Energy security Flashcards
1
Q
Primary energy sources
A
- Sources are obtained in their natural form
2
Q
Primary energy sources examples
A
- Coal: Stock resource that accounts for 27% of global energy production. Usage is decreasing as China shifts its energy mix away from coal and less polluting energy sources are used. Most production occurring in China, ahead of the USA and India.
- Petroleum (Oil): Stock resource that accounts for 32% of global energy production. Usage is still increasing as global energy demand increases. Most usage in USA, China and India and greatest production in the USA, Saudi Arabia and Russia
- Natural Gas: Stock resource, with only 50% of the carbon emissions of coal and accounts for 22% of global energy production, which is increasing year on year. Highest production in USA, Russia and Iran and greatest consumption in USA, Russia and China.
- Uranium - Stock resource with very low carbon footprint that accounts for around 4% of global energy production, with most production in Kazakhstan and greatest amount of nuclear fission energy produced in the USA. Production likely to increase in future.
- Biomass (May also be secondary): Flow resource. In many LIC’s biomass is burned to produce energy. Burning organic matter such as wood is very inefficient. However biomass produces a large proportion of energy in LIC’s, though it makes up a low proportion of worldwide energy consumption. In HIC countries, biomass is being used more efficiently to produce energy, such as in biodiesel. Overall decrease in use on a global scale.
- Hydroelectric Power (HEP) : Flow resource. Water drives turbines to produce electricity and is very efficient. Hydropower has been used for many years as a renewable energy, but only accounts for a small percentage of global energy production. Expected to increase globally, but with decreases in some HIC’s.
3
Q
Secondary energy sources
A
- Sources that have been converted from primary sources into manufactured sources - mainly heat, electricity or fuel
4
Q
Secondary energy sources examples
A
- Solar: increasing rapidly year on year as the technologies for solar power become cheaper. China has the largest installed capacity, though production is much lower due to climatic conditions. Growth in LIC countries as technology becomes cheaper.
- Wind: produces one of the most energy of renewable sources, with the greatest production and capacity in China. Technology spreading to LIC countries and offshore is increasing too
. - Wave: Very low generation, technology is developing
- Tidal: expensive so only a handful of installed tidal power schemes on a global scale. One successful project may lead to a multiplier effect.
- Geothermal Energy: Very efficient and reliable and operates all year+ day round. Popular in countries with volcanic setting and likely to increase as technology spreads to LIC’s. Currently does not contribute a large amount to the global energy mix.
5
Q
Components of demand
A
- refers to the way energy is used
- industrial, commercial, domestic and transport are the most common categories
- Consumption by sector will vary across countries
6
Q
Energy mix
A
- Composition of different sources from which a named area obtains its energy
7
Q
Contrasting settings
A
- Refers to an overview of how countries in different contexts obtain their energy
- The contrast may be in the type of energy source - fossil fuel or renewable, the level of economic development or the indigenous supplies available
- Every country’s energy mix will be governed by whats available, affordable, reliable and clean
8
Q
Energy mix in contrasting settings : Iceland
A
- HEP 15%, geothermal 66%, fossil fuels 19%
- Very low on fossil fuel use
- Abundant geothermal energy due to positioning on a constructive plate margin
- Huge potential for HEP from fast-flowing rivers with steep gradients
- As a small affluent country it can afford the technology needed for both geothermal and HEP
9
Q
Energy mix in contrasting settings : France
A
- Nuclear 38%, oil 32%, gas 15%, renewable 10%, coal 4%, HEP 1%
- High usage of nuclear fuel
- 59 power stations, supplying nearly 80% of electricity
- Many large rivers for cooling purposes in nuclear fuel production
- Government policy to improve energy security
- Few Fossil fuels
10
Q
Relationship of energy supply to key aspects of physical geography : Climate
A
- High levels of sunlight can be harnessed for solar energy
- Best location in tropical and subtropical areas. Such is higher in the sky so potential is maximised
- Solar energy has more potential in mountainous areas where the air is thinner and sunlight is scattered less
- Wind is a source of energy but can be intermittent
- Minimum speed required is 7-10 mph. In high winds of 50-80mph most turbines will shut down
- High density air provides more energy so lower altitudes and cooler air are most effective
11
Q
Relationship of energy supply to key aspects of physical geography : Geology
A
- Coal = formed from plant debris being buried under layers of mud and sand : heat and pressure from subsequent layers gives rise to a process of clarification
- Oil and gas - these are hydrocarbons of organic origin Settling of dead plants and animals at the bottom of the sea led to fossilisation in sedimentary source rocks
- Sedimentary rock formations hold oil and gas or both within their pores
- New technology has allowed the extraction of oil and gas from shale rock by a process of fracking
- Permeable rocks can be infilitratrd and water stored underground in aquifiiers, providing a long-term water store
- Mountanous regions encourager relief rainfall increasing water supply through a rain shadow
12
Q
Relationship of energy supply to key aspects of physical geography : Drainage
A
- Size and shape of drainage basins influence the potential for dam building and HEP
- Vital factors are the volume of water that can be captured : the flow
- The other vital factor is the height the water will fall : the head
- Dam building is expensive, so a long, narrow, steep-sided valley basin is most suitable
13
Q
How does energy production and use affect relationships between countries?
A
- Countries that produce lots of a particular type of energy might form alliances, e.g. OPEC is a group of countries that work together to influence the global supply and price of oil
- Because energy and resources are unevenly distributed across the world, conflict can arise between countries trying to obtain the resources they need
- The country’s financial situation or existing conflicts with other countries can reduce its ability to trade energy.
14
Q
How does energy price cause competing national interests?
A
- The country selling the energy will want to charge as much as possible, whereas the country buying will want to pay as little as possible
- influences the potential market for an energy resource + determines whether extracting the resource is economically viable.
15
Q
How does environment vs development cause competing national interests
A
- Many countries exploit energy resources in order to increase economic development but, exploitation can damage the environment.
- Countries may want to exploit energy resources in another country (China developing oil reserves in Africa) or in the global commons.
- In some cases, the global community may step in to prevent large-scale damage to fragile environments (Antarctica treaty bans development there).
- As resources dwindle, pressure to exploit the new areas is increasing.
