Resources management - Energy Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
1
Q

What is the definition of the term ‘energy mix’?

A

Range of energy resources of a country both renewable and non-renewable

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Why does the government want to move towards more renewable energy?

A

The government want this to happen because it would mean that there will be reduced carbon emissions which helps climate change.

In addition, it helps the country become more self-sufficient and not have to rely on other countries for energy.

It also improves our energy security

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Definition of energy security

A

Uninterrupted availability of energy sources at an affordable price

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is fracking?

A

The UK has rich reserves of natural gas trapped deep underground in shale rocks

To extract the gas, high pressure liquids are sent underground to fracture the shale and release the gas

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What are the issues associated with fracking?

A

Earthquakes

Pollution of underground water

High cost of extraction

Ugly-scars environment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Economic challenges with fossil fuels

A

Hard to access areas-very expensive to mine

Coal must be imported from South Africa

Costs of exploring more remote and inaccessible areas in the North Sea

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Opportunities from fossil fuels

A

Creation of jobs
Brings in money and jobs into an area-a multiplier effect

Carbon captive storage is more efficient but expensive

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Environmental challenges with fossil fuels

A

Creates greenhouse gases and may contribute to climate change

Access roads and support industries for all these can destroy wildlife habitats and impact on land visually

Waste heaps from coal mining can create visual pollution

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are the challenges of nuclear energy?

A

Costs of building power stations

Enormous costs to store and transport waste

Expensive to decommission

Waste must be stored safely to avoid contaminayion

Nuclear accidents

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What are the advantages of nuclear energy?

A

Creates jobs in research and development

After initial investment, energy generated by nuclear power is seen to be cheaper

Nuclear power is considered cleaner and less pollution than energy generated by fossil fuels

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What are the challenges of renewables?

A

High set-up costs

Visual pollution impacts tourism-reduce income and jobs

Low profitability

Effect on bird migration patters and bat life in area

Ugly

Noisy and can block TV and phone signals

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What are opportunities created by renewables?

A

Many jobs are created in the manufacture of solar panels and research and development

They produce much lower carbon emission

Offshore wind turbines can act as an artificial reef, creating habitats for marine wildlife

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Explain why the UK’s energy mix will include both renewable and non-renewable sources in the future

A

UK renewables are becoming exhausted. However, there are still significant supplies that could be exploited but extraction has become too expensive and the government has begun to import cheap coal from Russia. This reliance on importing coal makes the UK vulnerable to price rises

As a result, the government has increased investment in the renewables sector to improve UK’s energy security as well as reducing carbon emissions. Wind energy has particularly increased with many wind farms established around the country like the Hornsea Offshore Windfarm

However, the reliance on fossil fuels to produce energy will continue into the future, mainly due to the cost and unreliable nature of renewable energy sources

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly