Student Worksheet

Thought-starter: How many different types of renewable energy are there?

Instructions to students

In this lesson, you will complete a NAPLAN* style practice test. The test is in multiple choice, matching and short answer formats.

Part A.

Multiple choice: Look at the Reading Text (including a diagram). Complete the statements by shading (in PENCIL) one answer circle. If you make a mistake, erase it and shade the correct one.

Part B.

Matching: Draw lines between the two lists to make information pairs.

Part C.

Short answer: Respond to the Reading Text.

When the class has finished, swap tests and mark the answers (out of 40). Allocated marks are noted.

Reading text

An introduction to Hydro Tasmania and hydropower

Hydro Tasmania provides electrical energy for the people of Tasmania, Australia’s island state. The word ‘hydro’ means ‘water’. Hydro Tasmania has thirty hydropower stations in Tasmania and a wind farm on an island in Bass Strait. Hydro Tasmania operates two wind farms on mainland Tasmania under a joint venture. Hydro Tasmania catches the electrical energy from these sources and sends it to places where it is needed, to power people’s homes and businesses.

How hydropower is produced

When energy is generated by mechanical means, a magnet is moved inside a coil of wire and an electric current is produced. In a commercial power station this is done on a large scale - giant electromagnets are spun inside huge coils of conductor. The magnets are turned by a turbine, which is turned by the force of falling water. Water is stored in a lake or river and then directed down pipes into a power station. This water is under great pressure due to the downward direction of pipes or canals and the effect of gravity. The water then forces the turbine to spin around, generating electrical energy.

What makes hydropower renewable

Hydroelectric generation uses a natural source - water. Unlike fossil fuels, it can be re-used after it has generated electricity. Put simply, water is returned to lakes and rivers by the natural water cycle. The steps in the cycle are:

Once the water has run though a hydro power station, its journey continues downstream to the sea
When at sea level it absorbs heat from the sun, which causes it to evaporate
The resulting water vapour rises up through the atmosphere and as the air cools, the water vapour condenses, which forms clouds
In Tasmania the clouds are forced up by the mountains which causes more cooling and condensation and often results in precipitation (rain, hail or snow)
The water falls to highland lakes and rivers, where it can be used again, making this a renewable energy source.

The Derwent catchment

The hydropower potential of this catchment was realised in 1934 when construction began on the Derwent scheme. The last power station was commissioned in 1968. There are two sections in the Derwent hydropower scheme: upper and lower. This is because of the difference in how the water is stored in the sections. Visually, the scheme resembles a Y shape. The upper section of the scheme uses larger deeper lakes than the lower section for water storage. The four main power stations in the upper section can release water as it is needed to generate electricity. The upper section is formed from the Nive River system in the east and Derwent River system in the west, making up the top of the Y. The lower section is run-of-river. This means that water keeps on flowing creating a cascade effect down the river. There are six power stations in the lower section using the Derwent River water multiple times. The lower section forms the ‘tail’ of the Y.

Part A – Multiple Choice (1 mark each)

Now you've read the Reading Text, answer the questions in the table below.

For questions 1 - 6 write TRUE or FALSE next to the statements.
For questions 7 - 20 write your answer as a), b) or c).

Part B – Matching (2 marks per pair – total of 8 marks)

Based on the combined information in the text and the diagram, match the Places (1) with the Details (2) in the lists below:

1. Places

Catagunya

Butlers Gorge

Lake Echo

Repulse

Part C – Short Answer (2 marks per question – total of 12 marks)

Questions:

1. What are some features of the Reading Text that make it an information text? List at least 4:

a.

b.

c.

d.

e.

f.

g.

h.

2. What is the purpose of the Reading Text?

3. Who is the intended audience (reader)?

4. Provide two short quotes from the Reading Text as evidence for your answer to Question:

a.

b.

5. In your own words, explain the ‘run-of-river’ principle:

6. What are two questions that you still have about the information in the Reading Text?

a.

b.

Hydro Tasmania - Energy from Water (NAPLAN Reading Practice)

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