Key Words

Question 1

Renewable/sustainable energy

Answer 1

Sources of energy such solar and wind power that are not depleted as they are used.

Question 2

Energy mix

Answer 2

The relative contribution of different energy sources to a country’s energy production/consumption.

Question 3

Proved oil resources

Answer 3

Quantities of oil the geological and engineering information indicates with reasonable certainty can be recovered in the future from known reservoirs under existing economic and operating conditions.

Question 4

Fossil fuels

Answer 4

Fuels consisting of hydrocarbons (coal, oil and natural gas), formed by the decomposition of prehistoric organisms in past geological periods.

Question 5

Reserves-to-production (R/P) ratio

Answer 5

The reserves remaining at the end of any year are divided by the production in that year. The result is the length of time that those remaining reserves would last if production were to continue at that level.

Question 6

Supply shock

Answer 6

A significant interruption to supply due to an environmental, economic or political event.

Question 7

OPEC

Answer 7

The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries.

Question 8

Peak oil production

Answer 8

The year in which the world or an individual oil producing country reaches its highest level of production, with production declining thereafter.

Question 9

Coal gasification

Answer 9

A process which converts solid coal into a gas that can be used for power generation.

Question 10

Unconventional natural gas

Answer 10

Natural gas that is more difficult and therefore more expensive to extract than ‘conventional’ reserves.

Question 11

Fast - breeder reactor

Answer 11

A nuclear reactor in which the chain reaction is maintained mainly by fast neutrons. It is capable of producing more fissionable material than it consumes.

Question 12

Clean coal technology

Answer 12

Power plant processes that both increase the efficiency of coal burning and significantly reduce emissions.

Question 13

Wind farm

Answer 13

A number of wind turbines grouped together at a particular location.

Question 14

Microgeneration

Answer 14

Generations producing electricity with an output of less than 50KW.

Question 15

Foreign direct investment

Answer 15

Overseas investment in physical capital by transnational corporations.

Question 16

Cumulative causation

Answer 16

The process where a significant increase in economic growth can lead to even more growth as more money circulates in the economy.

Question 17

Environmental Impact Analysis

Answer 17

A document required by law detailing all the impacts on the environment of an energy or other project above a certain size.

Question 18

Carbon trading

Answer 18

A company that does not use up the level of emissions it is entitled to can sell the remainder of its entitlement to another company that illiterate above its entitlement.

Question 19

Community energy

Answer 19

Energy produced close to the point of consumption.

Question 20

Repowering

Answer 20

Replacing old wind turbines with new engines which give a better performance.