Consuming Energy Resources Flashcards
1
Q
Identify 3 non renewable energy resources
A
Coal oil and gas
2
Q
Identify 3 renewable energy resources
A
Solar, hydro electric power, wind
3
Q
Identify 2 recyclable energy resources
A
Nuclear, biofuels
4
Q
Define recyclable
A
Sources of energy that can be reused or reprocessed so that they can last into the future
5
Q
Define renewable
A
Sources of energy that do not run out. Also known as flow or infinite sources
6
Q
Define non renewable
A
Sources of energy that cannot be remade because it would take millions of years for them to form again. Also known as stock of finite sources
7
Q
How much of the worlds energy did recyclable renewable and non renewable resources produce in 2014?
A
Recyclable 4.4%, renewable 9.3%, non renewable 86%
8
Q
How many people in Sub Saharan Africa do not have access to the electricity grid and what do they rely on instead?
A
620 million, rely on biomass (wood/charcoal)
9
Q
Why might developing countries not utilise the energy they have access to?
A
Although magma is very close to the surface in countries such as Ethiopia and Kenya, they may not use it because: most countries are developing so cannot afford to develop energy resources, some resources are in remote areas which makes them more expensive to exploit and bring to consumers, conflict and lack of infrastructure discourages companies from locating there
10
Q
Identify a factor which affects access to fossil fuels and geothermal energy
A
Geology
11
Q
Identify a factor which affects access to HEP
A
Landscape
12
Q
Identify a factor which affects access to hep, wind power and solar power
A
Climate
13
Q
Where do fossil fuels tend to be distributed as a result of geology?
A
Found in sedimentary rocks. Countries in the Middle East such as Saudi Arabia and Iran have the greatest oil and gas reserves. Coal is widely distributed with major reserves in Russia and China
14
Q
Where does geothermal energy tend to be distributed as a result of geology?
A
Volcanic activity at plate boundaries produces magma that can be used to heat water or generate electricity. Iceland and New Zealand have geothermal energy systems
15
Q
Where does HEP tend to be distributed as a result of landscape?
A
Steep sided river valleys are perfect for dam construction. The three gorges dam in China is the worlds largest HEP scheme. Large volumes of water are needed
16
Q
Where does HEP tend to be located as a result of climate?
A
Large volumes are needed to power hydroelectric dams so high volumes of rainfall are needed too. 80% of Brazil’s energy comes from hydroelectric dams
17
Q
Where does wind power tend to be distributed as a result of climate?
A
Exposed areas such as coasts or the middles of seas have the highest wind speeds. The largest offshore wind farm in the U.K. is the London Array in the North Sea
18
Q
Where does solar energy tend to be distributed as a result of climate?
A
Places with longer hours of and more intense sunlight are best. The largest solar farm is located in the mojave desert in California but China is currently building an even bigger one in the Gobi desert
19
Q
How much more energy do developed countries consume against developing and emerging?
A
7 times more than emerging and 14 times more than developing
20
Q
What percentage of the UKs energy is used for transport, industry, homes, services and farming/other?
A
38% transport, 21% industry, 27% homes, 13% services, 1% farming/other
21
Q
Why is so much energy used for transport in developed countries?
A
Car ownership increases oil consumption
22
Q
Why is so much energy used in homes in developed countries?
A
Technology is easily available in developed countries (TVs and dishwashers etc) which increases energy consumption, our appliances are often more efficient than those in emerging or developing countries
23
Q
What percentage of energy is used in India for transport, industry, homes and services, farming/other?
A
14% transport, 35% industry, 41% homes and services, 5/6% farming/other
24
Q
Why is so much energy used for industry in emerging countries?
A
Emerging countries have a large secondary sector. Factories are powered by coal
25
Identify 3 factors affecting access to energy resources
Level of development, physical factors, access to technology
26
Identify 3 regional impacts of energy production
Air pollution in cities causing health problems, acid rain from emissions from power stations and vehicles, potential for nuclear leaks and accidents,
27
Identify 4 local impacts of energy extraction
Land subsidence from mines, deforestation and damage to habitats, landscape scarring by mining and drilling, oil leaks from drilling rigs and pipelines and tankers
28
Identify 2 local impacts of energy production
Flooding of land for HEP, water pollution causing health impacts
29
Identify a global impact of energy production
Carbon dioxide, methane and nitrogen emissions cause climate change
30
How did the deep water horizon oil spill impact people and the environment?
In 2010 BPs deepwater horizon oil rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico, 11 people killed, oil leaked into the sea for 87 days and 3.2 million barrels were lost, marine and bird life killed as oil coated ocean surface
31
How did the Fukushima nuclear disaster impact on the environment and people?
In 2011 Released radioactivity into ocean and onto land and atmospheric fall out occurred. Caesium is soluble and so mixes with ocean particles and isotopes are swallowed by marine life which can affect fishing industries
32
How is wind power used in the USA?
Over 16,000 large wind turbine in California, hundreds of homes use smaller turbines to convert wind power into electricity. In 2015 wind power provided 6.9% of California’s total energy requirements
33
Does energy extraction have a greater impact than energy use?
It all depends on the type of energy however I would say yes because deforestation causes global warming (talk about impacts of global warming) but energy use can prevent global warming because renewable energies like wind and solar do not produce greenhouse gases
34
Where are the largest oil reserves and how much is this?
The Middle East (Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, kawait, UAE) has the largest oil reserves. They have an estimated 804 billion barrels of oil left which is enough for 200 years of production. Saudi Arabia, Russia and the USA are the 3 biggest producers which are responsible for more than a third of global oil supplies
35
Why has oil consumption increased? 3 ways
Due to a growing population (expected to reach 9.5 billion by 2050) as all these people need energy, rising affluence means a higher demand for goods and an increase in car ownership, as new technology develops people want to buy new things or the latest version
36
How much has oil consumption increased in Asia- Pacific region and in Europe and North America and why?
Almost tripled in Asia- Pacific region but has stayed the same in Europe and North America. This is due to industrialisation in India and China sb deindustrialisation in developed countries
37
Why can we not cope with the demand for oil?
There is high rising demand for it but it is a non renewable resource. The growing and wealthier global population has increased oil consumption in different sectors (70% in transport) and industrialisation in India and China (emerging countries)
38
What percentage of oil consumption is used in transport?
70%
39
What percentage of oil consumption is used in electricity production and heating?
29%
40
Identify 3 long term factors which have affected global price of oil
Global economic growth increases demand and therefore price of oil, demand from emerging economies since 2000 leads to increasing prices, discovery of new energy resources such as shale gas in the USA increases energy supply so imports of oil and the global price fall
41
Identify 4 short term factors which affected global price of oil
Oil prices spiked when there was a disruption to the supply after the BP oil spill in 2010, war/conflict in oil producing regions disrupts the supply so oil prices spike (e.g Gulf War 1990, Libyan Civil War 2011), periods of economic recession such as after 2008 mean lower demand for goods and oil so prices fall, poor diplomatic relations between oil producing regions can lead to price wars (e.g rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran 2013-14 led to overproduction which increased supply and lowered prices)
42
Define peak oil
When we have discovered all of the oil resources which are available
43
Why are large TNCs such as BP willing to spend their profits on oil/gas exploration in challenging environments such as the Arctic? 6 reasons
Demand for oil and gas is increasing, many sources in accessible areas have been exhausted, some oil and gas producing regions are becoming more politically unstable like the Middle East, new technology gives access to more sites, rising global temperatures have decreased the economic cost of drilling in the Arctic, some areas are close to important markets in Europe and the USA
44
Identify a conventional method of oil extraction
Drilling into pools below the land or sea and pumping the oil and gas to the surface
45
Identify an unconventional source of oil
Oil which is trapped between layers of rock or mixed with sand because these need different or unconventional methods of extraction
46
Describe the extraction method of conventional gas in the Arctic
In an isolated region of the coast along the Beaufort Sea, Exxon Mobile Corporation has been constructing a $4 billion natural gas extraction facility on flat and marshy land called the Point Thompson Facility
47
Identify an economic cost of the Point Thompson facility
Costs $4 billion due to the remote location which makes it difficult to exploit and export
48
Identify 3 economic advantages of the Point Thompson Facility
Will produce 10,000 barrels of gas a day to be exported to Asian countries which boosts the US economy, estimated 35 billion cubic feet of gas under the north slope, new employment opportunities for up to 800 workers
49
Describe the extraction method of unconventional gas in the USA
Fracking (hydraulic fracturing) involves drilling down into shale rock deposits then injecting water, sand and chemicals into the gas at high pressure which frees natural shale gas and allows it to flow out to the head of a well
50
Identintify 2 environmental costs of unconventional gas in the USA
Environmental costs for water quality and ecosystems, causes minor earthquakes
51
Identify 5 benefits of unconventional gas in the USA
USA produced 39% of natural gas in 2014, reduces energy bills of Americans, created over 2 million jobs, reduced dependence on oil and gas imports from Middle East, gas produces half of carbon emissions of coal
52
Describe the extraction method of unconventional oil in Canada
Area around the Athabaskan river in Alberta has significant oil reserves in the form of tar sands. Most extraction is carried out by surface mining
53
Identify 6 costs of unconventional gas in Canada
Expensive process, vegetation has to be cleared and surface rock and oil removed which results in loss of habitats, as much as six barrels of water are extracted from the Athabasca river for every barrel of oil produced and this threatens local wildlife and wider ecosystems which rely on a clean water supply, releases 15% more carbon dioxide than crude oil, leaks into rivers and lakes (estimated 11 million litres of toxic waste reaches the Athabasca river daily), toxic chemicals used so protestors are concerned about effects on people's health
54
Identify a benefit of unconventional oil in Canada
Estimated 180 billion barrels of bitumen in sand deposits which can be refined into petroleum
55
What is fracking?
An intrusive process which undermines the stability of the geology, leading to subsidence and earthquakes
56
Why are Canada’s oil reserves considered to be unconventional?
Oil is trapped between rocks or mixed with sand
57
Identify three ways to reduce London’s carbon footprint
Congestion charge, hybrid buses, cycle hire and superhighways
58
When was London’s congestion charge introduced and how does it work?
2003. Road users have to pay £11.50 daily to enter central areas of the city
59
Identify 5 positive effects of London’s congestion charge
Within the charging zone, the scheme has led to an estimated saving of 19% in traffic related CO2 emissions, the scheme cost £80million but generates around £525million per year which is invested in public transport, reduction in average traffic flow of 21%, 45% increase in bus passengers, air pollutants that damage Londoners health have fallen by 12%
60
How do hybrid buses work and when were they introduced in london?
2012. Use a combination of an electric battery pack and a Diesel engine to provide power and produce around 40% less carbon dioxide emissions that traditional diesel buses. There are currently 2535 in London
61
When was the cycle hire scheme introduced in London and how does it work?
2010. Funded by Santander bank, provided 6000 bikes for hire and 400 docking stations.
62
How many cycle superhighways were built by 2015 and what were they like?
12. 1.5 meters wide and have a blue surface so drivers can spot them
63
What is the effect, cost and benefit per year of a hot water tank jacket?
Reduces heat loss and energy use, £12, £20 per year
64
What is the effect, cost and benefit per year of reducing central heating by 1 degree Celsius?
Less heat used, £0, £70 per year
65
What is the effect, cost and benefit per year of cavity wall insulation?
Reduces heat loss through the walls, £500, £90 per year
66
What is the effect, cost and benefit per year of floor insulation?
Reduces heat loss through floor, £90, £45 per year
67
What is the effect, cost and benefit per year of loft insulation?
Reduces heat loss through the roof, £750, £110 per year
68
What is the effect, cost and benefit per year of a condensing boiler?
More efficient way of supplying hot water, £1000, £200 per year
69
What is the effect, cost and benefit per year of double glazing?
Reduces heat loss through windows, £5000, £90 per year
70
What is the effect, cost and benefit per year of switching off appliances rather than leaving them on stand by?
Recudes electricity use, £0, £37 per year
71
What is the effect, cost and benefit per year of fitting energy saving lightbulbs?
Use less electricity than standard bulbs, £3 each, £50 per year
72
Identify 5 ways to reduce your carbon footprint
Buy seasonally produced food (to cut down on packaging and transport), eat less meat and dairy, use public transport, switch energy providers to a renewable energy company, use energy efficient bulbs
73
Define energy security
Having access to reliable and affordable sources of energy
74
Why are some countries more energy secure than others? 4 reasons
Energy rich countries have large reserves of fossil fuels (eg Saudi Arabia), developed countries can afford to import energy, some countries have invested in technology to produce energy from wind power or HEP, developing countries often rely on traditional fuel sources like Woods there is no electricity in rural areas
75
What is energy diversification?
Obtaining energy from lots of different sources rather than relying on fossil fuels. This is the best way to improve energy security
76
How is wind energy produced?
Wind turbines collect kinetic energy that wind produces and convert it into electricity
77
How fast has wind energy grown? 2 facts
16.5% increase in wind generating capacity in 2014 which accounted for 3% of the global energy production, China is the leading energy producer which generates 115 gigawatts per year
78
Identify three costs of wind energy
Many local residents find wind turbines/farms spoil the view of the landscape, offshore wind farms are built far away from where the source is needed so expensive transmission lines are required to produce power, turbine blades cause on average about 4 bird deaths per turbine per year
79
Identify 3 benefits of wind energy
Clean fuel source which doesn’t pollute or emit greenhouse gases, large offshore wind farms can create a generating capacity of hundreds of megawatts of electricity, onshore wind is one of the cheapest renewable energy sources for the consumer
80
What was the global total of solar power in 2014?
178,391 megawatts
81
What are the leading solar energy producers?
China, Germany and Italy but the USA has the worlds largest solar power plants located in the Mojave Desert
82
Identify three environmental costs of solar energy
Large solar farms can take up land that could be used for growing crops, manufacturing photovoltaic panels can be harmful to the environment because the panels are made up of silicon and other toxic metals like mercury lead and cadmium, desert habitats are fragile and easily damaged during farm construction
83
Identify three benefits of solar energy
Growing industry which creates many hundreds of thousands of jobs around the world, solar energy required little maintenance once the solar panels are installed and working at maximum efficiency, no noise is created by the solar panels converting sunlight into electricity
84
How much of the worlds electricity comes from HEP?
About 20%, countries like Norway produce almost all of their electricity from this source
85
Identify 4 costs of HEP
Expensive to build, spoil the natural landscape, can result in the displacement of farmland and villages to make room for dams and reservoirs, HEP power plants cause changes in river flows which leads to impacts on fish and other wildlife which rely on water sources
86
Identify 3 benefits of hydroelectric power
Reliable and consistent source of energy with few flunctuations in the amount produced, power plants production can easily be altered with changing consumption patterns, construction of power plants can mean building dams and reservoirs which helps with conserving water supplies
87
Identify 4 costs of hydrogen as an energy source
Energy is needed to release hydrogen gas from water which, if done using fossil fuels, impacts carbon footprints, energy security and energy mix. Hydrogen technology is expensive to develop so hydrogen cars are too expensive for most people to buy. Many hydrogen fuel stations for cars would need to be built over the UK. Difficult to store hydrogen safely under pressure which is a research challenge for products like hydrogen fuelled cars
88
Identify 4 benefits of hydrogen as an energy source
Clean source which produces no greenhouse gases or air pollution, made from water so does not rely on fuel reserves located in a few countries or in ecologically sensitive areas, very efficient so could be a big part of each country’s energy mix, available very cheaply everywhere
89
What are biofuels made from and for?
Made from plant oils and can be used to power diesel vehicles and generate electricity
90
Identity 3 costs of biofuels
Large quantities of water are required to grow biofuel crops which can compete with other users including farming and homes, increasing demand for biofuels increases competition for land which sometimes comes at the expense of growing food crops, demand for biofuels and shortage of land is causing an increase in deforestation in some countries
91
Identify 3 benefits of biofuels
Produces fewer carbon emissions and toxins than fossil fuels, growing demand could see thus alternative energy source become a cheaper alternative to fossil fuels, can be manufactured from crop waste and manure (reusing materials that would otherwise be wasted)
92
How does solar power work?
Used photovoltaic cells which convert light into electrical energy. The amount of electrical energy generated depends on the amount and intensity of daylight that falls on the PV material. The cells do not require direct sunlight to work
93
What is 'business as usual' and what could it lead to?
Continued reliance on fossil fuels could result in a 6 degree Celsius increase in global temperatures by 2035
94
Why do people want to see a sustainable energy future? 3 reasons
Rising affluence means people are able to support investment for clean sustainable energy, environmental concerns about the link between fossil fuels and climate change, governments/businesses/individuals are more educated and aware of the need for sustainable energy
95
What must we limit atmospheric CO2 levels to and why?
450ppm to cap future increase at 2 degree celsius
96
What five things contribute to the 450 scenario by reducing carbon emissions?
Efficiency, renewables, biofuels, nuclear, CCS (CARBON CAPTURE AND STORAGE)
97
What is the biggest contributor to the 450 scenario and by how much will it reduce carbon emissions?
Efficiency. 72% in 2020 and 44% in 2035
98
What is the attitude of energy companies like BP towards environmental issues?
To maintain a profitable business. Committed to finding energy from cleaner sources and helping their customers to use energy more efficiently. Believe that fossil fuels still have an important role to play in the future
99
What is the attitude of climate scientists like IPCC towards environmental issues?
Evidence shows that the worlds climate has changed over the last 50 years due to human activity so we must look at alternatives if the planet is able to continue to support humanity
100
What is the attitude of the Indian government towards environmental issues?
Recognise the need to tackle climate change but want to obtain and maintain energy security as cheaply as possible. Believes that reliable, affordable energy is vital for economic growth and improvement of living standards
101
What is the attitude of the UK government towards environmental issues?
Committed to the Paris Climate Agreement (2015) and believe that greenhouse gas emissions should be cut now. Technology to exploit renewable resources exists and should be used now to provide reliable affordable energy
102
What is the attitude of environmental groups like Greenpeace towards environmental issues?
World leaders should invest time and money into renewables. Fossil fuel extraction and use is having a devastating impact on the planet
103
What is the attitude of individual consumers towards environmental issues?
Understand the impact their energy consumption has on the environment but don't want to pay a lot more for their energy. Question whether the changes they make will make a difference on a global scale
104
Identify 3 options to manage future energy supplies in a sustainable way
Develop all renewable energy resources as quickly as possible, use technology to increase efficiency of fossil fuel use, change consumer use patterns in homes and transport
105
What are the 5 advantages of developing all the renewable energies quickly in order to manage future energy supplies in a sustainable way?
Clean fuel sources, energy is free once set up, long term energy security (finite sources), reduced cost of energy for consumers, no environmental catastrophes like oil spills
106
What are the 5 disadvantages of developing all the renewable energies quickly in order to manage future energy supplies in a sustainable way?
Unreliable, expensive technology so it is limited to certain parts of the world, take up a lot of land, spoil landscape, job losses in energy TnCs
107
What are the 2 advantages of using technology to increase efficiency of fossil fuel use in order to manage future energy supplies in a sustainable way?
Reliable production of energy, CCS removes carbon
108
What are the disadvantages of using technology to increase efficiency of fossil fuel use in order to manage future energy supplies in a sustainable way?
Creates dependence on finite sources, emission of greenhouse gases contributes to global warming, very expensive technology
109
What are the 2 advantages of changing consumer use patterns in order to manage future energy supplies in a sustainable way?
Easy to do as it is an attitudinal fix, incentives for all individuals like getting fit or saving money
110
What are the 3 disadvantages of changing consumer use patterns in order to manage future energy supplies in a sustainable way?
People are resistant to change, inconvenient (cycling), everybody has to do it in order to make a difference
111
Which option is the best for managing future energy supplies in a sustainable way?
Develop all renewable energy resources as quickly as possible
112
How has China's development affected global oil prices? 2 points
It does not have large oil reserves but has the world's fastest growing oil consumption (90% change between 2000 and 2010) due to its industrialisation and economic development increasing demand between 2001 and 2008, oil price fell steeply in 2008 which was caused by the financial crisis which was global so people around the world stopped buying so many things from China and China's industries needed less oil
113
Give 2 reasons for people to oppose fracking in the UK
People are worried that fracking for shale gas will contaminate groundwater because fracking injects chemicals into underground rock formations to help extract gas, this causes subsidence and earthquakes and destroys natural habitats. Caues pollution and land scarring
114
Identify 4 costs of mining environmentally sensitive areas like the Arctic
Exploring for new oil and gas costs billions, any pollution in the Arctic would cost a lot to clean up, Artic conditions are very challenging (cold ice, deep water) which makes it expensive to mine, developing the Arctic becomes unprofitable if oil and gas prices fall
115
Identify 5 ways to conserve energy in new buildings
Argon-filled double glazing to stop heat escaping through glass, insulating concrete bricks to keep in heat, thick carpets and underlays, 75mm wall cavity filled with mineral wool, full draught proofing
116
Identify 9 ways to conserve energy in homes
Hot water tank jackets, condensing boiler, switching off appliances, energy saving light bulbs, loft insulation, wall insulation, floor insulation
117
Identify 3 ways to reduce amount of energy used in transport in the future
Changing transport use (trains and buses are more efficient than individual cars as there is one engine to carry many passengers instead of just one passenger), improving energy efficiency (new car engine designs have lower fuel consumption than older models), improving energy conservation (aeroplane design has focused on reducing drag which reduces the amount of energy lost during flights)
118
Why is geography a cost for alternatives to fossil fuels?
The best places for generating renewable energy are often a long way from cities where energy demand is highest
119
What is a carbon footprint?
A measurement of all the greenhouse gases an individual or business contributes to the environment as a result of our daily lives. Primary footprint is the energy use in the home plus total energy for transportation, secondary footprint includes recreational activities and energy needed to supply goods and services. It is written as the equivalent carbon dioxide per person
120
What 3 things can change consumers attitudes towards energy use?
Becoming educated on energy choices, impact of campaigns by environmental groups, as affluence rises people can afford energy-efficient options such as solar panels
121
Why does a country's carbon footprint tend to increase when it becomes more developed?
When people live in poverty they travel by foot or bike, they have small homes without heating, they eat locally produced food
122
Identify 3 reasons people may support fracking in the UK
Has the potential to provide the UK with greater energy security, creates jobs, a percentage of tax revenues from sales of shale gas go back to communities for them to spend on services
