EQ2 - Energy Security - CARBON

Question 1

Where does our energy come from

Answer 1

• by sector we use more transport for energy use as the uk relies more on transport
• the industry energy use by sector declines as the factories relocate and outsource
• the uk primary energy use by source is mainly gas, coal and oil within other renewable energies slowly beginning to enter

Question 2

What are the two The energy mix CASE STUDIES

Answer 2

• Japan
• France

Question 3

State facts of the energy mix case study - Japan

Answer 3

• very dependent on nuclear power although Japans hydroelectric plants are reliable
• Since 2011 the earthquakes reduced the use of nuclear power as it was Japans primary use for energy, nuclear is now 8%
• heavily dependent on fossil fuels - oil, gas and coal
• Japan began to diversify its energy supplies, build up oil reserves and accelerated nuclear power uses. 58% of country total energy requirement met by oil
• nuclear counts for 11% of primary energy supplies

Question 4

State facts of the energy mix case study - France

Answer 4

• 10th for energy consumers
• Total energy consumption in France is 1/10 of the USAs due to population of 64.6 million
• Energy mix - half of its energy coming from fossil fuels and 40% from nuclear energy
• In terms of energy security, France is much less well placed than USA, due to half of its primary energy imported while USA is self sufficient

Question 5

State the 7 different energy stakeholders/players

Answer 5

1. OPEC
2. Government
3. Energy companies
4. TNCs
5. Consumers
6. Environmentalists
7. Scientists
8. Generators and distributors

Question 6

State facts on consumers

Answer 6

• most influential consumers are transport, industry and domestic uses
• create demand, purchasing choices are often based on price/cost issues e.g petrol prices can be competitive. Consumers have some power over oil companies

Question 7

State facts on the government

Answer 7

• guardians of national energy security can influence the source of energy for geopolitical reasons
• regulate the rule of private companies and set environmental priorities
• secure energy supplies and achieve energy security

Question 8

State facts on energy companies

Answer 8

• convert primary energy into electricity and the distribute it, most distribute gas and electricity

Question 9

State facts on TNCs

Answer 9

• big names in oil + gas business include Gazprom, Petrochina and royal dut shell
• nearly half of thee top 20 companies are state owned or under government control so they may not be seen as TNCs
• involved in range of operations such as extracting and exploring
• respond to market condition to secure profits for stakeholders

Question 10

State facts on OPEC

Answer 10

• otherwise known as the organisation of the petroleum ountires
• 14 currently and meet every month
• founded in 1900 to provide support fo oil producing companies
• ensure stabilisation of efficient economic supply and regular supply of petroleum to consumers, steady income for producer and fair returns for those investing in the country
• Saudi - is the biggest contributor, 10% of global supply and other countries follow their influence on prices
• OPEC can combat low prices - bankrupt business, but high prices mean economic income loss
• Howvever, their influence is dwindle due to ne conventional sources such as the tar sands in Canada is diminishing energy supplies
• 1/3 of global supplies
• the future - may be renewable supplies

Question 11

State ways in which the UK is ENERGY SECURE - CASE STUDY

Answer 11

• steady flow of oil + natural gas Extracted from deep below the waters of the North Sea
• expanding renewable capacity
• increase renewable energy especially offshore wind farms

Question 12

State ways in which the UK is NOT ENERGY SECURE - CASE STUDY

Answer 12

• dependency on foreign energy can change when wars occur etc
• can face shortages if foreign supplier cut off

Question 13

What is the Impact of conflict in Ukraine on energy supply to Europe?

Answer 13

• 80% of russias exports pass through Ukraine
• Ukraine SEPERATE from russia in 1991
• Ukraine is a transit state for russias pipelines to Europe
• disagreement was intensified when Russian government felt the new Ukrainian leadership was too pro west in foreign policies, angered russia to turn of gas in 2006 in January as it is vey cold
• 2015, a further dispute abt transit tariffs and pricing led to gas turn off again and European committee got involved and an agreement made in 2019

Question 14

Chokepoints

Answer 14

• SUEZ canal - artificial / very narrow
• Bals el Mandela
• Strait of malacca

The influence of reliance of choke points rely on
- conflict
- weather