Paper 3: Consuming Energy Resources - Topic 9 Flashcards
(96 cards)
1
Q
Non-Renewable Energy Definition
A
Non-renewable energy comes from sources that are finite and will eventually run out. E.g, gas, oil, and coal
2
Q
Renewable Energy Definition
A
Renewable energy comes from flow sources that do not run out and can be reused, e.g wind, HEP and solar power.
3
Q
Recyclable Energy Definition
A
Recyclable energy comes from sources that can be reused. E.g, nuclear and biofuels.
4
Q
Examples of Non-Renewable Energy
A
Non-renewable are known as stock resources as the planet has a limited supply of each one. Fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas) are non-renewable resources
5
Q
Examples of Renewble Energy
A
A source is renewable if it can be replenished on a short timescale, and wind energy, solar energy, and hydroelectric power
6
Q
Examples of Recyclable Energy
A
Recyclable energy sources are those made from waste products or whose waste products can be used to generate more energy. Nuclear energy amd biofuels are recyclable sources of energy because they have unstable waste products
7
Q
Non-Renewable Energy Location (where is it found)
A
Fossil fuels formed millions of years ago from the remains of dead organisms. They can be extracted from the ground and seabed. As technology develops, it has to become possible to extract resources that were previously too difficult or costly to use, e.g, by fracking
Natural gas is used for electricty production in Europe. In the UK, most gas comes from underneath the North Sea. Much of the EU depends on Russia and Ukraine for gas.
8
Q
Renewable Energy Location (where is it found)
A
Wind Turbines - Turbines used the energy of the wind to generate electricity, either on land or out at sea. Turbines are often built in large windfarms, like in California
Solar Energy - Energy from the Sun is used to heat water and solar cookers or to generate electricity using photovoltaic cells
Hydroelectric Power - HEP uses the energy of falling water, which is trapped by a dam and allowed to fall through tunnels, where the pressure of the falling water turns turbines to generate electricty
9
Q
Recyclable Energy Location (where is it found)
A
Nuclear Energy - Uranium atoms are used when they are split to produce lots of heat. The heat is used to boil water. The steam turns a turbine, generating electricity. New breeder reactors can generate more fuel during the splitting process, making nuclear energy more like a renewable emergy source. Radioactive waste can also be processed so it can be used to make more energy.
Biomass - Biomass (wood, plants, animal waste) can be burnt to release energy or used to produce biofuels. It’s easy to produce biomass because living organisms grow quickly. Sometimes, biomass is already avaliable as a waste product from other processes, e.g farming. Sometimes the waste products from the production of biofuels can also be used as a fuel. For example, sugar cane is fermented to produce ethanol, a biofuel often used in transport. The leftover cane is then burnt to produce more energy, e.g for heating. Biogas system are also used in places like India.
10
Q
How is opencast mining different to underground pit mining?
A
Opencast mining is surface mining creating large, open pits on the earths surface, scarring the land and possibly leading water supplies to get contaminated, whereas underground pit mining is beneath the surface instead of above the surface like opencast mining.
11
Q
Explain the impacts of opencast mining on the environment
A
- Surface mining strips away large areas of soil, rock, and vegetation so that miners can reach can reach the material they want. This can permanently scar the landscape.
- Habitats are destroyed to make way for mines, e.g through clearing forests, leading to loss of biodiversity
- Clearing forests also affects the water cycle because there are fewer trees to take up water from the ground. This can lead to increased soil erosion
- Mining processes can release greenhouse gases, e.g carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) into the atmosphere. These gases contribute to global warming.
12
Q
What is Oil Drilling
A
Oil Drilling is holes created in the earths surface. Pipes are passed down and a pump connected to remove oil from under the surface
13
Q
Explain the impacts of oil drilling on the environment
A
- Onshore drilling land to be stripped of vegetation to make space for the drills and roads to access the sites
- Oil spills cause major damage to the environment - especially out at sea. The Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010 leaked around 4 million barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. Oil coats the feathers and fur of animals, which reduces their ability to move freely or feed
- Extracting natural gas from underground reserves can cause methane to leak into the atmosphere, making the greenhouse effect stronger and contributing to global warming.
- Oil is extremely hard to clear up, as it floats on top of water, meaning it can take years for the oil to clear up (it washes up on coasts and e.c.t)
14
Q
Explain how HEP development and deforestation impact the landscape
A
- HEP plants use dams to trap water for energy production - this creates a reservoir, which floods a large area of land, destroying a huge area for wildlife
- The river on which the dam is built can be affected by changes in water flow, e.g sediment is deposited in the reservoir instead of further downstream
- A build-up of sediment (alagal blooms) can block sunlight, causing plants and algae into the river to die
15
Q
Explain how the landscape is impacted by wind turbines
A
- Large numbers of wind turbines are needed to producd significant amounts of electricity and they need to be get quite far apart. This means they take up lots of space
- Wind farms produce a constant humming noise - some people living close to wind farms have complained about this noise pollution
- The spinning blades on turbines can kill or injure birds and bats (they also confuse birds in their migration routes)
16
Q
Explain how the landscape is impacted by solar panels
A
- Some solar farms use ground and surface water to clean their solar panels. This can lead to water shortages in arid areas, which disrupts ecosystems.
- The heat reflected from mirrors in solar farms can kill wildlife, e.g birds.
- Solar panels built on the ground can disturb and damage habitats. (And materials from the ground are used in the production of them)
17
Q
How did ‘geology’ & ‘accessibility’ help the UK coal industry?
A
These have both help the UK coal industry as coal was formed on the UK in the carboniferous period formed in seams as much of the UK is made up of sedimentry rock, and is accessible, as it’s formed near the surface, so surface mining can be used.
18
Q
Why did the UK coal industry decline?
A
-Official figures from the Department for Energy and Climate Change show the UK imported more coal than it produced for the first time in 2001 - a trend repeated every year since 2003.
(In 2003 the UK produced 28.28m tonnes and imported 31.89m.)
-Cheaper imported coal - Cheaper imports now come from Russia, Colombia, and the USA
High Cost - Coal mining requires expensive drilling and pumping technology. Production costs rose as coal became more inaccessible - the shallowest coal had been mined
- Declining Demand - Trains switched from steam to diesel and electric, and homes moved from coal heating to oil and gas. Gas is a cleaner, cheaper way of producing electricity
- Greenhouse gas emissions - Coal produces more greenhouse gases than any other fuel. Pressure by the EU and environmental pressure groups such as Greenpeace forced the UK to reduce coal usage
- Other energy sources - Replaced coal (e.g oil, gas, nuclear and renewables)
19
Q
Explain why the coal in Antarctica isn’t accessible?
A
The Antarctic ice cover is, on average, 2.5 km thick and this means that very little of the land is accessible for exploration, so work would have to take place under the ice sheet. The difficult Antarctic conditions, even when the technology works well elsewhere, make exploitation unlikely. Once minerals are mined, Antarctica is a long way from world markets, and material would have to be transported over the treacherous Southern Ocean, as it’s extremely stormy, meaning it would be quite difficult to transport the equipment over to start mining, and it would also be quite difficult to export the coal back to other countries.
20
Q
Explain how climate can affect access to energy
A
Only certain types of energy can be used in some areas, like solar power which needs yo be in areas recieving far more sunlight. Solar power requires large amounts of sunlight to generate energy. Countries with sunny climates, e.g Spain, can use solar power more effectively than countries with duller climates, e.g the UK. On a global scale, countries near the equator, like nations especially in Northern Africa (and South East Africa), the Middle East, and Australia. However, places like the Sahara Desert would not be practical, as the panels would get covered in sand which would need to be cleared off, and the energy would need to be transport an extremely long way.
21
Q
Explain how landscape/relief can affect access to energy resources
A
Wind turbines are most efficient in areas with a steady and reliable source of wind, e.g on high ground or along the coast. Hydroelectric power usually requires lots of water to generate energy, and steep-sided valleys to use as reservoirs. For example, mountainous areas such as the Andes has lots of relief, meaning lots of wind and gravitational potential energy can be used to help power wind turbines and hydroelectric dams.
22
Q
Explain why energy use varies throughout the world
A
There’s a strong relationship between development and energy consumption:
- Developed countries, e.g USA and China, tend to consume lots of energy per person because they can afford to. Most people in these countries have access to electricity and hearting, and use energy-intensive devices like cars
- Economic development is increasing wealth in emerging countries, e.g China. People are buying more things that uses energy, e.g cars, fridges
- Developing countries e.g Chad and Mongolia, consume less energy per person as they are less able to afford it. Less energy is avaliable and lifestyles are less dependant on high energy consumption.
Some regions rely on tradiational fuel sources. For example, in Sub-Saharan Africa, energy networks are poorly connected, which means people have to rely on biomass such as wood for cooking and heating. There’s very little development, so countries can’t afford to exploit their own energy reserves or improve existing infrastructure.
Access to infrastructure is another factor, as in order to produce oil, a country needs the right equipment and technology. Russia, Saudi Arabia and the USA are the world’s biggest oil producers.
Industrial activities require large amounts of energy, e.g to power machinery or for transport:
- Manufacturing industries in developed and emerging countries use huge amounts of energy
- Developing countries have more primary industry (e.g agriculture), which uses very little energy.
23
Q
Explain how energy poverty affects the lives of people
A
Conflicts - (e.g those in the Middle East in the 1970’s) can disrupt oil production, which leads to a decrease in oil supply. Shortages of oil cause prices to increase.
Diplomatic Relations - Oil prices may increase because of tensions between oil-producing countries. For example, relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran have led to uncertainty about oil production in the region.
Recessions - (e.g the global financial crisis in 2008) lower the demand for oil because industrial activities and economic growth slow down. This causes prices to fall
Economic Booms - Oil prices increase during periods of rapid economic growth because of increased consumption and demand
Access to Electrcity - This will allow business to have longer working hours throughout the night, and allows for faster internet connects for smaller businesses to connect themselves with the rest of the world
24
Q
Explain the decline in use of Biofuel
A
Overall, the use of biofuels will have decreased between 1820-2000. This will be due to the fact that developing countries use biofuels more often, as they don’t have the technology and money to use more efficient energy resources like coal, oil, or gas. As countries have improved and modernised, they will move away from biogas for this reason, which is exactly why the use if it has decreased over those 80 years.
25
Explain why energy use is increased in developed countries
There's a strong relationship between development and energy consumption:
- Developed countries, e.g USA and China, tend to consume lots of energy per person because they can afford to. Most people in these countries have access to electricity and hearting, and use energy-intensive devices like cars
- Economic development is increasing wealth in emerging countries, e.g China. People are buying more things that uses energy, e.g cars, fridges
Access to infrastructure is another factor, as in order to produce oil, a country needs the right equipment and technology. Russia, Saudi Arabia and the USA are the world's biggest oil producers.
Industrial activities require large amounts of energy, e.g to power machinery or for transport:
-Manufacturing industries in developed and emerging countries use huge amounts of energy
26
Explain why energy use is decreased in developing countries
-Developing countries e.g Chad and Mongolia, consume less energy per person as they are less able to afford it. Less energy is avaliable and lifestyles are less dependant on high energy consumption.
Some regions rely on tradiational fuel sources. For example, in Sub-Saharan Africa, energy networks are poorly connected, which means people have to rely on biomass such as wood for cooking and heating. There's very little development, so countries can't afford to exploit their own energy reserves or improve existing infrastructure.
-Developing countries have more primary industry (e.g agriculture), which uses very little energy.
27
Explain why there are difference in the amount of renewable energy used around the world (4 marks)
Some regions rely on tradiational fuel sources. For example, in Sub-Saharan Africa, energy networks are poorly connected, which means people have to rely on biomass such as wood for cooking and heating, for example, many women carry home an average of 20kg of fuelwood. These African countries are energy-poor, lacking electricity or the income to pay for it, so there is very little development, so countries can't afford to exploit their own energy reserves or improve existing infrastructure. As a result, these poorer nations are constantly caught up in a negative cycle of decline, as energy poverty keeps women poor by limiting their chances to attend school, and earn an independant income. These things are what hold up these nations along with their people and are the reason why they rely on biofuels so much, rather than moving on to fossil fuels and other energy resources.
28
What are oil reserves?
Oil reserves are the amount of recoverable oil - oil that can be extracted using today's technology. Oil production is the process of extracting and refining crude oil.
29
What % of the worlds remaining oil reserve is in the Middle East? Show your workings out.
```
Eurasia - 119
Africa - 127
Middle East - 804
Europe - 12
Asia Pacific - 46
North America - 220
Central and South America - 328
```
(billions of barrels, as of 2014)
(804 / 119+127+804+12+46+220+328) x 100 = 48.55%
30
What are the issues with drilling for oil in places like Ecuador?
This issues with drilling for oil in places like Ecuador include:
- In order to reach new reserves, land may have to be cleared to make way for pipelines and roads. This can disrupt fragile ecosystems and cause a loss of biodiversity
- Opening up isolated area with roads and industry increases air pollution and can pollute soils and water.
31
What factors affect oil production?
Oil production doesn't just depend on a country's oil reserves - there are serveral factors that affect it:
- Infrastructure - in order to produce oil, a country needs the right equipment and technology. Russia, Saudi Arabia, and the USA are the world's biggest oil producers
- Domestic Demand - Saudi Arabia relies on oil to meet its own energy needs
- Shrinking Reserves - Oil production from North Sea reserves has been declining as reserves are used up
32
Why is Global consumption of oil increasing?
Global oil consumption is increasing as countries develop. Between 2015 and 2016, the amount of oil consumed worldwide rose by 1.4 million barrels per day.
- As GDP per capita increases, so does oil consumption. People in wealthier countries have more energy-intensive goods, e.g cars. Around 65z of all oil is used to fuel cars
- Rapid industrialisation in emerging economies, e.g China and India, also increases oil consumption. The combination of growing population, a boom in industry and the expansion of cities leads to higher consumption of oil.
33
Suggest reasons why oil consumption in North America and Europe decreased?
Some reasons for why oil consumption in North America and Europe decreased include:
- They may be making an effort to switch to different energy resources, therefore meaning they will import and cinsume less oil
- Due to rising prices in oil, these countries may be deciding not import as much (or import more) due to the cost to benefit ratio of importing more oil
34
What are the factors leading to increases in world oil prices.
- Up to 2008, increasing demand caused by growth of the world's economies led to a long-term rise in the price of oil
- China's rapid industrialisation in the early 21st century further increased the demand for energy which China's own oilfields could not meet, so oil imports filled the gap
- Short-term spikes in the oil price can be causes by disruptions to supply, such as the 2010 oil spill caused by an explosion on a BP oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico.
- Political events in the Middle East can also restrict oil supplies
35
What are the factors leading to decreases in world oil prices.
- Diplomatic relations and conflicts between countries can affect supply and demand. For example, in 2013-14 rivalry between Iran and Saudi Arabia meant they failed to agree production targets. Saudi Arabia increased supply of oil, leading to a fall in prices on world markets.
- During periods of recession, such as after 2008, economies slowed down and consumers bought fewer goods. There was less demand for oil and prices fell
- The discovery of new sources like shale gas in the USA increased supply, reducing pil and gas imports and leading to lower local and world priced
- The fracking boom meant that global prices would've dropped as more supply would've been made avaliable.
36
Explain how conflict between countries can affect global oil prices. (4 marks)
One way conflict between countries can affect global oil prices is that sometimes, oil prices may increase tensions between oil-producing countries. For example, relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran have lead to uncertainty about oil production in the area. This will be because these nations will be shifting their focus from producing oil to more pressing issues if they enter conflict or war.
On the other hand, conlfict between countries like Saudi Arabia and Iran led to an increased supply in oil in 2013-14, therefore leading to a fall in prices. This was due to the fact that these countries failed to agree production targets whilst they were engaged in conflict
37
Explain how over or under supply can affect global oil prices.
The global price of oil is decided by traders on commodity markets. Prices are essentially decided by supply and demand. High demand causes prices to rise, and falling demand causes lower prices, while supply affects the price - too much oil and the price falls, too little and it rises. An example of how over supply affects prices is that sometimes, countries deliberately increase supply of oil to increase their income, even if they know increasing supplies will drive the price down. The price of oil fell from US $115 per barrel in 2014 to US$50 per barrel in 2015. It was caused by oversupply of oil from Sauidi Arabia, Iraq (YALA DANY MALIK, SUIIII), USA tracking sources, and Iran.
38
What is an Ecologically sensitive area
An ecologically sensitive area is a type of designation for an agricultural area which needs special protection because of its landscape, wildlife or historical value. An example would be the Acrtic. In the Arctic, there are small food-webs. If one organism dies, there are very few alternatives. Cold temperatures also mean there is very slow rates of decay – if oil is spilt it remains for a long time. Also, the minimal amount of human activity means any increase will cause disturbances to habitats/migrations
39
Explain why there is pressure from some countries to exploit the oil reserves of the Arctic
One reason why some may want to exploit resources from the Arctic is due to the fact that there is an estimated 90 billion barrels of undiscovered oil there. As a result, nations will want to claim to Arctic to exploit ot's oil reserved, which is also give them more oil for themselves to use, but also more means to export large amounts of oil to other countries too, and make lots of profit from it, therefore making the Arctic an area on demand.
Another reason why countries want to exploit oil reserves from the Arctic is due to the diminishing oil reserves everywhere else in the world. If the Arctic does hold 90 billion barrels of oil, then it will hold 25% of the world's known oil reserves, which is a huge amount. Taking this into account along with the fact that most of the world's oil and gas has already been exploited and exhausted, it means that the demand to supply ratio has been increasing, and using the oil from the Arctic will greatly relieve some of the pressure on oil supply around the world.
40
Explain why countries are so eager to claim territory underneath the Polar North
Countries will try to claim territories underneath the Polar North due to the fact that it could allow the to more easily access some of the potential oil drilling sites. Owning land there will allow countries to claim the oil that is there, and as a result, will be able to claim the oil that's there, and get all the profits that will be gained out of it. It will also help them export oil from the Arctic to their own respective territories.
41
Top three benefits to exploiting oil in the Arctic
- Reserves at Prirazlomnaya are estimated at about 72 million tonnes of oil, enabling an annual production level of 6.6 million tonnes.
- Most of the Arctic’s known resources are in Russia. This gives Russia a commanding 72% share of the oil and 91% of the gas that have been found across the Arctic, both on land and offshore
- Prirazlomnaya will employ up to 1000 people with machinery offices and living quarters on the rig
42
Bottom three problems to exploiting oil in the Arctic
- The cost of the oil rig was high – estimated to be $800million due to the high cost of drilling through ice, then rock deep into reserves
- Fragile ecosystems are particularly vulnerable to an oil spill and the consequences of an accident would have a profound effect on the environment and local fisheries due to the low temperatures with lack of decay and small food webs present
- Exploring in the arctic ocean can have a big impact on marine life through noise and vibrations which might confuse whale and other marine mammals that use sound to navigate
43
Give an opposing paragraph on:
Evaluate the impacts of exploiting oil in ecologically sensitive areas
Although exploiting oil in an ecologically ensitive area may have negative environmental effects, it does have positive economic and social effects too. For example, reserves at Prirazlomnaya are estimated at about 72 million tonnes of oil, enabling an annual production level of 6.6 million tonnes. Exporting and selling this not only gives Russia a huge economic boost and allows them to make lots of profit on this one material, but also allows Russia to use the oil themselves for things like generating lots of energy, which can have positive multiplier effects on some remote areas in need of energy.
44
How does fracking extract energy from Shale gas?
1. A pressirized mixture of sand, water, and chemicals is injected into a horizontally drilled well.
2. The mix cracks the shale and fills the cracks with sandy grit, allowing natural gas to flow up the well.
3. The recovered water is stored in lined pits or taken to a treatment plant.
The extraction of shale gas that is trapped underground in shale rock. Shale is impermeable which means that any gas trapped inside cannot be reached or pumped out using conventional vertical drilling. Instead fracking is required.
45
What are the worst problems from fracking?
- Much of the water used in fracking is collected from the well and processed, but some communities have raised conerns that potentially carcinogenic chemicals can escape into drinking water.
- Nearby water wells face a slight risk of contamination (about a 1% chance of a hydraulic fracture extending beyond 1,150 feet of a fracture zone)
- Scientists worry that concrete well casings can crack and leak chemicals.
- Methane is emitted from the fracking process - this is a powerful greenhouse gas
- Environmentalists fear that cracks created by fracking can spread to existing cracks in the rock layer and become pathways to ground water.
- In addition to air and water pollution, fracking also increases the potential for oil spills, which can harm the soil and surrounding vegetation. Fracking may cause earthquakes due to the high pressure used to extract oil and gas from rock and the storage of excess wastewater on site
46
How does surface mining extract energy from tar sands?
Tar sands contain bitumen, which can be refined to produce oil. It's mainly extracted by surface mining. Surface mines collect tar sand and transport it to processing plants, which use water and chemicals to separate the bitumen from the sands.
47
What are the worst problems from tar sands in Athabasca?
- Most tar extraction is carried out by surface mining, which means vegetation is cleared and surface oil and rock removed over a large area, resulting in a total loss of local habitats.
- Large volumes of water are needed to extract the bitumen from the sands. As much as sixbarrels of water are needed for each barrel of oil produced. This water is extracted from the Athabasca River, threatening local wildlife and wider ecosystems that rely on a clean water supply.
- Large amounts of energy are needed, releasing 15% more CO2, thanrefining crude oil
- Mining the tar sands has lead to leaks into rivers and lakes, in particular an estimated 11 million litres of toxic waste reaches Athabasca River daily.
- 470km2 of Alberta’s woodlands (taiga forest) has been removed
- It adds to greenhouse gasses!
48
Explain one problem caused by unconventional energy production (2 marks)
One problem caused by shale gas extraction includes the pollution of groundwater and drinking water, which is due to the chemicals used in fracking liquid as well as the shale gas itself. This became a big problem in the USA, where people have even been able to set fire to their tap water.
49
Explain why tar sands are classified as an ‘unconventional’ method (3 marks)
Tar sands are classified as an 'uncoventional' method as there are far more efficient methods of energy production, and there are also many other easier ways to obtain desired resources. With oil sands, their composition is quite complicated, as each grain of sand is surrounded by a layer of water and a film of bitumen, making it difficult to obtain, while it also greatly affects the area of land that is mined upon, as (especially with surface mines) will end up destroying the surface of the landscapes.
50
Using examples, explain why unconventional energy production techniques are more environmentally damaging than conventional methods (4 marks)
One unconventional production technique is fracking, which is when liquid is pumped into shale rock at high pressure, which causes rock to fracture and gas to be released. The chemicals used in fracking liquid as well as shale gas pollutes groundwater and drinking water. This became a big problem in the USA, where people have even been able to set fire to their tap water.
Surface mining tar sands is when tar is collected and transported to processing plants, where water and chemicals are used to sepearate the bitumen from the sands. This devestates habitats and vast amounts of space are needed. This can cause a reduction in biodiversity of the area as orgqnisms have less space to live and find food. Also, processing tar sands creates huge amounts of liquid waste full of harmful chemicals, which can pollute water supplies if not managed properly.
51
Energy Efficiency Definition
Energy efficiency is to reduce the amount of energy required to power products.
52
Energy Conservation Definition
Energy conservation is adapting our behaviours in how we use energy with the aim of using less energy
53
What 6 ways can homes conserve and become more energy efficient
- Hot Water
- Energy/Appliances
- Insulation
- Heating
- Lighting
- Windows and Door
54
How can homes conserve and become more energy efficient from Hot Water
- Hot water cylinder jacket
- Waste water heat recovery devices
- Have shorter showers
- Recycle water
55
How can homes conserve and become more energy efficient from Energy/Appliances
- Use better rating appliances
- Energy provided from green energy supplier
- Solar panels
- Switch electrical items off
56
How can homes conserve and become more energy efficient from Insulation
- Cavity wall insulation
- Draught proofing
- Loft/roof insulation
- Underfloor insulation
- Shut doors/windows
57
How can homes conserve and become more energy efficient from Heating
- Condensing boiler
- Heat controls (smart thermostats, radiator control)
- Flue gas heat recovery device
- Smart meters to monitor energy use
58
How can homes conserve and become more energy efficient from Lighting
- Energy efficient lightbulbs
- Motion sensor lights
- Low energy LED lighting
- Turn off lights when they are not needed
59
How can homes conserve and become more energy efficient from Windows and Doors
- Double glazing
- Draft proofing
- Efficient external doors
- South facing windows for sunlight to enter
60
Explain how energy efficiency and conservation measure can reduce energy consumption
Energy efficiency recduces energy consumption by reducing the amount of the energy to power products. An example of this is energy efficient light bulbs produce the same amount of light as non efficient bulbs but uses less energy, meaning the energy it uses is in the same amount of time is lessened. Additionally, conservation measure helps reduce energy consumption by people changing their ways to avoid energy consuming activities. In BedZED, an example is the car club scheme where people hire cars for a set amount of time before returning them. They claim that one car used in this scheme is used as much as 5 privately owned car.
61
Explain how renewable energies could alter the worlds dependency on fossil fuels
Renewable energies could help ease the world's dependancy on fossil fuels over time. This is due to the fact that renewable energies can be continually reused again and again, and along with the fact that technology is improving more and more as the years go by, meaning renewbale energy sources become increasing efficient and economical. An example of this taking place is also finding few ways of synthesising energy, such as geothermal plants where water is piped down the ground around volcanoes for the water to be warmed up, before it is used to generate energy in a power plant. As renewable energy becomes more common, with more supply, it will become more relied upon, and eventually ease the dependancy on fossil fuels.
62
Discuss why this graph suggests there could be a problem with the global energy security
- 82% Fossil Fuels
- 11% Renewables (other than large hydro)
- 5% Nuclear
- 2% Hydro (>10MW)
(Current sources of global energy supplies)
The graph suggests there could be a problem with energy security, due to the 82% of energy that comes from fossil fuel. As time goes on, fossil fuels will become harder and harder to come by, with most fossil fuels being non-renewable, meaning they're being increasingly exhausted. Lower supply and maintained demand means there won't be enough energy for everyone, and those who do get it will have to pay high costs.
63
Biofuels Benefits
- Biofuels cause less pollution than fossil fuels when they're burned
- Some biofuels are made from waste products, so they reduce the total amount of waste produced
- The growing demand could make biofuels cheaper than fossil fuels.
64
Biofuels Costs
- Sources of biomass have to be managed sustainably to make sure that they don't run out.
- Growing crops for biofuels reduces the amount of food crops that can be grown and lots of water is needed.
- Growing crops for biofuel is leading to deforestation in some areas
65
Hydroelectric Power Benefits/Advantages
- No emissions are produced when hydroelectric power plants are used to generate electricity
- The flow of water through the turbines can be controlled, so they supply of energy is reliable
- Hydroelectric power plants usually involve creating dams, which can conserve water supplies
66
Hydroelectric Power Costs/Disadvantages
- Hydroelectric power plants are expensive to build and require lots of water and land.
- Methane (a greenhouse gas) may be released from rotting organic matter in the reservoirs created behind dams
- Hydroelectric power plants can cause other environmental issues, such as changing river flows and impacting fish.
67
Solar Energy Benefits/Advantages
- Once the panels have been made fitted, no emissions, or noise pollution are produced.
- Solar panels don't require much maintainence once they've been installed
- The technology is widely avaliable
68
Solar Energy Costs/Disadvantages
- Sunny climates are needed to produce large amounts of electricity, so it's not a reliable energy source in places where there's very little sun
- Toxic metals, e.g mercury, are used in the construction of solar panels
- Solar panels can affect habitats and ecosystems.
- Solar farms can be expensive, with The Ivanoah Solar Electric Generating System costing over US$2 billion
69
Wind Energy Benefits/Advantages
- After the turbines have been made and transported to a suitable area, they don't release any greenhouse gase emissions.
- It's a relatively cheap source of renewable energy
70
Wind Energy Costs
- Wind is unpredictable, so the amount of electricty produced varies.
- Wind turbines can cause environmental issues
- It's expensive to transport the electricity produced from offshore wind farms to where it is needed.
71
Hydrogen (Energy) Benefits/Advantages
- Burning hydrogen doesn't release any harmful emissions - the only by-product is water
- Hydrogen is very efficient, so it could make up a large part of the country's energy mix
- Hydrogen is usually from water, so it's not limited to particular area.
(Hydrogen fuel cells are currently only used on a small-scale but it is hoped they could be used to provide clean power for transport in the future)
72
Hydrogen (Energy) Costs/Downsides
- Hydrogen rarely exists by itself on Earth - energy is required to extract it, e.g from water. The energy often comes from burning fossil fuels, releasing greenhouse gases
- The technology is expensive and not widely avaliable, meaning that it is currently unlikely to be avaliable, meaning that it is currently unlikely to be able to increase energy security.
- Storing hydrogen is dangerous - it's flammable.
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Assess how diversifying the energy mix will help reduce carbon footprints and improve energy security. (8 marks)
Plan
PEJE 1:
We should lessen the amount of energy we used from fossil fuels
From the energy we currently use, 82% is from fossil fuels
Fossil fuels release carbon so reducing fossil fuel usage will also reduce the amount of carbon released into the atmosphere which will also reduce carbon footprints
PEJE 2:
We should increase the energy usage of other energy sources, such as renewble energy resources and nuclear power
These currently make up for a combined 16% of energy usage and increasing these will provide alternatives to fossil fuel energy
Reducing the over-reliance on fossil fuels will result in greatly improved energy security as a result.
This will mean there will be enough supply of energy for when fossil fuels eventually run out
PEJE3:
Diversifying energy mix will improve carbon footprint and energy security, but also bring many negatives
Other sources of more renewable energy could be increased, however, this could lead to increased prices for energy which could negatively affect the population.
Fossil fuels, as they are, are one of the most energy efficient and cost-effective ways of producing energy.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, diversifying energy mix will both help improve energy security and reduce carbon footprint, while these positives far ouweigh any of the negatives mentioned.
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What is the future 'Business as Usual' Model?
This assumes that the world will continue to rely on fossil fuels as the amin source of energy, with oil production and natural gas imcreasing just to meet extra demand
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What is "A More Of A Sustainable Future' Model?
More countries would adopt renewables and rely on mixed energy supplies in order to reduce CO2 emissions as a way of combating impacts of climate change.
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What are TNC's values on the future of fossil fuel usage (+Who these differ the most to)
As a global company, their main aim is to maintain a profitable business. They appriciate sustainability is important, but don't want to take the full blame their operations have on the planet.
- Climate Scientsists
- Environmentalist Groups
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What are Climate Scientists' values on the future of fossil fuel usage (+Who these differ the most to)
They believe that evidence shows that climate change is due to human activities. If nothing changes, the ability for the planet to support humanity will be significantly impacted. Energy alternatives must be investigated.
Who differs the most:
-TNCs
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What are Governments' values on the future of fossil fuel usage (+Who these differ the most to)
Their main aim is to obtain and maintain energy security as cheaply as possible. They want reliable and affordable energy to aid economic growth and continue development of living standards
This differs from:
- Environmentalist Groups
- Climate Scientists
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What are Consumers' values on the future of fossil fuel usage (+Who these differ the most to)
They want energy resources that are cheap, and reliable. However, they do have an awareness of their contribution to carbon emissions, but question whether their own choices will have a wider effect.
They differ from:
- Climate Scientists
- Environmentalist Groups
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What are Environmentalist Groups' values on the future of fossil fuel usage (+Who these differ the most to)
They want world leaders to invest great time and money in the use of renewable energy as there is increasing concern of the impact of fossil fuels are having on the planet.
They differ most from:
-TNCs
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What is the '450 Scenario'
The 450 scenario is the IEA's goal to limit the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere to 450 parts per million of CO2. Its motive is to reduce the increase in global temperatures from 6°C to 2°C. The scenario assumes that different countries will adopt CO2 emissions targets.
These countries will remove any fossil fuels subsidies and impose taxes on fossil fuels - called carbon taxes, which would make fossil fuels much more expensive - to discourage their use.
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Explain the reasons why two groups/individuals will agree with each other about the future use of energy use
Both TNCs and governments would both agree with each other about the future use of energy, due to the fact that they both want the cheaps possible costs, and the greatest possible profits/use of energy. TNCs will want this to increase their revenues and make money, while governments want this in order to aid increasing development with as little net spend as possible.
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Explain the reasons why two groups/individuals will disagree with each other about the future use of energy use
Groups that will disagree with each other about future energy use will be evironmentalists and climate scientists. This is due to the fact that they are are more conscious of the negtaive effects of overusing energy sources has on the world around them, and believe that reasources such as fossil fuels (which are non-renewable) should be fazed out
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What is a 'Carbon Footprint'
The sum total of energy used is measured by a concept known as carbon footprint. It calculates the energy resources used in producing food and consumer goods.
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What is an 'Ecological Footprint'
From the carbon footprint, we can calculate our ecological footprint. Ecological footprint is measured in global hectares (gha) and shows the amount of land and water required to produce resources for each country.
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What is 'Sustainable Development'
Sustainable development is knowing and reducing your own ecological footprint. Also, economic development that is conducted without depletion of natural resources.
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How does rising affluence impact potentially create more environmental damage?
Rising affluence can have a negative impact on the planet and potentially create even more environmental damage, as when people become wealthier, their tastes widen and their demands rise. For example, some wealthier people develop exotic tastes for food (which has to travel thousands of miles from where it it's bough). Furthermore, increased affluence results in familes having more disposable income, which then means they are able to spend this money on better cars, which ironically produce more carbon emissions as a result; leading to even further environmental damage as a result. This also happens with families going on holidays and taking long haul flights, which also release huge amounts of fossil fuels to operate, and e.c.t.
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How will fossil fuel usage possibly decrease in some countries (for developed, and some developing countries)
The most developed countries should finding ways to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and shift their focus onto more renewable energy. This is due to the fact that they can afford to invest into these new technologies and push the scientific boundaries to find new ways of harvesting energy for the long-term, rather than just the short term. Moreover, developing countries should aim to do the same, however, this will probably have to done through intermediate technology due to the fact that they don't have as much wealth to invest in it.
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How does the Kuznets Curve show how attitudes and income impact environmental degradation?
Since the 1970's, political ideas have gained ground which place environmental concerns higher up the adgenda in developed countries. Across the EU, for example, green political parties have emerged, together with pressure groups such as Friends of the Earth or Greenpeace. In countries where human development, water, and food supply are longer priorities because they have been achieved, many people realise the greater care is about polluting and damaging the Earth is important. This is a concept known as the Kuznets Curve.
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How is education used to change views of the importance of sustainable living?
Education and action is essential for the planet's future. Schools in the UK are increasingly teachings about sustainability in the curriculum. It's focus is local rather than global, so that schools are able to change attitudes and take whatever actions they can. Actions taken by schools include recyling campaigns, using local foods that reduce the number of food miles and encourgaing more students to travel to school in public transport, for example.
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What is Sustainable Development Defined By
It's defined by the Brundtland Comission as that which 'meets the needs of the present without comprimising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs'.
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What do Shell (a TNC) say about their view on energy futures
'A range of sources will be needed to supply this vital energy over coming decades. Around 30% of world's energy mix could come from renewables in 2050'.
They're comitted to:
- Finding ways to provide energy from cleaner sources
- Helping customers to use energy more efficiently
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What do the UK Government (a Government) say about their view on energy futures
They're comitted to:
- Tackling climate change
- Keeping low energy bills for consumers
They believe that:
- Solutions to climate change woll come through innovation, technology, enterprise, and competition
- Cutting greenhouse gas emissions should be drastic now, as a delay will mean worse cuts in the future
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What do does Professor Mike Hulme (a Climate Scientist) say about their view on energy futures
- Has studied climate change 1981
- Believes there are '5 lesson climage change'
1. Climate change is relative risk, not an absolute one.
2. Climate risks are serious, and should be minimised
3. The world has huge developmentneeds
4. The world's current energy mix is not sustainable
5. Engineering the planet to cope with climate change is very dubious.
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What do Greenpeace (a Environmental Campaign Group) say about their view on energy futures
'It's about getting the world from where we are now to where we need to be ... cutting CO2 emissions while ensuring energy security.'
Proposes an 'Energy Revolution' which would protect the climate by:
- Phasing out fossil fuels
- Investing in renewable energy
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What does Matt Ridley (a Journalist) say about their view on energy futures
- Describes himself as a climate 'lukewarmer'.
- Thinks that 'global warming is real, mostly man-made and will continue' but isn't as dangerous as is often suggested
He believes that:
- Fossil fuels have a place in the modern world
- Phasing out coal is a good long-term solution
