Geog 1 - Energy - Key terms Flashcards
Bio-fuel
Crops grown for fuel
Combined Heat and Power
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.
Energy dependency
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.
Energy efficiency
The balance between the amount of energy used and that lost.
Energy gap
The difference between energy supply and demand
Energy mix
Primary energy sources (e.g. coal, wood, oil, gas) used to meet demand.
Energy pathway
Refers to the flow of energy between producer and consumer.
Energy poverty
Having less energy than is required to meet demand.
Energy security
Means having access to reliable and affordable sources of energy.
Energy deficit
Means having insufficient energy to meet demand.
Energy surplus
Having more energy available than is required to meet demand.
Flow resource
Infinite, continuous energy sources which can be constantly renewed.
Fossil fuel
Fuel produced over millions of years from the breakdown of organic material e.g. wood into coal
Geopolitics
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.
Hydro-electricity
Energy generated by moving flows of water.
Low carbon economy
An economy which seeks to use low amounts of carbon-based energy.
Low carbon homes
Homes which are deliberately intended to use minimal energy.
Peak oil
The theoretical year in which oil is or was produced at its maximum and which can never be repeated as stocks decline.
Primary energy source
Resources which can be burned to generate energy direct e.g. coal, oil and natural gas
Privatisation
The sale of government assets to private shareholders, so that company is run for profit rather than as a government service.
Recyclable resource
Reprocessed resources e.g. plutonium and heat capture systems sources.
Renewable energy sources
Those whose flow is continuous e.g. solar or wind power.
Secondary energy source
Energy sources generated using another fuel e.g. electricity.
Solar power
Energy generated from the sun.
Stock resource
Finite energy sources whose use means they will eventually run out.
Tar sands
Also known as oil sands, these are naturally-formed mixtures of sand or clay and a dense viscous form of petroleum called bitumen.
Trans-boundary pollution
Pollution which crosses national boundaries E.G. acid rain caused by burning fossil fuels which emit sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.
Transit state
A country or state through which energy flows on its way from producer to consumer.
Wave power
Energy generated from waves.
