discuss the shifting significance (production/consumption) of other important energy sources. These answers also made successful attempts to evaluate the different fuel options. Poor answers were characterized by weak knowledge and understanding and often with far too much emphasis on oil with hardly anything on the changing importance of other major energy sources. The weakest candidates failed to offer objective, detailed and specific examples/case studies with little attempt at any application.