EQ2- What Are The Consequences For People And The Environment Of Our Increasing Demand For Energy

Question 1

Define players

Answer 1

Are the roles played by TNC’s, OPEC, governments and consumers in securing energy pathways and supplies.

Question 2

Define Energy security

Answer 2

Is the ability for a country to access reliable and affordable sources of energy.

Question 3

Explain the energy mix

Answer 3

Is the combination of different available energy sources used to meet a country’s total energy demand, is an important component of energy security

Question 4

Define primary energy sources

Answer 4

Are those which are consumed in their raw form. They include burning fossil fuels, nuclear energy and renewable sources.

Question 5

Define secondary energy sources

Answer 5

Is electricity generated from primary sources, flowing through power lines and infrastructure to power homes and businesses.

Question 6

Explain the different sources of energy (3)

Give examples

Answer 6

Non renewable energy (finite) - exploitation of these stocks will eventually lead to them running out. E.g. Coal, Oil or Gas

Renewable energy (non-finite) - continuous flows of energy which can be continuously used. E.g. Solar, Wind and Wave power

Recyclable- Uranium from nuclear power plants can be recycled

Question 7

Explain how Oil has changed as part of the UK’s energy mix and why it has changed

Answer 7

Has decreased from 38% in 1980 to 32% in 2012

North sea oil is more expensive to extract, when prices fell it became less viable. Stocks of North Sea oil are declining meaning the UK now have to import oil, reducing their energy security

Question 8

Explain how Gas has changed as part of the UK’s energy mix and why it has changed

Answer 8

Has increased from 19% in 1980 to 40% in 2012.

The discovery of large reserves of gas in the North Sea and also improved technology has seen gas become used more by the UK. People are less sensitive to the higher prices of extracting gas for consumption due to the high levels of economic development.

Question 9

Explain how Coal has changed as part of the UK’s energy mix and why has it changed

Answer 9

Has decreased from 34% in 1980 to 15% in 2012

In the 1970’s the UK depended heavily on domestic coal. Current technology and environmental policies has made its extraction and use unrealistic and expensive.

Question 10

Explain how Renewables has changed as part of the UK’s energy mix and why has it changed

Answer 10

Has remained stagnant at about 3% from 1980 to 2012

Although the government has intended to broaden it’s energy mix with renewable sources and CO2 emissions have decreased, renewable sources produce smaller amounts of energy than non renewable sources and is also very expensive. The UK government has committed to a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions

Question 11

Explain how Nuclear energy has changed as part of the UK’s energy mix and why has it changed

Answer 11

Has increased from 6% to 9% from 1980 to 2012

UK was amongst global leaders in nuclear energy from 1950’s to the 70’s , but decreased after the discovery of oil in the North Sea. Public concern is growing over new proposed fracking and nuclear sites.

Question 12

Explain how Oil has changed as part of the Norway’s energy mix and why has it changed

Answer 12

Has decreased from 51% in 1970 to 33% in 2010

Deepwater drilling technology enabled North sea oil exploitation, most of it is exported. The government adopted a interventionist approach to prevent foreign companies from owning any prime energy source sites.

Question 13

Explain how Gas has changed as part of the Norway’s energy mix and why has it changed

Answer 13

Has increased from 0% in 1970 to 20% in 2010

Discovery of North Sea Gas and drilling technology allowed Norway to incorporate gas into their energy mix and also export it, becoming the third largest exporter of hydrocarbons

Question 14

Explain how Coal has changed as part of the Norway’s energy mix and why has it changed

Answer 14

Has decreased from 6.5% in 1970 to less than 1% in 201

Norway export coal instead of using it. Royalties and taxes paid to the government from exporting fossil fuels is used to boost people’s standard of living and invest in environmentally sustainable projects

Question 15

Explain how HEP has changed as part of the Norway’s energy mix and why has it changed

Answer 15

Norways mountainous landscape and high rainfall has made it perfect for HEP. Has over 600 sites and accounts for 98% of Norway’s renewable energy. Costs are low once capital investment is complete, however its transport costs are expensive. Committed to being carbon neutral by 2050, HEP will play a major part of their energy mix

Question 16

Define energy pathway

Answer 16

Is the route taken by any form of energy from its source to its point of consumption. This route involves different forms of transport, such as tanker ships and pipelines

Question 17

Explain the factors effecting the consumption of energy (5)

Answer 17

Physical availability- high costs of energy transportation and hard to access sources lead to energy consumption being more expensive.
Technology- can help tap energy resources that are not so accessible, modern technology helps drive the demand for energy.
Cost- High costs of extracting, processing and transporting can reduce demand.
Economic development- in a more economically developed country people are less sensitive to energy costs.
Climate- High energy consumption occurs in climates where there is extreme hot and cold.

Question 18

Explain Energy TNC’s role as players

Answer 18

Aim to exploit and distribute energy resources, they respond to market conditions to secure profits for shareholders.

Question 19

Explain OPEC’s role as players

What do they ensure

Answer 19

Their members control 81% of the world’s reserves and aim to co-ordinate and unify policies to ensure the stabilisation and efficiency of oil markets.

They supply a sufficient and regular supply
A steady income for producers
A fair return for those investing in the industry

Question 20

Explain National governments role as players

Answer 20

Aim to meet international obligations whilst securing energy supplies for the nation’s present and future

Question 21

Explain consumers role as players

Answer 21

Create demand, their purchasing choices are often based on price/cost issues

Question 22

State factors that lead to energy pathways being disrupted (4)

Answer 22

Piracy
Political conflict
Military conflict
Extreme weather

Question 23

Explain how Piracy can lead to the disruption of energy pathways

Exemplification

Answer 23

Piracy can disrupt energy pathways
Seen in December 2015 along the Strait of Malacca, the worlds second largest chokepoint that the world’s oil and gas goes through.
Saw ships frequently seized for hostage payments, 500 occurred from 2009 to 2015.

Question 24

Explain how political conflict can lead to the disruption of energy pathways

Exemplification

Answer 24

Political conflict such as terrorism can disrupt energy pathways
For example, the Trans Forcados pipeline was bombed in 2016 by militants resulting in the loss of 300,000 tonnes of crude oil a day

Question 25

Explain how extreme weather can lead to energy pathways being disrupted

Exemplification

Answer 25

Extreme weather such as storms and tropical cyclones can disrupt energy pathways .
This occurred in 2013 where stormy weather led to UK gas reserves declining to 6 hours worth
Storm damage paralysed an important pipeline

Question 26

Explain how military conflict can lead to energy pathways being disrupted

Answer 26

Military conflict can disrupt energy pathways
An example of this is the proxy war between the US backed Sunni group and the Russian backed Shia group in Syria.
This occurred due to the construction of oil and gas pipelines through Syria to supply Europe, the worlds largest energy market.
Both Russia and USA have an interest in controlling these pipelines leading to a proxy war, that neither countries are actually involved in.

Question 27

State the main unconventional fossil fuels

Answer 27

Tar Sands
Oil Shale
Shale Gas
Deepwater Oil

Question 28

Explain Tar Sands as an unconventional fossil fuel:

• What is it
• Extraction
• Where

Answer 28

A mixture of clay, sand, water and bitumen (viscous oil)
Has to be mined and then injected with steam to make the tar less viscous so it can be pumped out
Canada has 73% of known global stocks

Question 29

Explain Oil Shale as an unconventional fossil fuel:

• What is it
• Extraction
• Where

Answer 29

Oil bearing rocks that are permeable enough to allow the oil to be pumped out directly.
Is either mined or ignited to be pumped out
USA has 77% of known reserves

Question 30

Explain Shale Oil as an unconventional fossil fuel:
-What is it
-Extraction
-Where
Environmental consequences and effect on carbon cycle

Answer 30

Natural gas trapped in fine-grained sedimentary rock
Extracted through Fracking, pumping in water and chemicals forces out the gas, or horizontal drilling which has less of an environmental footprint.
Significant in USA, making up 25% of its energy mix
Forest clearing and truck traffic increases carbon output. Produces methane which is 21x more potent than carbon dioxide, more significant over 20 years then degrades to Co2 over 100 years. 30-50% more methane escapes from shale gas than from conventional wells.

Question 31

Explain Deepwater Oil as an unconventional fossil fuel:

• What is it
• Extraction
• Where

Answer 31

Oil and gas that is found well offshore and at considerable oceanic depths
Drilling takes place from ocean rigs
Occurs in the Gulf of Mexico and off the coast of Brazil

Question 32

Who are the players involved in the extraction of unconventional fossil fuels

Answer 32

Government- promote extraction to become more energy secure
Oil companies - extract to make a profit
Environmental pressure groups- oppose extraction as it disrupts natural habitats and increases pollution and emissions
Local communities- extraction can release harmful chemicals affecting health, displace communities

Question 33

Explain the two benefits and drawbacks of Tar sands as a unconventional fossil fuel

Answer 33

B
Has a very large supply, only 5% has been produced, second largest oil field in the world
Is economical to extract in countries with large supplies. In Canada it has led to 200,000 jobs and $17 billion in tax to the government

D
Large scale deforestation occurs to clear the way for mining. Removes a natural carbon store, releasing more carbon into the atmosphere.
High levels of toxic waste occurs where the remaining soil from extraction is toxic and dumped into ponds and waste areas.

Question 34

Explain the two benefits and drawbacks of oil shale as a unconventional fossil fuel

Answer 34

B
More natural extraction process. Less machines and equipment have to be used to extract the oil from rock, due to it being permeable.
Uses no oxygen during the extraction process

D
Is an expensive and difficult process
High amounts of electricity needs to be used. Electricity is needed to heat, ignite and extract oil from the fractured area of rock

Question 35

Explain the two benefits and drawbacks of shale gas as a unconventional fossil fuel

Answer 35

B
Produces less carbon emissions than any other type of unconventional method.
Large and readily available supplies, 1,000 trillion tonnes cubic tonnes in North America

D
Contaminates groundwater aquifers with carcinogenic chemicals harmful to human and organisms health, reducing water supplies.
Up to 8% of methane escapes during extraction, 30-50% more than conventional methods. Methane is 21x more potent than co2 and even when it degrades it becomes carbon dioxide

Question 36

Explain the two benefits and drawbacks of deepwater oil as a unconventional fossil fuel

Answer 36

B
Makes emerging countries like Brazil more energy secure, diversifies risk of depleting HEP supplies from drought.
Large supplies available as it was only discovered recently

D
Is very expensive and difficult to extract, requires drilling 2000m downwards and offloading ships to transport
Risk of an oil spill, would severely disrupt economic markets of oil and would disrupt marine wildlife and migration patterns

Question 37

Explain an overall benefit and drawback of unconventional fossil fuel

Answer 37

B
Stores of unconventional resources are significantly more than conventional, shell gas stores of 862 trillion ft.³ compared to 110 trillion ft.³ of world gas resources

D
Not as economically viable due to high cost and difficulty to extract, high levels of pollution deforestation and carbon emissions leading to high environmental consequences

Question 38

Explain the economic costs and benefits of nuclear power as a renewable and recyclable energy source

Answer 38

C
Costs of building and decommissioning are high
With the technology involved, nuclear it’s only available to most developed countries

B
Operational costs are low
Nuclear power projects like Hinkley point in the UK have provided 25,000 jobs

Question 39

Explain the social costs and benefits of nuclear power as a renewable and recyclable energy source

Answer 39

C
Concerns for safety, lives were lost and the long-term health effects were seen in Chernobyl
Security issues in an area of international terrorism
NIMBY’s, locals do not want a nuclear plant

B
Provide jobs
Guarantees a supply which is secure, due to the fact that it is not conditioned by external factors

Question 40

Explain the environmental costs and benefits of nuclear power as a renewable and recyclable energy source

Answer 40

C
Disposal of highly toxic radioactive waste with an incredible long decay life
Its construction produces large amounts of CO2 emissions

B
Generates an electricity supply in a reasonably carbon free manner
Can be re-processed and reused, thereby making it a recyclable source

Question 41

Explain the economic costs and benefits of solar power as a renewable and recyclable energy source

Answer 41

B
Can be used by poorer countries
Costs 50 million and serves 60,000 households (christchurch)
Can be built in many locations, flexible
Lowers household electric bills and adds value to a home

C
Not enough research and development, especially into storage methods
Electricity produced is initially more expensive than from conventional power stations
Energy still needs to be stored for later use

Question 42

Explain the social costs and benefits of solar power as a renewable and recyclable energy source

Answer 42

C
Opportunity cost, consumes productive farmland which should be used for producing food at a time when costs are rising

B
Flexible and modular, can be used on roofs of buildings or developed into a solar power station

Question 43

Explain the environmental costs and benefits of solar power as a renewable and recyclable energy source

Answer 43

C
Not very effective in cloudy climates or polar latitudes
Clearing and grading of land, resulting in soil compaction and increased erosion
Construction of solar plants is highly polluted and contains harmful chemicals

B
Safe, clean and nonpolluting
Reduces water usage

Question 44

Explain the economic costs and benefits of wind power as a renewable and recyclable energy source

Answer 44

C
Offshore maintenance costs
High set up costs

B
Will provide power for 1 million homes, Hornsea project
The Hornsea project will create 2000 construction jobs
Can be built on existing farms

Question 45

Explain the social costs and benefits of wind power as a renewable and recyclable energy source

Answer 45

C
Is a visual blight

B
Provides power for 1 million homes

Question 46

Explain the environmental costs and benefits of wind power as a renewable and recyclable energy source

Answer 46

C
Potentially harmful to birds
Supply can be intermittent depending on when it’s windy

B
No carbon is produced
Saves billions of gallons of water per year

Question 47

State the strengths of biofuels as a energy source (8)

Answer 47

Renewable energy source

Lower emissions than fossil fuels

Bio-degradable

Easily grown and does not need specialist machinery

Not directly linked to deforestation

Provides jobs

Workers are better paid and jobs are more formalised

Can significantly grow an economy

Question 48

State the weaknesses of biofuels as a energy source (6)

Answer 48

Takes land from food production

Needs pesticides and fertilisers, which use fossil fuels in their production

Requires large volumes of water

Clearing forest to grow this cop means the loss of a carbon sink and increased co2 emissions

Biomass requires a fuel to kickstart burning, natural gas and coal is used and can therefore produce 150-400% more co2 than coal

Some biofuels: palm oil, soyabean and rapeseed produce more CO2 than crude oil

Question 49

State the opportunities of biofuels as a energy source (5)

Answer 49

Can be exported to grow an economy

There are extensive areas of land suitable for biofuel

New biofuels are being produced, 2g ethanol is starting to be used and emits less co2 emissions

Provides rural inward investment (multiplier effect) and local development projects

Infrastructure improvements often provided by growers

Question 50

State the threats of biofuels as a energy source (4)

Answer 50

Takes investment away from food production and inflated land prices

Contaminates water resources

Food shortages occur, leading to higher food prices

More research is needed on the impacts of using biofuels, uncertainties over its impacts

Question 51

Define biomass

Answer 51

Is organic matter used as a fuel, especially in power stations for the generation of electricity

Question 52

Define biofuels

Answer 52

Is the name for fuels produced from biomass, including plant material and animal waste

Question 53

Define primary biofuels

Define secondary biofuels

Answer 53

Include fuelwood, wood chips and pellets, and any other organic materials that are used in a unprocessed form

Are derived from the processing of biomass and include liquid biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel

Question 54

Summarise biofuels in Brazil as a case study

Answer 54

Is the world biggest producer of ethanol from sugar cane
Produce the equivalent of 930,000 barrels of oil a day, worth $50 billion a year
Provide 1.34 million jobs and 16% of domestic energy supply
Reduce greenhouse gases by 90%
Export 1.3 million litres a year, mainly to USA

Question 55

Explain carbon capture storage as a radical technology and alternative energy source

Example
Benefits and drawbacks

Answer 55

Involves capturing the carbon dioxide released by the burning of fossil fuels where it is stored, compressed and transported by pipeline where it is injected into liquid form and buried deep underground. Would theoretically cut global co2 emissions by up to 19%

In 2014, Canada opened the first coal fired power station with CCS at a cost of $1.3 billion, reducing emissions by 90%.

B: ensures the net removal of carbon from the atmosphere
D: underground pressure causes small earthquakes, fears that co2 will gradually leak to the surface and enter the atmosphere, increased water usage

Question 56

Explain hydrogen fuel cells as a radical technology and alternative energy source

Example
Benefits and drawbacks

Answer 56

Convert chemical energy in hydrogen to electricity, with pure water as a by product.

In 2015, Toyota developed a car with a fuel cell stack (Mirai) in California

B: Hydrogen fuel cells are far more energy efficient than petrol engines in vehicles, are a promising technology for use as a source of heat and electricity for buildings and a power source for vehicles
D: large amount of energy required to separate hydrogen from other compounds which emits large amounts of greenhouse gases, large amounts of water are used

Question 57

Explain electric vehicles as a radical technology and alternative energy source

Example
Benefits and drawbacks

Answer 57

Involves cars being run on electricity, rather than petrol, and are charged at charging points

Tesla has manufactured electric cars since 2008, initially they had a low range of 80-90 miles but their new electric cars extend over 200 miles.

B: zero carbon emissions, no noise pollution, cheap to run, reduce air pollution, can run on eco-friendly electricity like geothermal in Iceland
D: expensive to buy ($25000) so quiet that some people are concerned about collisions with pedestrians, lack of charging points, energy is required for electricity