Challenges In The Human Environment - Energy Flashcards
Reasons for increasing energy consumption
Growing demand for industry (factories), transport and domestic goods
Some regions have more resources (e.g. coal, oil and gas)
Some areas produce their own electricity
Factors affecting supply of energy
Cost of exploitation and production - (e.g. oil rigs = huge investment)
Physical factors - geology, as fossil fuels are formed underground
Political factors - may not want to get supply from Russia
Technology - (e.g. fracking)
Climate - amount of wind and sun impact solar and wind energy
Economic impacts of gas and oil exploitation in the Arctic
Long distances and limited transportation increases transport cost
People demand higher wages to work there
Drilling equipment may sink during the summer thaw
The north of the Arctic Circle is claimed by 8 countries so issues may develop
Special equipment is needed to withstand the extreme temperatures
Environmental impacts of gas and oil exploitation in the Arctic
Strict controls are needed to prevent damage to the land
Special equipment is needed to withstand the extreme temperatures
Drilling equipment may sink during the summer thaw
Ways to increase energy supply - biomass
Energy produced from burning organic matter
However, creates CO2 and land could be used to grow crops
Ways to increase energy supply - wind
Energy produced from turbines on land or at sea - met 10% of the UK’s energy demand in 2014
However, eyesore for locals and unreliable
Ways to increase energy supply - hydro
Energy produced by large-scale dams - contributes to 85% of global renewable energy
However, it is expensive and causes noise pollution
Ways to increase energy supply - tidal
Energy is produced by turbines built in dams across river estuaries using rising and falling tides to generate electricity
However, it is expensive and has environmental concerns
Ways to increase energy supply - geothermal
Energy is produced by water that is heated to turn a turbine
However, it is limited to countries which are tectonically active
Ways to increase energy supply - wave
Energy is produced by waves being forced into a chamber, which turns a turbine, powering a generator
However, it is expensive and there are environmental concerns
Ways to increase energy supply - solar
Energy is produced by photovoltaic cells mounted onto solar panels, converting sunlight into electricity
Advantages of extracting + transporting gas by pipeline
Cleanest of the fossil fuels (45% less CO2 emissions)
Less risk of environmental accidents than oil
Jobs for 1.2 million people
Can be transported in a variety of ways
Provides electricity during peak demand periods, unlike nuclear and hydroelectric
Disadvantages of extracting + transporting gas by pipeline
Some gas reserves are in politically unstable counties
Expensive to build and maintain
Contributes to global warming (CO2 + CH4)
Fracking is controversial, lots of water needed, minor earthquakes and contamination of groundwater
Sustainable energy supply
Balancing energy demand and supply, but also reducing waste and inefficiency
Sustainable energy developments in Malmö, Sweden
All 1000 buildings in the district use 100% renewable energy
Energy comes from photovoltaic panels on the rooftop of houses
Solar tubes on the outside of buildings produces hot water to be used in winter#
Cyclists have priority on crossroads
Frequent buses and taxis offer public transport
From 2019 all buses will run on a mixture of biogas and natural gas
Creation of green spaces and rooftop gardens
Facts about Chambamontera, Peru
An isolated community in the Andes Mountains of Peru
Nearest town is nearly 2 hours away
Chambamontera micro-hydro electricity scheme
Supported by the charity Practical Action
Energy is produced from falling water (e.g. from steep sided mountain rivers)
Cost $51000, but investment from the government and Japan reduced the price to $750 per family
Advantages of the Chambamontera micro-hydro electricity scheme
Social -
Healthcare has improved as medicine can be stored in fridges, improved school facilities
Economic -
Business development is possible, reduction in rural-urban migration = population increase
Environmental -
Regulating the flow of water has reduced the risk of flooding
