Year 9 Science · Unit 3 · Lesson 14
Challenge Worksheet
Learning Goals
Read the graph
Study the bar chart showing electricity generation in the National Electricity Market (NEM) by source in 2023, then answer the questions below.
(a) Calculate what percentage of the NEM's generation in 2023 came from renewable sources (wind + solar + hydro). Show your working.
(b) Australia's target is 82% renewable by 2030. By how many percentage points does the 2023 figure need to increase? Suggest which TWO sources are most likely to grow to fill this gap.
(c) Coal currently supplies nearly half the NEM's electricity. Predict ONE consequence for grid reliability if coal plants are retired faster than new renewable capacity and storage can be built.
Evaluate the claim
Someone claims…
"The National Electricity Market is outdated 20th-century technology that simply cannot handle Australia's renewable energy transition. It was designed for large centralised coal plants and will need to be completely rebuilt from scratch before we can have a clean energy future."
(a) What parts of this claim are supported by evidence from the lesson? Use specific facts about the NEM's design or current limitations in your answer.
(b) What is misleading or overstated in this claim? Consider: AEMO reforms, rooftop solar integration, virtual power plants, interconnectors, and the fact that the NEM already carries significant renewable generation. Argue against the claim using at least TWO specific points.
(c) Write your own more balanced, evidence-based version of this claim. It should acknowledge real challenges but avoid overstating the case.
Wrap Up
In one sentence, what was the main idea of this lesson?