Defining Energy Flashcards
What SDG for 2030 Agenda is to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all?
SDG 7
What is SDG 7
to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
Define : Fossil Fuels
those formed over geological time from party decayed remains of plants and animals
Why are fossil fuels considered non-renewable?
because they can only be replaced over considerable periods of geological time
X3 methods of sourcing fossil fuels
quarrying, mining + pumping
Define : Renewable Sources
sources of energy that are capable of natural regeneration on a human timescale
provide almost continuous flow of energy
Define : Primary energy
energy found in natural resources
Define : Secondary energy
energy that has been converted into a more convenient form (e.g electricity)
What type of rock is coal?
sedimentary rock
Energy released in Mj Kg^-1 from coal
14-19
Advantage of coal
cheap due to abundance
Environmental damage of coal X3 points
mass CO2 and sulphur released
largely not efficient per unit of CO2
carbon capture technology unproven and $$$
Social concern over coal X2
- mining safety concerns
- HICs reputation - coal seen as increasingly dirty
Where is natural gas found?
underground
Energy released in Mj Kg^-1 from natural gas
50
What is happening with China and its coal usage?
previously building power stations at rate of 1 per week
although slowing down after first ‘red alert’ in December 2015
What country banned shale gas exploitation in 2010?
France
What is a concern with developing shale gas?
in terms of water supply
What is a disadvantage with natural gas in terms of social and security?
$$$
concerns over security of supply (e.g Russia)
Advantage of natural gas
cleanest of fossil fuels
Nuclear fission involves what process;
division of heavy nuclear into x2
In nuclear fission energy is converted into what form, what happens to provide electricity?
energy converted into heat
steam drives turbines
Energy released in Mj Kg^-1 from nuclear fission
88million
Environmental position of nuclear fission
no emissions
Social concern with nuclear energy
= limited social acceptance
health accidents e.g Chernobyl
$$$ to build and decommission
disposal of raw material
Energy released in Mj Kg^-1 from crude oil
47
what has happened to crude oil supplies
have reached, or very close to, reaching peak
what X2 products does crude oil produce when burnt
releases carbon dioxide + sulphur dioxide (acid rain)
Solar energy can be harnessed from what type of cells?
photovoltaic
disadvantage of solar energy harnessed by photovoltaic cells (x2)
distribution and availability varies spatially / temporally
photovoltaic tech more expensive than fossil fuels
X2 disadvantages of harnessing energy from oceans
only suitable to generate at certain locations
large devices needed since oceans have low energy densities
wind energy is related to and caused by what?
related to solar activity
which causes differences in atmosphere / pressure temperature
X4 issues related to wind generation
NIMBY issues
needs subsidies to make economical for consumers
only certain locations viable
not constantly reliable - difficult to power a grid without back up
What can combat NIMBY in relation to wind generation?
offshore turbines
although these are more $$$
Biomass can take multiple forms, name X3;
- bioethanol / biodiesel
- biogas
- solid biomass
Is biomass carbon neutral?
it is in that it is recyclable
however not in the full life-cycle of its transportation and processing
What type of issues can the use of maize as biomass bring up?
food shortage issues
What is an issue with the amount of energy released by biomass?
low energy density
6-17 Mj Kg^-1
X2 advantages of biomass
act as carbon sink
competes with oil in cheapness
Hydrological energy is harnessed from what?
the movement of water owing to gravity
How is hydrological energy harnessed?
‘Head’ of water stored
then released to drive turbines
Disadvantages X3 of hydrological energy
- $$$
- environmental impacts of building dams
- small micro-hydro plants often not viable
Geothermal energy can be trapped as X2
hot water / steam
hot dry rock energy
Disadvantage of geothermal energy
availability limited to a few locations
e.g Philippines / Iceland
What is the largest consumer of primary energy?
electricity
Define : technocentric
Define : technophobe / luddite
Technocentric :
individual with absolute faith in tech, believes humans have control over nature
akin to Boserup
Technophobe / luddite :
dislikes / is afraid of new technology
actively seeks to avoid it
believes tech is a threat to jobs
