Resource Management: Energy Flashcards
(23 cards)
What is a natural resource?
Resources found from earth processes, in air, water or land.
What is an abiotic resource?
Non-living resources obtained from lithospehere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere
What is a biotic resource?
Living resources which are obtained from the biosphere
What is a non-renewable resource?
Resources which cannot be remade or replenished.
What is a renewable resource?
Resources which are potentially infinite in their supply.
How does overfishing in the North Sea have an impact?
- thought the seas and oceans provided unlimited supply of food.
- But has resulted in critical fish pop.levels.
- Decades of fisshing, more fish being caught than replaced.
Impacts - disrupts food chain, decrease in cod numbers, big decline in fish population levels.
What is the distribution of natural resources throughout the UK?
Iron and coal deposits drove the industrial revolution.
Oil and gas is drilled from North Sea.
UK once covered in deciduous and coniferous forest, now only 12% of UK is woodland.
Roughly 75% of UK is farmland.
Water resources unevenly distribution across UK
Describe the range in energy consumption around the world
Most of the North of globe has highest, North America and Norway. However, anomaly is AUstralia.
List renewable energy sources
Wind
Hydro-electric power
solar
tidal
geothermal
biofuels
List non-renewable energy sources
Coal
Oil
Natural Gas
Nuclear
Advantages and Disadvantages of Coal (non renewable)
AD
Large quantities of coal, should last another 200 years
Mining is easy and cheap
Used in many power stations, efficient resource for generating large amounts of electricity
DISAD
burning releases harmful gases causing pollution
Mining is dangerous and has caused many deaths
Advantages and Disadvantages of Wind (renewable)
AD
clean fuel, no pollution, lowest priced renewable energy sources for the consumer
WInd farms can be built on agricultural land, providing source of income
New tech = more efficient
DISAD
Energy only produced when it is windy
Cant store power produced
Spoils view of landscape
Describe UK’s energy mix
40.1% fossil fuels, dominant energy
Slightly lower gas
Mostly renewable, good for environment.
What are the factors affecting a nations energy mix?
Population - higher demand for energy, more non-renewable
Incomes and wealth - larger housing, more energy to heat homes
Availability of energy supplies/technological advances - more modern technology requires greater amounts of energy to be useful.
What is Fracking?
process where large volumes of fluid are pumped at extremely high pressure into shale rock formations to release oil and gas trapped within the rock. Gathers more useful resources to release energy.
Advantages of Fracking?
Energy security - cost effective,
Job opportunities - more people access fracking jobs
Cleaner than coal - emits 45% less co2
Disadvantages of fracking?
Environmental - creates vast amount of wastewater, emits greenhouse gases, generates noise
Earthquakes - injecting fluids increases pressure, potentially causing them to slip and release energy as an earthquake.
What is the Elizabeth II solar reservoir
23,000 solar panels on surface of reservoir. Energy generated will be used to power local water treatment works.
Positives, floating above reservoir reduces the panels covering land. Will help generate freshwater to 10 millions Londoners
Negatives, small scale, inconsistent energy due to UK’s sporadic weather systems.
What is the Biomass Power stations?
UK’s largest power station and source of renewable energy. Produces 3,900MW energy. Fuelled by compressed wood pellets.
Positives, produces energy for 5 mil homes, directly employs 1000 local people.
Negatives, emits 4x carbon emissions. Caused 3% UK carbon emissions.
What is the North Sea Energy Co-operation?
between multiple European countries. Aims to increase use of renewable energy across Europe. Focus is given to investing ‘offshore’ electricity grids, across North Sea region.
Positives, consistent wind patterns makes it reliable, shallow waters reduce costs of construction and installation of offshore wind
Negatives, goals and aims set out are not legally binding
Environmental destruction is caused during installation of wind turbines.
What is the three gorges dam?
Built in 2009, over 1km long. Produces lots of energy.
Positives, large energy generations, powering Shanghai and Chonqing. Improves water supply, during dry periods.
Negatives, 1.25million people displaced to make space for it. Restricting natural river flow impacts natural ecosystem.
What is the Panda Power Plant?
A power plant company building 100MW solar power plant in shape of panda.
Positives, engages younger generation, example of Chinas commitment to scaling up solar and other forms of energy
Negatives, takes up energy to build and maintain. Recycling solar panels costs a lot.
What is the Shenzhen Electric Car Scheme?
60% new vehicles are EV’s or hybrids. 2009, chinese government promotes subsides for purchases of EV vehicles.
Positives, special parking, gets 2 hours free parking. Cheaper than driving/fuelling petrol/diesel.
Negatives, production can be an energy intense process. Strategy is unique to Shenzhem, not nation wide, would need to be scaled up to have greater impact.
