Resource Management Flashcards
1
Q
What factors affect energy supply?
A
- war / corruption / politics
- environmental conditions
- cost
- technology
- geology
- climate
2
Q
Physical Factors affecting energy supply:
A
- Relief: does the country have mountains suitable for hydropower e.g France
- Is the country in area of tectonic activity so can exploit geothermal energy e.g Iceland
- The geology of the area which determines whether coal, oil or gas has been formed millions of years ago
- Climate: very sunny or very windy climate - suitable for solar? e.g Spain
- Natural Hazards experienced regularly by a country may mean some energy types are too high risk e.g Nuclear power in location of tectonic instability
3
Q
Human Factors Affecting energy supply:
A
- Economic development - whether a country can afford to exploit the resource
- Technology: access to exploit resources in difficult conditions? e.g North Sea and Arctic
- Fear of political instability: oil producing countries look to supply their needs from other sources like nuclear on renewables as countries like Russia are volatile
- Public opinion: anti-nuclear feelings
- Political Agreements favouring renewables and phasing out fossils fuels e.g EU
- Cheapest used first (fossil fuels)
- Innovation e.g fracking
