Topic 9 - Consuming Energy Resouces Flashcards
Non renewable (stock resources)
These are being used up and cannot be replaced
E.g. coal, oil and gas (fossil fuels)
Renewable (flow resources)
These will never run out and can be used over and over again
E.g. wind power, solar power, hydroelectric power
Recyclable
These provide energy from sources that can be recycled or reused
Reasons for global pattern of energy supply being uneven
Geology Relief Climate Accessibility Development
Geology
Different places have different types of geology
Coal - widely distributed with major reserves in USA, Russia and China
Countries on plate boundaries - access to geothermal energy
Relief
Regions with high rainfall relief often on HEP
Large volumes of water can travel down steep sided valleys and are often chosen for dam construction
E.g. three gorges dam in China
Climate
Exposed areas are best for wind e.g the London array in the North Sea
Places that receive long hours of sunlight and intense eradication are good for solar parks
Accessibility
Some resources are in remote areas - making it expensive to exploit and bring to consumers
620 million people do not have access to the electricity grid
Many rely on biomass instead
Development
Can influence a a regions ability to invest in and use new tech
They can develop new energy resources
Impacts of energy extraction / generation
Local
Wind farms
Some people think that it is unaesthetically appealing and does not fit in with the rural landscape
NIMBY opinion
Often leads to planning permission being rejected
E.g. Skegness UK
Impacts of energy extraction / generation
Regional
Tar sands
Extracting this raw material uses huge amounts of freshwater
This Increases water insecurity and water pollution as the toxic waste water is left in tailings ponds
Impacts of energy extraction / generation
Global
Coal
When the raw material is combusted to produce electricity, it releases carbon dioxide which contributes to the greenhouse effect which causes climate change
China has the highest overall emissions
Factors explaining global variation in energy consumption
Economic development
Economic sectors
Traditional fuel sources
Paris agreement
Economic development
Developed countries have high demands for energy and are able to invest in technology, so increasing national and individual energy consumption
Economic sectors
Growing population = better heating and more technology
Traditional fuel sources
In rural areas in developing countries - traditional biomass fuels for domestic use are the main energy use
No direct electricity in rural areas and urban supply is inconsistent e.g. sub Saharan Africa
Paris agreement
95 countries - emissions below a certain point
Consume oil
Use up
Produce oil
Make it
Peak oil
The global peak in production of oil before decline
What controls the price of oil
Movement of US dollar Alternative energy Exogenous shocks - natural disaster Supply and demand Market speculation
Energy security
Don’t want to rely on other countries and that they’ll always have access
ESPO pipeline
Positives :
Having access will reduce pressure on the Middle East
It allows delivery in just a few days rather when weeks
Negative:
Russia has history of turning off oil supply to countries
Relationship between China and Russia is not smooth
The Iraq war - 2003-2011
Iraq had 4th largest oil reserve
Conflict led to shortages in oil and increased prices
Other allies increased production to stabilise prices
The financial crisis - 2008
Began in the real estate market as people were unable to pay back mortgages
Caused oil and gas prices to de line steeply as no one could afford the high prices
Arab spring - 2011
Began with riots in Tunisia in 2010
Affected oil production in Syria, Yemen and Tunisia
- but these arent major exporters so had little affect on global oil
Unconventional
New
Conventional
Old
Exploring the arctic
Economic costs
Cost of drilling in remote areas are high
Pay $4 billion to start up
Exploring the arctic
Economic benefits
Offers huge potential revenue for oil companies
Provide jobs
Improves economy of the country
Exploring the arctic
Environmental costs
Arctic has been tarnished by accidents and leaks
Damage can be long lasting and difficult to clean up
Fracking
Uses high pressure water to shatter shale rocks and release natural gas lurking within
The gas is then piped to the surface
Unconventional
Energy efficiency
Providing the same service but using less energy
Energy conservation
Is about not using as much energy
Eco footprint
Measures the area of land needed to:
Provide all the resources and services consumed and absorb all the waste produced
Carbon footprint
Specifically looks at greenhouse gas emissions to support a lifestyle
How is woking energy efficient
Encourages energy efficient housing e.g. oak tree house
- solar panels
- 300mm loft insulation
- double glazing and draft proofing
Set up Thames way energy - provide sustainable energy (HEP and PV generators)
How is London managing its eco footprint
BEDZED Hybrid Buses Congestion charge Vehicle exercise duty London’s cycle hire scheme
Energy security
P/N
Positives:
Being energy efficient
Make it easier to transport
Produce more local and renewable energy
Negatives:
Conflicts
Exchange rates
Natural disasters
Biofuels
Benefits and costs
Benefits:
An alternative energy source - cheaper option than fossil fuels
Cost:
Demand for biofuels is leading to deforestation
HEP
Benefits and costs
Benefits:
Reliable and constant source of energy
Cost:
Can result in the displacement of farmland and villages
Solar energy
Benefits and costs
Benefits:
Creates loads of jobs
Cost:
Can take up land that could be used for growing crops
Wind energy
Benefits and costs
Benefits:
Can create a generating capacity of electricity
Cost:
Built far away so requires expensive transmission lines
Hydrogen
Benefits and costs
Benefits:
Very efficient
Cost:
Energy in
S needed to release hydrogen gas - if done using fossil fuels then carbon footprints, energy security and energy mix are all impacted
Already implemented and increasing in use
Wind power
Solar panel
Nuclear energy
Could be developed in the future further
Hydrogen fuel cells (instead of electric)
Biofuels
HEP
