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Geography > Theme 3 - 3.5 - Energy > Flashcards

Theme 3 - 3.5 - Energy Flashcards

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1
Q

Define fossil fuels.

A

Fuels consisting of hydrocarbons, formed by the decomposition of prehistoric organisms in past geological periods.

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2
Q

Define renewable energy.

A

Energy taken from sources of energy that are sustainable and can be used continuously without depleting reserves in the long-term.

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3
Q

Define energy mix.

A

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

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4
Q

Define biofuels.

A

Fossil fuel substitutes that can be made from a range of crops including oilseeds, wheat and sugar. They can be blended with petrol and diesel.

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5
Q

Define geothermal energy.

A

The natural heat found in the Earth’s crust in the form of steam, hot water and hot rock.

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6
Q

Define non-renewable energy.

A

Energy taken from finite or non-sustainable resources as their exploitation will eventually lead to their exhaustion.

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7
Q

What is the difference between renewable and non-renewable energy sources?

A

Renewable energy sources are sustainable and can be used continuously without depleting reserves in the long term, while non-renewable energy sources are non-sustainable and their excessive use will result in their depletion.

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8
Q

What types of fuels make up the majority of the global energy supply?

A
  • Fossil fuels - 81%
  • Renewables - 13.2%
  • Nuclear power - 5.8%
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9
Q

What are the different types of fuel and how are they used?

A
  • Coal
  • Oil
  • Natural Gas
  • Nuclear energy
  • Fuelwood
  • Hydro-electric power
  • Geothermal energy
  • Wind
  • Solar
  • Tidal
  • Wave
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10
Q

How is coal used as a fuel?

A

It is burned.

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11
Q

How is oil used as a fuel?

A

It is burned.

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12
Q

How is natural gas used as a fuel?

A

It is burned.

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13
Q

How is nuclear energy generated?

A

Nuclear fission of particles releases energy -> Splitting of heavy nuclei.

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14
Q

How is fuelwood used as a fuel?

A

It is burned.

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15
Q

How is hydro-electric power generated?

A

A dam is built across a natural valley, waterfall or where water flows rapidly down a hillside. The flowing water generates electricity.

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16
Q

How is geothermal energy generated?

A

Heating water using the Earth’s heat.

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17
Q

How is wind power generated?

A

Wind turbines.

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18
Q

How is solar power generated?

A
  1. Photo-voltaic systems (solar panels)

2. Concentrating solar power systems -> Use mirrors or lenses to focus light

19
Q

How is tidal power generated?

A

Movement of water drives turbines.

20
Q

How is wave power generated?

A

Movement of seawater in and out of a cavity compresses air, driving a turbine.

21
Q

Why are non-renewable fuels important?

A

They make up the vast majority of the world energy supply and are relatively efficient.

22
Q

Why are renewable fuels important?

A

They are very clean and they may be one of the only options for clean energy in the future. They also reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

23
Q

Why is fuelwood important?

A

In developing countries, about 2.5 billion people rely on fuelwood as their main source of energy, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa and in Asia.

24
Q

Why is nuclear power important?

A

It is a very efficient and clean form of energy generation, which may be more viable than renewables in the future.

25
Q

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

A

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

26
Q

Describe how energy consumption changes with development.

A
  • 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
27
Q

Compare fuel use in an LEDC and an MEDC.

A 
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
28
Q

What is the UK energy consumption by fuel type? Explain why this is.

A
  • 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.

29
Q

What is the Nigeria energy consumption by fuel type? Explain why this is.

A
  • 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.

30
Q

What are the advantages and disadvantages of fossil fuels?

A

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)

31
Q

What are the some examples of non-renewable energy resources?

A
  • Coal
  • Oil
  • Natural gas
  • Nuclear fuel
32
Q

What are some examples of renewable energy resources?

A
  • Hydro-electricity
  • Biofuels
  • Wind
  • Solar
  • Wave
  • Tidal
  • Geothermal energy
  • Fuelwood (if used correctly)
33
Q

What are some advantages and disadvantages of hydro-electric power?

A 
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
34
Q

What are some advantages and disadvantages of fuelwood?

A

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

35
Q

What are some advantages and disadvantages of geothermal energy?

A

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

36
Q

What are some advantages and disadvantages of wind power?

A

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

37
Q

What are some advantages and disadvantages of solar power?

A 
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
38
Q

What are some advantages and disadvantages of tidal power?

A

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

39
Q

What are some advantages and disadvantages of wave power?

A 
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
40
Q

What are some advantages and disadvantages of biofuels?

A

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

41
Q

Is fuelwood a renewable resource?

A

It depends if the trees are replanted.

42
Q

What are the arguments FOR nuclear power?

A
  • 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
43
Q

What are the arguments AGAINST nuclear power?

A
  • 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

Geography (20 decks)

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