Topic 9- Consuming Energy Resources Flashcards
What are the 3 energy sources?
Renewable
Non renewable
Recyclable
What is renewable energy?
It can be replenished on a very short timescale.
Also known as flow resources because the planet has an endless supply of each one.
What are examples of renewable energy sources?
- Wind Energy - Turbines use the energy of the wind to generate electricity.
- Solar energy - Energy from the sun is used to heat water and solar cookers or to generate electricity.
- Hydroelectric power - HEP uses the energy of falling water. Water is trapped by a dam and allowed to fall through tunnels, where the pressure of the falling water turns turbines to generate electricity.
What are non-renewable energy sources?
Can’t be replenished quickly. They can run out.
Also known as stock resources as the planet has a limited supply of each one.
What are examples of non-renewable energy sources?
Fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas) - Fossil fuels formed millions of years ago from the remains of dead organisms. They can be extracted from the ground and seabed.
What recyclable energy sources?
Made from waste products or whose waste products can be used to generate more electricity. They are recyclable sources sources of energy because they have usable waste products.
What are types of recyclable energy sources?
- Nuclear energy - This uses uranium atoms - when they split lots of heat is produced, which is used to boil water. The steam turns a turbine generating electricity.
- Biomass - (wood, plants or animal waste) can be burnt to release energy or used to produce biofuels.
What is involved in the extraction of fossil fuels?
Mining and drilling
What are environmental impacts of mining and drilling?
- Landscape scarring - surface mining strips away large areas of soil, rock and vegetation. This can permanently scar the landscape.
- Oil spills - cause major damage to the environment. Oil coats the feathers and fur of animals which reduces their ability to move freely or feed.
- Carbon emissions - Mining processes can release greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere which contribute to global warming.
- Removal of forests - Habitats are destroyed leading to a loss of biodiversity. Clearing forests also affects the water cycle because there are fewer trees to take up water from the ground leading to soil erosion.
What are impacts of wind energy?
1) Large numbers of wind turbines are needed and they need to be set quite far apart meaning they take up lots of space.
2) Produce a constant humming noise - people living close to wind farms complain about noise pollution.
3) Spinning blades can kill or injure birds and bats.
What are impacts of solar energy?
1) Some solar farms use ground and surface water to clean their solar panels. This can lead to water shortages in arid areas, which distrusts ecosystems.
2) The what reflected from mirrors can kill wildlife.
3) Solar panels built on the ground can disturb and damage habitats.
What are impacts of HEP?
1) Use dams to trap water which creates a reservoir which floods large areas of land.
2) The river on which the dam is built can be affected by changes in water flow e.g. sediment is deposited in the reservoir instead of further downstream.
3) A build up of sediment can block sunlight, causing plants and algae in the river to die.
What factors is access to energy affected by?
- Technology
- Geology
- Accessibility
- Climate
- Landscape
How does technology affect access to energy?
Some countries are not able to exploit their energy resources as the technology required is unavailable or too expensive. Developed countries can exploit more renewable energy supplies but developing countries often have to rely more on fossil fuels.
How does geology affect access to energy?
Fossil fuels are found in sedimentary rocks, where impermeable rocks have trapped the oil and gas in permeable rocks below. Countries located on plate boundaries may be able to access geothermal energy.
How does accessibility affect access to energy?
An area might have large energy resources but be unable to access them. For example permafrost makes it very difficult to access fossil fuels. Some resources are also found in protected areas and can’t be exploited.
How does climate affect access to energy?
Solar power requires large amounts of sunlight to generate energy. Countries with sunny climates can use solar power more effectively than countries with duller climates.
How does landscape affect access to energy?
Wind turbines are most efficient in areas with a stead and reliable source of wind e.g. on high ground or along the coast. Hydroelectric power usually requires lots of water to generate energy, and steep sided valleys to use as reservoirs.
What are causes of variation in energy use?
- Levels of economic development
- Reliance of traditional fuel sources
- Demand from different economic sectors
How is Levels of economic development a cause of variation in energy use?
- Developed countries tend to consume lots of energy per person because they can afford too. Most people in these countries have access to electricity and heating, and use energy-intensive devices like cars.
- In emerging countries economic development is increasing wealth so people are buying more things that use energy.
- Developing countries consume less energy per person as they are less able to afford it. Less energy is available and lifestyles are less dependent on high energy consumption.
How is reliance of traditional fossil fuels a cause of variation in energy use?
Some regions rely on traditional fuel sources. For examples, in sub-Saharan Africa, energy networks are poorly connected, which means people have to rely on biomass such as wood for cooking and heating. There’s very little development, so countries can’t afford to exploit their own energy reserves or improve existing infrastructure.
How is demand from different economic sectors a cause of variation in energy use?
Industrial activities require large amounts of energy:
• Manufacturing industries in developed and emerging countries use huge amounts of energy.
• Developing countries have more primary industry which uses little energy.
Why are oil reserves and oil production unevenly distribute?
• The worlds major oil reserves are found in a handful of countries.
Oil production doesn’t just depend on a country’s oil reserves it depends on several other factors:
• Infrastructure - in order to produce oil a county needs the right equipment and technology.
• Domestic demand - Saudi Arabia relies on oil to meet its own energy needs.
• Shrinking reserves - oil production from North Sea reserves have been declining as reserves are used up.
What are oil reserves?
The amount of recoverable oil.
What is oil production?
The processing of extracting and refining crude oil.
Why is oil consumption rising?
- Rising per capita GDP
* Rapid industrialisation in emerging economies.
Why is Rising per capita GDP increasing oil consumption?
As GDP per capita increases, so does oil consumption. People in wealthier countries have more energy-intensive goods e.g. cars.
Why is Rapid industrialisation in emerging economies increasing oil consumption?
The combination of a growing population, a boom in industry and the expansion of cities leads to higher consumption of oil.
