4. Global Patterns Of Production, Consumption And Trade - Energy

Question 1

How much is energy demand set to increase by 2040?

Answer 1

37%

Question 2

Describe the ‘Energy Trilemma diagram’

Answer 2

The model combines 3 key components:
1. Energy security (a reliable and sufficient supply of energy to meet current and future needs)
2. Environmental sustainability (the responsible management of natural resources without compromising future needs)
3. Energy equity (ensuring everyone has access to reliable and affordable energy services)
- when these elements are balanced, prosperity and competitiveness between individual countries is enabled.

Question 3

What are the factors that influence the size and direction of trade flows?

Answer 3

1. The ability of an area to secure its own internal energy sources (e.g opening up the North Sea for Uk oil exploration licenses)
2. Investment decisions by global energy TNCs (BP in the Arctic)
3. Cost of extraction and transportation

Question 4

How many people have no electricity and depend entirely on fuelwood?

Answer 4

1 billion people in poor countries

Question 5

What percentage of fossil fuel reserves do developed countries consume?

Answer 5

70%

Question 6

Explain the concept of load shedding.

Question 7

Describe global patterns of energy production

Answer 7

1. Countries like South Sudan and Angola have given their rights over to TNCs to increase production of gas and oil
2. Increases in oil and gas prices have led to unconventional resource production (shale oil and gas)

Question 8

Describe global patterns of coal production

Answer 8

1. China produces nearly 5 times the amount of coal as the 2nd top producer (USA)
2. USA has the greatest capacity of proven recoverable coal reserves

Question 9

Describe global patterns of oil production

Answer 9

1. 70% comes from Middle East, North America and Russia
2. The USA has become the top producer by exploiting unconventional sources (e.g fracking and tar sands)
3. Saudi Arabia have the highest oil security (over 250 thousand million barrels)

Question 10

Describe global patterns of gas production.

Answer 10

1. 22% of global energy mix
2. Largest gas reserves are found in Russia
3. In 2017, the USA was the top natural gas producer (642 Mtoes)

Question 11

Describe global patterns of nuclear energy production.

Answer 11

1. France relies on nuclear energy for 75% of its energy mix (the USA and France produce the most electricity from the nuclear fission of uranium)
2. China plans to majorly increase its nuclear energy capacity

Question 12

Describe global patterns of renewable energy production.

Answer 12

1. Fastest growing type of energy production, accounting for 18% of the world energy mix
2. China has the highest total renewable energy capacity in the world (545 GW) mostly from HEP
3. 40% of renewables is from LICs using fuelwood

Question 13

Describe global patterns of oil consumption

Answer 13

1. USA is the largest oil consumer
2. Oil consumption has declined as it has been displaced by natural gas and nuclear for electricity production
3. Accounts for 90% of energy consumed in the transport sector

Question 14

Describe global patterns of natural gas consumption

Answer 14

1. Gas consumption has tripled over the past 40 years (e.g due to the development of long gas pipeline connections)
2. Accounts for 1/5th of global energy consumption

Question 15

Describe global patterns of coal consumption.

Answer 15

1. China, USA, India and Russia account for 75% of global coal consumption

Question 16

Describe global patterns of coal trade.

Answer 16

1. China produces 46% of global coal and consumes 57% of their own production
2. USA produces 12% of global coal and consumes 92% of their own production

Question 17

Describe global patterns of oil trade

Answer 17

• Crude oil trade is dominated by Middle Eastern countries who trade with China, Europe and North America
• Russia trades with Europe, Asia and Oceania

Question 18

Describe global patterns of gas trade.

Answer 18

1. Middle Eastern natural gas exports have increased by 223% from 2004-2014
2. South and Central American exports have increased by 79% from 2004-2014

Question 19

Why patterns of production have emerged as reserves of fossil fuels in richer countries have gone past peak production?

Answer 19

• More exploration and production of oil and gas reserves in less developed countries where governments have given exploration rights to TNCs
• Increased development of unconventional resources

Question 20

Why has energy consumption in high-income countries stabilised?

Answer 20

• More energy conservation
• More energy efficient technologies
• Fewer energy intensive industries

Question 21

Why might energy consumption increase in developed countries?

Answer 21

• High standards of living demand more electrical and electronic devices
• High rates of vehicle use

Question 22

Why has energy consumption in developing and emerging economies increased?

Answer 22

• Rapid industrialisation
• Urbanisation
• Rising incomes

Question 23

Why has natural gas consumption increased?

Answer 23

• Development of long gas pipeline connections
• Development of liquefied natural gas plants
• It is less pollutive than other sources (more environmentally ethical energy source)