3.2 Energy Flashcards
Nuclear- Advantages + Disadvantages (Non-renewable)
Uranium is finite but nuclear can supply energy for thousands of years
Small amount of radioactive material produces lots of energy, resources last longer
Relatively clean- doesn’t produce greenhouse gases like CO2 or other air pollution
Provides instant power as required, meets demand at peak times (early evening)
Once power stations are constructed, viewed as cheap sources of energy
Risks with production- storing or disposing radioactive waste
Risks with meltdown or leaks- eg. Chernobyl, impact on people in region
Nuclear reactors- expensive to build and operate
Waste is highly toxic and needs stored for thousands of years (expensive)
Concerns about security of nuclear reactors like sabotage or terrorist threat
Hydroelectric- Advantages + Disadvantages (Renewable)
UK has high rainfall + water movement, so HEP is an infinite and sustainable energy source
Creates water reserves and energy supplies
Independent production of energy, reduces reliance on imports of fuel
Pump-storage dams allow power storage- water pumped to upper reservoir (low price)
Water released to lower reservoir (high price) when water is stored for future use
HEP installations are costly to build
Sites in rural areas far from areas of high demand, electricity lost moving to high demand areas
Standard stations dam the river to create capacity, but floods land, env. consequences
Dams have ecological impacts on local hydrology + ecosystems
Run-of-river power stations rely on flowing water, power lost in spate potential
Changes in demand for energy- developed countries
Increased vehicle ownership (2+), increase demand for petrol
Improved cavity wall insulation in housing, decreases heat loss, less heating required
Gov. initiatives- eg. “cycle to work” schemes, people leave cars at home (subsidises cost of bike purchase)
Increased electronic device ownership like tablets (changing technology + affordability)
Building of larger homes, more energy use and demand, central heating
Changes in demand for energy- developing countries
Pop. growth greater in developing countries, increased demand for electricity (lighting)
Consumer demand for appliances like TVs, less energy efficient to developed countries
Increased vehicle ownership, increase demand for petrol
Energy required to produce fertilisers and pesticides (increased food production)
Increase passenger air travel, construction of lost of airport terminals + airplanes
Global energy distribution
Kuwait- generates electricity from fossil fuels (massive reserves of oil and gas)
Paraguay- sub tropical climate, lots of water for HEP
Denmark- large coasts allowing uninterrupted wind flow + is wealthy, invest in wind turbines
Kenya- close to equator, larger amount of sunshine to generate solar energy
New Zealand- lots of energy from renewable like Geothermal (on active plate margin)
France- limited fossil fuel reserves, invested in nuclear, safe to have power stations (stable country)
