Energy supply, demand and security

Question 1

Define fuel.

Answer 1

Fuel is any material that is burned or altered in order to obtain energy.

Question 2

Define fossil fuel.

Answer 2

Those formed over geological time from the partly decayed remains of plants or animals.
They include coal, oil and gas and can be combusted only once and a therefore finite and non renewable.

Question 3

What environmental impacts are a result of exploiting fossil fuels by quarrying, mining and pumping?

Answer 3

Deforestation

Disruption of water tables and groundwater supplies.

Question 4

Is nuclear energy renewable or non renewable?

Answer 4

Non renewable since supplies of the raw material uranium are finite.

Question 5

Define renewable sources of energy?

Answer 5

Those capable of natural regeneration on a human timescale. They provide almost continuous flows of energy.

Question 6

Distinguish between primary and secondary sources of energy.

Answer 6

Primary energy is found in natural resources, e.g coal and sunlight.
Secondary energy is primary energy that has been converted into a more convenient form, usually electricity.

Question 7

The three main factors that control the transition from traditional to modern energy use are:

Answer 7

Energy availability, energy affordability and cultural preferences

Question 8

How does climate influence energy usage?

Answer 8

The need to keep warm in cold climates and the need to keep cool in hot climates.

Question 9

What regions have the richest reserves of oil?

Answer 9

Middle east and Africa

Question 10

What regions have the richest reserves of gas?

Answer 10

Middle east, Europe and Eurasia.

Question 11

What regions have the richest reserves of coal?

Answer 11

North America, Pacific, Europe and Eurasia.

Question 12

Define energy demand

Answer 12

The need or desire for energy.

Question 13

Define energy consumption

Answer 13

Refers to the availability and use or energy.

Question 14

How many people live without electricity?

Answer 14

1.6 billion

Question 15

Why is there such a spectacular rise in energy consumption?

Answer 15

Combination of population growth, economic development and rising standards of living.

Question 16

What are future trends likely to be in terms of energy demand?

Answer 16

China and India expected to have the largest rises.
Countries in Western Europe may reduce their demands as a result of improved energy efficiency and rising energy costs.
Developing world countries is expected to double by 2020, while it increases by about one third in the developed world.

Question 17

There are a number of risks to energy security…

Answer 17

Physical…exhaustion of reserves or disruption of supply lines by natural hazards such as earthquakes.
Environmental…protests about environmental damage caused by exploitation of energy resources.
Economic…sudden rises in the cost of energy or exhaustion of domestic supplies forcing increase imports of higher priced energy
Geopolitical…political instability in energy producing regions, disputes over conflict over sovereignty (ownership) of energy resources, or disputes over energy transmission by pipelines or cables across countries.

Question 18

Why does energy security matter?

Answer 18

Energy is fundamental to how society and the economy functions and develops.
It is vital to maintain quality of life.
A country loses control over its affairs if it has to rely on other countries for energy.
Countries can be vulnerable in a crisis.
Unstable/unreliable energy and prices make planning difficult.

Question 19

The Oil Drum (UK case study)

Answer 19

In 2006, 92% of the primary energy consumed in the UK was derived from fossil solar fuels - oil, natural gas and coal.
Not so long ago the UK was self sufficient in these energy resources but now we are importing increasing amounts of all three.
Dependency upon imported energy undermines UK national security and will have potentially dire consequences for the balance of trade.

Question 20

Long term trends in consumption in the UK:

Answer 20

Energy per person (per capita) hasn’t changed very much despite all the extra things we seem to be using- but there are far more people so overall consumption has risen.

Question 21

What factors influence the suitability of an energy source?

Answer 21

Start up time
Affordability
Accessibility
Renewability

Question 22

Where is the majority of the global oil distribution?

Answer 22

The majority of the global oil distribution is scattered across the world however the vast majority is in the middle east in countries such as Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Question 23

Where is the majority of the global coal distribution?

Answer 23

Coal is majoritively in the eastern region of the globe.

Question 24

Physical factors for solar

Answer 24

Angle of the sun
Cloud cover
O3 factors
….Affects availability of energy

Question 25

OECD meaning

Answer 25

OECD- organisation of economic cooperation and development. Promotes democracy and the market economy.

Question 26

EIA meaning

Answer 26

EIA- the energy info administration: an independent agency within the US department of energy that develops surveys, collects energy data, and analyses and models energy issues.

Question 27

How is energy security measured?

Answer 27

The Energy Security Index measures the extent to which a country may look forward to a reliable and affordable supply of energy.
The higher the index, the lower the risk.
Based on information relating to:
Availability
Diversity
Intensity

Question 28

What causes future global uncertainty about energy?

Answer 28

Population rises-ageing population
Renewable development/ technological 
Not in backyard- NIBs
Consumption changes?
World wars? Disease?
Government policies 
TNC growths 
Pressure groups
Embargo/ Geopolitics
Development rates
Peak oil
Contribution of unconventional oil sources
Future performance of global economy