Energy Security Flashcards
Define biofuels
Energy source formed over geological time from partly decayed remains of plants and animals.
Define non-renewable
Energy sources that cannot be replaced or can only be replaced over a long period of geological time.
Define fossil fuels
The energy found in natural sources such as wood, oil, coal and sunlight.
Define secondary energy
Primary energy that has been converted into a more convenient form, usually electricity.
Define energy consumption
Energy being used: for example, the largest user of oil per capita is the USA.
Define energy poverty
When a country or region has insufficient access to reliable sources of power.
Define multiple energy solution
The combination of energy sources that supply countries energy needs.
Define energy security
The extent to which affordable, reliable and stable energy supply can be achieved.
Define energy security index
A measure of a countries ability to meet it’s energy so needs. A score of between 0-10 is calculated by looking at energy availability, diversity and intensity.
Define energy pathways
The routes along with energy sources mover from producer to consumer, e.g. gas pipelines or oil tankers.
Define choke points
A strategic narrow route providing passages between regions. For example, Panama Canal.
Define tar sands
A thick slurry composed of sand, water and bitumen (a hydrocarbon).
Define oil shale
A sedimentary rock saturated with oil.
Define OPEC
A group of energy stakeholders who grouped together to create a trade bloc which sought to control the price and extent of the production of oil.
Define geopolitics
Global scale political systems, agreements and negotiations.
Define business as usual
An approach to the future of energy in which humans continue to act as they currently are.
Define energy mix
An approach to the future of energy in which humans adopt a mixture of renewable, non-renewable and recyclable energy resources.
Define emissions trading
An agreement allowing countries that have made greater reductions in their carbon emissions (set up in the Kyoto Protocol) to sell their surplus to countries over target.
Define green taxes
Taxes set up to encourage consumers to cut the use of natural resources. For example, road tax duties on fuel efficient cars.
Define primary energy
A fuel source produced by processing biomass usually crops like sugar, cane and corn.
Define sustainability
Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations (Brundtland Report 1987).
Define transit state
A country through which energy is transported usually by boat or pipeline.
Define energy dependency
A situation whereby a country or region becomes reliant on certain sources of energy.
Define peak oil
The theory that oil production will peak in the near future, then gradually decline. A steep increase in cost will accompany this decline in production.
Define finite
Limited.
Define micro generation
Small-scale renewable energy generation by individual households or businesses, e.g. home solar.
Define transboundary
An issue or problem which crosses international boundaries.
Define energy gap
The difference between secured energy supply and projected future needs.
How does nuclear energy work?
Nuclear reactors create heat, producing steam, which turns a turbine, creating electricity.
How important is nuclear energy?
Quite important as it provides around 18% of UK energy and is environmentally large scale.
Now much does nuclear energy cost?
£92.50 mwh, which is more expensive than renewable energy.
What are the environmental impacts of nuclear energy?
Accidents can cause radioactive radiation and water and steam is used to cool the reactor.
What are the advantages of nuclear energy?
A small amount of greenhouse gases emissions are produced.
What are the disadvantages of nuclear energy?
If someone goes wrong there’s large-scale consequences/problems.
