Chapter 5- Carbon

Define energy security

Sufficient consistent supply of energy a reasonable price.

Define energy insecurity.

When a country can’t meet the needs of a population without support, less practical and cost-effective, have to buy different countries with the surplus.

Define consumption

The action of using up a resource.

Define demand

they need for a resource , increases as economies grow, more energy to power factories et cetera

Define surplus.

More resource required to meet demand.

What are some examples of energy uses?

Manufacturing Light Transport Heating and cooling homes Modern communications Domestic appliances Industry and technology

What factors are leading to an increase in the consumption of energy/demand?

Global population growth Development and rising standard of living The essential nature of life

Define energy intensity.

A measure of how efficiently a country is using its energy

Define energy mix

the term used to describe the combination of different energy sources that are used to meet a countries total energy demand.

Define energy pathways.

The flow of energy between a producer and a consumer e.g. pipelines transmission lines ship and rail.

What are the main three types of primary energy sources ?

Renewable fossil Oil and natural gas. Renewable energy such as wind geothermal hydroelectric and solar Recyclable fuels such as nuclear energy, bio mass in general waste

How might the energy mix? A different countries vary and why?

Developing countries usually use natural resources such as firewood Emerging countries/economies will see arise in the use of oil as transport and car ownership increases. As countries develop they tend to start using more gas and nuclear power as technology advances . More developed countries post industrial revolution are moving towards more renewable forms of energy.

What are the factors affecting countries access to and consumption of energy?

Physical availability? Cost Technology Public perception Level of economic development Climate Environmental priorities

What are the costs involved in the access and consumption of energy?

The cost of physical exploitation? The cost of processing (converting a primary energy into a secondary energy). The cost of delivering to the customer/consumer.

How does modern technology aid in improving energy security ?

Modern technology is very useful in the exploitation of energy for example oil that requires deep drilling into the Earth This technology makes energy sources that were previously inaccessible more accessible, improving energy security by increasing supply.

How does the level of economic development impact energy security?

The higher the level of development and standard of living in a country the less sensitive they are likely to be to energy costs. More developed countries are likely to have funding to develop more modern technology to harvest energy supplies. More developed countries are more likely to have stronger geopolitical relations to secure supply.

How much climate impact energy supply and demand

Regions such as North America, the Middle East and Australia have high levels of consumption as a result of extra energy required to cool homes. Called the countries will also have high levels of energy consumption as this is required to provide heat in homes

How much environmental priorities affect energy security

Governments may opt for more expensive methods to meet their energy needs out of concerns for the environment and they need to reduce carbon emissions. Some governments may opt towards more renewable forms of energy such as hydroelectric power or wind farms, improving energy security by making country less rely on others for energy supply.

What percentage of USA energy comes from renewable sources?

10%?

How has the energy mix of the UK changed overtime?

1980s-high reliance on coal oil and gas for energy supplies? Rapid transition shifting from heavy reliance on fossil fuels to a cleaner system dominated by wind and renewable energy September 2024-Cole was completely phased out for electricity generation. Wind energy has overtaken gas as the top source of energy, makes up 30% of electricity generated

What percentage of the UK’s electricity in recent years has been generated by renewable sources?

45%

Who are the five major players in the world of energy?

TNC Organisation of the petroleum exporting countries (OPEC) Energy companies Consumers Governments

What role did TNCs play in energy supply and demand?

TNCs explore, exploit and distribute energy resources. Their own supply lines and invest in the distribution and processing from materials as well as electricity production and transmission. They respond to market conditions to secure profits for their shareholders. The relocation of a TNC to an urban area May increase energy supply of a region due to higher levels of industrial activity

Explain the role of OPEC in energy supply and demand.

Controls 81% of proven wild oil reserves. Permanent inter governmental organisation with 13 member countries. Has control of the amount of gas and oil in the global market along with their prices. Aim to coordinate and unify petroleum policies to ensure the stabilisation of oil markers Previously set oil production quoters to respond to economic conditions boosting supplies when demand rose and reducing them when demand fell. Criticisms-have been accused of forcing up the price of oil and gas by withholding or slow in production.

Explain the role that consumers play Energy supply and demand

Consumers create demand, purchasing choices are often based on price. Have the ability to influence energy demand for example by purchasing electric cars are installing solar panels energy costs and demand is cut. Have the ability to influence policy expansion of nuclear energy and fracking are both controversial in the UK and across the EU, they have been widespread protests against both.

Explain the role of governments in influencing energy supply and demand.

Complete various different roles e.g. managing energy security and determining how energy is sourced and used governments with low levels of privatisation (still control key service sectors) may have more influence over factors including energy prices which affect demand. Play role in regulating private companies and setting environmental priorities. Example-EU government aim to fulfil CO2 emissions targets and reduce fossil fuel dependency

What proportion of France electricity is generated by nuclear power?

70%

What proportion of the world’s known oil reserves are in Saudi Arabia?

25%.

What does OPEC stand for?

Organisation of petroleum supporting countries?

What is OPEC?

An IGA founded in 1960? Coordinates petroleum policies, managers oil production and aims to stabilise global markets.

What is OPEC’s role in securing energy supplies?

Coordinating oil production to keep supply study Keeping prices relatively stable. Making sure future capacity is in place

Summarise Saudi Arabia as an oil producer

Largest oil producer with major influence over global energy supplies During COVID 19, demand fell and oil prices collapsed SA agreed to reduce output by 9.7 million barrels per day Cuts helped reduce global oversupply, preventing total collapse of oil prices

Summarise EDF as en energy producer

French state-owned company Aim to reduce reliance on fossil fuels by investing in wind and solar Helps to build and operate power stations and grid connections Helped yo build and develop Hinkley Power C nuclear power station in the UK

What impacts do consumers have on energy supply and demand

Patterns of consumer lifestyles strongly influence energy demand, rising living standards and population growth place increasing pressure on national and global energy supply Demand not constant- temporal peaks e.g. during winter or evening peak times influence how energy systems operate and can result in fluctuations in energy prices Consumer decisions- electric vehicles and energy efficient appliances can reduce reliance on fossil fuels

How to governments influence the energy mix?

Set long term energy and climate policy Provide subsidies e.g. renewable incentives Regulating energy companies Managing international energy agreements Investing in infrastructure

How can governments secure energy supply?

Encouraging domestic production Providing subsidies for renewables Supporting nuclear power plants and new technologies Funding innovation- hydrogen and carbon capture

Evaluate the role of governments in influencing energy supply, demand, security etc

Pros: - Shape long term energy transition - Improve national energy security - Influence sustainability through regulation Cons: - Limited by global energy markets - Affected by geopolitics and conflicts - Cannot fully control global price shocks

Summarise the works of the UK Government in managing energy supply

Major investment into offshore wind and solar farms- world leader Aims to reduce reliance on North Sea oil reserves Investment into carbon capture Net zero target by 2050 Russia-Ukraine War: Uk reduced Russian imports and increased imports from US + Qatar. UK energy prices spiked- shows vulnerability, perhaps too reliant on others for supply.

Summarise the works of the Norwegian Government in managing energy supply

State ownership- government controls the energy sector, Equinor Investments to expand offshore wind farms 90% of electricity generated by hydroelectric power, highly energy secure Net zero target by 2050

Where is coal formed, when and what is it formed from?

Formed in tropics/ rainforests, Western Europe and North America During Carboniferous period Formed when successive layers of rainforest/ vegetation quickly build up on forest floor Transformed under high pressure into coal

Where is oil and natural gas formed, when and what is it formed from?

On ocean floor During mesozoic era Fossil remains of plants and animals that died and were buried under layers of mud and sand Heat and pressure converted fossil remains into oil and natural gas within sandstone

Define energy pathways

The route taken by an energy resource from its point of production to its point of consumption

What are the two main energy pathways?

Pipelines Shipping routes

Summarise pipelines as an energy pathway

Expensive to build and create geological “lock in” Once built, pipeline cannot be moved, creating permanent relationship between producer, consumer and transit state

Summarise shipping routed as an energy pathway

Approximately 50% of the world’s oil is transported by sea in massive tankers Narrow sea channels- traffic can be easily disrupted by conflict, piracy or accidents Link to current affairs- Strait of Hormuz, currently closed by US blockades in attempt to resolve UAE conflict

What are the 4 main unconventional sources of fossil fuels which may have the potential to help meet future energy demands?

Tar sands Oil shale Shale gas Deepwater oil

Summarise unconventional fossil fuels

Often more expensive to extract Cannot be extracted by using conventional drilling or mining Extraction often involves new technologies e.g. fracking

What are the impacts of unconventional fossil fuels on the carbon cycle?

Carbon emissions rise due to their extraction, production and use Carbon absorption falls due to deforestation

What are the pros and cons of deep water oil?

Pros: - More economically viable and sustainable methods are being developed - Large untapped reserves - Reduces risks of energy shortages + extends lifespan of fossil fuels Cons: - Extremely expensive process with high operation and exploration costs - Extraction involves using advanced seismic surveys to locate oil reserves - High environmental costs- damage to marine ecosystems

Who has the deep water oil reserves?

Companies involved- Shell, BP, Petrobas etc Norway- North Sea deepwater fields, strong environmental regulations

What are the pros and cons of tar sands?

Pros: - Provides opportunity for local resident work in the industry. - There is potential to develop other methods using steam which have less environmental impact. - Provide provides around 2 million barrels a day Cons: - Not a sustainable process - Destroy surrounding land. - Becomes source of local air pollution and methane, releases three times amount of greenhouse gas compared to traditional oil.

Where are tar sands found?

Alberta Canada has the largest deposits in the world. Emissions and water pollution are affecting local public health, increasing cancer cases.

What are the pros and cons of shale gas?

Pros: - Predictable supply of oil - Create jobs and drilling infrastructure and engineering. - Countries with shell gas reserves can reduce dependence on imported oil. - Reduces tax income and royalties for the government Cons: - Uses 3 to 6 million gallons of water per well, disposing of the water is an issue - Threaten of earthquakes causing damage to infrastructure. - Many countries have already banned fracking (the process used to extract gas)

Who has the shale gas reserves?

United States- world leader in shell gas productions Canada-significant shell gas development China-heavily investing to expand production shell gas and improve energy security.

What are the pros and cons of oil shale?

Pros: - Can be mind using conventional underground mining. - Huge supply of untapped oil shell in the US Cons: - Fracking is used to free oil or gas trapped in the rock, controversial process which can increase seismic activity

Who has the oil shell reserves?

73% of reserves are located in the US, in Utah, Colorado and Wyoming American company OEC and the main company that manage oil shale reserves in the US

What are the benefits of renewable energy?

Will not run out and provide environmental benefits e.g. reduction in greenhouse gases. Will save money long-term as operation maintenance cost. Reduces countries reliance on importing energy sources, making the more energy cure. Creates employment opportunities.

What are the drawbacks of renewable energy?

There are few countries for which renewables will be able to complete a place for fuels due to intermittency of renewable energy and limitations associated with physical geography. When oil prices fell in 2015 renewable energy became less attractive due to high costs. Can have negative impacts on the environment, e.g. flooding more valleys for hydroelectric power dams Local protest when there is a proposal made for window or solar farms

What are some of the issues associated with using nuclear energy?

Safety- nuclear incidents e.g. Chernobyl and Fukushima Disposal- highly toxic radioactive waste (long decay life) Technology- requires huge investment and innovation, only really available for developed countries Costs- operational costs relatively low but costs of building and decommissioning are high

What are the main two types of biofuels + examples

Primary battlefields-fuelwood wood chips and palace, used unprocessed for heating cooking or electricity. Secondary buy fuels derived from the processing of crops e.g. sugarcane soy beans and maze, two types of fuel extracted by alcohol and by diesel which used to fuel vehicles and generate electricity

Summarise carbon capture in storage.

Involves capturing carbon dioxide and bearing a deep underground Expensive because of the advanced technology No one can be sure to come outside will stay underground and will not leak to the surface and re-enter into the atmosphere.

Summarise hydrogen fuel cells.

Combine hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity heat and water. Will provide electricity as long as hydrogen is supplied and will never lose its charge Hydrogen extracted from other forms of fuel e.g. oil and natural gas. An engine that burns pure hydrogen produces next to no pollution. Considered to be one of the best strategies for reducing carbon emissions.