Comsuming Energy Resources

Question 1

Energy sources can be split into three categories, what would they be?

Answer 1

Renewable
Non - renewable
Recyclable

Question 2

What is renewable energy and give an example?

Answer 2

An energy source is renewable if it can be replenished on a very short timescale.
For example: Wind energy, solar energy, hydroelectric power

Question 3

What is non renewable energy and give an example of it?

Answer 3

Non renewable are energy sources that cannot be replenished quickly. They can run out.
For example: fossil fuels

Question 4

What is recyclable energy sources and give an example?

Answer 4

Recyclable energy sources are those made from waste products or whose waste products can be used to generate more energy.
For example - nuclear energy and biofuels

Question 5

What impacts does mining have on the environment.

Answer 5

Habitats are destroyed to make way for mines, eg through clearing forests, leading to loss of biodiversity.
Clearing forest affects the water cycle because there are fewer trees to take up water from ground. This can lead to soil erosion.
Mining process can release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. These gases contribute to global warming.

Question 6

What impacts does drilling have on the environment

Answer 6

Onshore drilling requires land to be stripped of vegetation to make space for the drills and roads to access the sites.
Oil spills cause major damage to the environment especially out at sea. The deepwater horizon in 2010 leaked lot of oil into Gulf of Mexico. Oil coats the feathers and fur of animals, which reduces their ability to move freely or feed

Question 7

What environmental impact does wind energy?

Answer 7

Large number of wind turbines needed to produce significant amounts of electricity and they need to be set quite far apart. Meaning take up lot of space.
Wind farms produce a constant humming noise - people living close to wind farms have complained about this noise pollution.
Blades can kill birds or bats

Question 8

What environmental impact does solar energy?

Answer 8

The heat reflected from mirrors in solar farms can kill wildlife.
Solar panels built on the ground can disturb and damage habitats.

Question 9

What environmental impact does hydroelectric power?

Answer 9

A build up of sediment can block sunlight causing plants and algae in the river to die.
The river on which the dam is built can be affected by changes in water flow.

Question 10

Access to energy is affected by many factors. How does technology impact a country’s access to energy?

Answer 10

Some countries are not able to exploit resources as the technology required is unavailable or too expensive.

Question 11

How does geology have an impact on a country’s access to energy?

Answer 11

Fossil fuels are found in sedimentary rocks, where impermeable rocks have trapped the oil and gas in the permeable rocks below. Countries on plate boundaries may be able access geothermal energy.

Question 12

How does accessibility impact a country’s access to energy?

Answer 12

An area might have large energy resources but be unable to access them. For example, permafrost (permanently frozen ground) makes it very difficult to access fossil fuels.

Question 13

How does climate impact a country’s access to energy?

Answer 13

Solar power requires large amounts of sunlight to generate energy, countries with sunny climates (Spain) can use solar power more effectively than countries with duller climates (UK)

Question 14

How does landscape impact a country’s access to energy?

Answer 14

Wind turbines are efficient in areas with a steady and reliable source of win, eg high ground or near coast, HEP usually requires lots of water to generate energy, and steel-sided valleys to use as reservoirs.

Question 15

Connection between developed countries and energy consumption

Answer 15

Developed countries tend to consume lots of energy per person because they can afford to. They have access to electricity + heating, and use energy-intensive devices like cars.

Question 16

Economic development is increasing wealth in emerging countries e.g China.

Answer 16

People are buying more things that use energy

Cars, fridges and TV

Question 17

Developing countries link to energy consumption

Answer 17

Developing Countries (Chad) consume less energy per person as they are less able to afford it. Less energy is available and lifestyles are less dependent on high energy consumption.

Question 18

What is oil reserve?

Answer 18

The amount of recoverable oil (oil that can be extracted using todays technology)

Question 19

What is oil production?

Answer 19

Process of extracting and refining crude oil

Question 20

Oil production doesn’t just depend on a country’s oil reserves - there are several factors that affect it:

Answer 20

• Infrastructure - in order to produce oil, a country needs the right equipment and technology
• domestic demand - Saudi Arabia relies on oil to meet its own energy needs
• Shrinking reserves - oil production from North sea reserves has been declining as reserves are used up.

Question 21

Why does global oil consumption increase as countries develop?

Answer 21

As GDP per capita increases, so does oil consumption. People in wealthier countries have more energy intensive goods, for example cars. Around 65% of all oil is used to fuel vehicles.

Rapid industrialisation in emerging countries. E.g China and India, also increases oil consumption. The combination of growing population, a boom in industry and the expansion of cities leads to higher consumption of oil.

Question 22

Oil supply and oil prices are affected by different factors. Explain some factors.

Answer 22

Conflicts can disrupt oil production, which leads to decrease in oil supply. Shortages of oil causes price to increase.

Diplomatic relations - oil prices may increase because of tension between oil producing countries.

Recessions - lower the demand for oil because industrial activities and economic growth slow down, this causes prices to fall.

Economic booms - oil prices increase during periods of rapid economic growth because of increased consumption and demand.

Question 23

What economic benefits are gained by exploiting new oil and gas reserves in sensitive areas

Answer 23

• countries with oil and gas reserves can save money by reducing energy imports.
• the countries can make money from exploiting energy
• oil and gas companies bring investment and jobs to an area

Question 24

When exploiting oil and gas reserves the economic benefits come at a cost to the environment. Explain some costs

Answer 24

• in order to reach new reserves, land may have to be cleared to make way for pipelines and roads. This can disrupt fragile ecosystem and cause a loss of biodiversity.
• exploring offshore oil and gas reserves can have big impact on marine life. Noise and vibrations from drills can confuse whales and other marine mammals that rely on sound to communicate, navigate and find food.
• opening up isolated areas with roads and industry increases air pollution and can pollute soils and water

Question 25

What is shale gas?

Answer 25

A form of natural gas that is trapped in shale rock underground.

Question 26

How is shale gas extracted?

Answer 26

It’s extracted by fracking: liquid is pumped into shale rock at high pressure. This causes the rock to crack, releasing the gas, which is collected as it comes out of the well.

Question 27

What are the negative affects of fracking on the environment.

Answer 27

• chemicals used in fracking liquid as well as the shale gas itself can pollute groundwater and drinking water.
• Land has to be cleared to build drilling pads for fracking - this destroys animal habitats and disrupts ecosystems.

Question 28

What does tar sand contain?

Answer 28

Tar sand contains bitumen, which can be refined to produce oil.

Question 29

How is tar sand extracted?

Answer 29

Mainly extracted by mining: surface mines collect tar sand and transport it to processing plants, which use water and chemicals to separate the bitumen from the sands.

Question 30

What are the negative affects on the environment of surface mining?

Answer 30

• vast amounts of space are needed, which devastates habitats. This can cause a reduction in the biodiversity of the area as organisms have less space to live and find food.
• processing tar sands create huge amounts of liquid waste full of harmful chemicals. These can pollute water supplies if they arent managed properly.

Question 31

What is energy conservation ?

Answer 31

Conserving energy is about changing our behaviour as consumers.

Question 32

What is Energy efficiency ?

Answer 32

If something is energy efficient, it does the same job using,less energy eg low energy lightbulb.

Question 33

How can you reduce the the demand for energy in homes?

Answer 33

Insulation - by insulating walls, roofs and floors, less energy is required to heat homes.

Modern boilers - new boilers are more efficient than older models, so will use less energy in homes.

Solar Panels - can be fitted to the roofs of homes providing renewable, low - carbon energy.

Question 34

How can you reduce the the demand for energy in transport?

Answer 34

Hybrid cars, vans and trains combine diesel and electric power to increase efficiency. They use electricity when possible, and recharge their batteries using diesel power.

Improving public transport and encouraging walking or cycling reduces demand for energy used for transport.

Engine manufactures are making more efficient engines in response to laws and rising fuel costs