7.1 Energy choices and security

Question 1

What is the definition of “renewable”?

Answer 1

“Sustainable, no depletion of natural capital”

Question 2

What is the definition of “energy security”?

Answer 2

Energy security is having an adequate, reliable and affordable supply of energy that provides a degree of independence

Question 3

What is “energy efficiency”?

Answer 3

Attempts to improve products and services so less energy required for them to function
eg. LED lights

Question 4

What is “energy conservation”?

Answer 4

Efforts to reduce energy consumption
eg. extra clothing and turning heating down

Question 5

How is “biomass/biofuel” used as an energy resource?

Answer 5

Biomass is produced from organic matter. Biofuel is fuel produced from renewable biological resources such as plant biomass.
These are burned to generate electricity.

Question 6

How is “tidal and wave” energy generated?

Answer 6

Large turbines are placed under water where there are strong tides. The turbines spin as the water moves, transforming kinetic energy into electrical energy.

Question 7

How is “wind” energy generated?

Answer 7

Turbines are spun by the wind,
the rotor (connected to the main shaft), spins around, generating electricity.

Question 8

How is “solar” energy generated?

Answer 8

Solar panels are made up of photovoltaic (PV) cells, which convert sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity throughout the day.

Question 9

How are “fossil fuels” used as an energy resource?

Answer 9

Formed from the remains of living organisms over the course of millions of years. Burned to release heat energy.

Question 10

How are “fossil fuels” used as an energy resource?

Answer 10

Formed from the remains of living organisms over the course of millions of years. Burned to release heat energy.

Question 11

How is “nuclear” energy generated?

Answer 11

Nuclear energy refers to the energy holding together the nuclei of atoms. Fissionable material (eg. uranium) have unstable radioactive isotopes. These emit energy until stable.
When these two are brought together the chain reaction is initiated, splitting atoms releasing tremendous amounts of energy.

Question 12

How is “HEP/ Hydroelectric power” generated?

Answer 12

Derived from the movement of the water (water has a mass). When it moves the kinetic energy is harnessed.
–> a power plant is installed in an area with flowing water
(eg. a dam)

Question 13

How is “geothermal” energy generated?

Answer 13

Energy from inside the earth that is either collected by drilling a hole into the ground or reaches the earths surface as it heats groundwater which leaks through fractures.

Question 14

What are some advantages and disadvantages of “biomass/biofuel”?

Answer 14

+ widely available
+ Less expensive than fossil fuels
+ Less garbage in landfills
- Not as efficient as fossil fuels
- Can lead to deforestation
- It is not entirely clean

Question 15

What are some advantages and disadvantages of “tidal wave” energy?

Answer 15

+ Renewable and clean energy source
+ No gas emissions
+ These have a long lifespan (60y)
- Disrupts natural movement of fish
- High costs of development
- Causes noise and visual pollution

Question 16

What are some advantages and disadvantages of “wind” energy?

Answer 16

+ Wind is free
+ No finite resources used
+ Quite cheap and easy to build
+ Good for remote areas
- Wind speed is inconsistent
- Visual impact
–> many people dont want them near their house
- Noise pollution
- Kill or injure migrating birds

Question 17

What are some advantages and disadvantages of “solar” energy?

Answer 17

+ renewable energy source
+ requires little maintenance
+ easy installation
+ can be used in remote locations
- Expensive
- Each unit of electricity costs as 4-10 times as much as fossil fuels would
- access to sunlight may be limited at times
- rare materials needed in the production

Question 18

What are some advantages and disadvantages of “fossil fuels”?

Answer 18

+ Able to generate huge amounts of electricity
+ Easy to transport and store
+ Fossil fuels can sometimes be very easy to find
- Price of oil has increased a lot over the past decade
- Non-renewable
–> takes millions of years to form
- Burning coal releases carbon dioxide
- Mining for coal results in destruction of land

Question 19

What are some advantages and disadvantages of “nuclear” energy?

Answer 19

+ does not emit CO2
+ Technology is readily available
+ Produces massive amounts of energy
+ Very efficient
- very dangerous (radioactive) waste product
- A nuclear power plant wont ever be 100% secure, failure can cause catastrophic damages
- Uranium is scarce and non-renewable

Question 20

What are some advantages and disadvantages of “HEP/ Hydroelectric” energy?

Answer 20

+ Minimal pollution
+ Water to run power plant is provided free by nature
+ Relatively low operations and management costs
+ Can help control flooding
- High investment cost
- Can lead to inundation of land and wildlife
- Habitat is lost
- Fish passage restriction
- potentially change stream water quality

Question 21

What are some advantages and disadvantages of “geothermal” energy?

Answer 21

+ Cheap to operate
+ Reliable supply in some areas
- High original cost as drilling can be very expensive
- Some poisonous gases may be released

Question 22

What are some factors that could affect the choice of energy?

Answer 22

• Availability
• Economic
• Cultural
• Environmental
• Technological

Question 23

How does “availability” affect the choice of energy?

Answer 23

Resources within or near to a country are better than those further away. The choice of what energy source should be used is different to countries. Some have large oil, coal and gas reserves. That makes fossil fuels an obvious choice for an energy source. The generation of energy also depends on its availability, economy, cultural, environmental and technological factors. When an energy resource is available and close, it is easier and efficient to use.

Question 24

How do “economics” affect the choice of energy?

Answer 24

If an energy source is more expensive than others, it would reduce the likelihood of it been chosen. Globally, renewable energy sources are not used as much. These resources are still not ready to meet current demands. Renewable sources can be used more if the production prices of the non-renewable sources are increased. This may better the environment as higher costs of the fossil fuels means that peoples view will change. Peoples interest in renewable resources has led to an increased demand for renewable and non-pollution sources. This leads to a greater investment and research into more alternatives or improvements.

Question 25

How does “culture” affect the choice of energy?

Answer 25

Culture fears based on the fear of nuclear accidents and waste, have made it quite unpopular to choose. Cultural and tradition means that non-renewable resources are favored, and the places with renewable energy resources are limited.

Question 26

How does the “environment” affect the choice of energy?

Answer 26

If an energy source is harmful to the environment, some societies might not choose it. e.g Chernobyl disaster would cause USSR unlikely to choose nuclear energy.

Question 27

How does “technology” affect the choice of energy?

Answer 27

Higher technology may require expensive training of the workforce