Energy (Unit 2C) Flashcards
Energy security
Having a secure supply of energy
Energy insecurity
Having an unreliable or irregular supply of energy
Global distribution of energy consumption
More developed countries have a larger consumption of energy in comparison to poorer areas that cannot afford to exploit or import energy
Global distortion of energy supply
- Some countries produce large amounts of energy as they have large reserves (e.g. Russia, Canada)
- Other countries produce less energy as they don’t have many reserves or cannot afford to exploit reserves (e.g. Ireland, Sudan)
Why is energy demand increasing?
- Economic development: People can afford to purchase more materialistic goods, and countries industry develops
- Rising population: More people means more energy is needed
- Technology: Improving technology has lead to the development of new products that have become popular amongst people (e.g. phones)
Factors affecting energy supply
- Physical: Some contras have fewer resources then others, natural disasters can adage energy infrastructure (Earthquakes damage gas pipes)
- Economic: As they become harder to find non renewable energy becomes more expensive
- Technology: technology is too expensive, or allows us to access new resources not accessed before (fracking)
- Political: International agreements reduced greenhouse gas emissions, strict regulations on nuclear power
Impacts of energy insecurity (Environmental and economic)
As fossil fuels are used up and reserves are less accessible the cost of production increases aswell as the effects not the environment
Impacts of energy insecurity (Environmental and economic)
As fossil fuels are used up and reserves are less accessible the cost of production increases aswell as the effects not the environment
Impacts of energy insecurity (food production)
- Agricultural machines are used less as they cannot be powered
- Growing biofuel crops takes space that could be used for food
Impacts of energy insecurity (industrial output)
Factories produce less or are forced to relocate (endangering many jobs)
Impacts of energy insecurity (conflict)
Conflict can arise between countries with energy surplus and deficit (e.g. conflict for energy exploitation schemes that lie on borders)
Renewable Energy (Biomass)
Wood, plants or animal wastes burnt to produce biofuels
- doesn’t require much tech
- only renewable if managed sustainably
Renewable Energy (Wind)
Use wind which to generate electricity, by turning turbines
- No greenhouse gases
- Cannot generate electricity all the time
Renewable Energy (Hydro)
Falling water which is trapped by dams and travels through tubes and then turn a turbine
- Flexible and efficient (easily match demand)
- Destroys natural habitats and is expensive
Renewable Energy (Tidal)
Changes in water levels by tides are used to turn turbines and generate electricity
- reliably predicted
- expensive and cannot work constantly
Renewable Energy (Geothermal)
Water pumped into the ground and produces steam which turns turbines
- Cheap and reliable
- Only works in tectonically active areas
Renewable Energy (Wave)
Waves are created which changes water levels and turns a turbine
- Usable in winter so works with solar
- Expensive
Renewable Energy (Solar)
Energy from the sun is absorbed and used to create electricity
- Cheap
- Expensive and sunlight reliant
Non-renewable Energy (fossil fuels)
The burning of coal, oil and gas found within the Earth
- currently available in plentiful supply
- Will eventually run out and release greenhouse gases
Non-renewable Energy (Nuclear)
The splitting of an atom which results in large amounts of energy to be released
- available in plentiful supply and only a small amount is required
- Expensive infrastructure cost and waste produced is radioactive
Extracting natural gas in the Amazon (fracking)
Peru is located in South America, it’s located on the west coast, it borders Brazil and Ecuador
Extracting gas in the Amazon (Advantages)
- 45% less carbon emissions then coal or oil
- 1.2 million people employed
- Abundant and improving tech makes extraction more economic
- Easily distributed (by pipelines)
Extracting gas in the Amazon (Disadvantages)
- Pipelines are expensive to build and maintain
- Greenhouse gas emissions (co2)
- Cause small earthquakes
- Leaks can result in explosions/ fire
Sustainable
Meeting the needs of the present whithout reducing the ability of people to do so in the future
