Carbon cycle EQ2 Flashcards
consumption
what you use
energy security
having affordable and reliable access to energy
enery mix
the combination of energy
- primary
- secondary
- domestic
- foreign
- renewable
- non-renerable
long term energy security
mainly deals with timely investments to supply energy in lin ewith economic developments and environmental needs
short term energy security
focuses on the ability of the energy system to react promptly to sudden changes in the balance between energy demand and supply
USA vs France
- rank 2nd and 10th in league table for energy use
- difference largely depends on population
- USA (fossil fuels)
- France (fossil fuels, nuclear energy)
primary supply in USA
35% natural gas
34.6% oil
primary supply in France
41.6% nuclear
42.27.8% oil
factors affecting access to and consumption of energy resources
- physical availability
- cost
- technology
- political considerations
- public perceptions
- level of economic development
- envrionmental priorities
physical availability
factors affecting access to and consumption of energy resources
- urban areas have energy infrastructure that allows for a constant supply but rural areas have intermittant energy supply
- physical landscapes can make a place more suited to the production of certain energy
cost
factors affecting access to and consumption of energy resources
- limited supply of non-renewable energy sources globally becomes increasingly difficult to reach and more costly to extract
- cost of building new energy infrastructure
technology
factors affecting access to and consumption of energy resources
- new tech is expensive
- carbon capture and storage leads to new ways of forming energy
- new drilling tech being developed
political considerations
factors affecting access to and consumption of energy resources
- privatisation of UK’s energy supply industry in 1980 means overseas companies decide which energy sources are used to meet UK demand
- taxes paid into the government from the scale of fossil fuels boost the standard of living through government spending
public perceptions
factors affecting access to and consumption of energy resources
- some energy sources (nuclear) are seen as more dangerous than others
- lifestyle can impact individual energy needs
level of economic development
factors affecting access to and consumption of energy resources
- some poor countries have energy but cant afford to extract it
- more disposable income means more consumption
environmental priorities
factors affecting access to and consumption of energy resources
Many governments have a duty to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels as oart of a broader international agreement to reduce emmissions
percentage of total trading oil 2014 Russia - Europe
10.63
energy pathways
describe ways energy is transported for example oil pipelines, transmission lines and shipping routes
disruption to energy pathways
- energy pathways vulnerable to conflict eg pirates of Somalia
- pipelines can become ruptured by extreme temps and earthquakes
What role does Russia play in Europe’s natural gas supply?
Russia is a major supplier of natural gas to Europe, producing 27 million terajoules (TJ) annually, with 5.5 million TJ reaching Western Europe through several large pipelines.
What geopolitical challenges arise from Russian gas pipelines?
The pipelines pass through the borders of several countries, causing conflicts. Consumer countries must maintain good geopolitical relationships with Russia to ensure supply.
What happened in 2009 regarding Russian gas supply and Ukraine?
Ukraine was accused of not paying its debt for gas, leading to a gas shutdown. This threatened the gas supply to southeast Europe, as pipelines pass through Ukraine.
How did the 2022 conflict between Russia and Ukraine impact geopolitics?
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 escalated tensions, significantly affecting geopolitical relationships and energy security.
What is hydraulic fracturing (fracking)?
Fracking is a process where high-pressure fluid is pumped into rock to crack it and release natural gas. It is controversial due to risks like water contamination.
What are tar sands, and how are they used?
Tar sands are sediment containing bitumen (low-grade oil). Extracting one barrel of oil requires two tonnes of tar sand, causing large-scale environmental impacts, e.g., in Canada.
What is oil shale, and how is it processed?
Oil shale is rock that releases shale oil when heated and placed under pressure.
Where is deep-water oil found, and what is an example of its use?
Deep-water oil is found under the ocean floor, with rigs in places like Brazil enabling extraction.
What are the environmental costs of unconventional fossil fuels?
- Increased CO2 emissions affecting the carbon cycle.
- Land degradation and scarring from tar sand and oil shale mining.
- Risk of water source contamination and oil spills harming ecosystems.
…….
What are the social and economic costs of unconventional fossil fuels?
- Health risks, e.g., air and water pollution.
- Displacement of people and local tensions due to stakeholder disagreements.
What are the benefits of unconventional fossil fuels?
- Increased energy security.
- Large-scale employment opportunities.
- Revenue from oil increasing national income for social services.
what happens in nuclear fusion
Energy is released when two atomic nuclei join.
advantages of nuclear fusion
Clean energy source.
challenges of nuclear fusion
- Currently far from practical reality.
- Requires significant funding and collaboration between countries for research and development.
- Risks related to safety, security, and long decay life for radioactive waste.
- Complex technology.
limitations of electrical vehicles
- Short range; requires further development.
- Few public charging points available.
- Best suited for urban areas.
- Expensive.
concerns with electrical vehicles
Environmental impact depends on the electricity source.
advantages of electric vehicles
- Significantly reduces air pollution, especially in cities.
- Reduces reliance on imported oils.
- Advancements in technology could make them more accessible.
uses of hydrogen fuel cells
Could replace petrol for transport or natural gas for heating.
advantages of hydrogen fuel cells
- Only waste product is water.
- Can combine hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity.
- Potential source of heat and power for buildings and electric vehicles.
challenges of hydrogwn fuel cells
- Requires large amounts of energy to separate hydrogen from other compounds, which is currently difficult.
- Expensive and complex technology.
What does carbon capture/storage do
Collects CO₂ from fixed points (e.g., power plants) and compresses it for storage 800m underground.
uses of carbon capture/storage
Can be combined with bioenergy.
advantages of carbon capture/storage
Clean process.
challenges of carbon capture/storage
- Expensive due to the complex technology involved.
- Uncertainty about whether stored carbon will remain underground or leak.
- High priority in global climate strategies.
global importance of biofuels
Recognized as a key energy source for small-scale operations, especially in developing countries.
concerns of biofuels
Potential effects on:
* Carbon fluxes.
* Food security (less land for food crops).
* Water resources.
* Conservation/deforestation.
* Livelihoods (farmers may lose profitable land).
common biofuel examples
Wheat, maize, grasses, soybeans, and sugarcane are widely grown and used for vehicle fuel.
Brazil examle, biofuels
- 90% of new passenger vehicles are flex-fuel.
- Large sugarcane plantations used to produce ethanol.
- Displacement of cattle and deforestation for sugarcane cultivation reduces environmental benefits.
wind turbine
use wind energy to generate electricity, either on land or at sea, often in large wind farms
- no greenhouse emmissions once they have been built
reasons for wind energy
- stronger and more consistent wind
- reduced land use
- less visual and noise impact
- larger turbines
Reasons against wind energy
- wave action and high winds can damage wind turbines
- high initial costs
- difficult maintenance
- environmental concerns
The Dogger Bank Wind Farm
- wind power ocntributed to 25% of the UKs electricity in 2023
- subsidies have driven government investment
Where was Brazilian deep-water oil discovered, and why is it challenging to extract?
Discovered off the South Brazilian coast in the Santos Basin.
Extraction is challenging because:
* Located 270 km offshore.
* Found 2 km below the seabed.
* Requires complex and costly drilling and platform setups.
What are the economic impacts of Brazilian deep-water oil extraction?
- More expensive than shallow-water drilling.
- Increases oil costs for consumers due to the need for long pipelines.
Where in the USA is fracking prominent, and what are its environmental impacts?
Locations: Texas and Colorado.
Impacts:
* In 2014, 3 billion gallons of wastewater were created, leading to contamination.
* Methane release contributes to air pollution.
* Large areas of vegetation are removed, disrupting wildlife habitats.
What are the economic and social impacts of Canadian tar sands?
- Location: Alberta, mined since 1967.
- Economic:
Only viable when oil prices are high (expensive to produce).
Created 400,000 jobs for locals. - Social:
Indigenous communities forced out of their homes.
What are the key strategies to reduce reliance on fossil fuels?
- government action
- international cooperation
- environmental focus
- infrastructure improvements
- energy reduction
