Consuming Energy Resources Flashcards
Describe the energy distribution around the world
Highly uneven, with more affluent, industrialised countries using up way more
What are some environmental impacts of consuming energy?
Visually intrusive ( namely solar panels and wind turbines)
Mining (fossil fuels or uranium) damages the landscape and requires destruction of natural habitats
Oil spills cause significant environmental damage
Land clearing to build powerstations
What human factors affect energy supply?
Government policies - affect what type of energy can be used e.g. Germany bans nuclear power
Conflict
Development of a country impacts its available technology, and thus may not be able to extract its energy resources
What physical factors affect energy supply?
Geology - fossil fuels can only be found with specific geology and geothermal only near magma plumes
Climate - affects the effectiveness of climate-dependent resources like solar and wind
Location - landlocked countries cannot use tidal power and HEP requires steep gradient
What are the economical factors of energy supply?
Extraction of a resource can require specialist technology
Energy source is dangerous, increasing the cost
Transportation of the resources can involve huge pipelines/ ships which are costly
What are the negatives of extracting shale gas?
Risk of earthquakes
Water used, cause shortages
Chemicals are evaporated and can cause acid rain
More expensive to produce
What are some unconventional energy sources?
Shale gas (fracking)
Deep water oil
Tar sands
What are the negatives of Deep-water oil extraction?
Workers at risk
Small earthquakes or oil spills
What are the advantages and disadvantages of fossil fuels?
A - cheap to mine/ high demand/reliable
D - Polluting/Non-renewable
What are the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear energy?
A - Very reliable
D - Risk of radiation poisoning if uncontrolled/Any waste must be sealed in concrete and glass and left underground for hundreds of years/When the station is finished, it’s expensive to decommission.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of solar power?
A - Costs decreasing rapidly/Large potential in desert areas
D - Not efficient yet (15-20%)/Effectiveness dependent on climate and time of year and day
What are the advantages and disadvantages of wind power?
A - Low running costs/ Can be used year round/ Plenty of suitable sites
D - Bird life affected/ Weather dependent
What are the advantages and disadvantages of HEP?
A - Dams built for reservoirs can also generate electricity, improving clean water and energy supplies.
D - Large dams are expensive to build/Disrupts fish migration along the river, as fish cannot swim through the dam.
