GEOGRAPPHY - Natural Energy Resources - Ch. 6

Energy Resources

Resources that can produce heat, make electricity or move objects depending on what they are used for

Natural Energy Resources

Resources that can produce heat, make electricity or move objects depending on what they are used for that are created naturally on Earth

They are categorized into two types:

Renewable and Non-Renewable

Non-Renewable Energy

Can be used only once and will run out eventually. It is also called finite energy. Examples are fossil fuels.

Fossil Fuels

Fossil fuels are made from the compressed remains of dead organisms, e.g. oil, gas, peat and coal.

Fossil fuels composition

Oil and gas were formed from dead marine material. Coal and peat were formed from dead plant material

Problems with Non-Renewable Energy

• Finite supply - Will eventually run out

• Carbon imbalance - Burning fossil fuels disturbs the atmosphere’s carbon levels

• Rising temperature - A rise in CO2 has raised global temperatures at a rate above which living organisms are able to adapt to survive.

• Air pollution - When burned, fossil fuels give out pollutants and toxins that are not good for your health

• Environmental disasters - Sourcing and transporting fossil fuels is harmful to wildlife, e.g. the destruction of habitats

Renewable energy

Can be used repeatedly and will not run out. Examples: Solar, wind, tidal, geothermal (heat and energy stored in the earth), biomass energy (burning waste wood or vegetable products) and HEP (hydroelectric power)

Environmental Impact of Oil Production for Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has some of the most highest CO2 emissions in the world. In 2020, CO2 emissions were over 588 million tonnes in Saudi

Social Impact of Oil Production for Saudi Arabia

The Bedouin people once lived nomadic lifestyles, moving form place to place to source grazing for their animals. Once the oil production began, the grazing lands had been taken over. Many Saudi Bedouins now live settles lifestyles in suburbs.

Economic Impact of Oil Production for Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is one of the richest countries in the world. It has a very high standard of living with modern public services. The demand for workers in the oil production industry has attracted workers to Saudi

In 2020, crude oil exports reached $113.7bn for Saudi. The global decrease for oil in pandemic lead to unemployment levels reaching a record high of 15.4%.

Employment levels recovered in 2021 with 68,000 people working in oil production. This shows how Saudi is still very reliant on oil production

Hydrocarbons

Large deposits of oil and natural gasses under the seabed

Hydrocarbons in Irish Waters

Ireland has the right to claim any resources such as hydrocarbons found off the coast up to a distance of over 19km. That equals nearly 90 million hectares of seabed.

Offshore

At sea

Onshore

On land

As of 2020 what percent of transport is fueled by oil?

95%

As of 2020 what percent of electricity is generated by gas?

51%

Carbon Footprint

A measure of the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere as a result of the activities of a particular individual, organization, or community.

Envrionmental impact of Oil an Gas Exploitation in Ireland

Ireland failed to decrease its 2013-2020 CO2 emissions and paid 150 million euro in fines to the EU

The country is struggling to meet 2020 - 2030 targets

In 2020 Irelands carbon emissions were estimated to be 57.7 million tonnes, a decrease of 3.4% form 2019

Social Impact of Oil and Gas Exploitation in Ireland

Tax collected from non-renewable energy are used to fund public services such as hospitals.

Economic Impact of Oil and Gas Exploitation in Ireland

Direct and spin-off jobs are created in the exploitation of oil and gas. In 2016, there were an estimated 571 direct and indirect jobs in exploitation and extraction of natural gas.

Who Benefits from Irelands Oil and Gas Discoveries

To attract companies like Shell to investigate potential discoveries in Ireland, the government agreed to take just 25% of any profits made. This is a low level compared to many other European countries.

Exploitation of Ireland’s Bogs

Bord na Móna was responsible for the sustainable exploitation of peat in Ireland. There were once 10 active peat power plants in Ireland burning peat to make energy. All 10 have stopped, the last being in 2018.

Bord na Móna in the present

Bord na Móna will now move to producing biomass and wind energy. It will use its land to grow sources for biomass, e.g. willow trees, and to install wind turbines

Bord na Móna Environmental Impact

Bord na Móna has stopped harvesting peat for energy. Trees will be replaced to restore the bogland and wildlife habitats.

Bord na Móna will continue to produce energy through biomass and wind turbines

Bord na Móna Economic Impact

Bord na Móna employs 1500 people. Its employees spend money locally, sustaining the economy of the area.

Acid Rain

A consequence of the use of non-renewable energy resources.

It is no longer regarded as a major threat to the EU as countries have reduced their emissions of the gasses that cause acid rain.

As long as we continue to burn fossil fuels, there will be some acid rain.

How does Acid Rain happen

1. Acidic gasses sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide are released into the atmosphere

2. Gasses carried by the wind

3. Gasses dissolved in rain water form acid rain

Acid rain impacts

• Pollutes rivers, kills plant life and erodes stoneworks

• The acidic nature of acid rain leaches nutrients available to plants from the soil and it affects agricultural productivity

• Acid rain can damage agricultural products, e.g. it can damage the leaves of spinach

• Acid rain weakens trees, damages leaves, limits the level of nutrients available to the trees or poisons them slowly with toxic substances released by soil

• Acid rain damages buildings and structures because it dissolves the exposed stone or rusts the metal

Ways to Reduce your Carbon Footprint at Home

• Switch to energy saving bulbs

• Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

• Buy foods and produce locally as foods transported a further distance have a larger carbon footprint

• Make sure all electronic devices are switched off and not left on standby

Ways to reduce your Carbon Footprint at School

• Walk, cycle or use public transport to go to and from school

• Switch to motion sensor bulbs

• Make sure all electronic devices are switched off and not left on standby

Climate Action Plan Ireland

As a member of the EU, Ireland launched the Climate Action Plan 2021 to put Ireland on a more sustainable path. To do this, Ireland has committed to reducing harmful gas emissions by 51% by 2030

Solar Energy

Solar energy is the heat and light from the sun that is harnessed and converted directly into other forms of energy, such as electricity

Solar Energy Process

1. Solar panels convert the sun’s energy into electricity

2. A converter changes this electricity, enabling it to power electrical items

3. The electricity passes through a breaker box to sockets in the building

4. Items are powered by the electricity

5. Any extra electricity created during very sunny days can be used later or credited

Advantages of Solar

• Renewable energy

• Clean with no waste product, no emissions

• Panels are inexpensive to repair and maintain

• Technology is more affordable as grants are available

Disadvantages of Solar

• Not possible at night (energy created in day can be stored in battery though)

• Weather dependent; cloudy weather = less energy created

Solar Energy in Ireland

Ireland doesn’t have solar farms. However, BIRG renewables, an international company headquartered in Dublin has made an agreement with the Irish government to build almost two dozen solar farms at a cost of over 220 million euro

Environmental Impact of Solar Panels

Homes with solar panels do not need to use and oil/gas boiler, solid fuel stove or electric immersion heater to heat water for much of the year. This reduces CO2 emissions

Economic Impact of Solar Panels

Solar Panels can reduce electricity and gas/oil bills

They also create employment: several companies have been set up in Ireland for the purpose of installing solar panels, e.g. Solar Home Ireland

Wind Power

Wind power is the use of airflow through wind turbines to power generators to create electricity

Wind farms

Consists of many individual wind turbines that are connected to an electric grid. These farms can be located offshore or onshore.

Advantages of Wind Turbines

• Renewable energy source

• No waste product, no emissions

• Can be build almost anywhere

Disadvantages of Wind Turbines

• Noise pollution: the air passing through the blades can make a whining sound

• Can ruin the scenic view of areas

• Concern for avian life (birds and bats) that may fly into the rotors of wind turbines

How many Wind Farms are in Ireland

Over 400

Where and when was Irelands first Wind Farm built

Bellacorick, Co. Mayo in 1992

Offshore Windfarms Ireland

Ireland has offshore windfarms located in the Irish sea, around 10km off the coast of Arklow. These supply energy to the county of Wicklow

Environmental Benefits of Wind Energy

Wind energy is a renewable and clean source of energy. In 2021, 86% of all Ireland’s renewable energy can from wind energy. This meant a reduction in CO2 levels. Offshore wind farms do not disturb the peace of towns or villages

Economic Benefit of Wind Energy

Harnessing wind energy has the potential to create 7250 jobs for the construction industry. There are around 6000 people employed in wind energy companies in Ireland

As well as creating employment, the companies building these wind farms are mostly Irish. This means the money spent on construction stays in our economy.

Tidal Energy

A renewable source of energy produced by the natural rise and fall of tides.

Studies carried out by the Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland (SEAI) have shown that Ireland has the potential to generate up to 75% of its electricity from tidal energy.

Where can you find Tidal Energy

Rigaskiddy in Cork and Galway Bay have been chosen as the locations where tidal energy can be tested and developed

Tidal Energy Company

In 2021, Galway-based company ÉireCompoites was awarded an EU grant of 3 million euro to develop a new underwater turbine that generates clean energy from tides.

Advantages of Tidal Energy

• Tides are easily predictable

• Reliable and renewable source of energy

• Produces no emissions or waste

Disadvantages

• Construction of power plants are expensive

• Negative influence on marine life forms

• Location limits

• Strength of sea waves unreliable

Environmental Benefits of Tidal Energy

Tides are easy to predict, which allows for the maximum amount of energy to be created

Not expensive to maintain

Produces no emissions or waste

Economic Benefits of Tidal Energy

If tidal energy generators were installed around the coast, the government would spend less money on imported energy sources

Jobs would be created in area such as research, construction, operation and maintenance of these turbines