Energy (Unit 2C)

Question 1

Energy security

Answer 1

Having a secure supply of energy

Question 2

Energy insecurity

Answer 2

Having an unreliable or irregular supply of energy

Question 3

Global distribution of energy consumption

Answer 3

More developed countries have a larger consumption of energy in comparison to poorer areas that cannot afford to exploit or import energy

Question 4

Global distortion of energy supply

Answer 4

• Some countries produce large amounts of energy as they have large reserves (e.g. Russia, Canada)
• Other countries produce less energy as they don’t have many reserves or cannot afford to exploit reserves (e.g. Ireland, Sudan)

Question 5

Why is energy demand increasing?

Answer 5

• Economic development: People can afford to purchase more materialistic goods, and countries industry develops
• Rising population: More people means more energy is needed
• Technology: Improving technology has lead to the development of new products that have become popular amongst people (e.g. phones)

Question 6

Factors affecting energy supply

Answer 6

• Physical: Some contras have fewer resources then others, natural disasters can adage energy infrastructure (Earthquakes damage gas pipes)
• Economic: As they become harder to find non renewable energy becomes more expensive
• Technology: technology is too expensive, or allows us to access new resources not accessed before (fracking)
• Political: International agreements reduced greenhouse gas emissions, strict regulations on nuclear power

Question 7

Impacts of energy insecurity (Environmental and economic)

Answer 7

As fossil fuels are used up and reserves are less accessible the cost of production increases aswell as the effects not the environment

Question 8

Impacts of energy insecurity (Environmental and economic)

Answer 8

As fossil fuels are used up and reserves are less accessible the cost of production increases aswell as the effects not the environment

Question 9

Impacts of energy insecurity (food production)

Answer 9

• Agricultural machines are used less as they cannot be powered
• Growing biofuel crops takes space that could be used for food

Question 10

Impacts of energy insecurity (industrial output)

Answer 10

Factories produce less or are forced to relocate (endangering many jobs)

Question 11

Impacts of energy insecurity (conflict)

Answer 11

Conflict can arise between countries with energy surplus and deficit (e.g. conflict for energy exploitation schemes that lie on borders)

Question 12

Renewable Energy (Biomass)

Answer 12

Wood, plants or animal wastes burnt to produce biofuels
- doesn’t require much tech
- only renewable if managed sustainably

Question 13

Renewable Energy (Wind)

Answer 13

Use wind which to generate electricity, by turning turbines
- No greenhouse gases
- Cannot generate electricity all the time

Question 14

Renewable Energy (Hydro)

Answer 14

Falling water which is trapped by dams and travels through tubes and then turn a turbine
- Flexible and efficient (easily match demand)
- Destroys natural habitats and is expensive

Question 15

Renewable Energy (Tidal)

Answer 15

Changes in water levels by tides are used to turn turbines and generate electricity
- reliably predicted
- expensive and cannot work constantly

Question 16

Renewable Energy (Geothermal)

Answer 16

Water pumped into the ground and produces steam which turns turbines
- Cheap and reliable
- Only works in tectonically active areas

Question 17

Renewable Energy (Wave)

Answer 17

Waves are created which changes water levels and turns a turbine
- Usable in winter so works with solar
- Expensive

Question 18

Renewable Energy (Solar)

Answer 18

Energy from the sun is absorbed and used to create electricity
- Cheap
- Expensive and sunlight reliant

Question 19

Non-renewable Energy (fossil fuels)

Answer 19

The burning of coal, oil and gas found within the Earth
- currently available in plentiful supply
- Will eventually run out and release greenhouse gases

Question 20

Non-renewable Energy (Nuclear)

Answer 20

The splitting of an atom which results in large amounts of energy to be released
- available in plentiful supply and only a small amount is required
- Expensive infrastructure cost and waste produced is radioactive

Question 21

Extracting natural gas in the Amazon (fracking)

Answer 21

Peru is located in South America, it’s located on the west coast, it borders Brazil and Ecuador

Question 22

Extracting gas in the Amazon (Advantages)

Answer 22

• 45% less carbon emissions then coal or oil
• 1.2 million people employed
• Abundant and improving tech makes extraction more economic
• Easily distributed (by pipelines)

Question 23

Extracting gas in the Amazon (Disadvantages)

Answer 23

• Pipelines are expensive to build and maintain
• Greenhouse gas emissions (co2)
• Cause small earthquakes
• Leaks can result in explosions/ fire

Question 24

Sustainable

Answer 24

Meeting the needs of the present whithout reducing the ability of people to do so in the future

Question 25

Carbon footprint

Answer 25

The measure of the amount of greenhouse gases an individuals activities produce

Question 26

Energy conservation (building infrastructure)

Answer 26

• Insulation: energy is trapped inside
• Modern boilers: more energy efficient
• Solar panels: produce renewable energy

Question 27

Energy conservation (transport)

Answer 27

• electric cars: no greenhouse gases
• Biofuel: waste products converted into fuels (for buses)

Question 28

Energy conservation (demand reduction)

Answer 28

• Improve public transport
• Encourage walking/ cyclings
• Smart energy meters (people aware of their energy bills so reduce costs

Question 29

Energy conservation (technology)

Answer 29

• Energy saving light bulbs
• More efficient car engines
• Switch to combine cycle gas turbines (use left over heat to turn into steam and turn turbines)

Question 30

Micro-hydro schemes in Nepal

Answer 30

• Nepal is in Asia, landlocked and south of China and north east of India.
• Makes use of fast flowing water in the mountainous terrain (rivers)
• Small turbines are placed in various places in rivers in the mountains

Question 31

Micro-hydro schemes in Nepal (advantages)

Answer 31

• Easily maintained by local people
• Cheap
• Sustainable
• local homes, power machines and factories power (development)