Energy Issues Flashcards
What percentage of Brazil’s primary energy mix is HEP
81%
Define the term finite
Non renewable resources - they will run out
Define the term flow energy
Renewable - won’t run out
What is a critical renewable?
Sustainable energy from forests, plants, and animal waste e.g. Biofuels
Define non critical renewables
Everlasting resources such as rides, waves, running water and solar power - HEP
Distinguish between primary and secondary energy
Primary energy is raw materials that can be used for resources in their natural form to produce heat or power. These include coal, wood, sunlight, biomass etc
Secondary energy is the act of converting the primary energy source into a new usable form for example, crude oil into petroleum or coal into electricity
Where is oil found?
Underwater
Where is gas found?
Under swamps
Where is coal found?
Underground
How is biomass created?
It is the use of plant and animal matter as fuel - they are burnt to produce energy
Strengths and weaknesses of biomass
Strengths - good for the environment (less co2 released), cheap, provides jobs in rural areas, large quantities, improves energy security, never run out, provided electricity for 1.5 million America homes in 2006
Weakness - costs to extract, high maintenance (needs care, food and housing), requires lots of land that could be used for crops instead, inefficient compared to fossil fuels
Give an example of where biomass is used
Brazil
How does wave energy work
Uses the power of the waves to turn a turbine creating kinetic energy which can be turned into electricity
Give strengths and weaknesses of wave and tidal energy
Strengths - lots of energy per wave, good for the environment, predictable and reliable, generates 24 hours, does not require fuel to work, it’s large size produces lots of energy
Weaknesses - expensive, only 1 tidal generating station in current operation, least advanced renewable, location specific, effects on wildlife and ecosystem
Given an example of a tidal station
Rance tidal power station in France
How does wind power work?
The wind spins the propellor blades which turns a shaft connected to a generator which produces electricity
Give positives and negatives of wind power
Positives - clean source, renewable, cost effective and rapid growth, out of way of humans because it’s out at sea or in mountains
Negatives - unreliable, threat to wildlife, location specific, noise and visual pollution, safety hazard
Give a case study for wind energy
Aberystwyth in Wales
Advantages and disadvantages of solar
Advantages - no CO2 emissions, 20 times cleaner than coal, requires little maintenance after set up (motors are replaced every 5-10 years)
Disadvantages - doesn’t compare to fossil fuels (production rates), cannot produce 24 hours a day, location specific, expensive, panels and other equipment is created in factories = pollution
Who is the main producer of gas?
Russia
Who does Europe get their gas from
Russia
Why is distribution of oil uneven ?
Because it’s mainly found in Saudi, Russia and Venezuela
Who Re the net importers of oil
North America, China and Russia
Who are the net exporters of oil
Middle East
Which 2 continents consume the most oil
Asia Pacific and North America
How much oil did Asia Pacific consume inc 2009
31%
How much oil did North America import
26%
How does USA maintain energy security ?
Trades with lots of countries so it’s not relying on only one place
Trades with neighbouring countries - produces locally
Imports 25.9% and only exports 2.5%
Who is the biggest supplier of oil to China?
Russia overtook Saudi Arabia in 2015
Who consumes the most gas?
U.S. And Russia
Is gas or oil more fairly distributed?
Gas
What is geopolitics?
The study of the relationship between politics and geography. It is based upon how energy resources affects the relationships between nations
What types of countries are consuming more fossil fuels?
NIC countries such as China, Japan and India
What 5 things do TNC’s do for energy ?
Exploration, production, transportation, refinement, trade.
What is a TNC?
Any corporation that is registered and operates in more than one country at s time. A TNC has its headquarters in a MEDC country and manufactures in LEDC’s
Positives of TNCs such as shell
Economic development for LEDC’s, they are involved and produce the renewable and sustainable energy, they bring lots of employment
Negatives of TNCs
Drilling, spillages in oceans, spillage in transport, human rights, exploitation
Why was OPEC established?
There was large fluctuation of oil prices and there was a oil crisis in 1970 where there wasn’t enough oil and they had to limit electricity use. Caused lots of geopolitical issues
