Energy Issues Flashcards

Question

What are the issues with frontier exploration?

Answer 1

In the Arctic for example: •inhospitable environment (high winds, poor visibility, extreme temperatures) * winter sea ice makes clean up access near-impossible * home to increasingly rare and threatened species - polar bears, walrus, whales * 1000's km's of Arctic coastline vulnerable to oil spills

Answer 2

Employment: •26,000 - 90% workforce Nigerian Economic: •billions paid in taxes and royalties •microcredit programmes (helps small businesses) ``` Social: •investment in water and electricity •3000 schools and uni scholarships a year •more schools built •health clinics+vaccinations ```

Answer 3

•5000 major oil spills in 50 years: - destruction of wetland ecosystems - destruction of agricultural production Health funds: •gas flaring •causes toxic gases •respiratory diseases and cancer Social: •crime •corruption Economic: •Profits generated in HQ country •therefore locals don't benefit from their natural resources

Answer 4

Small quantities of waste (compared to CO2 from coal) Highly efficient therefore power stations have smaller footprint compared to renewables Modern nuclear power stations are efficient and safe Large stocks of uranium Good reliability: need little fuel, less vulnerable to shortages Safety: 10,000 - 50,000 die per year from air pollution due to coal

Answer 5

More CO2 emissions compared to renewables Long delays: long planning and construction time Potential for using the technology to develop nuclear weapons capabilities Radioactive waste transport and storage Radiation - risk of accident waste disposal

Answer 6

2003 - aim to increase renewable energy production 2007 - tackle climate change by cutting emissions 2008 - 80% revision in carbon emissions by 2050 2012 - set out decarbonisation targets

Answer 7

``` Nuclear: •8 new sites identified •10 years to build •private companies •16GW of nuclear capacity ``` Renewables: •20% cut in greenhouse gas •20% increase of renewables •20% cut in consumption by increase in efficiency Gas: •reliance on gas to continue •potential exploration of shale gas reserves •80% of total gas through imports by 2020

Answer 8

Power sector: •cut 22% of emissions by 2020 •facilitate building of new nuclear power stations •gas imports will be 50% lower Homes: •cut emissions from homes by 29% on 2008 levels •investing 3.2 billion to help households be more efficient •clean energy cash-back schemes Workplace: •crating 1.2 million jobs in the low-carbon industry •approximately £120 million will he invested in off-shore wid Transport: •cutting average CO2 emissions from new cars •investing inuo to £30 million in low-carbon bus technology •government to announce plans for further electrification of rail network

Answer 9

2 million population GDP growth 2001-2009 = 4% per annum

Answer 10

By 2030 it hopes to be an industrialised nation Renewable energy programme regional distribution master plan Policies: • increase 40 MW of modern renewable capacity •new policies in support of renewable energy Plans: •power station to feed Namibian and South African power grid •800 MW capacity •first wind powered park is under construction •Namibian government considering nuclear power

Answer 11

Escalators Buses, cycling Buses link to other ways of transport Bike paths with public bike scheme

Answer 12

New fleet of low carbon buses 15 hybrid buses produce 30% less CO2 emissions than a diesel bus Scotland ambition to decarbonise all road transport by 2050

Answer 13

Plan to improve cycleways and footpaths Community bike-share scheme Bicycle scheme for schools (good for LIC families)

Answer 14

Aim is to make city carless Self-driving 4-man pods

Answer 15

Congestion solutions ``` Showcase bus routes: •increase frequency • increase accessibility •realtime passenger displays •park and ride ``` City-car club: •only pay for your journey Freight consolidation: •cutting number of delivery vehicles •saved 9,000 journeys since 2008

Answer 16

Reaction in atmosphere of SO2,CO2, NO2, water, oxygen and other chemicals Coal burning causes 2/3rd's of USA's acid rain Power stations release sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide Countries affected by acid rain are not always responsible for causing it. E.g. Scandinavia hugh concentrations of acid rain due to prevailing winds from UK

Answer 17

Acidification of lakes and streams Kills vegetation Causes breathing problems

Answer 18

International cooperation Lack of alternatives to burning coal

Answer 19

Use coal with less sulphur (or wash the coal) Shift to renewables Restore quality of lakes (use lime) - but this is expensive and only a short term solution Legislation? •1998 large combustion plant directive •SO2 had to be reduced by 58% by 2003

Answer 20

Improve thermal efficiency Self-generate electricity Energy efficient domestic appliances Use less artificial lighting

Answer 21

Big windows - less artificial light BUT - double glazing too keep heat Motion sensor lights Computers on timers Dual flush Cut down on paper use in offices

Answer 22

Wind turbine (small : £1,500) Solar panels: £2,000 heating and hot water Double glazing: halves heat lost through windows Lost and wall insulation : cuts heat moss by a 3rd

Answer 23

Adv: Oil prices rising Disadv: Land taken from food production leads to rising food prices/shortages

Answer 24

Adv: Free No pollution Good for remote areas Disadv: Doesn't work at nght Expensive to build Sunny climate

Answer 25

``` Adv: Free No pollution Land surrounding free for farming Can be tourist attractions Remote areas ``` ``` Disadv: Not reliable More expensive Ham coal Eyesore Kill birds Can be noisy ```

Answer 26

``` Adv: Once dam is built it's free No pollution More reliable Can be constant (electricity) ``` Disadv: Expensive to build (dams) Kill habitats in construction Finding a site is hard

Answer 27

Adv: Once built it's free Reliable Tides are predictable ``` Disadv: Barrage expensive to build Environment is changed Only provided power for 10 hours/day Few suitable sites ```

Energy Issues Flashcards

(51 cards)