2.3.1 Energy Overview Flashcards
What is an energy mix?
Different sources of energy that are used by households, industry, and other commercial users
Main sources of energy (p3)
Fossil fuels
Nucleus energy
Renewable energy
Main sources of fossil fuels
Coal
Oil
Gas
How are fossil fuels formed?
Over thousands of years and as they take long to form, they are non-renewable
What do fossil fuels release when burnt?
CO2
How is nucleus energy formed?
But using uranium to produce heat in a nucleus reactor
Sources of renewable energy (4p)
Sun
Wind
Waves
Geothermal
How is the demand for energy changing in the UK? (2p)
-Less energy is used in the UK compared to the 1970s despite there being an extra 6.6 million people
- However, there has been an increase in the amount of energy used by the transport sector as the number of cars has increased
How has the number of cars increased since 1970?
From 10 million to 27 million
Reasons for reduction in domestic energy consumption?(3p)
- The introduction of energy-efficient devices, eg.light bulbs and washing machines
- The increasing awareness of the importance of saving energy
- The increase in cost of energy leading to lower consumption
What is fracking?
The process of injecting fluid into the rock to plit it open and release the gas
Fracking disadvantages (6p)
Pollution
Use if water
Seismic risk
Risk of leaks or explosions
Waste generation
Imoact on the landscape
Pollution (Fracking)(2p)
- Rock fracturing can cause uncontrolled release of gases like methan and CO2
- Use of water with chemical substances can cause pollution in aquifers with risks to the ecosystem and human health
Use of a water (Fracking)
There is a high consumption of water
Seismic risk (Fracking)
It is believed there is a connection between fracking and earthquakes which have a risk to the ecosystem and communities nearby
Risk of leak or explosion(Fracking)(2p)
- Fracturing the rock can cause gas leaks
- this may be toxic or the release of radioactive substances
Waste generation (Fracking)
Fracking generates tons of sludge annually which needs to be treated
Impact on the landscape (Fracking)(2p)
- alters the landscape
- damage to natural environments
Advantages of fracking (3p)
- Economic benefits
- Provides energy security
- Increase reliance on natural gases
What percentage of the energy used in the UK is renewable
22%
What percentage of the energy used in the UK is nuclear
19%
What percentage of the energy used in the UK is gas
25%
What percentage of the energy used in the UK is coal
31%
Order of energy consumption from biggest to smallest (4p)
Coal
Gas
Renewable
Nucleur
