7.1 energy choices and security Flashcards
1
Q
global energy consumption has increased with
A
- growth of population
- industrial development
- increased standard of living
2
Q
pros of fossil fuels
A
- infrastructure set up in most countries
- high energy content
- cheap
- abundant
3
Q
cons of fossil fuels
A
- finite resource, unsustainable
- extraction, destroys habitats, reduces biodiversity
- transport produces emissions of carbon dioxide, NOxs and particulates
- combustion of fossil fuels produces GHGs, air pollutants, precursors of photochemical smog and acid deposition
- power plants, large amount of water, competition for other uses, bad for aquatic ecosystems
4
Q
coal
A
- most abundant fossil fuel
- obtained from mines
- mining dangerous for human health, contaminate aquatic systems with toxic metals
5
Q
oil
A
- pumped from underground reservoirs
- drilling, pollute underground aquifers
- transport, accidental spills, marine life
- builds road, fuel for vehicles, plastic, fertilizer
- less CO2 emissions than coal but more than natural gas
6
Q
natural gas
A
- hard to detect leaks, odourless, colorless, tasteless
- hydrogen sulphide added to aid leak detection
- less harmful emissions than coal or oil
- fracking, contaminate groundwater, pollute surface water, seismic activity
7
Q
nuclear power
A
- nuclear fission, heat
- heat, water into steam
- steam to a turbine rotating generating electricity
- contamination of groundwater
- dispersal of radioactive materials, human activity, geological change
- nuclear accidents, chernobyl, fukushima
8
Q
pros of nuclear power
A
- no carbon dioxide emissions
- less deaths compared to fossil fuels
9
Q
cons of nuclear power
A
- nuclear radioactive waste, last thousands of years
- risk of nuclear accidents
- radioactive material from power stations to produce nuclear weapons
- expensive to build and decommission
10
Q
pros of renewable energy
A
- improve local air quality
- reduced GHG emissions
- increasing costs of fossil fuels
- better efficiency of renewables
- government support
- helps meet international targets
11
Q
solar power
A
- solar thermal panels, heat water and buildings
- photovoltaic panels, convert sunlight into electrical energy
- 10-20% efficiency
- production and installation high, running low
- no emissions once set up
12
Q
pros of solar power
A
- remote areas
- low running cost, free sunlight
- no pollutants once operational
- sustainable, renewable and reliable
- silent
13
Q
cons of solar power
A
- needs sunlight, varies regionally seasonally, weather dependent
- high initial cost
- production of solar panels produces pollution
- no electricity at night, needs to be stored
14
Q
wind power
A
- wind turbines move, produce electricity
15
Q
pros of wind power
A
- renewable(inexhaustible), sustainable
- abundant supply
- used in remote areas
- once set up no air pollutants
- low cost to operate
16
Q
cons of wind power
A
- wind dependent
- noise pollution
- aesthetically displeasing
- kil flying animals and impact migratory patterns
- high initial costs
- needs storing
17
Q
hydropower
A
- most used source of renewable energy
- flowing water drives turbines connected to a generator, converts mechanical energy into electrical
- dams to increase amount of power
18
Q
pros of hydropower
A
- low running cost
- sustainable
- increase water resources, reduce risk of flooding
- ecosystem for fisheries, recreation opportunities
- no air pollutants
19
Q
cons of hydropower
A
- high initial cost
- dam construction, displacement of people, loss of habitat and species biodiversity, siltation, disruption of migration for river organisms
20
Q
geothermal power
A
- energy from interior of earth, hot springs and geysers
- heat buildings, generate electricity
21
Q
pros of geothermal power
A
- cheap
- low emissions
- reliable
- sustainable
22
Q
cons of geothermal power
A
- high initial cost, drilling
- poisionous gasses can be released
- limited to areas near volcanic activity
23
Q
energy security
A
- uninterrupted availability of energy sources at an affordable price
24
Q
energy security depends on
A
- supply of energy that matches demand
- reliable and affordable supply
25
Q
threats to energy security
A
- conflict
- disasters
- exhaustion of a resource
26
Q
reducing threats to energy security
A
- self sufficient energy supply
- diversifying sources of energy
- reducing demand
27
Q
USA
energy security
A
- uses large amount of fossil fuels and imports it
reduce reliance on other countries
- increasing production levels of fossil fuels
- including renewables to diversify
- increasing energy efficiency in vehicles
- increase energy conservation
- nuclear power
28
Q
factors impacting energy choices
availability
A
- location, some countries have more access to one type
- topography, hills-wind, rivers- hyrdo
29
Q
factors impacting energy choices
sustainability
A
- investing long term in renewables
30
Q
factors impacting energy choices
scientific/technoloigical development
A
- increasing affordable alternative energy choices
31
Q
factors impacting energy choices
cultural attitudes
A
- more nature centered value system vs more technologically centered
32
Q
factors impacting energy choices
politics
A
- some governments improve long term energy security, others reflect current viewpoints
33
Q
factors impacting energy choices
economics
A
- affordable to all people
- economic wealth of a country
34
Q
factors impacting energy choices
environmental impact
A
- reduce GHGs for future
