Energy Flashcards
What is fracking?
The removal of non-renewable shale gas from deep underground.
Why is fracking controversial?
Expensive. Causes earthquakes. Contaminates groundwater supplies.
What are the impacts of exploiting nuclear energy?
Positive – low fuel costs, no polluting gases emitted, power stations have long lifetime. Negative – waste is radioactive, potential for catastrophic accidents, costs of building power stations very high.
How does energy consumption vary globally?
High in HICs. Low in LICs.
Which parts of the world have an energy surplus?
Russia (oil, natural gas, uranium). Eastern Europe (oil, natural gas, uranium). Middle East (oil).
Which parts of the world have an energy deficit?
Western Europe. North America. Asia. Sub-Saharan Africa.
How do costs of exploitation & production affect energy supply?
Oil pipelines require investment. Nuclear power stations are expensive to build.
How do physical factors affect energy supply?
Geothermal energy only found in tectonically active areas. Geology – natural gas & oil found in folded rock layers.
How does climate affect energy supply?
Amount of sunshine and wind affects availability of solar & wind energy.
How do political factors affect energy supply?
Political instability in Middle East = countries look for alternatives. Some countries want to stop Iran developing nuclear energy. Worries over non-peaceful uses.
Why is global energy consumption increasing?
Industrialisation of NEEs. Growth of populations. Increased LIC populations make very little difference to energy demand. Most demand and consumption is in HICs.
Define ‘tectonically active’.
Affected by the movement of earth’s tectonic plates.
Define ‘geology’.
The structure of the land & type of rocks and minerals that exist within it.
What can be done about energy insecurity?
Countries can exploit own energy sources. Countries can reach agreements with other countries. Countries can reduce energy consumption.
Why is it difficult to extract oil in the Arctic?
It is environmentally sensitive so complex techniques & expensive equipment are needed.
What % of the world’s undiscovered oil is in the Arctic?
13%.
What % of the world’s undiscovered gas is in the Arctic?
30%.
What % of the world’s energy is used to produce food?
30%.
What are biofuels?
Gasses, liquids or solids from natural sources (e.g. plants) used as fuel.
Why are biofuels controversial?
High carbon emissions, reduce food security & increase food prices.
How does energy insecurity affect industry?
Pakistan – regular power cuts, can last 20 hours per day. Over 500 companies in Faisalabad have closed.
Why is energy in Pakistan insecure and expensive?
Reliant on oil imports.
How does energy insecurity lead to political conflict?
When energy sources run low/out, countries may fight over resources. Gulf War & Iraq War both driven by West’s fear that oil would run out.
How can we increase energy supplies?
Continue using non-renewables. Increase use of renewables.
Evaluate non-renewables as a strategy for increasing energy supplies.
Positive – still lots left, important for energy production. Negative – will eventually run out, highly polluting.
Evaluate nuclear energy as a strategy for increasing energy supplies.
Positive – cost of uranium is low, small amounts of uranium needed to generate energy. Negative – expensive to build power stations, radioactive waste can be dangerous for 100 years.
Evaluate biomass as a strategy for increasing energy supplies.
Positive – abundantly available, low cost. Negative – reduce food security, can cause deforestation.
Evaluate wind power as a strategy for increasing energy supplies.
Positive – turbines can be built on existing farms, no harmful emissions. 2018: 18% of UK energy from wind. Negative – ugly, threat to birds.
Evaluate hydroelectric power as a strategy for increasing energy supplies.
Positive – 2016: created 71% of global renewable energy. Negative – dams expensive to build & maintain, displacement of people to flood land for reservoir.
Evaluate tidal energy as a strategy for increasing energy supplies.
Positive – potential predictable & continuous energy. Negative – expensive to build tidal barrages, negative impacts on marine wildlife.
Evaluate geothermal energy as a strategy for increasing energy supplies.
Positive – 25% of Iceland’s energy from geothermal sources. Negative – limited to tectonically active areas.
Evaluate wave energy as a strategy for increasing energy supplies.
Positive – potential predictable & continuous energy. Negative – only suitable for coastal towns & cities, negative impacts on marine wildlife.
Evaluate solar energy as a strategy for increasing energy supplies.
Positive – lots of sunshine in LICs. Negative – only seasonal in some places, expensive to set up, lots of space needed, harmful emissions involved in transporting & installing solar systems.
How was natural gas formed?
Organisms decomposed (turned into organic matter) millions of years ago & deposited on seabed. Buried under layers of sediment & compressed. Compression = heat & lack of O2 = chemical reaction, converting organic matter into natural gas.
Why is it possible to extract natural gas?
It rises through pores in rock, building up in reservoirs. Extracted from reservoirs using advance technology.
What % of natural gas supplies are found in Russia, Iran & Qatar?
60%.
How many years will the gas reserves in Russia, Iran & Qatar last?
54 years, if used at current rates.
What are the advantages of extracting natural gas?
Least polluting fossil fuel. Lower risk of env. accidents than with oil. Provides jobs for 1.2 million people. Can be transported in various ways: land & sea. Technology = shale gas can be exploited. Power stations can be easily turned on and off.
What are the disadvantages of extracting natural gas?
Dangerous if handled/transited carelessly. Some supplies in politically unstable countries. Does still contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Fracking is controversial. Pipelines for transporting it are expensive.
What is the Camisea Gas Project?
Project to exploit huge gas field in Amazonian Peru. Led by Argentinian gas company: Pluspetrol.
When did the Camisea Gas Project commence?
In 2004.
What are the advantages of the Camisea Gas Project?
Saves Peru $4 billion in energy costs. Several billions of dollars’ profit from gas exports. Provided jobs = increased tax revenue. Good infrastructure needed = benefits locals.
What are the disadvantages of the Camisea Gas Project?
Initial exploration of the gas reserves by Shell in 1980s = half of Nahua tribe wiped out. Five significant gas leaks = contaminated land & water. Decline in fish stocks. Deforestation to make space for pipelines & roads.
What are the features of a sustainable energy supply?
Balance of energy supply & demand. Low energy inefficiency. Push to conserve energy. Energy-efficient homes.
How is Malmo, Sweden a sustainable city?
Houses designed to create & conserve energy. Transport system built to reduce car use. All 1,000 buildings use 100% renewable energy. Cyclists given priority over cars at crossroads.
How can financial incentives reduce energy demand?
Encourage people to use less energy due to financial benefits.
How can technology increase fossil fuel efficiency?
Technology used to design fuel-efficient cars – more aerodynamic & use lighter materials. Development of electric & hybrid cars.
How has technology increased fossil fuel efficiency in Brazil?
Biofuel technology developed in car engines, reducing oil use. Petrol use reduced by 40% since 1993. 90% of all new cars run on ethanol & petrol.
Where is Chambamontera?
Andes Mountains, Peru.
Why does Chambamontera need a sustainable energy scheme?
Locals depend on subsistence farming. Little electricity, heat & light = underdeveloped. Half the population live on US$2 per day. Unsustainable to build electricity grid due to low pop.
What is the micro-hydro scheme in Chambamontera?
A small-scale scheme using rivers to produce energy.
What was the cost of the micro-hydro scheme in Chambamontera?
$51,000. Funded by Peru & Japan governments and locals (families loaned $750 each to contribute).
How has the micro-hydro scheme benefitted locals?
Provided sustainable source of energy. Locals can make a productive living. Jobs in construction & maintenance of scheme. Population has grown. Less outward migration. Energy to power fridges; medicines can be stored. Street lights have improved safety. Reduced risk of flooding as river levels monitored. Less deforestation (less need for firewood for heat).
