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Leaving Cert Technology: Energy sources & renewables

How often Energy sources & renewables comes up on the Technology papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

HL Asked on 8 of the last 9 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025. most years

OL Asked on 5 of the last 9 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025.

Energy sources & renewables, Higher Level(6 marks)

Quick ones on Energy sources & renewables.

(a)Which of these is a non-renewable energy source?
  1. Wind
  2. Natural gas
  3. Solar
(b)An Irish home has a BER of A1. What does this indicate?
  1. Average energy efficiency
  2. Very poor energy efficiency
  3. Very high energy efficiency
(c)What energy conversion takes place in a photovoltaic (PV) solar panel?
  1. Light to electrical
  2. Chemical to light
  3. Heat to kinetic
Show the answers

(a) Natural gas

(b) Very high energy efficiency

(c) Light to electrical

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Energy sources & renewables.

Higher Level

Asked on 8 of the last 9 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025. most years

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025A3
2024A13, B2a, B3b
2023Not asked
2022A2, A4
2021A1
2019A10, B2a, B2b
2018B2b
2017A1, B2a, B2b
2016B3b

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Energy sources & renewables questions

Energy sources & renewables, 3 marks

Why does insulating an attic improve a house's BER?

  1. It generates electricity for the house
  2. It lets more heat escape in summer
  3. Less heat is lost, so less energy is needed
Show the answer

Less heat is lost, so less energy is needed

The Building Energy Rating reflects the energy a home needs per square metre per year. Insulation cuts heat loss through the roof, so less heating is needed.

Energy sources & renewables, 2 marks

Why is the west coast of Ireland well suited to wave energy?

  1. It gets the most sunshine
  2. Strong Atlantic waves reach it
  3. It has the calmest seas in Europe
Show the answer

Strong Atlantic waves reach it

Winds blowing over a long stretch of open Atlantic build up large, energetic waves, and these arrive on the west coast.

Energy sources & renewables, 3 marks

Why is biomass such as wood chip counted as renewable?

  1. New plants can be grown to replace what is burned
  2. Burning it releases no carbon dioxide at all
  3. It is a fossil fuel that forms quickly
Show the answer

New plants can be grown to replace what is burned

Burning biomass releases CO2, but regrowing the crop or forest absorbs it again. It is only sustainable if replanting keeps pace with use.

Ordinary Level

Asked on 5 of the last 9 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025.

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025A2
2024Not asked
2023A2
2022A2, A5
2021Not asked
2019A2, A5
2018Not asked
2017Not asked
2016A3, B3b

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Energy sources & renewables questions

Energy sources & renewables, 2 marks

Which energy source is renewable?

  1. Natural gas
  2. Coal
  3. Wind
Show the answer

Wind

Renewables are naturally replaced: wind, solar, wave, tidal, hydro and biomass. Fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas are finite and release CO2 when burned.

Energy sources & renewables, 2 marks

A solar photovoltaic (PV) panel converts…

  1. Electrical energy into light energy
  2. Light energy into electrical energy
  3. Heat energy into light energy
Show the answer

Light energy into electrical energy

PV cells made of silicon produce a voltage when light falls on them. Solar thermal panels are different: they use the sun's heat to warm water.

Energy sources & renewables, 3 marks

What is one disadvantage of wind energy?

  1. Output varies with the weather
  2. It gives off CO2 while running
  3. Its fuel must be imported
Show the answer

Output varies with the weather

Turbines only generate when there is enough wind, so back-up or storage is needed. Ireland has a strong wind resource, especially along the west coast.

Other Technology topics

All of Leaving Cert Technology