Features of Energy Resources

Question 1

Characteristics of energy resources

Answer 1

Ability to be converted, Abundance, Applicability to uses, Ease of storage, Ease of transportation, Energy density , Intermittency, Local Constraints, Non-renewable, Predictability, Renewable, Political influences, Economic influences, Environmental Impacts, Level of technological development required

Question 2

Ability to be converted

Answer 2

how easily a primary fuel can be converted to a secondary energy, e.g. coal to electricity

Question 3

Abundance

Answer 3

The amount of resource that exists, not the same as availability

Question 4

Applicability to uses

Answer 4

some energy resources are applicable to specific or many uses. liquid fuels have been more applicable to transport systems

Question 5

Ease of storage

Answer 5

energy storage is importance for reliability, solid and liquid energy resources are easier to store than gas or electricity

Question 6

Ease of transportation

Answer 6

ease of transportation is affected by form of energy and energy density

Question 7

Energy density

Answer 7

The amount of energy in a particular mass of fuel or that can be harnessed by a particular mass of equipment.

Question 8

Intermittency

Answer 8

some energy resources are not available at all times so are difficult to rely upon, e.g. wind, solar, tidal, wave.

Question 9

Local Constraints

Answer 9

the generation of some energy resources rely on local features such as climate or topography. Solid fuels resources are subject to mine viability.

Question 10

Non-renewable

Answer 10

a finite energy resource

Question 11

Predictability

Answer 11

some energy resource availability can be reliably predicted and therefore more able to meet demand. Some resources may be intermittent but predictable such as tidal.

Question 12

Renewable

Answer 12

an infinite energy resource that will naturally reform

Question 13

Political influences

Answer 13

Governments may provide incentives or grants for particular technologies eg solar panels. Governments may enter into environmental agreements that support renewable energy. Governments may relax planning permissions for wind energy or fracking.

Question 14

Economic influences

Answer 14

Cost of energy may impact its use. The rising cost of imported fossil fuels may drive investment in renewables or more local energy sources. Availability of loans, grants or investment may influence energy use if start up costs are high.

Question 15

Environmental Impacts

Answer 15

all energy resources have environmental aspects. Fossil fuels produce CO2 upon combustion, consider habitat loss, visual impact, noise pollution, embodied energy, waste produced, transport and maintenance

Question 16

Level of technological development required

Answer 16

some energy resources require a higher level of technological development, equipment and expertise. E.g.. nuclear is high whereas growing Marram grass as a biofuel is low. Other fuels may require a level of technology however that technology may be well established and understood e.g.. fossil fuel power stations.