Carbon cycle EQ2 Flashcards
What are the energy consumption patterns in the world?
The world average use of energy per capita increased by 17.5% between 2000 and 2014. It is highest in developed countries (USA 6956kg of oil equivalent per capita in 2014). It is lowest in developing countries (DR Congo 390kg oe/c in 2014).
In terms of GDP wealth (PPP) generated per unit of energy, what are the trends?
The world average shows an increasing efficiency of about 22% between 2000 and 2014. In terms of country type, there is a mixed world pattern in country type, but generally developed and economically emerging countries have high efficiency and are improving the most. UK + 57% between 2000 and 2014; USA and Japan about +30%. Developing countries have lower efficiency and have only improved a little (DR Congo and Argentina about +4% between 2000 and 2014).
What is energy security?
Energy security is achieved when there is an uninterrupted availability of energy at a national level and at an affordable price.
What are the four key aspects of energy security?
- Availability
- Accessibility
- Affordability
- Reliability
The importance of energy security stems from the fact that energy is vital to the functioning of a country. How?
- Powers most forms of transport
- Lights settlements
- Is used by some types of commercial agriculture
- Warms or cools homes and powers domestic appliances.
- Is vital to modern communications
- Drives most forms of manufacturing.
What is the energy mix?
The energy mix is the combination of different energy sources used to meet a country’s total energy consumption. It’s an important part of energy security and varies from country to country.
The energy mix is the combination of different energy sources available to meet a country’s total energy demand.
What is primary energy?
Primary energy is any form of energy found in nature that has not been subject to any conversion or transformation.
Primary energy can be renewable (water and wind power) or non-renewable (coal, oil and gas).
What is secondary energy?
Secondary energy refers to the more convenient forms of energy, such as electricity, which are derived from the transformation or conversion of primary energy sources.
Most energy today is consumed in the form of what?
Electricity
What are the main primary energy sources used to generate electricity?
- Non-renewable fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and natural gas.
- Recyclable fuels, such as nuclear energy, general waste and biomass.
- Renewable energies, such as water, wind, solar, geothermal and tidal.
What are the trends of the energy mix in different countries?
Oil use is slowing (-61% by 2040), coal is being replaced (-72% by 2040), nuclear is uncertain, renewables are growing (+95% by 2040) as costs decline, and electrical energy use is increasing.
The consumption of energy is measured in what two ways?
In per capita terms. In general, this measure rises with economic development.
By a measure known as energy intensity, which is assessed by calculating the units of energy per unit of GDP.
What are some of the factors affecting per capita energy consumption?
- Physical availability
- Cost
- Standard of living
- Environmental priorities
- Climate
- Public perceptions
- Economic development
- Technology
How do public perceptions affect per capita energy consumption?
Public perceptions of, or attitudes towards, energy differ. For some consumers, energy is perceived almost as a human right and there to be used with little or no regard for the environmental consequences.
Others give priority to minimising the wastage of energy and maximising sustainability.
How does climate affect per capita energy consumption?
Climate is a very significant factor. Very high levels of consumption in North America, the Middle East and Australia reflect the extra energy needed to make the extremes of heat and cold more comfortable - in the home, at work and in public places.
How do environmental priorities of governments affect per capita energy consumption?
For some, the energy policy will be one of taking the cheapest route to meeting the nation’s energy demands, regardless of the environmental costs.
Others will seek to increase their reliance on renewable sources of energy; while still others will have in place policies that raise energy efficiency and energy saving.
How has the energy mix changed?
- 1820 - 20 mainly biofuels (amount of biofuels remains constant until it rises slightly in the latter half of the 20th century). A very small amount of coal.
1900 - 50 exajoules - 30 coal, 20 biofuels.
1920 - 60 exajoules. Now some oil and tiny amounts of hydropower.
A rapid increase takes place from 1940.
1960 - 120 exajoules. about 40 of which is oil. Small amounts of natural gas are now being used.
1980 - 330 exajoules, increase in hydropower (about 10) and natural gas now at about 50 exajoules. Introduction of nuclear power.
2010 - 540 exajoules. About 40 biofuels, 150 coal, 190 oil, 110 natural gas, 20 hydro and 20 nuclear.
What is an energy pathway?
An energy pathway is the route taken by any form of energy from its source to its point of consumption. The routes involve different forms of transport, such as tanker ships, pipelines and electricity transmission grids.
What energy source did the UK used to mostly rely on?
Coal - the use of coal consumption has reduced overtime
What energy source do the UK depend on?
They depend on imported gas through vulnerable pipelines - Russia supplies 30% of EU gas. When North Sea production started to decline the UK became a net importer of Gas in 2004. (Used to rely on oil but now rely on gas)
How can energy resources be transported from their source areas to areas of demand?
- Pipeline overland.
- Bulk carrier ship.
- Tank ships.
- Underwater cables.
Who are are the key players in energy?
- TNCs
- OPEC
- National governments
- Consumers
How do TNCs play a role in energy?
TNCs control most oil and gas extraction, refining and distribution. These large companies are extremely powerful and have a major influence on political decisions e.g. links between US presidents and support of oil companies.
- 50% of the top companies are state-owned, and therefore under government control. Involved in a range of operations such as extracting, refining and transporting.
How do OPEC play a role in energy?
- Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries.
A consortium of 13 countries. Are responsible for 40% of the world’s oil production and hold the majority of the world’s oil reserves. They own 67% of the world’s oil. - They track the oil production of several other countries that contribute to the world’s crude-oil supplies and then adjust their own production to maintain their desired barrel price.
- However, are increasingly less influential as further oil reserves are discovered elsewhere e.g. the USA.
How do National governments play a role in energy?
They are guardians of national energy security and influence the sourcing of energy for geopolitical reasons.
Governments try to secure energy supplies for their country and regulate private companies’ roles. EU governments are trying to reduce CO2 emissions and reduce dependency on fossil fuels.
How do consumers play a role in energy?
As consumer flexibility is required to accommodate variable generation and peak loads. This implies that consumers become more flexible in their energy use and adopt technologies that facilitate greater reliance on renewable energy sources.
Consumers create demand with purchasing choices usually based on price. As a country becomes richer and more educated, the population can change their shopping habits to reflect their needs: locally sourced, environmentally friendly, reliable energy supply during winter and extreme weather.
- These are largely passive players in fixing energy prices.
