consuming energy resources - paper 3 Flashcards
biofuels
Energy and fuel made from living material such as crops and vegetation.
climate change
The changing characteristics of the climate and seasons in regions across the
world.
decommission
The process of closing and safely disposing waste from a power station. This can
cost millions of pounds and take over a year to complete.
deep water oil
Oil found deeper underground, which is more difficult and riskier to extract.
deforestation
The removal of trees and woodland.
energy deficit
A country that generates less energy than its population needs (the supply is less
than the demand).
energy mix
The composition of a country’s energy sources.
energy security
When a country has ownership and control of their energy source, production
and transportation.
energy surplus
A country that generates more energy than its population needs (the supply is
greater than the demand).
fossil fuels
Non-renewable sources of fuel (gas, oil and goal) which take hundreds of thousands of years to form from dead vegetation and animals.
fracking
The process of releasing trapped natural gas from shale rocks. Fracking involves
pushing high-pressure liquids underground to cause the shale rocks to crack.
geothermal energy
Water is pumped deep underground to be heated by magma plumes or
radioactive rocks. The hot water creates steam, which turns turbines to generate electricity.
greenhouse gases
Gases (such as carbon dioxide and methane) which absorb and emit
radiation.
hydroelectric power
A form of energy which uses moving water to turn turbines and generate
electricity. We usually associate this type of energy with dams.
importing
Buying resources from another country, for example food or goods.
non renewable energy
A source of energy that will run out or will take thousands of years to replace such as fossil fuels.
nuclear fusion
The process of joining atomic nuclei together to produce energy.
oil spills
Accidents where oil leaks from pipes, oil rigs or even freight ships.
open-cast mining
Mining that involves removing the top layer of soil to extract minerals or fuel. All
wildlife and vegetation living on the surface is destroyed.
recyclable energy
Energy produced from sources that can be renewed; even though there is a
limited amount of fuel, more can be grown or made to replace.
renewable
Primary energy that can be re-used to produce electricity or has a short lifetime,
therefore any used can be replaced quickly e.g. Hydroelectric, biomass, solar.
secondary energy
The product of primary energy, mostly electricity.
solar energy
Where solar panels absorb sunlight and convert it into energy.
sustainability
Trying to manage resources in a way which meets the demands for the present
while thinking about the impacts this will have in the future.
tar sands
Sands which contain bitumen (oil). This can be extracted in a process which uses a lot
of water and energy.
tidal energy
Energy which is powered by the changes of the tide. Turbines are built on the
seabed which are turned by the water when the sea goes out or comes in as the tides change.
wave energy
Energy created by waves. Small turbines are located in buoys which float on the
surface of the sea. The waves pass through the turbines and create electricity.
wind energy
Energy created by wind. Wind goes through wind turbines which generate electricity
as they turn.
positives of fossil fuels
cheap to mine, fulfil high demand
negatives of fossil fuels
polluting, non renewable
positives of nuclear energy
very reliable output of energy
negatives of nuclear energy
risk of radiation poisoning, waste must be sealed and left underground, expensive to decommission
positives of solar power
costs are decreasing rapidly, large potential especially in deserts.
negatives of solar power
not very efficient, effectiveness depends on climate and time of year
positives of wind power
low running costs, can be used year round, many suitable sites
negatives of wind power
bird life can be effected, weather dependent
positives of wave power
produce most electricity in winter, lots of projects all over the world
negatives of wave power
very expensive, needs to survive storms, isn’t perfect
positives of tidal power
significant potential, reliable
negatives of tidal power
very expensive, few schemes, impact on marine life
positives of HEP (hydroelectric power)
improve clean water and energy supplies
negatives of HEP (hydroelectric power)
expensive, disrupts fish migration
positives of biomass/biofuel
cheap, easy to find, biofuels are renewable alternatives to oil
negatives of biomass/biofuels
vegetation must be found sustainably land shouldn’t be cleared for it
positives of geothermal
low maintainance
negatives of geothermal
high cost to install, risk of earthquake
environmental impacts of energy
visually polluting - unattractive - stick out
mining - damage landscape
oil spills - ruin wildlife - difficult to contain once out
3 factors which effect energy supply
human
physical
economic
how do humans effect energy supply
government - what can and can’t be used
conflict - can effect supply and extraction of energy sources
technology - levels of tech effect the way the country can supply
how do physical factors effect energy supply
geology - fossil fuels need specific geology
climate - impact efficiency of renewable sources
tidal power - landlocked countries can’t use them
how do economic factors effect energy supply
cost - could be too much for a country - unaffordable for families
dangerous - pay workers more
costly to transport
what is an example of unconventional fossil fuels
shale gas
how is shale gas extracted
extracted through fracking
water, chemicals and sand are pumped in the ground to break up the shale, horizontal drilling helps to remove gas reserves
advantages of shale gas
half the emissions
found in the US - improve US economy
disadvantages of shale gas
fracking faces large environmental oppositions
fracking triggers tiny tremors- earthquakes
expensive
deep water oil advantages
easy to sell to customers
high paid jobs - high risk
deep water oil disadvantages
more hazardous to extract
risky to extract oil from deep underground - frequent spills
tar sands advantages
2.4 million barrels made everyday
economy benefits largely
employment advantages
tar sands disadvantages
waste chemicals left in open ponds - chemicals are poisonous
open mining - destroys habitats
fracking disadvantages
energy intensive - expensive
earthquakes - structural damage to buildings
pollute underground water sources - mix chemicals and salts - increase risk of shale rock cracks
fracking process
- chemicals, sand, water are injected at high pressure
- pressure causes fissures in rock so gas flows back out
- methane and flow back water are recovered
