Energy Flashcards
1
Q
Stats about global energy consumption in 2019?
A
- Non-renewable fossil fuels supplied around 84% of the world’s energy.
- Of the three main fossil fuels, oil provided 33% of world energy, coal provided 27% and natural gas 24%.
- Of the remaining 16%, nuclear energy provided 4% and hydro-electric power (HEP) provided 6.5%. -
- All the other renewable energy supplies combined provided less than 5.5%.
2
Q
Why has global primary energy consumption increased?
A
- Rapid world population growth has increased demand for energy supplies.
- As people become wealthier, their demand for energy grows with increased purchases of domestic appliances, leisure and recreation activities.
- Improved transport and accessibility of transport has increased the use of oil
- Global energy supplies will increase significantly in highly populated NEEs such as India, China and Brazil.
- Rapid industrialisation leads to the development of processing and manufacturing industries. Global demands for energy are increasing, fuelled by industrialisation in NEEs.
3
Q
Stat about global primary energy consumption increase?
A
Global primary energy consumption has increased 75% since 1950.
4
Q
Benefits of Higher Energy Consumption?
A
- Electricity makes daily household tasks easier – it provides heat, light in the evenings, and energy for computers.
- Modern transport systems are based mainly on oil (petroleum) use. They allow people to travel widely for work and also allow goods to be moved over great distances easily and quickly .
- Industry requires energy to make it work. Without it the economy cannot grow, wealth cannot be increased and people’s lives will not be improved.
5
Q
Disadvantages of Higher Energy Consumption?
A
- There are concerns that we are using non-renewable energy sources too quickly, and that supplies will soon be depleted.
- Use of fossils fuels is resulting in an increase in air pollution. This is associated with a heightened risk of lung conditions.
- The inter-dependence of countries on each other for energy supplies, e.g. of oil and gas, can lead to conflicts.
6
Q
Factors which affect split of energy consumption?
A
- Resource availability. For example, note the high percentages of oil and gas consumption in the Middle East.
- A country’s physical geography. Due to Iceland’s active location, for example, a large amount of their energy is produced by geothermal sources.
- Renewable energy opportunities depend on factors such as sunlight intensity, wind speeds, tidal water and deep glacial valleys (for hydropower).
7
Q
Why are renewable energy sources growing?
A
- Improvements in renewable energy technology has driven down the cost and thus increased its attractiveness.
- Pressure and commitments from climate agreements such as COP27 has increased funding of renewable energy supplies.
- Resource depletion of non-renewable sources of energy (such as coal).
8
Q
Why does this shift from non-renewable energy sources to renewable energy sources occur once the country has an established economy?
A
- Greater concern for the environment.
- Rising fossil fuel prices.
- The knowledge that fossil fuels are finite.
- Aim to reduce reliance on fossil fuel exporting countries.
- Improvements in renewable technology.
9
Q
Advantages of coal?
A
- The efficiency and the cleanliness of emissions of coal-fired power stations has improved.
- World reserves of coal will last at least 118 years at the current rate of consumption.
10
Q
Disadvantages of coal?
A
- It causes air pollution and acid rain.
- Greenhouse gases produced contribute to the greenhouse effect and global warming.
- Mining can be dangerous and harm the environment.
11
Q
Advantages of oil?
A
- Easy to transport by pipeline or ship.
- Power stations can be built anywhere where there are good transport links.
- A large amount of energy can be generated from a power station quickly.
12
Q
Disadvantages of oil?
A
- Produces carbon dioxide which contributes to the greenhouse effect.
- The world’s supply of oil is running out quickly.
- Using oil is very expensive compared to coal and gas.
13
Q
Advantages of gas?
A
- Easy to transport by pipeline.
- Large amounts of energy can be generated from one power station.
- Power stations can be built anywhere.
14
Q
Disadvantages of gas?
A
- Produces carbon dioxide which contributes to the greenhouse effect.
- There is a limited supply of gas
15
Q
Disadvantages of nuclear energy
A
- It can be very dangerous if there is a nuclear accident. E.g. Chernobyl 1986.
- Nuclear waste has to be stored.
- High costs to shut down nuclear reactors.
