topic 6- (EQ2)what are the consequences for people and env of our increasing demand for energy Flashcards
What is the relationship between GDP and energy use per capita
as GDP increases so does energy use per capita
whats primary energy
refers to natural energy resources that have not been converted into another form of energy. it includes non renewable sources such as fossil fuels-( coal, oil and gas), nuclear (uranium) and renewable ( hydro, solar, wind, biomass)
whats secondary energy
refers to what the primary source has been converted to, usually electricity. can be heating
why is the UK energy insecure
the UK now imports more energy than it produces, it has an energy deficit(energy demand is greater than supply)
give an example of an energy secure country
Russia
what are 6 reasons why energy mix varies
-physical availability-climate affects avalibality
-cost
-technology
-political considerations
-level of economic development
-environmental priorities- cultures view env differently eg russia sees natuer as a provider of resources
talk about the physical availability of energy in the uk compared to norway.
uk- used to depend heavily on domestic coal and now found oil reserves
Norway- steep valleys, plentiful rainfall and mountainous = HEP readily available
talk about the cost of energy resources in the uk and norway (extraction and hep)
uk- north sea oil is expensive to extract so if global prices fall, its less viable
Norway- the cost of HEP is low however the transfer of it to rural areas is expensive.
talk about the technology in the UK and Norway and how it leads to an energy mix
uk- theres 150 years worth of reserves but its expenisve to extract- may get energy elsewhere
Norway- deepwater drilling allowed Norway and UK to extract North sea oil and gas
talk about political considerations of the UK and Norway and how it leads to an energy mix.
UK- - public concern is growing over new fracking sites
privatisation of enegry supplies means overseas companies decide whch enegry sources are used to meet the uks demand.
Norway- foreign companies cant own primary source sites here.
talk about level of economic development and why that makes a places energy mix vary.(prices)
Norway vs UK
UK- average annual household energy costs=£1300
enegry use per capita= 2752 kg oil equivalent
Norway- average annual household energy costs=£2400
enegry use per capita= 5854 kg oil equivalent
talk about environmental priorities and why that makes a places energy mix vary.
uk- in 2015, the UK committed to a 40% reduction in domestic greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
norway- in 2015, Norway committed to a 40% reduction in domestic greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
norway is the 3rd largest exporter of hydrocarbons
what happens if a chokepoint is blocked
energy prices can rise quickly
talk about an energy pathway disruption that occurred in the uk
during a stormy winter in 2013, UK gas reserves fell to 6 hours worth as storm damage paralysed a pipeline.
despite the increasing concern about carbon emissions, what is still used
fossil fuels
4 ways we can transport energy
-pipeline overland ( oil and gas)
-bulk carrier ships (coal and uranium)
- tankship (coal and LNG)
-underwater cables (electricity)
what are the two types of obstacles to energy pathways
physical and human
physical and human obstacles to energy pathways + egs
difficult terrain
- vast distances
-hurricane season gulf of mexico
-difficult terrain eg tundra in alaska
-seas/oceans
-natural hazards (earthquakes)
-runs out of supply eg north sea
unstable locos-middle east and russia
* embargoes eg from Iran and Russia.
* chokepoints
* Political tensions and disagreements may block pathways (choke points) e.g. Russia/Ukraine.
what are the 4 unconventional fossil fuels
deep water oil, tar sands, oil shale, shale gas (fracking)
unconventional fossil fuels: deep water oil
- explanation-
-positives-
-negatives-
- explanation-
found in Gulf of Mexico, where one of the largest and deepest oil fields is Atlantis
Oil and gas that is found well offshore and at considerable oceanic depths.
Drilling takes place from ocean rigs
-positives-
improve a countries energy security- gives domestic (in country) energy supply
many barrels can be produced
-negatives-
drilling into deep water is not easy and there are hurricanes as well as long distances to shore
-long pipelines needed
unconventional fossil fuels: tar sands
- explanation-
-positives-
-negatives-
l- explanation-
tar sands are a mixture of clay, sand, water and bitumen (very viscous oil). the oil is too thick to be pumped from the ground, instead it must be taken from an open pit, or strip- mined. To recover the oil, it must be separated from the sands using very hot water diluted with lighter hydrocarbons
-positives-
when oil prices are high, it becomes economical to extract the oil from the sands
its raised GDP per capita in some places
alternative source of oil
offers energy security
-negatives-
large amount of energy are needed
contributes to global warming 3 times higher than conventional oil
mining process leaves scars on the landscape
impact wildlife
people-leaks into water supplies.
unconventional fossil fuels: oil shale
- explanation-
-positives-
-negatives-
- explanation-
contains solid bituminous material (kerogen) that forms when slit and organic matter were heated and pressurised under water , but not enough to turn it into oil. oil shale van be mined, but must be heated to a high temp to release the oil
-positives-
The royal Dutch shell has developed a plan to heat shale underground surrounded by a freeze wall so that the kerogen seeps out into drilled holes for collection
provides a domestic/ reliable supply
-negatives-
expensive and releases greenhouse gasses
disturbs land vegetation cover
produces waste- water and air pollution
unconventional fossil fuels: shale gas (fracking)
- explanation-
-positives-
-negatives-
- explanation-
Natural gas that is trapped in fine-grained sedimentary rocks. Extracted by fracking: pumping in water and chemicals forces out the gas..The method consists of rock must be broken to free the gas which is done by hydraulic fracturing (fracking); involves horizontal and vertical drilling
-positives-
increasing energy reserves for a country and reducing needs for imports
its a flexible energy source
-negatives-
many drill sites are needed.
lowered local groundwater levels
chemical contamination
adds to greenhouse effect
subsidence
shale gas= fossil fuel
what an embargo
a complete ban on trade
in the early 1970s, western countries experienced an energy crisis, why
OPEC placed an embargo on the sales of crude oil to the usa, Japan, uk and the Netherlands
what have drastic increases in oil prices lead countries to do
countries have diversified their primary energy resources so have less of a dependence on a certain country
what are 2 developments that are fundamentally changing the global energy system
- the unconventional oil and gas revolution (shale gas) that has signalled a new era of fossil fuel abundance
- COP26
What led to the age of fossil fuel abundance
In the USA a technique has been perfected that uses horizontal drilling, fracking then takes a matter of hours
3 problems associated with developing renewable energy
-although wind and solar producers do not need to pay for their fuel, there are geopolitical concerns about access to raw material that are essential to renewable energy.
- the low- carbon transmission means re-scaling and decentralisation of the energy system. prosumers= households that are both producers and consumers. the growth of prosumers has the potential to destabilase the the existing system based on large power plants and national electricity grids
-wind and solar are intermittent- they do not generate electricity when the wind does not blow or the sun is not shining causing insecurity
what is base load energy
a consistent, unbroken supply of energy
what was Germanys response to the Fukishima disaster
- closed 8 nuclear reactors immediately
challenges germany has faced since closing 8 nuclear stations
- a greater unexpected reliance on coal has raised geopolitical considerations.
whats hinkley point C
the new nuclear PowerStation in the Uk, Somerset
economic benefits of nuclear power in the UK
- a step towards energy security
-nuclear is produced at home-lack of reliance in other countries
safety concerns of nuclear
-fukushima
-radiation leaks
-dealing with waste (ongoing issue)
nuclear recyclable- COSTS
ENV
SOC
ECON
ENV
-contaminate water with radiation
-natural hazards cause concern
SOC
-nimby (not in my backyard), controversial due to health implications if power plant fails
-natural hazards cause concern- fukushima
ECON
-expensive to build
nuclear recyclable- BENEFITS
ENV
SOC
ECON
ENV
-less c02 emissions- less global warming
SOC
-create jobs ( Hinkley point provided 25,00 jobs)
ECON
-very efficient energy, jobs created
solar, renewable- COSTS
ENV
SOC
ECON
ENV
-uses a large amount of land- could be used for farming
-toxic chemicals and energy goes into making cells
SOC
-for individuals, its expensive
ECON
-no sun= no energy- unreliable
-uses a large amount of land- could be used for farming
solar, renewable-BENEFITS
ENV
SOC
ECON
ENV
less co2 emissions
reduces pollution
SOC
chapel lane solar farm provides 60000 houses with electricity
reduces pollution
ECON
can save money in the long term- individuals can sell surplus energy back to the grid for profit- can be used by poorer countries
flexible and modular-csn be used on roof buildings
can be used in poorer countries
wind, renewable - COSTS
ENV
SOC
ECON
ENV
noisy- in paths of bird migrations
SOC
nimby- some people do not like the aesthetics-not natural
noisy
ECON
initial expense to maintain
wind, renewable - BENEFITS
ENV
SOC
ECON
ENV
less co2 emissions
SOC
no air pollution
better health
jobs provided
ECON
provides jobs- 2000 construction jobs provided by offshore wind turbine projects off the coast of Yorkshire- Hornsey project 1
long term= saves money
whats biofuel
any fuel peoduced from orgamic matter- that is plant or algae material or animal waste
SWOT ANALYSIS OF BIOFUEL
strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats
STRENGTHS
-lower emissions than fossil fuels
-renewable energy resource
-does not need specialist machinery
WEAKNESSES
- clearing the forest to grow crops means loss of carbon sink
-needs pesticides and fertilizers which uses fossil fuels in their production
-takes land from food production
OPPOURTUNITIES
-positive multiplier effect in rural regions
-infrastructure improvements provided by growers
-fuel earns export income- provides rural inwards investment
THREATS
-contaminates water sources with pesticides or the overuse of fertilizers
-takes investment away from food production
- food shortages occur leading to higher food prices
human factors affecting energy pathways
-political tensions and disagreements, pathways will be blocked at ‘chokepoints’
- armed conflicts
-embargo and sanctions
-technical problems such as pipeline leaks
what are the 5 radical energy solutions
-hydrogen fuel cells
-nanotechnology
-nuclear fusion
-electric vehicles
-carbon capture storage
what are advantages and disadvantages of the radical energy solutions : HYDROGEN FUEL CELLS
+no direct emissions, water is the only waste product
+good range of distance u can drive with one fuel
+fuel cells are efficient
-not many hydrogen refulling stations
-expensive
what are advantages and disadvantages of the radical energy solutions : ELECTRIC VEHCILES
-lengthy recharging
-few charging points in some areas
-short range (distance it can travel)
-expensive to buy
+reduces air pollution in urban areas
+lack of noise pollution
+cheap to run
+there over 60,00 charging points
+best suited fro urban areas
+zero carbon emissions
what are advantages and disadvantages of the radical energy solutions : CARBON CAPTURE AND STORAGE
- safety concerns-pumping large amounts of liquid co2 into rock- stability?
-co2 leakages may occur
+reduces emissions by 90% b pumpng co2 undeground and selling it to oil companies.
+reliable
what are advantages and disadvantages of the radical energy solutions : NUCLEAR FUSION
+no long term radiation
+no greenhouse gasses
+german gov has alloctaed over 1.46 b for research
+clean
-long way from becoming a reality
-expensive
what are advantages and disadvantages of the radical energy solutions : NANOTECHNOLOGY
+could replace fossil fuels (solar fuels could replace this
-still in infancy(very new/still developing.
+ can use microorganisms or enzymes to harvest light energy
what type of unconventional fossil fuel is banned in the EU
tar sands
in 2015, how much of the UKs energy was from fossil fuels?
80%
how did Germany respond the the Fukushima disaster
Germany immediately closed down 8 of its nuclear power reactors and pledged to close all 17 by 2022
how did the UK diversify its energy in 2016
in 2016, the UK opened Hinkley point C which is a nuclear power station.
-this provided 25,000 jobs
the UK is energy insecure, what percentage of its energy is imported?
60% of its energy is imported
state +/- about Brazils Biofuels
+Brazil is the world leader in producing bio-ethanol
-downside= deforestation
- farm workers have lost land that is now dedicated towards growing sugar cane
+cars running on bioethanol emit 80% less CO2 than petrol driven cars
what are the positives of tar sands
by 2030, it could meet 16% of North Americas oil needs
what are the negatives of tar sands
- around 1.8 million tonnes of toxic wastewater are produced every day
what
what is enegry security
a constant supply of energy at an affordable price
what is a chokepoint
geographic locations where the flow of people and goods can be constricted and choked off in the event of a conflict.
what are the 4 enegry players
- OPEC
- roles of tns
- national gov
- consumers
what is the role and egs of thr role of tns
role: TNCs explore, expoilt and distribute energy resources, own supply lines, INVEST IN DISTRIBUTION AND PROCESSING RAW MATERIALS, electricity, production and transamission
eg: old players- BP(UK), shell
new players-Petrobras(Brazil)
what is the role and eg of OPEC
role: coordinate and unify the petroluem policies.
.steady income for producers
.effiecent and regualr supply of petroleum to comsumers.
egs: past, set oil productions quotas- boosting supplies when demand rose and reducing them when demand fell. now, maintaining output uat high levels kept oils prices low.
what is a enegry pathway and egs
is the flow of energy between a producer (source areas) to consumer (areas of demand).
Russian gas is delivered to Europe mainly through five pipelines:
what is the role and eg of national governments -danish model
role: regulating role of private companies and setting environemntal priorities
securing enegry supplies-present and future
denmark has a diverse enegry mix
wind turbines produce 40% of thier enegry
in 2015 116% of its national electricty needed for turbines was abe to export enegry to neighouring countries eg norway.
agreements made with norway eg HEp from norway
passes experieneces to china to make them more sustainable.
aims
look at mindmap
what is the role and factros affcetiong consumers attitudes of consumers
role: create demand, PURCHASING CHOISES BASED ON PIRCE ISSUE eg petrol competition with markets
. consumers have power over oil companies eg purchasing electric cars, solar pannels
. expansions of nuclear enegry, frackign
wh
what is a enegry pathway
flow of energy between producer and consumer. how it reaches coonsumer eg pipelien.
what
what can chokeholds negatively cause
political tensions and disagreements may lead to pathways being blocked (at chokepoints)
what can cause disruptions in russia
ff are in ustable locations
embargoes
disruot production and supply.
what is the % of totsl trade in oil from russia to europe
10.63%
CASE STUDY- brazilian deep water oil production
state, facts, postives and negatives
facts- develpoing a deep-water oilfield in 2006, reserves of 50-80barrels, production of 885,000 barrels a day. the oilfield is 300km offshore.
postives
* diveristy of the engry mix, provide enegry security.
* droughts reduce,
* income from exports
negative
* drilling condiitoons are difficult- flammable gases.
* high costs
* job loss
CASE STUDY-
tar sands in canada
state, facts, postives/plans and negatives
facts- reserves of 166 b barrels of oil. production increased from 0.1m to 2.3m in 2014 postives- 151,000 jobs have been created- 2013
Environmental monitering: checks air, water and human health.
negatives
* pollution remains a concern
* corcens of leakage in groundwaters and rivers
* effects healht of local people.
CASE STUDY
biofuels in brazil
state negative and positives
positives
* today brazil is the biggest producer of ethonal from sugar cane
* vechicles rely on ethonal and pertrol
* 1.34 million direct jobs are provided
* rduces ghgs by 90%
negatives
-increase pollution
-deforetstaion occurs-more co2 added to the atmosphere, contributing to global warming.
-competetion between other countries
-clears away such as amazon rainofrets which could be used for food —production- increases food market.
numerically compare the difference between uk(1980-2012) and norway(1970-2010) energy mix
uk=- increase of gas by 20%
norway= no gas in 1970 20% gas in 2010, decrease of renewbles.
why is opec so important
It has around 73% of the world’s oil reserves
It has the power to significantly affect oil prices by increasing or decreasing production
What 3 processes allowed fossil fuels to form?
Compression from the weight of the land, micro-organisms decomposing the contents, heat from underground turns the dead plants and animals into fuels.
What is the difference between where coal, oil and gas were derived from?
Coal is from ancient plants whilst oil & natural gas is from marine creatures
disruption to energy pathways can cause
Recession
Job losses
Energy shortages affecting lifestyles
Armed conflicts
what is a fragile environment
An environment extremely sensitive to environmental shifts and changes
what is the main cause fo increased GHGs emissions
popoulation- higher demand from households and businesses, transport and deforestation.
what does teh UN predict about the population
will reach 9n by 2030
what is the world enegrys councils 3 objectives
- enegry security:ensuring enegry supplies meet current future demands
- enegry equity; assessibilty and afforable enegry for all countries
- env sustainability;
