Case Study 5: London Array and ENERGY

Question 1

(3)

What is energy security?

Answer 1

having a:
- RELIABLE
- UNINTERRUPTED and
- AFFORDABLE
supply of energy.

Question 2

(1)

How is energy supply affected by technological factors?

Answer 2

• ability to EXPLOIT new resources (through fracking)

Question 3

(4)

How is energy supply affected by physical factors?

Answer 3

• FOSSIL FUEL DISTRIBUTION is unequal.
• Antarctic oil reserves = inaccessible resource.
• Climate:
• e.g: solar/wind energy.

Question 4

(3)

How is energy supply affected by economic factors?

Answer 4

• prices of fossil fuels = HIGH
• harder to extract + very volatile.
• building new energy infrastructure = expensive.

Question 5

(3)

How is energy supply affected by political factors?

Answer 5

• Climate change
• INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS want to reduce its concentrations of GHGs.
• eg: PARIS CLIMATE AGREEMENT.

Question 6

(3)

Explain how non-renewables are running out.

Answer 6

• Fossil fuels - reserves may run out/ too difficult to extract.
• Nuclear - Energy from URANIUM may run out quickly –> uranium harder to extract.

Question 7

(6)

Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of extracting fossil fuels using fracking.

Answer 7

BENEFITS:
- about 5 trillion m^3 of gas at fracking sites in Lancashire.
- Fracking is cheaper than some RENEWEABLE energy sources.
- Technology of fracking ALWAYS WORKS.

DRAWBACKS:
- Gas isnt a sustainable energy source.
- USES A LOT OF WATER (limited source)
- Can cause small earthquakes (e.g: 2.9M earthquake in Lancashire in 2019)

Question 8

(2)

What is carbon footprint?

Answer 8

Measure of amount of GHGs an individual ACTIVELY PRODUCES.

Question 9

(4)

How can energy be conserved?

Answer 9

Sustainable design:
- INSULATION: less energy required to heat homes
- Solar panels: renewable energy = low carbon footprints

Demand Reduction:
- Give people incentives to lower energy use.
- Fitting smart energy metres in homes.

Question 10

(2)

How does using technology increase efficiency of energy?

Answer 10

• Energy saving light bulbs
• Manufactureres making more efficient engines

Question 11

(2)

How many homes does the London Array suspect to power?

Answer 11

• 630 MW
• 540K UK homes per annum.

Question 12

(1)

It avoids……. tonnes of CO2 each year.

Answer 12

900k!

Question 13

(1)

London Array project costed…

Answer 13

£1.5bn

Question 14

(1)

London Array Project created…

Answer 14

6700 jobs.