Energy Recources Flashcards
What are non-renewable and renewable energy also known as
Stock recources and flow recources
Examples of recyclable energy
Ones made of waste products such as nuclear energy and biomass
mining environmental impacts
Surface mines strips away large areas of soil and rock and vegetation so that miners can reach the materials they want.
This can permenantly mark/scar the landscape.
Habitats are destroyed from deforestation leading to loss of biodiversity and soil erosion as there are fewer trees to take up water (affects the water cycle)
Releases greenhouse gases
How does drilling have a negative inpact on the environment
- onshore drilling requires land to be stripped of vegetation to make space for drills and roads to access the sites
- Oil spills can cause major damage to the environment especially out at sea. The deep water horizon oil spill in 2010 leaks around 4 million barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. Will cut the feathers and fur of animals which reduces the mobility.
- extracting natural gas from underground reserves and calls methane to leak into the atmosphere
How does solar energy cause some environmental effects
-Some solar farms use ground and surface water to clean the solar panels. This can lead to water shortages in arid areas which disrupt ecosystems
How can hydroelectric power cause damage to the environment
The river on which the dam is built can be affected by changes in water fight so sediment is deposited into the reservoirs instead of further downstream. The buildup of sediment can block sunlight causing plants and algae in the river to die.
how does ecological-sensitive areas being exploited for conventional energy reserves cause economic benefits
Demand of meeting growing energy demands causes pressure as well as economic benefits:
- Countries with oil and gas reserves can save money by reducing energy imports (Peru exploiting natural gas reserves in Amazon rainforest). 
- these countries can also make money from exporting energy and by oil and gas companies bringing investment and jobs to the area. Alaska has invested $4.5 million into communities and employs over 17,000 people.
how does ecological-sensitive areas being exploited for conventional energy reserves cause environmental costs
- in order to reach new reserves land may have to be cleared to make way for pipelines and foods which can disrupt the fridge or ecosystem.
- Exploring of sure oil and gas reserves like in the Arctic Ocean can have a big impact on marine life with noise and vibrations from drills confusing whales and other marine animals.
- opening up isolated areas with roads and industry increases air pollution and complete soil and water
Why are unconvential energy reserves dislikes
Unconventional energy with something exploited using more expensive methods like hydraulic Fracking, The needs of the special technology. Extraction takes a longer time than conventional reserves which are easily exploited
Shale gas
She’ll gas is a form of natural gas this truck and she’ll rock underground. It’s extracted by fracking.
How does fracking of shale gas work:
- Liquid is pumped into the shale rock at high-pressure
- this causes the rock to crack/fracture, releasing the gas, which is collected as it comes out of the well.
Negative impacts of fracking
Chemicals used in fracking liquid As well as the shell gas itself can pollute ground water and drinking water. This has become a big problem in some areas in the USA where people have been able to set fires in the tapwater. Land has to be cleared to build drilling pads which destroyed animal habitats and disrupt ecosystems
Tar sand
Tar sand contains bitumen, which can be refined to produce oil. It’s mainly extracted by surface mining. Surface mines connects to sand and transport it to processing plants which use water and chemicals to separates the bitumen with the sand.
Negative impact of tar sand
Lost amounts of space and needed which devastates habitats as well as processing tar sand creates huge amounts of liquid waste full of harmful chemicals. These can pollute water supplies if they aren’t managed probably.
Energy conservation
Conserving energy is about changing our behaviour as consumers such as driving less
Energy efficiency
If something is energy-efficient it does the same job that uses less energy
Distribution of energy: Russia and Apgeria
Russia has 25% of world’s natural gas reserves compared to 2% in Algeria
How does tech effect access to a coutnrys energy
Some countries are not able to exploit the energy as the technology required is unavailable to expensive. Fuck sample manager has large uranium reserves but it’s not the technology to develop nuclear power plants. Also only developed countries can exploit more than your energy supplies
How does geology effect access to a coutnrys energy
Fossil Fuels are found in sedimentary rock where impermeable rocks of traps the oil and gas permeable rocks below. Countries located on plate boundaries may be able to access geothermal energy
How does accessibility effect access to a coutnrys energy
An area might have a large energy resource book be unable to access for example permafrost makes it very difficult to access for fossil fuels. Some resources are also found in protected areas such as Antarctic which can’t be exploited
How does landscape effect access to a coutnrys energy
Wind turbines are most efficient in areas of steady and reliable wind. Hydroelectric power usually plays lots of water and a steep sided valley to use as resivours
Trends with distribution of energy
-developed countries such as Australia and USA tend to consume lots of energy per person because they can afford it. Most people in these countries have access to electricity and use energy intensive devices like cars.
-economic development is increasing wealth in emerging countries such as China resulting in people buying more things that use energy
-Developing countries such as Chad and Mongolia consume less energy per person as they can’t afford it
-Some regions rely on traditional fuel sources such as sub-Saharan Africa, Energy networks are poorly connected meaning people have to rely on biomass. There is very little developments the country Confort exploit the energy or reserves improve infrastructure
How does industrial activities require large amounts of energy affect energy distribution
Manufacturing industries in developed and emerging countries use huge amount of energy
Developing countries have more primary industry which uses very little energy
What are oil reserves and production
Oil reserves of amount of recoverable oil that can be extracted using today’s technology. Reproduction is the process of extracting and refining crude oil
Where are most of the major oil reserves found
Most of these are in the Middle East because of its shrinking oil reserves, infrastructure, domestic demand
Why is global oil consumption increasing as countries develop
because the GDP per capita increases making people with you and having more energy intensive goods. Around 65% of oil is used to fuel vehicles. Also rapid industrialisation in emerging countries such as China also increases or consumption as a combination of growing population and a beam of industry leads to higher consumption of oil.
Evidence for oil consumption rising as countries develop
Between 2015 and 2016 the amount of oil consumed worldwide rose by 1.4 million barrels a day
Factors for oil supply and oil prices fluctuate
- conflict (middle east)
- diplomatic reasons
- recessions as industrial activities and economic growth slows down (global finacial crisis 2008)
- economic booms
How are homes made energy efficient and reduced
Insulation walls roofs ands floors. Modern boilers that are more efficeint. Solar panels can be fitted to use renewable energy
How is transport made energy efficient and reduced
- Hybrid vehicles combine in diesel and electric power to increase efficiency.
- Regenerative braking - Road vehicles and trains can be fitted with devices to store the energy lost under -breaking to be used later overturned to the National Grid.
- Engine manufacturers are making more efficient engines
- Improving public transport and encouraging walking or cycling
What does energy security mean
Having a reliable, uninterrupted, And affordable supply of energy available. Switching to renewable sources of energy make sure energy still available when supplying fossil fuels runout
Advantages of diversifying energy mix
Reducing reliance of finite fuels and increasing amount of alternative methods diversifys energy mix and reduces a country’s reliance in a single source. This increases energy security
Biofuels benefits
Biofules cause less pollution than fossil fuels when the they’re burned. Some are made from waste products so they reduce the amount of waste produced.
Biofuels costs
Some have to be managed sustainably to make sure they don’t run out. Growing crops for it reduces amount of food crops and lots of water is needed. Can lead to deforestation
Wind energy benefits
Don’t release any greenhouse gasses.
Relatively cheap
Wind energy costs
Unpredicatable, can cuase environmental issues. Expensive to transfer the electricity produced offshore
Solar energy cost
Need sunny climates (not reliable). Toxic metals like mercery are used in construction. Can effect habitats and ecosystems.
HEP costs
They are expensive to build ans require lots of water and land. Mathane may be released from rotting organic matter in the reserviors. Hydroelectric power plants can cauth other environmental issue. Infrastructure csn be costly.
Hydrogen fuel benefits
Burning it doens’t release any harmful emissions - only by product is water. Hydrogren is extracted from water, so its not limited to paricular areas.
Hydrogen fuel costs
Hydrogen rarely exists by itself, energy is required to extract. Energy often comes from burning fossil fuels. Thec is expensive and not widely available. Storing hydrogen is dangerous. Its flammable
What are the two main energy futures to remember
Business as usual - everything carries on as normal and we go on getting most of the energy from fossil fuels
Move to sustainability
What are the different groups that have attitudes towards energy futures
- Consumers -want secure energy supplies that won’t be desrupted in the future, Want cheap power
- TNCs - wants buisness as usual
- Governments - want secure energy long term
- Climate scientists - The IPCC’s climate change senario predicts temp increase up to 4°C by 2100 with business as usual.
- Environmental groups
How is Rising Affluence reducing carbon footprint
- people with more money can afford to make a choice about energy uses buying fuel efficient cars or investing solar panels.
- Governments in developed countries have more money to invest in public transport and renewable energy
What are people becoming aware of carbon footprint in developed countries having
- rising affluence
- education
- environmental concerns
What is the carbon footprint a measure of
The amount of greenhouse gases generated both activities of an individual organisation, buy a product if it’s life time
What is an ecological footprint
A measure of how much land is needed to support an individuals life though. It can also be used on a larger scale to calculate the impact of cities, countries of the world population
What ideas are ecological and carbon footprints calculated/based by
Food -how much meat eaten and foodwastage
Home -size of house and how many people live there. Looks at energy usage
Travel -air travel/commuting
Lifestyle -money spent on clothes and electrical devices a year, as well as how much recycling
