A Level Edexcel Carbon Cycle Enquiry Question 2

[6.4A] What is energy security?

Energy security is achieved when there is an uninterrupted availability of energy at a national level and at an affordable place.

There are four key aspects of energy security:

- The availability.

- The accessibility.

- The affordability.

- The reliability.

Affected by accessibility, availability, dependence on foreign rather than domestic, affordability, and reliability.

[6.4A] What is short and long term energy security?

Short-term:

- This focuses on the ability of the energy system to react promptly to sudden changed in the balance between energy demand energy supply.

Long-term:

- This mainly deals with timely investments to supply in energy sources that will match economic developments and environmental needs.

[6.4A] Why is energy security important?

It is vital to the functioning of the country, and particularly its economy, including the operation of:

- Most modes of transports.

- Lights in towns and cities.

- Heating homes.

- Domestic appliances.

- Necessary for economic development, such as manufacturing.

[6.4A] How is energy consumption measured?

Per Capita:

- This could be as kilograms of oil equivalent or megawatt hours per person.

Energy Intensity:

- This is assessed by calculating the units of energy used per unit of GDP. The fewer units of energy, the more efficiency a country using its energy supply.

- Energy intensity values decrease with economic development.

- UK had a 57%+ rise between 2004 and 2014, whereas Saudi Arabia became less efficient by -20%.

[6.4A] What is primary and secondary energy, and some examples?

Primary:

- These are natural energy resources that have not been converted into another form of energy. This is most types of energy from fossil fuels to renewables.

Examples: Coal, Oil, Natural Gas.

Secondary:

- This is a form of energy that has been created from a primary source.

Examples: Electricity.

[6.4A] What is the energy mix and what sources of energy are there?

The combination of different available energy sources used to meet a country's total energy demand. The exact proportions or mix vary from country to country. It is an important component of energy security.

Sources:

- Non-renewable fossil or carbon fuels such as oil, natural gas, and coal.

- Recyclable fuels such as nuclear energy, genera waste and biomass.

- Many types go renewable energy such as wind, geothermal, water and solar.

- Fossil fuels account for 80% of the total energy mix.

[6.4B] What does access to and consumption of energy resources depend on?

Physical availability, cost, technology, public perception, level of economic development, climate and environmental priorities.

[6.4B] How is access to and consumption of energy resources influenced by the physical availability and cost?

Physical Availability:

- This could be argued to be the most important.

- Are the energy resources available within the country concerned, or must they be improved?

- If the latter, then the transport costs are likely to add to the overall cost of energy to the consumer. This will be a pressure on energy consumption,

- There may be resources within a country, but are they accessible?

Cost:

- The cost is major, and includes a number of separate costs for the physical exploitation, converting primary to secondary and delivery to the consumers.

- Lower energy costs may be expected to boost energy consumption.

[6.4B] How is access to and consumption of energy resources influenced by the technology and public perception?

Technology:

- Modern technology can help with the exploitation of energy resources that are not so readily accessible, such as oil and gas which requires deep drilling.

- It can help tap energy resources that are not so readily accessible, thereby encouraging energy consumption. Without technology, consumption and access is likely to be lower especially in developing..

Public Perception:

- People have varying perceptions of their energy needs based on lifestyle - with little or no regard for the environmental consequences. Others give priority to minimising the wastage of energy.

- This is dependent on the standard of living, and a higher will increase consumption.

[6.4B] How is access to and consumption of energy resources influenced by economic development and environmental priorities?

Economic Development:

- This will determine the technological ability to extract and develop energy resources.

- The level of development will determine a country's perception on the affordability of energy.

- Economic developed countries likely to need more energy due to higher standard of living.

Environmental Priorities:

- Cultures may view the national environment differently and take great concern towards it.

- May not take the cheapest route for energy demands out of environmental concerns.

- The cost of a 'green' energy policy could have a slightly depressing impact on consumption, as would any government's drive to raise energy efficiency and energy saving.

[6.4B] How does the US and France compare in terms of their energy portraits?

USA:

- 2nd in the world for energy consumption.

- High population of 331.2 million.

- Climate in America is a contributor to why they have they have one of the highest consumption of energies due to heating, air conditioning and lighting costs.

- 3/4 of energy comes from fossil fuels.

- Very self sufficient in energy - particularly natural gas. 15% of energy imported.

France:

- 10th in the world for energy consumption.

- Population of 65 million.

- 50% of energy comes from fossil fuels and 42% comes from nuclear power.

- 1/2 of its primary energy is imported - less energy secure.

- 9.4% of energy is renewable.

[6.4C] What is an energy pathway?

This is a route taken by any form of energy from its source to its point of consumptions. The routes involve different forms of transport, such as tanker ships, pipelines, and electricity transmission grids.

[6.4C] Who are the players in energy supply and demand?

Energy Supply:

- TNCs.

- OPEC.

- Governments.

- Shipping companies.

- Pipeline controllers.

Energy Demand:

- TNCs.

- Energy companies.

- Governments.

- Consumers.

- They explore, exploit and distribute resources.

- They own supply lines and invest in the distribution of processing raw materials.

- They respond to market condition to increase the profits.

[6.4C] What is the role of TNCs in energy supply?

The big names in the oil and gas business include Gazprom, ExxonMobil, Petronas and Royal Dutch Shell. Nearly half of the top 20 companies are state-owned (all or in part) and, therefore, very much under government control. Because of this, strictly speaking they are not TNCs. Most are involved in a range of operations: exploring, extracting, transporting, refining and producing petrochemicals.

[6.4C] Why are TNCs prominent energy players?

- Some TNCs have more economic value than a small country, enabling the company to take action and invest in large-scale projects that a country may not afford.

- TNCs can bypass political tensions and access sources otherwise restricted to other countries.

- In certain parts of the world, an developed economy trying to help to exploit an energy source in an LEDC could be seen as a direct threat to the developing economy..

- TNCs may be inclined to invest in local infrastructure, logistics and development of

workers' villages. This benefits all; the TNC benefits from faster transport links and a happier workforce, whilst the government receives 'free' investment.

[6.4C] What is the role of OPEC in energy supply?

OPEC:

- OPEC has 13 member countries, which between them own about 2/3 of the world's oil reserves.

- This makes it an extremely influential group in controlling the amount of oil and gas entering the market, as well as the price of both commodities.

- OPEC has been accused of holding back production in order to drive up oil and gas prices to increase profits for oil exporting nations.

[6.4C] What is the role of energy companies in energy supply?

Energy Companies:

- These companies convert primary energy into electricity and then distribute it. Most companies are involved in the distribution of both gas and electricity, giving them considerable influence when it comes to setting consumer prices and tariffs.

- The big 5 in the UK who have the UK government backing are able to agree on energy caps.

[6.4C] What are the role of consumers in energy supply?

- Consumers such as transport, industry and domestic users are largely influential in demand.

- Consumers are looking for more greener alternatives, influencing energy companies.

- Consumers create demand with purchasing choices usually based on price. As a country becomes richer and more educated, the population can change their shopping habits to reflect their needs: locally sourced, environmental friendly, reliable energy supply during

winter and extreme weather.

[6.4C] What is the role of governments in energy supply?

- They are the guardians of national energy security and can influence the sourcing of energy for geopolitical reasons.

- Looking to reduce dependency on fossil fuels and other countries through legislation.

[6.6A] What is renewable and recyclable energy?

Renewable:

- This is an energy resource that is replaced rapidly from an existing constant natural process, such as energy from the sun or the wind. This is without human influence.

Recyclable:

- An energy resource that can be reused once people or nature have processed it.

[6.6A] What does decoupling of fossil fuels from economic growth mean?

Fossil fuels supported the economic development of industrialised countries, and as use increased, so did wealth. There are early signs that, as fossil fuels are replaced, economic development continues.Basically, this means widening the energy mix to include substantial inputs from both renewable and recyclable energy sources.

[6.6A] What are examples of renewable and recyclable energy?

Renewable:

- Hydroelectric, solar, tidal, geothermal and wind.

Recyclable:

- Nuclear.

[6.6A] Why does the use of renewables vary between countries?

- Not all countries have coasts, strongly flowing rivers or climates with either long sunshine hours or persistently strong winds.

- Renewables aren't enough yet to completely phase out fossil fuels.

- The relative financial cost of using renewable energy sources.

- There's this NIMBYism towards much of renewables.

- Oil costs can sometimes be very low, giving no incentive for areas to set up renewables.

[6.6A] What are the economic benefits and costs of renewable and recyclable energy?

Costs:

- Needs high investment in new technologies.

- Electricity costs per unit may be higher than conventional sources.

- Dependence on fossil fuels is only reduce if they re directly substituted, which is difficult for transport.

Benefits:

- Can be used at scales suitable for developing countries and households.

- Low maintenance costs once running.

- Potentially cheaper than fossil fuels when high gas and oil prices.

[6.6A] What are the social benefits and costs of renewable and recyclable energy?

Costs:

- Nuclear produces radioactivity, such as Chernobyl in 1986.

- Solar takes up farmland, reducing food production.

- Noise pollution.

Social:

- They are safer and clean resources, particularly solar and wind.

- Can be used by individual households.

[6.6A] What are the environmental benefits and costs of renewable and recyclable energy?

Costs:

- Solar and wind need large areas, can spoil scenery.

- This can be bad for biodiversity - destroying and even killing wildlife such as birds.

- For hydroelectricity, it can involve drowning river valleys to create HEP reservoirs.

Benefits:

- No greenhouse emissions once operational.

- No air pollution.

[6.6A] How are renewable and recyclables good and bad for energy security?

Costs:

- Difficult to store for later use.

- Climate dependent (intermittent).

- Doesn't produce near enough for many places.

Pros:

- Helps transition to reducing interdependence.

[6.6A] What are the pros and cons of nuclear energy?

Cons:

- Plants are expensive to construct, but also to decommission.

- Concerns relating to the disposal of radioactive waste material.

- Storage of waste is a concern.

- Technological demands are complex and high.

- Risks to do with safety and security.

Pros:

- High efficiency.

- Technology is becoming more affordable.

- Only small amounts of uranium are needed to produce a given output of heat compared with other forms of fuel.

- There is no shortage of uranium.

- Produces less CO2 than fossil fuel.

- Estimated that 64 gigatonnes of CO2 has not been released into the atmosphere as a result of nuclear.

[6.6A] What are the pros and cons of wind energy?

Cons:

- Wind is intermittent, so relies on climate.

- Initially very expensive, but is quickly decreasing.

- Large amount of space needed - take away housing?

- Dangerous to some wildlife, and noisy.

- NIMBYSM.

Pros:

- Clean energy, and causes no pollution.

- This is sustainable, and infinite.

- They help save money, as they are becoming cheaper. Maintenance costs.

- Creates many jobs.

[6.6A] What are the pros and cons of solar energy?

Cons:

- High installation cost, between $10,000 and $30,000 on homes.

- Intermittent, and they can only be supplied during the day.

- NIMBYSM.

Pros:

- Reduces electricity costs.

- Infinite.

- Individual buildings can be powered.

- Have the flexibility to be located anywhere.

[6.6A] How has the UK's energy mix changed?

There has been a shift away from the use of coal, and is more reliant on oil and gas for energy. Secondary sources are becoming common with electricity.

- Households now use 12% less energy whilst industry uses 60% less, despite population increases.