Pre-Release Resources Booklet Flashcards
Energy Consumption
The amount of energy used by individuals, businesses and industries within a country
Role of energy in the UK
heating and lighting
comminication systems
food and water
Describe Energy Consumption in the UK (1990-2021)
Generally energy consumption decreases from 1990 to 2021
In 2020 there was a saignificant decrease in transport due to Covid-19 pandemic
Why did the covid-19 pandemic cause energy used in transport sector to decrease
Schools, businesses, shops closed
People worked from home
Travelling and commuting time was reduced
Energy Security
Having an uninterrupted and affordable energy supply which is able to sustain people’s lives and daily activities
The 4As of Energy Security
Accessiblity
Affordability
Availability
Acceptability
Accessibility
The ease of obtaining energy supplies based on location, infastructure and availability
Example: importing natural gas via pipelines
Affordability
The cost of energy for consumers and businesses, influenced by supply, demand and government policies
Example: Government subsides lowering electricity mix
Availability
The presence of sufficient energy resources to meet demand, considering production and imports
Example: wind and solar farms providing electricity
Acceotability
The enviromenal and social impacts of energy production and use
Example: public concerns about nucleur waste disposal
Factors affecting the UKs Energy Security
Political Factors
Technology
Costs
Physical Enviroment
Political factors
Energy resources are globally traded
International conflicts can threaten security - UK relies on imported energy
UK government is investinf in energy independence
International agreements can influence UK energy policy - encourages a shift towards low-carbon sources
Physical enviroment
The Uk has limited fossil fuel reserves left - North Sea oil and gas production is declining
Climate affects renewable energy - UKs cloudy weather makes solar less reliable
Geology limitations - UK lacks large mountains and valleys for big dams to produce hydroelectric power
Costs
Coal and gas are more expensive to extract as reserves are running out
Renewable energy has high initial costs byt it is cheaper in the long term
Uk imports energy and global price changes can make it more expensive
Technology
Advances in renewable tech improve security by makiung clean energy more reliable
Uk is developing nucleur energy for a more stable supply
Carbon capture and storage could allow FF to be used more sustainabley - it is expensive
Explain the balance between import and export of energy in the UK 1970-2020
- Initially heavy reliance on imported energy
- Gradually reduction of imports
- In 1980 UK discover oil and gas reserves in the North Sea
- Export more than importing
- Flucuation because it becomes expensive to extract oil and gas
- 2003 reliance on export because it is cheaper
- small decrease in exports as supply is more efficient
Explain distribution of wind and solar share of electricity generation in Europe - 2021
Spain and portugal have more than 25% of electricity generated by wind and solar - longer hours of daylight
France have long hours of daylight but only 9.4% - invested in nucleur power
Russia and Ukraine are less than 5% - huge oil and natural gas reserves
Energy Capacity
The maximum amount of electricity a power station or national grid can generate at any given time
Energy DEmand
The maximum amount of electrical power that is being consumed at any given time
Renewable Energy
Energy sources that are naturally replenished
Energy Mix
Combination of different energy sources used t meet a countries energy needs
UKs Renewable energy sources
Biomass
Hydroelectric
Wind
Solar
Tidal
Hydrogen fuel
Wave
Geothermal
Advantages of renewable energy
- will not run out
- less affected by international conflicts
- little air pollution - helath benefits
- job opportunities
- less expensive maintenance
If renewable energy is increased what can happen
reduce flucuation in energy prices
increase energy security
