eq2 Flashcards
What is the relationship between GDP and energy use per capita
as GDP increases so does energy use per capita
whats primary energy
refers to natural energy resources that have not been converted into another form of energy. it includes non renewable sources such as fossil fuels-( coal, oil and gas), nuclear (uranium) and renewable ( hydro, solar, wind, biomass)
whats secondary energy
refers to what the primary source has been converted to, usually electricity. can be heating
why is the UK energy insecure
the UK now imports more energy than it produces, it has an energy deficit(energy demand is greater than supply)
talk about environmental priorities and why that makes a places energy mix vary.
uk- in 2015, the UK committed to a 40% reduction in domestic greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
norway- in 2015, Norway committed to a 40% reduction in domestic greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
norway is the 3rd largest exporter of hydrocarbons
talk about the technology in the UK and Norway and how it leads to an energy mix
uk- theres 150 years worth of reserves but its expenisve to extract- may get energy elsewhere
Norway- deepwater drilling allowed Norway and UK to extract North sea oil and gas
talk about political considerations of the UK and Norway and how it leads to an energy mix.
UK- the privatisation of Uks energy supply industry means overseas companies decide which energy sources are used to meet the UKs demand.- public concern is growing over new fracking sites
Norway- foreign companies cant own primary source sites here.
what are 6 reasons why energy mix varies
-physical availability-climate affects avalibality
-cost
-technology
-political considerations
-level of economic development
-environmental priorities- cultures view env differently eg russia sees natuer as a provider of resources
talk about the physical availability of energy in the uk compared to norway.
uk- used to depend heavily on domestic coal and now found oil reserves
Norway- steep valleys, plentiful rainfall and mountainous = HEP readily available
talk about the cost of energy resources in the uk and norway (extraction and hep)
uk- north sea oil is expensive to extract so if global prices fall, its less viable
Norway- the cost of HEP is low however the transfer of it to rural areas is expensive.
talk about level of economic development and why that makes a places energy mix vary.(prices)
Norway vs UK
UK- average annual household energy costs=£1300
GDP PER capita - 41200
Norway- average annual household energy costs=£2400uk
GDPPC - 61500
unconventional fossil fuels: deep water oil
- explanation-
-positives-
-negatives-
explanation-
found in Gulf of Mexico, where one of the largest and deepest oil fields is Atlantis
drilling for oil in deep seawater
-positives-
improve a countries energy security- gives domestic (in country) energy supply
many barrels can be produced
-negatives-
drilling into deep water is not easy and there are hurricanes as well as long distances to shore
-long pipelines needed
what happens if a chokepoint is blocked
energy prices can rise quickly
talk about an energy pathway disruption that occurred in the uk
during a stormy winter in 2013, UK gas reserves fell to 6 hours worth as storm damage paralysed a pipeline.
despite the increasing concern about carbon emissions, what is still used
fossil fuels
4 ways we can transport energy
-pipeline overland ( oil and gas)
-bulk carrier ships (coal and uranium)
- tankship (coal and LNG)
-underwater cables (electricity)
what are the 4 unconventional fossil fuels
deep water oil, tar sands, oil shale, shale gas (fracking)
physical obstacles to energy pathways
vast distances
-hurricane season
-difficult terrain
-seas/oceans
-natural hazards (earthquakes)
unconventional fossil fuels: tar sands
- explanation-
-positives-
-negatives-
explanation-
tar sands are a mixture of clay, sand, water and bitumen (very viscous oil). the oil is too thick to be pumped from the ground, instead it must be taken from an open pit, or strip- mined. To recover the oil, it must be separated from the sands using very hot water diluted with lighter hydrocarbons
-positives-
when oil prices are high, it becomes economical to extract the oil from the sands
its raised GDP per capita in some places
-negatives-
amount of energy needed - contribution to global warming
Mining process leaves scars on the landscape
Impacts on wildlife and people
unconventional fossil fuels: oil shale
- explanation-
-positives-
-negatives-
explanation-
contains solid bituminous material (kerogen) that forms when slit and organic matter were heated and pressurised under water , but not enough to turn it into oil. oil shale van be mined, but must be heated to a high temp to release the oil
-positives-
The royal Dutch shell has developed a plan to heat shale underground surrounded by a freeze wall so that the kerogen seeps out into drilled holes for collection
provides a domestic/ reliable supply
-negatives-
expensive and releases greenhouse gasses
disturbs land vegetation cover
produces waste- water and air pollution
unconventional fossil fuels: shale gas (fracking)
- explanation-
-positives-
-negatives-
explanation-
natural gas, mostly methane trapped inside impermeable rocks, so it cannot be extracted by normal drilling. instead the rock must be broken to free the gas which is done by hydraulic fracturing (fracking); involves horizontal and vertical drilling
-positives-
increasing energy reserves for a country and reducing needs for imports
its a flexible energy source
-negatives-
many drill sites are needed.
lowered local groundwater levels
chemical contamination
adds to greenhouse effect
subsidence
shale gas= fossil fuel
in the early 1970s, western countries experienced an energy crisis, why
OPEC placed an embargo on the sales of crude oil to the usa, Japan, uk and the Netherlands
what an embargo
a complete ban on trade
what have drastic increases in oil prices lead countries to do
the unconventional oil and gas revolution (shale gas) that has signalled a new era of fossil fuel abundance
COP26
what is base load energy
a consistent, unbroken supply of energy
What led to the age of fossil fuel abundance
in the USA a technique has been perfected that uses horizontal drilling, fracking then takes a matter of hours
3 problems associated with developing renewable energy
-although wind and solar producers do not need to pay for their fuel, there are geopolitical concerns about access to raw material that are essential to renewable energy.
- the low- carbon transmission means re-scaling and decentralisation of the energy system. prosumers= households that are both producers and consumers. the growth of prosumers has the potential to destabilase the the existing system based on large power plants and national electricity grids
-wind and solar are intermittent- they do not generate electricity when the wind does not blow or the sun is not shining causing insecurity
what was Germanys response to the Fukishima disaster
closed 8 nuclear reactors immediately
challenges germany has faced since closing 8 nuclear stations
a greater unexpected reliance on coal has raised geopolitical considerations.
safety concerns of nuclear
-fukushima
-radiation leaks
-dealing with waste (ongoing issue)
whats hinkley point C
a step towards energy security
-nuclear is produced at home-lack of reliance in other countries
nuclear recyclable- COSTS
ENV
SOC
ECON
ENV
-contaminate water with radiation
-natural hazards cause concern
SOC
-nimby (not in my backyard), controversial due to health implications if power plant fails
-natural hazards cause concern- fukushima
ECON
-expensive to build
solar, renewable- COSTS
ENV
SOC
ECON
ENV
-uses a large amount of land- could be used for farming
-toxic chemicals and energy goes into making cells
SOC
-for individuals, its expensive
ECON
-no sun= no energy- unreliable
-uses a large amount of land- could be used for farming
nuclear recyclable- BENEFITS
ENV
SOC
ECON
ENV
-less c02 emissions- less global warming
SOC
-create jobs ( Hinkley point provided 25,00 jobs)
ECON
-very efficient energy, jobs created
solar, renewable-BENEFITS
ENV
SOC
ECON
ENV
less co2 emissions
reduces pollution
SOC
chapel lane solar farm provides 60000 houses with electricity
reduces pollution
ECON
can save money in the long term- individuals can sell surplus energy back to the grid for profit- can be used by poorer countries
wind, renewable - COSTS
ENV
SOC
ECON
ENV
noisy- in paths of bird migrations
SOC
nimby- some people do not like the aesthetics-not natural
noisy
ECON
initial expense to maintain
wind, renewable - BENEFITS
ENV
SOC
ECON
ENV
less co2 emissions
SOC
no air pollution
better health
jobs provided
ECON
provides jobs- 2000 construction jobs provided by offshore wind turbine projects off the coast of Yorkshire- Hornsey project 1
long term= saves money
SWOT ANALYSIS OF BIOFUEL
strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats
STRENGTHS
-lower emissions than fossil fuels
-renewable energy resource
-does not need specialist machinery
WEAKNESSES
- clearing the forest to grow crops means loss of carbon sink
-needs pesticides and fertilizers which uses fossil fuels in their production
-takes land from food production
OPPOURTUNITIES
-positive multiplier effect in rural regions
-infrastructure improvements provided by growers
-fuel earns export income- provides rural inwards investment
THREATS
-contaminates water sources with pesticides or the overuse of fertilizers
-takes investment away from food production
- food shortages occur leading to higher food prices
whats biofuel
any fuel that is derived from biomass- that is plant or algae material or animal waste
human factors affecting energy pathways
-political tensions and disagreements, pathways will be blocked at ‘chokepoints’
- armed conflicts
-pirate activity
-socio-economic changes
-embargo and sanctions
-technical problems such as pipeline leaks
what are the 5 radical energy solutions
-hydrogen fuel cells
-nanotechnology
-nuclear fusion
-electric vehicles
-carbon capture storage
what are advantages and disadvantages of the radical energy solutions : HYDROGEN FUEL CELLS
+no direct emissions, water is the only waste product
-expensive
+good range of distance u can drive with one fuel
-explosions could occur, hydrogen tanks need to be strong
+fuel cells are efficient
-not many hydrogen refulling stations
what are advantages and disadvantages of the radical energy solutions : ELECTRIC VEHCILES
-lengthy recharging
-few charging points in some areas
-short range (distance it can travel)
+reduces air pollution in urban areas
+lack of noise pollution
+cheap to run
what are advantages and disadvantages of the radical energy solutions : CARBON CAPTURE AND STORAGE
+reliable
-possible safety concerns of pumping large amounts of liquid co2 into rock- stability?
-co2 leakages may occur
+is being highly monitored to help reduce high levels f co2
what are advantages and disadvantages of the radical energy solutions : NUCLEAR FUSION
-still in its infancy
+no long term radiation
+no greenhouse gasses, clean
-long way from becoming a reality
-expensive
+uses common elements
how did Germany respond the the Fukushima disaster
Germany immediately closed down 8 of its nuclear power reactors and pledged to close all 17 by 2022
state facts about Brazils Biofuels
-Brazil is the world leader in producing bio-ethanol
-downside= deforestation
-social unrest has occurred - farm workers have lost land that is now dedicated towards growing sugar cane
-cars running on bioethanol emit 80% less CO2 than petrol driven cars
what type of unconventional fossil fuel is banned in the EU
tar sands
in 2015, how much of the UKs energy was from fossil fuels?
80%
how did the UK diversify its energy in 2016
in 2016, the UK opened Hinkley point C which is a nuclear power station.
-this provided 25,000 jobs
the UK is energy insecure, what percentage of its energy is imported?
60% of its energy is imported
what are the positives of tar sands
by 2030, it could meet 16% of North Americas oil needs
what are the negatives of tar sands
around 1.8 million tonnes of toxic wastewater are produced every day
what are the 4 enegry players
OPEC
roles of tns
national gov
consumers
what is enegry security
a constant supply of energy at an affordable price
what is a chokepoint
geographic locations where the flow of people and goods can be constricted and choked off in the event of a conflict.
what is the role and egs of thr role of tns
role: TNCs explore, expoilt and distribute energy resources, own supply lines, invest in distribution & processing raw materials, electricity, production and transamission
eg: old players- BP(UK), shell
new players-Petrobras(Brazil)
what is the role and eg of OPEC
role: coordinate and unify the petroluem policies. ensure stabilisation of oil markets in order to .secure- regular petroleum consumers
.steady income for producers
.fair return of those investing in the industry
egs: past, set oil productions quotas- boosting supplies when demand rose and reducing them when demand fell. now, maintaining output uat high levels kept oils prices low.
Define energy security
Ensuring that energy supply meets current and future demand
Define energy equity
Ensuring accesible and affordable energy for all countrys
Define environemental sustainability
Ensuring efficient use of energy and use of renewablee sources, so reducing pollution and GHG emmisions
Define fragile environments
Extremely sensitive to environmental shifts and changes
What are two examples of state controlled energy companies
Gazprom and Coal india LTD
Give stats about Coal india ltd
80 mining areas
5.9% of global coal production, 80% of indias
Government gained 12.9 billion revenues in 2013/14
Give stats about Gazprom
gas is a major russian export, helping its trade balance –> earning revenues
Europe (germany) is a large customer, importing 40 billion m^3 of natural gas
Conflicts in 2005, 2013 resulted in sactions
How has the russian invasion of ukraine affected UK and EU
Fluctuations in price (inflation) - cost of living crisis
Concerns over energy security
Summarise the danish approach to energy provision
And how much has GHG been reduced
Believes in a holistic regulatory approach to improving energy supplies and reducing reliance on fossil fuels (energy, tax incentives,efficiency)
Since 1990, reduced GHG by 30% and plans for 40% by 2020
What are the human obstacles to energy pathways?
Political tensions and disagreements
Embargoes and sanctions from Russia iran
Name examples of locations for the 4 unconventional fuels
DWO - Gulf of mexico
TS - Venezuela
OS - Colorado, utah
Shale gas - USA
Define a chokepoint
When pathways are blocked because of political tension
List 2 chokepoints and briefly explain stats
Strait of hormuz - 20% of oil flows through there
Strait of malacca - second largest chokepoint
