RS Energy Case Studies Flashcards
Tar Sands (Alberta, Canada)
Fossil Fuels
(Energy - Increase Supply)
How is it done?
Largest oil reserve outside Saudi Arabia - trapped underneath boreal forest (vast areas of sticky bitumen)
In-Situ Mining - Massive amounts of water pumped through ground here through vast networks of pipelines
Renewables
(Energy - Increase Supply)
UK - Renewable energy usage gradually increasing, now at 41% (2020) - aiming to be 70-80% renewable by 2030 - diverse mix of different renewables - wind, solar, nuclear, hydroelectric, wave etc
China - By 2060 hoping to be carbon neutral + to be 80% carbon free (20% fossil fuels) - lots of sunlight and large amounts of space
Nuclear
(Energy - Increase Supply
UK - 15% of energy usage - but UK is not going to continue and shut down most plants
China - 10-15% of energy generated by nuclear energy - aiming to gradually increase this
Green Deal (UK)
(Energy - Decrease Demand)
Smart Metres
Energy saving improvements suggestions, eg:
Insulation
Heating
Draught Proofing
Double Glazing
Solar Panels (?)
etc
Industry - One Angel - Manchester, UK
(Energy - Decrease Demand)
Energy Sustainable Building in Manchester
Has helped to reduce this buildings carbon emissions by 80% and 50% reduction in energy consumption
Parts of its structure reduce its heat during summer and ‘cook’ it during winter - absorb/reflect sunlight
Boris Bikes - Transport
(Energy - Decrease Demand)
Encouragement of Alternative Travel
Cut down London’s CO2 emissions by 20,000 tonnes
Only £2 a day for unlimited 30 minute journeys
Tar Sands (Alberta, Canada)
Fossil Fuels
(Energy - Increasing Supply)
Consequences
90% Reduction in Key Species
Consumes more energy and water than any other mining
Toxic Wastelands drained downstream to a range of communities - cancer
Massive amounts of water being drawn from vital wetlands
Future projections will remove one of the largest global carbon sinks (boreal forest and wetlands) - massive global impact on CO2 levels
