Unit 3: Topic 1: Energy Security Flashcards
Fossil fuels
Formed over geological time from partly decayed parts of plants and animals. They can be used or combusted once and therefore are finite.
Non renewable
These can only be replaced over considerable periods of geological time
Renewable
These are capable of natural regeneration on a human time scale, and provide almost continuous flows of energy
Primary energy
Energy found in natural resources, e.g. coal, crude oil, vegetation, sunlight
Secondary energy
Energy that has been converted into a more convenient form, usually electricity
Energy security
Access to reliable and affordable sources of energy. Areas that have surplus energy e.g. Russia are energy secure. Energy insecurity = energy deficit, e.g USA.
Energy pathways
The flows of energy from producer to consumer and include pipelines, oil/gas tankers, power lines
Transit state
A country or state through which energy flows on its pathway from producer to consumer
Tar sands (oil sands)
Naturally occurring mixtures of sand or clay and water plus a very dense viscous form of petroleum - bitumen
Frontier hydrocarbons
Grades of oil such as oil shale and tar sands which are lower quality than conventional oil sources
Cartel
An association of producers or suppliers formed to monopolise the production and distribution of a product to control prices
Peak oil/gas
The point at which global production reaches its maximum level and then falls into sustained decline. A steep increase in cost is expected after a decline in production.
Energy poverty
When a country or region has insufficient access to reliable sources of power
Security premium
The extra cost built into the price of oil to allow for any disruption in supply
Energy gap
The difference between secured energy supply and projected future energy needs
