Management of energy sources

How can energy management be sustainable?

Sustainable energy management

• Sustainable - using what we need today but ensuring future generations are able to meet their needs - energy management is essential:

  • to ensure future generations are to have the energy resources they need

  • to limit climate change

• UN sustainable development goal 7 is 'affordable and clean energy'

• The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates:

  • that around the world 1.2 billion people have no access to electricity

  • approximately 2.7 billion people rely on biomass for cooking

• Non-renewable sources will at some point run out so need to be used carefully

• As supplies start to run out prices will increase this will mean:

  • economic development is harder as profits will decrease

  • countries with an energy surplus become more powerful

  • countries with an energy gap pay more to import energy

• Fossil fuels create pollution and emit greenhouse gases so the amount used needs to be reduced

• Energy management can be Individual and national

• Energy efficiency is key to making the most of energy sources as it cuts down on waste and reduces consumption

  • Less energy is used and fuel is used more economically

What are ecological and carbon footprints?

Ecological & carbon footprints

• An ecological footprint is a way of measuring the impact on the environment

• This can range from an individual's ecological footprint to a country's ecological footprint

• The ecological footprints of developed countries and the individuals within them are higher than those of developing and emerging countries

• Carbon footprints measure the impact in terms of the greenhouse gases produced

What is energy efficiency?

Energy efficiency

• Efficient use of energy is an essential aspect of sustainable management of energy

• Energy efficiency involves using the least energy possible to meet the demands

• This may involve:

  • improved energy efficiency of appliances

  • reducing energy waste

How can individuals conserve energy?

Energy conservation

Individual

• There are many actions that individuals can take to reduce energy use and conserve resources or use energy more efficiently including:

  • Reduce car use by using public transport, walking or cycling

  • Insulating walls and roof spaces

  • Buy energy-efficient (AAA rated) appliances such as washing machines

  • Don't leave electrical items on standby

  • Install double or triple-glazing

  • Install heat exchange

  • Turn the thermostat down and wear more layers

  • Install solar panels 

Individual methods of reducing energy use - energy-efficient home

How can the government conserve energy?

Energy conservation

National

• Governments have several strategies to make energy use sustainable

• These include ways to conserve energy and use it more efficiently:

  • Invest in renewable technologies such as wind and solar

  • Encourage the switch to electric cars

  • Invest in public transport

  • Provide grants and loans for homeowners to install solar panels or insulation

  • Building regulations to ensure that new homes are energy-efficient

  • Educating the population about the importance of energy conservation and efficiency through campaigns on TV and social media

How is energy managed in India?

Energy sources

• Fossil fuels meet 75% of India’s energy demand and is increasing due to people using biomass to cook

  • Coal is the most used, but oil and gas also account for 1/3 of the primary energy demand

  • Although India has many coal deposits, it is becoming increasingly more reliant on imports

• 3% of its energy demand comes from nuclear

• 15% from hydroelectric

• 10% from wind

• Since 2000, India’s energy has doubled, as it is vital to India’s goal of becoming a developed country

Problems of rising energy demand

• Main energy sources are non-renewable, so it will run out

• Poor infrastructure to meet the growing demand for energy

• India is one of the largest greenhouse gas emitters in the world

Their future

• Increase the use of hydroelectric power from the Himalayan region

• Wind energy is being harnessed in coastal areas

• Great potential for solar energy due to India’s climate

• Overall, they are shifting to more renewable sources of energy

How is energy managed in Iceland?

Energy sources

• 99% of Iceland’s electricity comes from renewable sources:

  • 73.8% from hydroelectric

  • 26.2% from geothermal - supplies 87% of Iceland’s domestic heating

• 0.1% of Iceland’s electricity comes from fossil fuels - they intend to be completely reliant on renewable energy

• Iceland is the most productive country in the world in terms of geothermal energy

Energy uses

• The main use of electricity in Iceland is smelting aluminium

• Although Iceland has no resources of bauxite, other countries with the resource come to Iceland to smelt it as Iceland has one of the lowest energy prices in the world

• This makes Iceland one of the biggest exporters of aluminium