1
Q
Primary energy sources
A
- Sources are obtained in their natural form
2
Q
Primary energy sources examples
A
- Coal: Stock resource that accounts for 27% of global energy production. Usage is decreasing as China shifts its energy mix away from coal and less polluting energy sources are used. Most production occurring in China, ahead of the USA and India.
- Petroleum (Oil): Stock resource that accounts for 32% of global energy production. Usage is still increasing as global energy demand increases. Most usage in USA, China and India and greatest production in the USA, Saudi Arabia and Russia
- Natural Gas: Stock resource, with only 50% of the carbon emissions of coal and accounts for 22% of global energy production, which is increasing year on year. Highest production in USA, Russia and Iran and greatest consumption in USA, Russia and China.
- Uranium - Stock resource with very low carbon footprint that accounts for around 4% of global energy production, with most production in Kazakhstan and greatest amount of nuclear fission energy produced in the USA. Production likely to increase in future.
- Biomass (May also be secondary): Flow resource. In many LIC’s biomass is burned to produce energy. Burning organic matter such as wood is very inefficient. However biomass produces a large proportion of energy in LIC’s, though it makes up a low proportion of worldwide energy consumption. In HIC countries, biomass is being used more efficiently to produce energy, such as in biodiesel. Overall decrease in use on a global scale.
- Hydroelectric Power (HEP) : Flow resource. Water drives turbines to produce electricity and is very efficient. Hydropower has been used for many years as a renewable energy, but only accounts for a small percentage of global energy production. Expected to increase globally, but with decreases in some HIC’s.
3
Q
Secondary energy sources
A
- Sources that have been converted from primary sources into manufactured sources - mainly heat, electricity or fuel
4
Q
Secondary energy sources examples
A
- Solar: increasing rapidly year on year as the technologies for solar power become cheaper. China has the largest installed capacity, though production is much lower due to climatic conditions. Growth in LIC countries as technology becomes cheaper.
- Wind: produces one of the most energy of renewable sources, with the greatest production and capacity in China. Technology spreading to LIC countries and offshore is increasing too
. - Wave: Very low generation, technology is developing
- Tidal: expensive so only a handful of installed tidal power schemes on a global scale. One successful project may lead to a multiplier effect.
- Geothermal Energy: Very efficient and reliable and operates all year+ day round. Popular in countries with volcanic setting and likely to increase as technology spreads to LIC’s. Currently does not contribute a large amount to the global energy mix.
5
Q
Components of demand
A
- refers to the way energy is used
- industrial, commercial, domestic and transport are the most common categories
- Consumption by sector will vary across countries
6
Q
Energy mix
A
- Composition of different sources from which a named area obtains its energy
7
Q
Contrasting settings
A
- Refers to an overview of how countries in different contexts obtain their energy
- The contrast may be in the type of energy source - fossil fuel or renewable, the level of economic development or the indigenous supplies available
- Every country’s energy mix will be governed by whats available, affordable, reliable and clean
8
Q
Energy mix in contrasting settings : Iceland
A
- HEP 15%, geothermal 66%, fossil fuels 19%
- Very low on fossil fuel use
- Abundant geothermal energy due to positioning on a constructive plate margin
- Huge potential for HEP from fast-flowing rivers with steep gradients
- As a small affluent country it can afford the technology needed for both geothermal and HEP
9
Q
Energy mix in contrasting settings : France
A
- Nuclear 38%, oil 32%, gas 15%, renewable 10%, coal 4%, HEP 1%
- High usage of nuclear fuel
- 59 power stations, supplying nearly 80% of electricity
- Many large rivers for cooling purposes in nuclear fuel production
- Government policy to improve energy security
- Few Fossil fuels
10
Q
Relationship of energy supply to key aspects of physical geography : Climate
A
- High levels of sunlight can be harnessed for solar energy
- Best location in tropical and subtropical areas. Such is higher in the sky so potential is maximised
- Solar energy has more potential in mountainous areas where the air is thinner and sunlight is scattered less
- Wind is a source of energy but can be intermittent
- Minimum speed required is 7-10 mph. In high winds of 50-80mph most turbines will shut down
- High density air provides more energy so lower altitudes and cooler air are most effective
11
Q
Relationship of energy supply to key aspects of physical geography : Geology
A
- Coal = formed from plant debris being buried under layers of mud and sand : heat and pressure from subsequent layers gives rise to a process of clarification
- Oil and gas - these are hydrocarbons of organic origin Settling of dead plants and animals at the bottom of the sea led to fossilisation in sedimentary source rocks
- Sedimentary rock formations hold oil and gas or both within their pores
- New technology has allowed the extraction of oil and gas from shale rock by a process of fracking
- Permeable rocks can be infilitratrd and water stored underground in aquifiiers, providing a long-term water store
- Mountanous regions encourager relief rainfall increasing water supply through a rain shadow
12
Q
Relationship of energy supply to key aspects of physical geography : Drainage
A
- Size and shape of drainage basins influence the potential for dam building and HEP
- Vital factors are the volume of water that can be captured : the flow
- The other vital factor is the height the water will fall : the head
- Dam building is expensive, so a long, narrow, steep-sided valley basin is most suitable
13
Q
How does energy production and use affect relationships between countries?
A
- Countries that produce lots of a particular type of energy might form alliances, e.g. OPEC is a group of countries that work together to influence the global supply and price of oil
- Because energy and resources are unevenly distributed across the world, conflict can arise between countries trying to obtain the resources they need
- The country’s financial situation or existing conflicts with other countries can reduce its ability to trade energy.
14
Q
How does energy price cause competing national interests?
A
- The country selling the energy will want to charge as much as possible, whereas the country buying will want to pay as little as possible
- influences the potential market for an energy resource + determines whether extracting the resource is economically viable.
15
Q
How does environment vs development cause competing national interests
A
- Many countries exploit energy resources in order to increase economic development but, exploitation can damage the environment.
- Countries may want to exploit energy resources in another country (China developing oil reserves in Africa) or in the global commons.
- In some cases, the global community may step in to prevent large-scale damage to fragile environments (Antarctica treaty bans development there).
- As resources dwindle, pressure to exploit the new areas is increasing.
16
Q
How does energy security cause competing national interests?
A
- Countries with high energy consumption may pressure countries with large natural resources to develop and export them in order to meet their energy need
17
Q
How does political instability cause competing national interests?
A
- Countries might avoid becoming dependent on countries that have an unstable government, as conflict can interrupt supply of energy resources.
18
Q
TNC involvement in energy
A
- Most energy TNCs are involved in all stages of oil and gas production, from the exploration of potential reserves, through refining crude oil to usable product, to selling it to consumers around the world.
- Because of their wealth and control of valuable resources, Energy TNCs are very powerful and can influence the global economy, politics, and the environment
- Some energy TNCs are partially or completely state-owned
- Gazprom is partially owned by the Russian government
. - State-owned TNCs can exert global influence, such as shutting privately owned TNCs out of energy markets or assist in building global alliances.
19
Q
Strategies to increase energy supply : Oil and gas exploration
A
countries have been more willing to grant exploration rights to TNCs to find new reserves of oil and gas or investigate speculative reserves.
- Price rises in oil and gas prompt TNCs to invest in technology to advance exploration
20
Q
Strategies to increase energy supply : Fracking process
A
- Fracking is a new source of energy that involves exploiting natural gas found in shale reserves across the world.
- Water, chemicals and sand are pumped into the ground to break up the shale, access the hydrocarbons and force them to the surface.
- Horizontal drilling helps to remove the gas reserves
21
Q
Strategies of increasing energy supply: Fracking disadvantages
A
- Wastewater needs treating due to chemical contents. May pollute groundwater aquifers.
- In the USA the water has become flammable due to pollution by fracking Earthquakes of low magnitude may occur, though not usually strong enough to pose a risk to humans.
- They may damage fracking infrastructure, causing further leakages
- The IPCC suggest it would be irresponsible to use shale gas
22
Q
Strategies of increasing energy supply: Fracking advantages
A
- Less polluting than coal or oil
- Requires large amounts of water
- Could provide boost to the economy In the UK
23
Q
Strategies of increasing energy supply: Nuclear power
A
Many people consider nuclear power to offer the most effective long-term solution to over-reliance on fossil fuels
24
Q
Strategies of increasing energy supply: Development of renewable sources
A
Renewable energy is likely to be an important component of the future energy mix as it has a low carbon footprint , the technology is always improving and becoming more efficient
25
Strategies to manage energy consumption
**- agenda 21 and the kyoto protocol**
**- Household energy saving =**
- draught-proofing, new building materials that reduce heat loss, use of solar panels and biomass boilers and improved designed for passive solar heating, large, south facing windows
- Shifting a countries' energy mix away from low efficiency sources such as coal, to more efficient resources such as nuclear power.
**- Industrial and commercial energy saving**
- installation of heat-recovery systems to collect and reuse heat arising from any industrial process, also combined heat and power systems that generate electricity while capturing usable heat
**- Energy saving in transport =**
- more efficient engine design with lower emissions, hybrid cars using electric power, more use of bioethanol fuel, road tax based on emissions, car-sharing incentives and improvements in public transport
- inclusion of subsidies from governments that provide financial aid to economic sectors (or renewable technologies) to make them more affordable and encourage their use
- Businesses receive incentives for improving their environmental credibility
- As a result, more businesses are investing in green technology to save their business money
26
Sustainability issues associated with energy production = Acid rain
Acic rain =
**Causes -**
- burning of fossil fuels and car exhaust fumes
- Sulfur dioxide and nitrogine oxide react with precipitation, mist and clouds to form wet deposits of sulfuric acid, nitric acid and ammonia compounds
**Attempts to reduce acid rain -**
- Catalyic converters fitted in cars
- Use of low-sulfur fossil fuels
- Replacement of coal-fired power stations with alternatives
- Use of scrubbers and flue gas desulfurisation to remove sulfur when coal is burned Impacts
- Killes trees, especially conifers
- Damages ecosystems
- Damages buildings
- Accelerates weathering, particularly of limestone
- Leads to an increase in respiratory illnesses
27
Sustainability issues associated with energy production = Enhanced greenhouse effect
- **Solar insulation** is trapped in the **lower atmosphere**
- Rise in **combustion of fossil fuels** has increase the amount of **greenhouse gases**, enhancing this effect
28
Sustainability issues associated with energy production = Nuclear waste
- Remains **highly radioactive** for thousands of years and consequently it has to be **disposed of safely**
- **Spent fuel roads** and **fission products** are removed from **nuclear reactions, vitrified into solid blocks** and stored in **lead-lined comntainers** underground
- however burial sites need to be found in areas of **geological stability,** it is **expensive to purchase** land for this usage, **transport needs to be safe** and it is costly
29
Sustainability issues associated with energy production :
- Nuclerar waste
- enhanced greenhouse effect
- Acid rain
G : Resource security
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