consuming energy resources - paper 3 Flashcards
biofuels
Energy and fuel made from living material such as crops and vegetation.
climate change
The changing characteristics of the climate and seasons in regions across the
world.
decommission
The process of closing and safely disposing waste from a power station. This can
cost millions of pounds and take over a year to complete.
deep water oil
Oil found deeper underground, which is more difficult and riskier to extract.
deforestation
The removal of trees and woodland.
energy deficit
A country that generates less energy than its population needs (the supply is less
than the demand).
energy mix
The composition of a country’s energy sources.
energy security
When a country has ownership and control of their energy source, production
and transportation.
energy surplus
A country that generates more energy than its population needs (the supply is
greater than the demand).
fossil fuels
Non-renewable sources of fuel (gas, oil and goal) which take hundreds of thousands of years to form from dead vegetation and animals.
fracking
The process of releasing trapped natural gas from shale rocks. Fracking involves
pushing high-pressure liquids underground to cause the shale rocks to crack.
geothermal energy
Water is pumped deep underground to be heated by magma plumes or
radioactive rocks. The hot water creates steam, which turns turbines to generate electricity.
greenhouse gases
Gases (such as carbon dioxide and methane) which absorb and emit
radiation.
hydroelectric power
A form of energy which uses moving water to turn turbines and generate
electricity. We usually associate this type of energy with dams.
importing
Buying resources from another country, for example food or goods.
non renewable energy
A source of energy that will run out or will take thousands of years to replace such as fossil fuels.
nuclear fusion
The process of joining atomic nuclei together to produce energy.
oil spills
Accidents where oil leaks from pipes, oil rigs or even freight ships.
open-cast mining
Mining that involves removing the top layer of soil to extract minerals or fuel. All
wildlife and vegetation living on the surface is destroyed.
recyclable energy
Energy produced from sources that can be renewed; even though there is a
limited amount of fuel, more can be grown or made to replace.
renewable
Primary energy that can be re-used to produce electricity or has a short lifetime,
therefore any used can be replaced quickly e.g. Hydroelectric, biomass, solar.
secondary energy
The product of primary energy, mostly electricity.
solar energy
Where solar panels absorb sunlight and convert it into energy.
sustainability
Trying to manage resources in a way which meets the demands for the present
while thinking about the impacts this will have in the future.
