Topic 9 -consuming Energy Resources Flashcards
How are enegy resources classified as non-renewable ,renewable and recyclesble and provide examples
Renewable-the resource must be replenished in a short time that it has been used
E.g- wind (turbines generate electricity from wind) // solar (energy from the sun used to heat water or generate electricity using photovoltaic cells) // HEP ( uses energy from falling water to drive a turbine to generate electricity)
Non-renewable- can’t be replenished
E.g- fossil fuels e.g coal/oil/natural gas (formed from millions of years ago from remains of dead organaims that has been pressurised and heated to form crude oil which is extracted for use as energy)
Recyclesble- energy sources created from waste products or waste products used to generate more electricity
Nuclear energy uses uranium atoms that split to produce heat which boils water. The steams turns a turbine, generating electricity. Radioactive waste can also be processed so it can be used to generate electricity.
Biomass- waste is burnt to release energy to produce biofuels or is already used to be a furl dource e.g sugar cabe fermented to produce ethanol used in transport and the leftover is burnt to release energy)
How can mining , drilling and renewable methods cause environmental impacts and landscape impacts of renewable energy
Mining:
Surface mining strips away large areas of soil and rock and vegetation which permanetly scar the landscape.
Habiatts are destroyed to make way for mines. This reduces biodiveristy
Clearing forests affect the water cycle because fewer trees take up water and bind roote increasing soil erosion.
Mining processes release greenhouse gas emissions which lead to global warming.
Drilling:
Onshore drilling requires land to be stripped for drills and roads
Oil spills can cause major disruption to the environment (Deepwatee Horizon oil splill 2010 leaked 4 million barrels of oil)
Extracting natural gases from underground reserves cause methane to leak into the atmosphere causing global warming.
Renewable methods:
Wind energy- take up vast amount of soace// noise and visusl pollution // danger to animals
Solar energy- some solar farms use surface and ground water to clean solar panel which cause water shortages in arid areas. The heat reflected of the mirror can kill wildlife and the solar panel itself disturb animals,
HEP- traps water which floods a large area of land // causes changes in river flow (sediment deposied at the dam) // build up of seidment can block sunlight causing plants and algae to die in the river
How is access to energy resources affected by access to technology and physical resources
Technology- some countries do not have enough money or are unable to create processes which exploit the natural resources of an area. On the other hand, developed countries use renewable methods whereas developing countries use fossil fuels for energy
Geology- fossil fuels found in sedimentary rocks // countries on plate boundaries have access to geothermal energy
Accessibility- permforst can deny access to fossil fuels or areas with resources are protected.
Climate- solar power requires lots of sunlight to generate electricity. Countries with sunny climates have an advantage.
Landscape-wind turbines most effective in areas with steady and reliable wind. HPE requires lot of water and steep sides valleys.
Global pattern of energy use per capita and the causes of variations
Developed countries:
USA and Australia tend to consume more energy because they can afford to. Most people have access to electricity and heating, and use energy intensive devices such as cars and industrial machines.
Emerging countries:
Economic development improving as people gain more disposable income to use energy e.g cars,fridges,Tv
Developing countries:
Countries like Chad consume less energy as they are less able to afford it. Lifestyle less dependant on energy reserves. They mainly rely on traditional energy reserves to survive e.g biomass such as wood for cooking and heating. Mainly primary industry as no access to electricity
How is oil reserves and production unevenly distributed
Infrastructure:
Counties need the correct equipment to create oil. Russia, USA ans Saudi Arabia are the biggest producers.
Domestic demand:
Saudi Arabia relies on oil to meet its own energy demands
Shrinking reserves:
Oil production from the North Sea reserves has been declining as reserves are used up
Why is oil consumption growing
Globsl oil consumption increasing:
2015-2016 1.4 million barrels consumed a day
GPD Per capita:
Countries with more energy intensive goods consume oil 65% oil used on transport
Rapid industrialisation:
China and India are growing in oil consumption. A boom in indutpstry and population increases oil consumption.
How has oil supply and prices been affected by a change in international relations and economic factors
Conflicts- disrupts oil production, which lead to a decerase in oil supply and which causes the price to increase
Diplomatic relations- oil prices may increase due to tensions between oil-producing countries. E.g Saudi Arabia and Iran.
Recessions- global financial crisis 2008 lowered the demand form oil as indsutrial activities and economic growth declined.
Economic booms- oil prices increase during periods of rapid economic development growth because of increase consumption and demand
Economic benefits and costs of developing new conventional oil and gas sources in ecologically-sensitive and isolated areas
Pressure of meeting groups and growing energy demands means ecologically-sensitive and isolated areas are being explored for new conventional oil and gas sources e.g Arctic circle and the Amazon Rainforest.
Economic benefits:
Countries with oil and gas reserves can save money by reducing energy imports e.g Peru exploits the Amazon for natural gas reserves
Oil and has companies bring invetsment and jobs to areas e.g an oil company in Alaska invested 4.5 million dollars amd employed 1700 jobs
Costs:
Land needs to be cleared to make way for pipelines and roads which disrupt fragile ecosystems and cause loss of biodiversity,
Exploring offshore oil and gas reserves have a big impact on marine life (noise from oil drilling distracts whales)
Opening up isolated areas with roads and industry increases air, soil and water pollution
How does fracking occur
How are tar sands extracted
Environmental costs of developing new unconventional oil and gas sources in eco-sensitive areas
Shale gas:
Hdraulic fracking needs specialist technology. Extraction takes a lot longer then conventional reserves.
Shale gas is a form of natural gas within rocks. It is extracted through fracking where liquid is pumped insidethe shale rock at a high pressure causing the rock to crack and release the gas which is collected .
Cons:chemicals used in fracking as well as shale gas pollute the groundwater and drinking water. This can cause water to become flammable // land is cleared to build drilling pads whcih destoy habitats e.g mule deer population in Wyoming affected.
Tar sands:
Bitumen in tar sands can be refined to oil. It csn be extracted by surface mining where it is then transported and processed which use water and chemicals to seperate the bitumen from the sands.
Cons: spaces required which devastate the environment and reduces the biodiversity // processing tar sands creates a huge amout of liquid waste full of hamrful chemicals which pollute water supplies.
Role of energy efficiency and energy conservation in reducing demand, energy conservation and reducing emissions in home and transport
Energy conservation- conserving energy is about changing our behaviours as consumers. E.g driving less or drying using a washing line.
Energy efficiency- does the same job but less energy is consumed.
Home:
Insulation- insulating wall,roofs and floors, less energy required to heat homes
Modern boilers- new boilers more efficient than older models so use less energy
Solar panel- fitted over roofs to provide renewable, low carbon energy
Transport:
Hybrid cars, vans and tarins combine diesel and electric power to increase efficiency.
Regenerative batteries- roads ,vehicles and trains can be fitted with devices to store the energy lost under braking to be used later or by the national grid
Engine manufactuers- make more efficient engines to law and rising fuel costs
Improving public transport- encouraging laws and cycling or implementing laws reduce demand for energy used by transport
What are the advantages of reducing your carbon footprint, improving energy security and diversifying energy mix and what are they
Reducing carbon footprint:
burning fossil fuels release greenhouse gas emissions (carbon footprint of people) which contribute to global warming
By reducing carbon footprint from direct and indirect emissions people can use less energy and contribute less to global warming.
Improving security:
Energy security means having a reliable,uninterruoted and affordable supply of energy switching to renewable energy sources can ensure this when the supply of fossil fuels run out.
Diversifying energy mix:
Reducing reliance on fossil fuels and increasing energy genersted by alternste methods diversify the energy mix. Therefore increases the energy security of a country as they will be affected less by shortsges which reduces energy deficits. Additionslly, non-renewsble resources will also last longer
How different groups have contrasting views about energy future
Business as usual- everything carries on as normal and get most of our energy from fossil fuels
Move to sustainability- reduce the amount of fossil fuels consumed and increase renewable methods
Consumers:
Want secure energy supplies that won’t disrupt the future (environmentally aware)
When fossil fuels run out , energy security will decrease and energy shortages will increase
Consumers want cheap and secure power - sustainable energy is expensive
TNCS:
Invest a lot of money in extracting and refining oil e.g Shell
Controlling energy sources results in power and money which they lose if they shift to renewable methods
Sustainable methods require more time and investment (higher costs and low profit)
TNC not involved in the fossil fuel industry may also agree with the business as usual idea a sustainable methods are expensive
Governments:
Want secure futuree energy supplies- fossil fuels are cheap and reliable but a more sustainable and long term approach is needed
In developed countries governments come under pressure from some consumers to protect the environment- use more sustainable energy.
Govenrments have helped countries develop. Some countries concerned if it will support development further
Climate scientists:
Study climate and how human activities are affecting it. The IPCC’s predict a temp increase of 4°c by the year 2100 through business as usual. They want to reduce reliance of fossil fuels to less consequences of climate change.
Environmental groups:
Groups such as Greenpeace want to stop reliance on fossil fuels because it extraction and use damages the environment. They encourage use of renewable methods for energy
How has a raise in affluence, concerns and education support change in attitudes to unsustainable energy use and reducing carbon footprints
Rising affluence:
People with more money can afford to make a choice about energy use e.g fuel efficient cars and home insulating, solar panel, energy efficient appliances
Governments in developed countries have more mone to invest in public transport and renewable energy
Education:
Developed areas with education has a better access through school and media of the consequences of unsustainsble energy methods
People are taught and encouraged to reduce carbon footprint
Environmental concerns:
Increased access to education means people are more worried of permanently damaging the environment- they are likely to reduce carbon footprint
Developed countries invest and reserach environmental issues to better understand and create awaremess of energy consumption
In developing countries economic development can overshadow environmental concerns.
Costs and benefits of alternatives to fossil fuel and future technology aimed to reduce carbon footprint, improve energy secuirty and diversifying enegy mix
Biofuls pros: less pollution// made from wate products (reduces waste)
Buofuel cons: has to be managed sustainably // reduces amount of food crops grown and uses a lot of water // lead to deforestation
Wind enery pros: do not release carbon when used // relativeky cheap and renewable
Wind energy cons: expensive// unpredictable // visual and noise pollution
Solar energy pros: no emissions once produced // do not reauire much maintenance // widely available
Solar energy cons: not a reliable source of energy // toxic metals are used during construction // affects habitats
HEP pros: no emissions produced when created // reliable source of energy
HEP cons: expensive to buikd // methane gas releases from rooting organic matter in reservoirs // can cause other environmental issues
Hydrogen fuel pros: no harmful products released when burnt // not limited in certain areas
Hydrogen cons: energy for hydrogen comes from burning fossil fuels releasing greenhouse gases // technolog is expensive and unavailable // storing hydrogen is dangerous (flammable)
What is a carbon footprint and how is it measured
Measure of the amount of greenhouse gases generated by the activities of an individual or organisation or by a product over its lifetime
Its is measured by :
Food- how much food you eat // food wastage// where you buy products from (locally sourced)
Home- size of house and the amount of people within it // type of energy used and if energ saving features are use
Travel- what form of transportation does an individual use and hoe many times
Lifestyle- how much money is spent on clothes,electricsl devices and recyling in a year
