This memory aid covers Exam Framework: DIRECT within Energy Resource Management for GCSE Geography. Revise Energy Resource Management in The Challenge of Resource Management for GCSE Geography with 17 exam-style questions and 20 flashcards. This topic appears regularly enough that it should still be part of a steady revision cycle. It is section 10 of 13 in this topic. Use it for quick recall, then test yourself straight afterwards so the memory aid becomes usable in an answer.

🧠 Exam Framework: DIRECT

Use this mnemonic to evaluate any energy source or strategy — whether in a 4-mark explain or a 6-mark evaluate question:

D — Dependability — Is it reliable? Can it supply power continuously (baseload), or is it intermittent? Gas and nuclear: yes. Wind and solar: depends on weather. Intermittency requires backup or storage.

I — Import dependence — Does it create dependence on foreign suppliers? Gas creates import dependence (Germany-Russia). Renewables reduce it, because sunlight and wind cannot be cut off by a foreign government. Nuclear requires uranium imports but in tiny quantities.

R — Running cost and construction cost — How expensive is it to build and operate? Solar has near-zero running costs (sunlight is free) but requires upfront installation. Gas is cheap to build but fuel costs are volatile. Nuclear is very expensive to build but cheap to run.

E — Environmental impact — What are the carbon emissions and ecological effects? Coal: worst. Gas: high but less than coal. Nuclear: very low lifecycle. Wind/solar: very low but not zero (mining, land use).

C — Carbon emissions and climate — Does this source help or harm the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions? Fossil fuels: counterproductive. Renewables and nuclear: compatible with climate goals.

T — Trade-offs and tensions — Every source involves trade-offs. Use this to reach a judgement: security vs sustainability, cost vs reliability, short-term vs long-term. The best exam answers identify the specific trade-off for the specific source and context.

Memory tip for the two case studies:

Nigeria = Not getting oil benefits to ordinary people (80% oil revenue, 40% no electricity — remember the contrast)
Germany = Green but Gas-dependent (50% renewable electricity but still stuck on Russian gas for heating)

Exam Framework: DIRECT

🧠 Exam Framework: DIRECT

Practice questions for Energy Resource Management

Quick recall flashcards

17 questions on Energy Resource Management — practise free