Geog 1 - Energy - Key terms

Question 1

Bio-fuel

Answer 1

Crops grown for fuel

Question 2

Combined Heat and Power

Answer 2

Power stations that produce electricity and which also use their surplus heat either by recycling it, or by piping it off to local homes so that it is not wasted.

Question 3

Energy dependency

Answer 3

The level of energy imports as a proportion of total energy consumption. The higher the proportion of energy imports, the more energy dependent the country is on others.

Question 4

Energy efficiency

Answer 4

The balance between the amount of energy used and that lost.

Question 5

Energy gap

Answer 5

The difference between energy supply and demand

Question 6

Energy mix

Answer 6

Primary energy sources (e.g. coal, wood, oil, gas) used to meet demand.

Question 7

Energy pathway

Answer 7

Refers to the flow of energy between producer and consumer.

Question 8

Energy poverty

Answer 8

Having less energy than is required to meet demand.

Question 9

Energy security

Answer 9

Means having access to reliable and affordable sources of energy.

Question 10

Energy deficit

Answer 10

Means having insufficient energy to meet demand.

Question 11

Energy surplus

Answer 11

Having more energy available than is required to meet demand.

Question 12

Flow resource

Answer 12

Infinite, continuous energy sources which can be constantly renewed.

Question 13

Fossil fuel

Answer 13

Fuel produced over millions of years from the breakdown of organic material e.g. wood into coal

Question 14

Geopolitics

Answer 14

The study of ways in which political decisions and processes affect the way space and resources are used. It is the relationship between geography, economics and politics.

Question 15

Hydro-electricity

Answer 15

Energy generated by moving flows of water.

Question 16

Low carbon economy

Answer 16

An economy which seeks to use low amounts of carbon-based energy.

Question 17

Low carbon homes

Answer 17

Homes which are deliberately intended to use minimal energy.

Question 18

Peak oil

Answer 18

The theoretical year in which oil is or was produced at its maximum and which can never be repeated as stocks decline.

Question 19

Primary energy source

Answer 19

Resources which can be burned to generate energy direct e.g. coal, oil and natural gas

Question 20

Privatisation

Answer 20

The sale of government assets to private shareholders, so that company is run for profit rather than as a government service.

Question 21

Recyclable resource

Answer 21

Reprocessed resources e.g. plutonium and heat capture systems sources.

Question 22

Renewable energy sources

Answer 22

Those whose flow is continuous e.g. solar or wind power.

Question 23

Secondary energy source

Answer 23

Energy sources generated using another fuel e.g. electricity.

Question 24

Solar power

Answer 24

Energy generated from the sun.

Question 25

Stock resource

Answer 25

Finite energy sources whose use means they will eventually run out.

Question 26

Tar sands

Answer 26

Also known as oil sands, these are naturally-formed mixtures of sand or clay and a dense viscous form of petroleum called bitumen.

Question 27

Trans-boundary pollution

Answer 27

Pollution which crosses national boundaries E.G. acid rain caused by burning fossil fuels which emit sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.

Question 28

Transit state

Answer 28

A country or state through which energy flows on its way from producer to consumer.

Question 29

Wave power

Answer 29

Energy generated from waves.