Theme 3 - 3.5 - Energy Flashcards

Question

How much does the energy consumption per person vary between countries?

Answer 1

Highest: 6 tonnes of oil equivalent Lowest: 1.5 tonnes of oil equivalent

Answer 2

* Developing countries - High population growth but poverty constraints resource consumption -> Slow increase * NICs - Declining rate of population growth but rapid industrialisation increases resource consumption -> Rapid increase * Developed countries - Low population growth and resource consumption grows slowly -> Slow increase

Answer 3

``` LEDC • High renewable energy -> Almost all of this is fuelwood • Some fossil fuels • No nuclear power MEDC • Very high fossil fuels • Some nuclear power • Little renewable energy ```

Answer 4

* Fossil fuels = 87.4% * Nuclear power = 7.8% * Renewable energy = 4.8% This is due to the fact that fossil fuels have always been relatively easy to obtain and cheap to use. They have also been around longer than, for example, solar panels.

Answer 5

* Fossil fuels = 17% * Nuclear power = 0% * Renewable energy = 83% This pattern is probably due to the fact that building and running nuclear power stations and preparing fossil fuels for use is relatively expensive. Biomass and waste are easier to obtain and are cheap.

Answer 6

ADV. • Energy can easily be increased or decreased according to demand • Easy to burn and use -> Ready made fuel • Relatively cheap to extract and use • Some forms (i.e. gas and coal) are quite abundant • Efficient to burn DIS. • Give off atmospheric pollutants when burned • Can result in acid rain • Transport and extraction can be dangerous (especially gas) • Finite (especially oil) • Vulnerable to changes in price (especially oil)

Answer 7

* Coal * Oil * Natural gas * Nuclear fuel

Answer 8

* Hydro-electricity * Biofuels * Wind * Solar * Wave * Tidal * Geothermal energy * Fuelwood (if used correctly)

Answer 9

``` ADV. • Creates water reserves • Renewable • Often produced in highlands, where population is scarce • Limited pollution DIS. • Dams are very expensive • Can cause flooding • Dams have impact on hydrology • Dams cause visual pollution • Risk of dam collapsing • Submerging forests releases lots of methane ```

Answer 10

ADV. • Cheap and readily available • Can be sustained if trees are replanted • Available for everyone in LEDCs DIS. • Burning gives off atmospheric pollutants • Is not renewable if trees are not replanted • Can result in desertification and deforestation • Climate change since there are fewer trees to take in CO2 and give off O2

Answer 11

ADV. • Renewable • Constant supply + reliable • Relatively pollution free • Space-efficient DIS. • High cost of construction + maintenance • Limited to volcanic areas • Threat to power stations from volcanic and seismic activity • Emissions of sulphuric gases • Dangerous elements have to be disposed of carefully

Answer 12

ADV. • Safe and clean • Minimal effect on local ecosystem • Winds are stronger in the winter, which coincides with peak energy demand • Cheap to maintain • Provide a source of income for farmers and may attract small industries to rural areas • Future wind farms likely to be built off-shore DIS. • Wind does not blow all the time • Electricity from storms cannot be stored for calm periods • Not very efficient • Visual pollution • Noisy and can interrupt radio and TV reception • Can affect property values

Answer 13

``` ADV. • Infinite energy supply • Isolated areas can have their own power supply • Pollution free • Technology is improving • Limited maintenance required DIS. • Dependent on weather • Expensive to manufacture + implement • Limited usefulness in less sunny countries • Not too efficient yet ```

Answer 14

ADV. • Ideal for islands like UK • Potential to generate a lot of electricity • Tidal barrage can double as a bridge and helps prevent flooding DIS. • Construction of barrage is expensive • Only a few estuaries are suitable • Could have a negative effect on wildlife • May reduce tidal flow and impede sewage flow out to sea • Still in early stages of development

Answer 15

``` ADV. • Ideal for islands like UK • More likely to be small local operations, rather than nationwide • Renewable DIS. • Construction is very expensive • Could have an effect on wildlife • Still in early stages of development ```

Answer 16

ADV. • Cheap and readily available • Sustainable if biomass is replaced DIS. • Gives off atmospheric pollutants when burned • Biomass is only renewable if crops are replanted • Growing crops for biofuel instead of food adds to the global food crisis • Not very efficient

Answer 17

It depends if the trees are replanted.

Answer 18

* Very efficient fuel per unit mass * No atmospheric pollution * Replacement for fossil fuels is needed soon * New safety measures make the risk of an accident minimal * Nuclear waste is limited and can be safely stored * Nuclear energy schemes are supported by large firms and the government * Not vulnerable to price fluctuations

Answer 19

* Not clear how safe it is * One accident could kill thousands and leave a large area ruined * Britain could concentrate on renewable fuels instead * Expensive to build and run nuclear power stations * Nuclear waste needs to be stored for a long time * Terrorists use of nuclear fuel for weapons * High deconstruction and decommissioning costs * Seen by some people as less "democratic" than other fuels * Possible Increase of cancer rates near power plants