non- renewable energy Flashcards
5 positives of oil
Oil is a ready-made fuel and plentiful in this country – it is estimated that there are 20 billion barrels of oil and gas left in the North Sea fields, providing 10-15 years more supply.
Oil is a relatively cheap way for a country to generate energy and it can also be moved about relatively easily to where power is being generated.
Oil provides constant and reliable non-renewable energy.
Oil provides instant power as required meeting demand at peak times such as early evening.
The technology for burning oil is in place.
8 negatives of oil
Continuing instability in the Middle East threatens world oil supplies.
When burned, oil and petrol give off atmospheric pollutants.
Burning oil contributes to build-up of greenhouse gases.
As easily reached oil reserves are used up, extraction becomes more expensive (e.g. deep sea drilling).
The supply is limited – North Sea oil is estimated to be only 10-15 years.
Islamic State (IS) bombed oil wells in Kirkuk in northern Iraq and took control of much of Syria’s oil production for a period of time.
Oil spills can cause serious environmental damage (eg, BP Gulf of Mexico spill)
There have been incidents, especially in the Middle East, where countries are willing to go to war to secure energy supplies.
