Energy Flashcards
What are the 12 main energy sources
Coal
Natural gas
Crude oil
Nuclear
Biogas
Wind
Tidal
Wave
Solar
HEP
Geothermal
Fuelwood
Global energy consumption
Global energy consumption = the amount of energy the world consumes.
Energy consumption is increasing globally
Non-renewable fossil fuels still make up most of the energy use.
New oil fields have been discovered in countries like China and the USA, which have meant that more fossil fuels are available for use.
The production of electricity from renewable energy is increasing.
However, renewables still only make up less than 20% of the world’s total energy use.
Global primary energy consumption by source
Roughly 33.1% oil
27% coal
24.3% gas
Only 11.4% renewables e.g wind or hydropower
Who consumes the most oil?
USA
Who produces the most oil?
USA, Russia and Saudi Arabia (or the middle east)
Energy supply
Energy supply = the supply of energy to countries.
Some countries have a surplus of energy and others have a deficit.
Energy is traded to even this out.
On occasions, energy security has led to disputes and even the possibility of conflict between countries.
For example, Ethiopia’s Grand Renaissance Dam, which was constructed to generate hydro-electric power (HEP), has led to conflict with Sudan and Egypt. The dam collects water, which reduces the flow of the River Nile into Sudan and Egypt.
How is energy changing in the UK
The population is increasing while the energy consumption is falling.
How and why has the UK’s energy mix changed?
However fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas) will remain important in the future because:
we have enough reserves to provide energy for several decades,
coal imports are cheap
fracking will increase.
Fossil fuels vs renewables in the UK
Fossil Fuels VS Renewables
The UK’s energy mix – the range and proportions of different energy sources has changed in the last 25 years.
By 2020, the UK aims to have 15% of its energy produced by renewable sources.
How and why has the UK’s energy mix changed?
The UK does not have enough energy to supply the demand.
The UK has used up around 75% of its known oil and gas reserves.
By 2020, the UK is likely to import 75% of its energy.
This affects the UK’s energy security.
A major change has been the decline of coal.
However fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas) will remain important in the future because:
we have enough reserves to provide energy for several decades,
coal imports are cheap
fracking will increase.
What factors affect energy supply
Access to technology:
Allowed energy sources in remote areas to be exploited which benefits us in many ways.
Political factors:
Political factors affect decisions about which energy source to exploit and from which countries energy can be taken from.
Physical factors:
The geology of an area determines the location and availability of fossil fuels.
Costs of extraction and production:
Some energy sources are costly to extract. Oil rigs and pipelines require huge investment. Nuclear power stations are expensive to build.
Case Study: Energy Supply in one Country: Iceland
Iceland is often considered the most sustainable country in the world in terms of its energy mix, as the majority of the country’s energy (85%) is derived from environmentally friendly, renewable sources.
Iceland’s unique geology allows it to produce renewable energy relatively cheaply, from a variety of sources.
Geothermal energy provides about 65% of energy, the share of hydropower is 20%, and the share of fossil fuels (mainly oil products for the transport sector) is 15%.
In 2013 Iceland also became a producer of wind energy.
Hydropower
Energy created by the flow of water.
Hydropower is harnessed through the use of fast flowing water to turn a turbine to generate electricity. e.g Glacial rivers and waterfalls are both plentiful in Iceland, making it an ideal location for harnessing hydropower.
Wind power
the process by which the wind is used to generate mechanical power or electricity
Geothermal energy in Iceland - advantages
Geotherm = heat from the earth’s core.
Clean/ non polluting
Once set up, it’s relatively inexpensive; savings from direct use can be as much as 80% over fossil fuels.
Creates an energy surplus- there is a proposal to construct a 600-mile power line between Iceland and the United Kingdom to export Iceland’s abundant geothermal power. If countries like Iceland are able to successfully export their supply of renewable energy to other regions throughout the world, then geothermal energy might prove to be a giant step toward mitigating global climate change.
Geothermal energy can be generated consistently throughout the 24-hour day
Geothermal energy in Iceland - disadvantages
Disadvantages = expensive, power stations are ugly, can only be done in certain places, problem of disposing some fluids, can cause earthquakes.
Expensive to set up power stations- requires high investment in machinery. Hellisheidi Power Station recently added additional turbines - these amount to $197 million.
Power stations are ugly
Confined to certain geographical locations
Release of hydrogen sulfide, a gas that smells like rotten egg at low concentrations.
Another concern is the disposal of some geothermal fluids, which may contain low levels of toxic materials.
If not done with adequate care, enhanced geothermal systems can trigger earthquakes, thus severely affecting land stability & putting nearby areas at risk – potential threat to settlements.
