6.4 Flashcards
Primary Energy Sources
Those consumed in their raw form
e.g fossil fuels
Secondary Energy Sources
Primary sources can be used to generate electricity, which is a secondary source
Domestic Energy Sources
Energy produced by country
Foreign (overseas) Energy Sources
Energy produced outside country
Renewable Energy Sources
Continuous flows of nature which can be reused
Non-Renewable Energy Sources
Finite energy sources
Recyclable Resources
Resources which can be re-processed to re-make the product again
Energy Mix
Refers to combination of various primary energy sources
Energy Security
Being able to access reliable and affordable energy sources
domestic and from friendly countries
Energy Insecurity
Where countries have an interrupted supply of energy or cannot afford to provide energy
Energy Pathway
Route taken, by any form of energy, from its source to point of consumption
Routes involve different forms of transport, such as pipeline and tanker ships
Chokepoints
Narrow sea channel or convergence where key transport routes can easily be disrupted
e.g 20% of world’s oil passes through Strait of Hormuz
What happens if chokepoints are threatened or blocked
Even temporarily, energy prices can rise quickly
What can cause disruptions to energy pathways
- militant action
- natural hazards
- political hazards
What can cause disruptions to energy pathways: natural hazards
2013
During stormy winter, UK gas reserves fell to 6hrs worth as storm damage paralysed an import pipeline
What can cause disruptions to energy pathways: militant action
Trans Forcados, Efurun-Otor and Escravos pipelines in Nigeria were bombed in 2016 by militants
Resulted in a loss of 300,000 barrels of crude oil a day
Who are OPEC
Permanent IGO
Members are countries where oil is their main, or only export
OPEC producers control 81% of proven world oil reserves
OPEC Role
Coordinate and unify petroleum policies of its members ensuring stable oil market to secure:
- regular supply of petroleum to consumers
- steady income for producers
- fair returns for those investing in industry
Examples of OPEC work
In the past, set oil production quotas to respond to economic condition
Boosting supplies when demand fell and vice versa
TNC role in energy
explore, exploit and distribute energy resources
They respond to market conditions to secure profits for shareholders
TNC in energy example
BP and Shell
Energy Players
- TNCs
- OPEC
- National Gov
National gov role in energy
Regulating role of private companies and setting environmental priorities
Meeting international obligations, whilst supply sustainable energy for nation and supporting country’s economic growth
National gov role in energy example
EU gov aim to fulfil CO2 emissions target and reduce fossil fuel dependency
What Affects Consumption of Energy
- Physical availability
- Cost
- Climate
What Affects Consumption of Energy: Physical Availability
Are energy recourses available within country or do they have to be imported?
If latter then transport costs add to overall cost of energy to consumer
What Affects Consumption of Energy: Cost/Economic Development
- Physical Exploitation (Tech)
- Processing (converting primary to secondary resources)
- Delivery to the consumer (transport)
What Affects Consumption of Energy: Environmental Priorities
Concern for environment
What can cause disruptions to energy pathways: political hazards
In recent decades, oil and gas been frequent root of international tension and proxy wars have been common
e.g Ongoing Syrian conflict has involved superpowers and their allies during 2010s:
one side, Russia and its Shia non-fundamentalist allies
other, USA and its fundamentalist Sunni allies
