Energy Issues

Question 1

What percentage of Brazil’s primary energy mix is HEP

Answer 1

81%

Question 2

Define the term finite

Answer 2

Non renewable resources - they will run out

Question 3

Define the term flow energy

Answer 3

Renewable - won’t run out

Question 4

What is a critical renewable?

Answer 4

Sustainable energy from forests, plants, and animal waste e.g. Biofuels

Question 5

Define non critical renewables

Answer 5

Everlasting resources such as rides, waves, running water and solar power - HEP

Question 6

Distinguish between primary and secondary energy

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Where is oil found?

Answer 7

Underwater

Question 8

Where is gas found?

Answer 8

Under swamps

Question 9

Where is coal found?

Answer 9

Underground

Question 10

How is biomass created?

Answer 10

It is the use of plant and animal matter as fuel - they are burnt to produce energy

Question 11

Strengths and weaknesses of biomass

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Give an example of where biomass is used

Answer 12

Brazil

Question 13

How does wave energy work

Answer 13

Uses the power of the waves to turn a turbine creating kinetic energy which can be turned into electricity

Question 14

Give strengths and weaknesses of wave and tidal energy

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Given an example of a tidal station

Answer 15

Rance tidal power station in France

Question 16

How does wind power work?

Answer 16

The wind spins the propellor blades which turns a shaft connected to a generator which produces electricity

Question 17

Give positives and negatives of wind power

Answer 17

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

Question 18

Give a case study for wind energy

Answer 18

Aberystwyth in Wales

Question 19

Advantages and disadvantages of solar

Answer 19

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

Question 20

Who is the main producer of gas?

Answer 20

Russia

Question 21

Who does Europe get their gas from

Answer 21

Russia

Question 22

Why is distribution of oil uneven ?

Answer 22

Because it’s mainly found in Saudi, Russia and Venezuela

Question 23

Who Re the net importers of oil

Answer 23

North America, China and Russia

Question 24

Who are the net exporters of oil

Answer 24

Middle East

Question 25

Which 2 continents consume the most oil

Answer 25

Asia Pacific and North America

Question 26

How much oil did Asia Pacific consume inc 2009

Answer 26

31%

Question 27

How much oil did North America import

Answer 27

26%

Question 28

How does USA maintain energy security ?

Answer 28

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%

Question 29

Who is the biggest supplier of oil to China?

Answer 29

Russia overtook Saudi Arabia in 2015

Question 30

Who consumes the most gas?

Answer 30

U.S. And Russia

Question 31

Is gas or oil more fairly distributed?

Answer 31

Gas

Question 32

What is geopolitics?

Answer 32

The study of the relationship between politics and geography. It is based upon how energy resources affects the relationships between nations

Question 33

What types of countries are consuming more fossil fuels?

Answer 33

NIC countries such as China, Japan and India

Question 34

What 5 things do TNC’s do for energy ?

Answer 34

Exploration, production, transportation, refinement, trade.

Question 35

What is a TNC?

Answer 35

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

Question 36

Positives of TNCs such as shell

Answer 36

Economic development for LEDC’s, they are involved and produce the renewable and sustainable energy, they bring lots of employment

Question 37

Negatives of TNCs

Answer 37

Drilling, spillages in oceans, spillage in transport, human rights, exploitation

Question 38

Why was OPEC established?

Answer 38

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