ENERGY - PAPER 2 Flashcards
How does energy consumption change with development?
Most HICs have high energy consumption
As a country develops, more money can go towards industry which increases energy consumption, as well as purchasing items that require more energy to function, although the price of this energy remains low for the same usage because of technological advancements
What is energy (in)security?
The relationship between energy supply and demand
Many HICs experience high insecurity, like the UK
Energy insecurity is low where supply exceeds demand
Why is energy consumption increasing? (economic)
Agriculture - intensive farming needs energy to run machinery and maintain conditions
Industry - manufacturing industries need lots of energy
Transport - as more people own cars, more energy is used, even if engines become more efficient
Urbanisation - energy for heating, lighting and power increase as areas become more urban
Wealth - as people get more money, demand for energy increases to power domestic applicances
What is technology doing to limit energy consumption?
Although tech enables us to extract more sources of energy, the machinery uses up a lot of energy to function (fossil fuel mining)
Renewable energy tech has developed, along with car efficiency
Also, energy conservation is much more effective
Physical factors affecting energy supply?
Climate and relief create challenges for supplying and transporting energy - Siberia
Geology determines energy availability
Dangerous conditions to reach these energy reserves
Although, areas with plentiful water can be used for hydroelectric power
Technological factors affecting energy supply?
Developments mean new ways for energy reserves to be obtained
Also, new development in renewable growth systems - solar, wind, geothermal
How does cost affect energy supply?
Costs to extract energy fluctuate depending on supply and demand, and determine whether or not the energy can be exploited
When costs are low, energy is cheap rising demand, and vice versa
How does politics affect energy supply?
Global conflicts because of energy insecurity
Conflicts interrupt energy flows (Russia v Ukraine blocking oil)
Friendships have to be made between countries to obtain energy
How does insecurity affect industry output?
Fluctuating prices leads to uncertainty in employment, and higher prices for comsumers
In countries like Nigeria, power cuts are common as a result of insecurity, reducing output
How does energy insecurity affect food production?
Farms mostly use machinery to function and maximise profit, and as energy becomes more scarce causes price rises of energy, with those costs passing onto consumers
How does insecurity affect exploration?
The search for energy can lead to disruption in many areas;
Disrupting fragile tundra environments by drilling
Clearing out tropics for biofuel production
Flooding valleys to create hydroelectric power systems
Many renewable methods are seen as eyesores on the landscapes
What are the benefits of general renewable energy?
Solar, wind, HEP, Tidal, Geothermal, Wave, Biomass
All of these are fairly effective, but some rely on their positioning - HEP only works around rivers and Geothermal only works around volcanic areas
They also tend to have secondary purposes mainly providing jobs for construction, that help boost the economy in those areas
What are the issues of general renewable energy?
The energy methods tend to be very expensive to run, and any necessary maintenance is also fairly expensive
Many people also believe these structures are eyesores on the landscape
Many of these methods tend to displace habitats and/or people, which is a major environmental issue
What are the benefits with natural gas?
Cleaner (less emissions) than coal and oil
No waste created
Large global reserves
Easily distributed, and versatile
What are the issues with natural gas?
Leakages can lead to deadly explosions and fires
Greenhouse gases are still released
Undetectable, odorless and colourless in its natural state
Transport infrastructure is expensive and damaging to the environment
