6.4 Flashcards
What is a primary source?
Sources that are consumed in their raw form - including fossil fuels, renewable energy and nuclear energy
What is a secondary source?
Where a primary source is used to generate electricity - through power lines and infrastructure.
What is a domestic energy source?
There are energy sources that are accessed locally and do not need to be imported.
What is a foreign energy source?
These energy sources that need to be imported in order to maintain a level of energy security.
What are renewable energy sources?
These include solar, wind and wave power - which are continuous flows of nature, which can be constantly reused.
What are non-renewable energy sources?
These are finite resources (e.g. coal, oil and gas) which can be exploited. The use of these stocks will eventually lead to their exhaustion.
What is an energy mix?
This suggests that different types of energy sources are needed. This is based of what is most easily available, cheap, effective or secure.
What is energy security?
This means being able to access reliable and affordable sources of energy from ‘friendly’ countries.
How has the levels of oil changed from 1980-2012 in the UK?
Decreased by 5.5%
1980 - 38%
2012 - 32.5%
How has the levels of gas changed from 1980-2012 in the UK?
Increased by 21%
1980 - 19%
2012 - 40%
How has the levels of coal changed from 1980-2012 in the UK?
Decreased by 19%
1980 - 34%
2012 - 15%
How has the levels of renewable changed from 1980-2012 in the UK?
Increased by 1%
1980 - 1%
2012 - 2%
How has the levels of nuclear energy changed from 1980-2012 in the UK?
Increases by 3%
1980 - 6%
2012 - 9%
How has the levels of oil changed from 1970-2010 in Norway?
Decreases by 17.5%
1970 - 51%
2010 - 33.5%
How has the levels of gas changed from 1970-2010 in Norway?
Increased by 20%
1970 - 0%
2010 - 20%
How has the levels of coal changed from 1970-2010 in Norway?
Decreased by 5%
1970 - 6.5%
2010 - 1.5%
How has the levels of hydropower changed from 1970-2010 in Norway?
Decreased by 2.5%
1970- 42.5%
2010 - 40%
Why did Oil only slightly decrease in the UK?
- The discovery of North Sea reserves made it a secure alternative to dependency on Middle Eastern Oil.
Why did gas usage increase in the UK?
- Gas is considered a cleaner fossil fuel and therefore contributes less to climate change. Public perception and environmental priorities.
- Physical availability - large quantities can be found in Norway and Qatar - which can be imported.
- Advancement in technology also allows for natural gas to be transported more easily - it can be liquified and transported on gas tankers.
Why did coal usage decrease in the UK?
- Public perception of environmental priorities as coal is ‘dirty fossil fuel’ and there’s a drive towards renewable sources - it is sulfur-rich, which can cause acid rain.
- Cost of extraction is more expensive, as coal is having to be extracted from further down. This also means that it requires more advanced technology.
Why did renewable energy only increase slightly?
- Public perception and environmental priorities may push towards increased renewable energy sources.
- This caused the government to commit to a 40% reduction in domestic GHGs by 2030 compared to 1990. However, the cost of a green policy isn’t cheap.
- The construction of wind turbines and solar panels may also not be aesthetically pleasing and therefore have a negative public perception.
Why has nuclear energy in the UK only slightly increased?
The UK were leading drivers in nuclear energy in the 50s - 70s. However, the discovery of the North Sea gas and oil reserves led to a loss of momentum. In addition, public perception played a key role, with huge opposition, following Chernobyl accident in 1986. Also, NIMBYISM, ‘not-in-my-back-yard’ - this is where people are happy to have nuclear energy as a source, but not near them as a result of concerns regarding background radiation.
Why has oil decreased in Norway?
- Technology advancement has allowed access to deep water drilling - this allows gas to be accessed in the North Sea. This minimises the need for oil.
- Public perception and environmental priorities mean there’s a push to cleaner fossil fuels - e.g gas and even away from fossil fuels all together.
Why has gas increased in Norway?
- Technology advancement has led to deep water drilling being accessible.
- An increase in physical availability following discovery of North Sea reserves led to an increase in gas usage.
- Public perception and environmental concerns mean that it is used more, as it is a cleaner fossil fuel than coal and oil.
