Comp 3 - Topic 9 Flashcards
Define renewable energy
It is renewable if it can be replenished on a very short timescale, they’re known as flow resources as the planet has endless amounts of them
Define non renewable enrgy
They cant be replenished quickly, they take millions of years to form. This means that they cant run out
Define recyclable energy
Sources are made from waste products or whose waste products can generate more electricity
What impacts does mining have on the environment?
- Surface mining can permanently scar the landscape
- habitats can be destroyed
- clearing forests affects the water cycle as there is less interception
- mining releases greenhouse gases
What are the impacts of drilling on the environment?
- onshore drilling requires lots of space and access roads.
- oil spills can cause major damage to the environment
- extracting natural gases can cause some to leak into the atmosphere
What are the impacts of wind energy on the environment?
- They take up a lot of space
- they cause noise pollution
- they can kill birds n’ stuff
What are the impacts of solar energy on the environment?
- Some solar farms use water to clean leading to a lack of water in the ecosystem.
- the heat reflected of mirrors can cause death to birds
- solar panels cause lots of pollution during production
How do HEP cause damage to the environment?
- floods land around it
- the river which the damn is built on is affected
- a build up in sediment behind the damn can block sunlight causing algae and animals to die
How does technology affect access to energy?
Some countries are unable to exploit their energy resources as the technology required is unavailable or too expensive.
How does geology affect a countries access to energy
Fossil fuels are found in sedimentary where impermeable rocks have trapped oil and gas in permeable rocks below. Countries without this wont have access to fossil fuels
How does accessibility affect a countries access to energy?
Some fuel is inaccessible, other resources are in restricted areas
How does climate affect a countries access to energy?
Solar panels require sun so are more useful in aunny areas
How does landscape affect a countries access to energy?
Wind turbines are best in windy areas, high up along the coast
Why do developed countries consume more energy and why do developing use less?
1) because they can afford it
2) economic development increases wealth so people can buy more things which use energy e.g cars and kitchen appliances.
3) developing countries consume less energy because they cant afford it
4) the majority of people in developing countries are poor and therefor cant afford to buy electrical appliances
5) industrialisation means more energy is consumed
What dies oil production rely on?
Infrastructure- a country needs the correct equipment and technology
Domestic demand- saudi arabia relies on oil to meet its own energy needs
Shrinking reserves- oil production in some places are slowing due to declining reserves
What 4 factors affect oil prices?
Conflicts- can disrupt oil production which leads to a decrease in production and therefore an increase in price
Diplomatic relations- oil prices may vary because of tensions between oil producing countries
Recessions- lower the demand for oil because industrial activities and economic growth slow down causing prices to fall
Economic booms- oil prices increase during periods of rapid economic growth because of increased consumption and demand
What are the economic benefits of exploiting oil and gas reserves? And the environmental problems which come as a result of this?
1) Countries with oil and gas reserves can save money by reducing energy imports
2) these countries can make money from exporting energy
3) they create jobs in te area
1) land has to be cleared for roads and pipes
2) oil leaks in the sea
3) vibrations from drills in sea can affect whales and dolphins echolocation
4) opening up areas of forest to roads increase air and ground pollution from vehicles
What is an unconventional energy reserve?
They are exploited using more expensive methods that need specialist technology to extract it
How does fracking negatively affect the environment?
1) The chemicals used in fracking liquid as well as the shale itself can pollute groundwater and drinking water.
2) land has to be cleared to build drilling pads which disrupts the environment and damages ecosystems
How does surface mining negatively affect the environment?
- vast amounts of space are needed
- processing tar sands produces liquids full of chemicals which can pollute the environment
What is energy conservation and energy efficiency?
Energy conservation- changing our behaviours in relation to energy
Energy efficiency- using energy efficient lightbulbs
How can energy be reduced in the home? And in transport?
1) insulation reduces energy needed to heat homes
2) modern boilers are more efficient and use less energy
3) solar panels can be fitted to roofs of homes
1) electric and hybrid vehicles
2) regenerative breaking, where energy lost to breaking is reused
3) engine manufactures are making more efficient engines
4) improving public transport
What are the advantages of reducing the use of fossil fuels?
- Reducing carbon footprint
1) burning fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases, a persons carbon footprint is the sum of greenhouse gases which they contribute to produce directly or indirectly by reducing things which use energy they can reduce carbon footprint. - Improving energy security
2) it means having a reliable, uninterrupted and affordable supply of energy and switching to renewable energy - Diversifying the energy mix
3) reduce reliance on fossil fuels, having a diverse mix reduces a countries reliance on fossil fuels. Incorporation renewables into the stream of energy will allow non renewables to last longer.
What are the costs and benefits of biofuels?
- Sources have to managed so that they don’t run out, growing biofuel crops reduces the space for food crops. Growing crops for biofuels is causing deforestation.
- But biofuels cause less pollution when they are burned, some biofuels are made from waste products and therefore reducing bio waste
What are the costs and benefits of wind energy?
- Wind is unpredictable so the amount of energy produced varies, wind turbines cause environmental issues, its expensive for energy created from offshore plants to be transferred back to land.
- They don’t release any emissions after production, its cheap and they require little maintenance
What are the costs and benefits of solar energy?
- Sunny climates are required and are less effective in dim areas. They are not reliable. Toxic materials are used in production. They affect habits nd ecosystems.
- No emissions after production they don’t require much maintenance and are widely available
What are the costs and benefits of HEP?
- Expensive to build and requires lots of water and energy, methane may be released from rotting organic matter trapped behind the damn, they flood the land behind the damn.
- no emissions and the supply of energy is reliable
What are the costs and benefits of hydrogen fuel?
- energy is needed to extract it by itself, the technology is expensive and not widely available, and it is dangerous to store hydrogen due to its flammability.
- burning hydrogen only releases water it is also not limited to specific areas as the hydrogen is extracted from water
What are the contrasting views about energy futures?
That we continue on as usual and don’t increase the amount of renewable energy we use or increasing the use of renewable energy.
What are consumers attitudes towards energy futures?
- They want secure energy supplies which wont be disrupted
- They want cheap power
- Many consumers would rather keep business as usual as it is cheap and works for now
What are TNC’s attitudes towards energy futures?
- Shell is involved in extracting and refining oil so favour keeping business as usual
- With control of fuel comes power
- Investing in sustainable energy would cost more money than they would make back
What are Governments attitudes towards energy futures?
- Governments see fossil fuels as a cheap way of providing reliable energy in the short term.
- they are being pressured into being more sustainable
What are climate scientists attitudes towards energy futures?
They predict that climate change will increase global temperatures by 4 degrees by 2100 if we continue as usual, they promote sustainable energy
What are environmental groups attitudes towards energy futures?
Environmental groups want to stop fossil fuel production as they damage the environment they also want to move to a sustainable energy scheme
How are attitudes to energy futures changing?
Rising Affluence
- people with money can get electric cars and solar panels and governments have more money to invest in public transport.
Education
- people can understand about their role in reducing their carbon footprint and change their habits accordingly.
Environmental concerns
-people are learning about how climate change impacts the environment and therefore want to help stop it
What factors are added up to calculate someones carbon footprint?
Food -local or imported Home - size and how often its heaters Travel - how often u go on holiday or travel by car Lifestyle -recycling p, how much you buy and waste
