Energy (9) Flashcards
3 categories of energy sources + examples
Renewable: WIND, SOLAR, HEP
Non-renewable: FOSSIL FUELS
Recyclable: NUCLEAR, BIOMASS
Environmental impacts of Mining?
-Strips away large areas or soil, rock and vegetation, permanently scarring the landscape
-Habitats are destroyed to make way for mines - loss of biodiversity
-Clearing forests affects the water cycle - less vegetation to absorb water -> soil erosion
-Releases greenhouse gases (eg. CO2) -> global warming
Environmental impacts of Drilling?
-Land must be stripped of vegetation to make way for drills and roads (site access)
-Oil spills can cause major damage
-Extracting gas can cause methane to leak -> global warming
Environmental impacts of Wind Energy?
-Large numbers of turbines are required -> takes up a lot of space
-Produce a constant humming noise - noise pollution for residents
-Spinning blades on turbines can kill or injure birds
Environmental impacts of Solar Energy?
-Some solar farms use ground and surface water to clean panels -> water shortages
-Heat reflected from mirrors in solar farms can kill wildlife (eg. birds)
-Solar panels built on the ground can disrupt habitats
Environmental impacts of HEP?
-Use dams to trap water for energy, creating a reservoir which floods land
-The river on which the dam is built can be affected by changes in water flow (sediment is deposited in the reservoir rather than further downstream)
-A build-up of sediment can block sunlight, causing plants/algae to die (can’t photosynthesise)
What is access to energy affected by? (5 factors)
Technology
Geology
Accessibility
Climate
Landscape
Explain technology in ‘Access to energy is affected by many factors’
-Some countries are unable to exploit their energy sources as the tech required is too expensive or unavailable
-Eg Niger has large uranium reserves, but cannot develop nuclear energy plants
-Developing countries often have to rely on fossil fuels - more polluted
Explain Accessibility in ‘Access to energy is affected by many factors’
-An area may have large energy reserves, but be unable to access them
-Permafrost makes it difficult to access fossil fuels
-Some resources are found in protected areas (eg. Antarctica)
Explain Climate in ‘Access to energy is affected by many factors’
-Solar power requires large amounts of sunlight to generate energy
-Countries with sunnier climates (eg. Spain) can use solar power mire effectively than UK
Explain Landscape in ‘Access to energy is affected by many factors’
-Wind turbines are more effective in areas with reliable sources of wind (high ground/along the coast)
-HEP usually requires rivers (mountainous) and steep valleys (reservoirs)
Energy Consumption Distribution for all 3 types or country
Developed: Consume lots of energy - can afford to
-Most people have access to electricity and heating and use energy-intensive vehicles
Emerging: Consume less energy that developed, but more than developing
-Increasing wealth - buying more energy-intensive devices
-Large manufacturing industry - energy powers equipment
Developing: Consume least energy
-Less able to afford the energy
-Less energy available for their lifestyle
Factors affecting Oil Prices and Supply
Conflicts
Diplomatic Relations
Recessions
Economic Booms
How can energy demand be reduces (Homes)
Insulation
- Insulating walls, roofs and floors
- Double-glazed windows
Modern boilers:
- More efficient than older models - use less energy
Solar Panels:
- Provides renewable, low-carbon energy
How can energy demand be reduced? (Transport)
Hybrid Cars:
- Use electricity to run - resulting in less emissions
Regenerative braking:
- Devices can store energy lost under braking to be used later on returned to National Grid
-Public Transport Improvements
-Encouraging walking, cycling, trains, buses
-Reduces demand as more people use the same transport
Advantages (3) of reducing the use of Fossil Fuels?
Reducing Carbon Footprints
Improving energy security
Diversifying the Energy Mix
How is reducing carbon footprint beneficial?
-Burning fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere -> global warming
-These emissions are measured as people’s carbon footprint
-By reducing the energy supplied by fossil fuels, people can reduce their carbon emissions
How is improving energy security beneficial (‘reducing use of fossil fuels’)
-Energy security is having a reliable and affordable supply of available energy
-Switching to renewable sources makes sure that energy is available when fossil fuels run out
How is diversifying the energy mix beneficial?
-Having a diverse energy mix reduces the reliance on a single source of energy
-Improves energy security - less affected by shortages of one type of energy
Difference between energy conservation and efficiency?
Conservation: changing consumer habits to reduce the use of energy
Efficiency: when an appliance does the same job, but uses less energy
What factors affect oil production?
Infrastructure
Domestic demand
Shrinking resources
How is shale gas (unconventional gas reserves) extracted
-Hydraulic FRACKING
-Liquid is pumped under high pressure into the rock
-This causes the shale rock to crack (fracture), releasing the gas
How is bitumen extracted from Tar Sands?
-Mining
-Surface mines collect tar sand and transport it to processing plants
-Water and chemicals are used to separate the bitumen from sands
How does Fracking affect the environment?
-Chemicals used in fracking liquid can pollute the groundwater and drinking water
-Land has to be cleared to build drilling pads for fracking - destroys habitats and ecosystems