Energy In The Uk

Question 1

What is energy mix?

Answer 1

The different types of energy a country uses for its needs

Question 2

How has the UK’s energy mix changed?

Answer 2

•The amount of renewables in our energy mix has increased
•Traditionally the Uk relied on fossil fuels to supply its energy. In 1970 91% of the UK’s energy came from coal and oil
•the discovery of larger gas reserves under the North Sea meant by 1989 22% of the UK’s energy was supplied by gas

Question 3

What is fracking?

Answer 3

•a way of accessing natural gas trapped in rock deep underground by forcing high pressure liquids into shake rocks to crack it and release the gas

Question 4

What are the advantages of fracking?

Answer 4

•It is a low cost alternative to conventional fossil fuels to help meet demand where other energy sources have been depleted leading to reduced energy prices for consumers. This can stimulate spending in other sectors of the economy, as households have more disposable income.
• increase in use of fracking technology lead to 67% rise in employment
•fracking means you can generate electricity with only half the CO2 emissions of coal based power stations

Question 5

What are the disadvantages of fracking?

Answer 5

•contamination of underground can harm wildlife that depend on those water sources
•may lead to pollution of underground water sources jerpodising water quality for nearby communities

Question 6

What are the economic disadvantages of energy exploitation?

Answer 6

•it can have a visual impact on the landscape. For example in the lake district concerns about falling visitor numbers have resulted in many plans being rejected
•nuclear power plants are very expensive to build e.g. the proposed new Hinkley point plant could cost £18billion about its funding from China. This could divert substantial financial resources limiting funds available for healthcare or education

Question 7

What are the environmental disadvantages of energy exploitation?

Answer 7

•nuclear power plants can trigger harmful radioactive leaks
•warm waste water can lead to reduced aquatic biodiversity
•construction of a wind farm and access roads can impact the environment

Question 8

What are the econmic advantages of energy exploitation?

Answer 8

•construction of new plants provides job opportunities and boosts local community
•wind farms can attract visitors by becoming tourist attractions
•At Delabole wind farm in Cornwall,the UK’s first commercial wind farm, local homeowners benefit from a lower energy bill

Question 9

What are the environmental advantages of energy exploitation?

Answer 9

•wind farms can avoid harmful gas emissions helping to reduce carbon footprint