3.3 d Future of Energy

Question 1

What is the Kyoto Protocol?

Answer 1

1997 - proposed international emissions control to reduce greenhouse gases, 182 countries.

Question 2

What are some problems with the Kyoto Protocol?

Answer 2

1. USA (world’s 2nd largest polluter) has not signed.
2. Developing countries like China need to pollute to develop
3. Emissions trading allows large polluters to pollute more by buying carbon credits

Question 3

What are green taxes?

Answer 3

Taxation measures payed by consumers to be invested in cutting the use of natural resources.
e.g. Vehicle Excise Duties tax - UK

Question 4

What are some advantages of using off-shore wind turbines?

Answer 4

Higher wind speeds off shore
Less visible / less noise
But costs %50 more than building on land

Question 5

What are some disadvantages of using off-shore wind turbines?

Answer 5

Very expensive
Difficult to repair
Damage the marine ecosystem
Wind is not always reliable

Question 6

What are some advantages of carbon capture and storage (CCS) ?

Answer 6

Reduces CO2 levels in the atmosphere without reducing energy consumption
Provides jobs

Question 7

What are some disadvantages of carbon capture and storage (CCS) ?

Answer 7

Very expensive

Further research needed - difficult to capture CO2

Question 8

What are some advantages to using geothermal energy?

Answer 8

No cost fluctuations determined by gas and oil prices.
Renewable
Not weather dependent
very small carbon footprint

Question 9

What are some disadvantages of geothermal energy?

Answer 9

High upfront costs
Electricity is still needed to operate heat pumps
Require a lot of water to work

Question 10

What is geothermal energy?

Answer 10

Energy derived from the heat of the earth - used to turn water into steam allowing the steam to turn turbines that produce electricity

Question 11

How much of the UK’s energy was made by renewable sources in 2013?

Answer 11

14%