5. Energy Consumption

Question 1

18) What is the future of oil as fuel for transportation?

Answer 1

the Use of oil in passenger cars will peak in the late 2020s and then decline due to:

a) higher energy efficiency
b) switch to electric energy
c) The popularity of SUVs counterbalances fuel-saving policies

Question 2

19) What is Peak Oil?

Answer 2

Peak oil refers to the hypothetical point at which global crude oil production will hit its maximum rate, after which production will start to decline.

Question 3

20) Explain the future scenarios for different Energy resources.

Answer 3

1- Oil:
a) Oil production is at a “plateau”
b) Conventional oil is in decline
c) “Unconventional oil” is used to extend the plateau
2- Gas:
a) Production in Europe and N. America in decline
b) Russia most likely at a “plateau”
c) Potential for growth in the Middle East
d) “unconventional gas” production not easy to predict
3- Coal:
a) World coal reserves are estimated to be before their peak
b) Coal as an alternative to oil is questionable due to its severe environmental impacts
4- fossil fuels:
a) Total world fossil fuel supply is close to peak, driven by the peak of oil production.
b) Declining oil production in the coming years will create a rising gap which other fossil fuels
will be unable to compensate for.
5- Uranium:
a) The risk of a uranium supply gap for nuclear reactors within the present decade is high.
b) The energy contribution of nuclear fuels is too low in order to have any significant influence at global level

Question 4

Describe 3 ways to increase Efficiency of transportation

Answer 4

1- Avoid/reduce –> system efficiency (reduce/avoid travel or need to travel & organize land use) 2- Shift –> travel efficiency (more energy efficiency)
3- Improve –> vehicle efficiency (improve vehicle technology)