A2 Geography- Energy Security
Factors causing energy supply to vary POLITICAL
-Countries wanting to develop nuclear electricity require permission from the International Energy Agency -International agreements such as the Kyoto Protocol can have a considerable influence on the energy decisions of individual countries -Potential HEP schemes in 'international rivers' may require the agreement of all countries that share the river -Governments may insist on energy companies producing a certain proportion of their energy from renewable sources -Legislation regarding emissions from power stations will favour the use, for example, of low sulfur coal, as opposed to coal with a high sulfur content -The cost of R&D is a significant factor, particularly in the development of newer forms of energy
Factors causing energy supply to vary PHYSICAL
-Deposits of fossil fuels are only found in a limited number of locations -Large scale HEP development requires high precipitation, major steep-sided valleys and impermeable rock -Large power stations require flat land and geologically stable foundations -Solar power needs a large number of days a year with strong sunlight -Wind power needs high average wind speeds throughout the year -Tidal power stations require a large tidal range -The availability of biomass varies widely due to climatic conditions
Factors causing energy supply to vary ECONOMIC
-The most accessible, and lowest cost, deposits of fossil fuels are invariably developed first -Onshore deposits of oil and gas are usually cheaper to develop than offshore deposits -Potential HEP sites close to major transport routes and existing electircity transmission corridors are more economical to build than those in very inaccessible locations -In poor countries, foreign direct investment is often essential for the development of energy resources -When energy prices rise significantly, companies increase spending on exploration and devlopment
Current global energy mix
A key challenge in the future is to transform the current global energy mix to achieve a better balance between non-renewable and renewable sources of energy. This is the only way that many countries will be able to meet energy demand and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.
Primary Energy Type CRUDE OIL
A naturally occurring mineral oil that forms along with gas deposits, but the liquid and gas separate as they develop beneath the ground. It is a very flexible resource for producing secondary sources of energy and plastic products. KEY CONCERNS -Stock resource -Causes geopolitical conflict e.g. Iraq -Oil spills e.g. BP Deepwater Horizon +Loads of uses of oil
Global energy
At present, non renewable resources dominate global energy, with renewables having only been utilized to a limited extent due to problems regarding technology and cost. However, the use of renewables will undoubtably increase significantly in the future as fossil fuel deposits become further depleted and environmental concerns about nuclear persist
CASE STUDY UK
COAL, OIL AND GAS The UK still has large reserves of coal but our cheapest reserves have already been exploited. We also have reserves of oil and gas but production has been declining since 1999, and they are finite. It is predicted that North Sea reserves could run out by 2030. NUCLEAR Approx. 18% of UK energy is from nuclear. However, many of our nuclear power stations are coming to the end of their lives, with all but 1 of the UK's 16 reactors being retired by 2023. Up to 8 new nuclear plants planned. However, the first new plant at Hinkley Point in Somerset will not be online until 2023. Over its 60 year lifespan, it is expected to contribute £2 billion to the economy, providing over 30,000 jobs RENEWABLES The UK has great potential to develop many renewable sources such as HEP, wind, tidal and bio-fuels but these require more investment. We are the wealthiest European country in terms of wind and wave energy.
Primary Energy Type COAL
Coal is a combustable, sedimentary rock formed from the remains of plant mater that was converted over millions of years by heat and pressure to form coal. It provides 40% of global electricity KEY CONCERNS Resources could be completely exhausted Resource depletion can happen quickly It is a stock resource Releases CO2- causes pollution Expensive to transport- Dangerous to transport via rail links
Energy Demand MEDCs
Deindustrialisation and increasing energy efficiency in MEDCs in general has resulted in a relatively modest increase in demand compared with NICs and RICs in part due to higher efficiency rates.
Primary Energy Type WAVE AND TIDAL POWER
Energy harnessed by using the physical characterisitcs of oceans e.g. tidals movement, wave motion and ocean currents. KEY CONCERNS +The energy they generate is more regular because tides are regular and predictable +Tidal stream generators are far cheaper and less ecologically damaging than barrages -Barrages are expensive and take years to build -It can be difficult to convert a slow, oscillating and choppy wave motion into electricity.
Primary Energy Type HEP
Energy harnessed from the movement of water through rivers, lakes and dams (owing to gravity). Water is stored and then released to drive turbines and generate electricity KEY CONCERNS -Expensive -Deterioration of water quality -Flooding of land releases methane -Displacment of people -Not suitable globally
Primary Energy Type SOLAR ENERGY
Energy is directly harnessed from solar radiation. It is absorbed and converted into heat energy, or into electricity by photovoltaic cells. They can be domestic systems (for individual households) or large scale power stations. KEY CONCERNS -Only works during the day -Not suitable globally -Expensive
Energy
Energy is the 'Capacity to do work'. This work can take various forms and is vital to human survival and development. As societies become more sophisticated, they consume more energy, they exploit a wider range of energy types and the consumption patterns in the various sectors change.
Sources of demand
Energy is used for a wide variety of purposes; generality electricity, propelling transport, powering industry and homes. Transport takes nearly 1/2 of the world's oil production; home and commercial properties use a little less than 1/3 of it, mainly for heating. Over 2/3 of coal production is used to generate electricity in thermal power stations. Much of natural gas output is used for the same purpose, along with the heating of industrial, commercial and residential properties. With particular sectors so dependent on certain sources of energy, diversifying the energy mix and moving towards renewables becomes a more complicated prospect.
Energy security
Energy security depends on resource availability, both domestic and foreign, and security of supply. It can be affected by geopolitics and is a key issue for many economies. There is little excess capacity to easy pressure on energy resources, and as a result, energy insecurity is rising, particularly for non-renewable resources.
Primary Energy Type NATURAL GAS
Forms from organic deposits in warm sea, mainly dead plankton. As with coal it is changed beneath the ground by heat, time and pressure KEY CONCERNS -Stock resource -Releases CO2- causes pollution -Fossil fuel +Cleaner than coal - Cost and security e.g. Russia - Gas flaring
Non Renewable energy (STOCK RESOURCES) (FINITE)
Fossil fuels and Nuclear fuels. Fossil Fuels are those formed over geological time from the partly decayed remains of plants or animals. These include coal, oil and natural gas. These are finite so as they are used, the remaining supply is reduced. Resource depletion can occur relatively quickly and eventually these non-renewable resources could become completely exhausted.
Supply and consumption of energy
Fossil fuels dominate the supply of global energy, providing 82% of global primary energy supply in 2011. In contrast, HEP accounted for 2% and nuclear energy for about 5% with 11% coming from renewables other than large hydro
Energy resource distribution
Fuel and energy resources are not evenly distributed around the globe. It depends upon physical and human factors such as: - -Geology -Physical geography -Available technology -The costs of exploitation
Global demand for energy
In many places, the demand for energy is fully met, in which case energy demand is matched by consumption. However, there are many instances when energy demand is greater than the amount of energy available for use. Demand for energy is growing globally and a regional and local scales, especially in developed and emergent countries such as China and India. Between 1982 and 2007, global energy consumption increased by over 60% along with the changing contribution of the 5 major energy sources. During the 20th century, energy demand increased tenfold, and it is expected to double again by 2050. In the future, consumption in the developing world is estimated to double by 2020, but only increase by 30% in MEDC's
Energy Demand NICs and RICs
It is the rapidly growing economies that are increasing their energy demand by the fastest rate. China alone has acocunted for 1/3 of the growth in global oil demand since 2000. China passed Japan as the world's 2nd largest user of oil in 2004. Its average daily consumption is about twice its domestic production, and so its oil imports doubled between 1999 and 2004. However, oil consumption is still only 1/15 of that in the USA. As this gap narrows it will have a considerable impact on global demand. The demand for oil in China is expected to increase by 5-7% per year. If this occurs, China will take over from the USA as the world's largest consumer of oil by 2023. Rising demand is concentrated in the large industrialised cities which are located mainly in the eastern coastal zone. Other rapidly industrialising countries such as India, Malaysia and South Korea are also recording high increases in energy demand.
CASE STUDY KENYA
Kenya's energy consumption is increasingly rapidly, but only a small percentage of the population have access to clean, efficient energy systems. Most people burn hand-gathered solid fuels such as wood and dung for indoor cooking. The way of producing energy may be light in terms of its carbon footprint, but it is know to cause serious health problems. -Until recently, Kenya has had no fossil fuel reserves, though oil has just been discovered -Only 1 in 4 Kenyans have access to electricity -Kenya has both geothermal and HEP stations -Erratic rainfall has limited the production of HEP, though it provides 50% of Kenya's electricity -Most of Kenya's energy is produced through the use of fuelwood FUTURE OPTIONS -Solar power -Wind power -Geothermal -The biggest wind farm in Africa is currently under construction in Kenya (365 turbines being built near Lake Turkana- £533 million- provide 25% of Kenya's current installed power)
Energy Demand DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
Most developing countries struggle to fund their energy requirements. Energy demand is influenced by a number of factors such as the rate of economic development and the rate of population growth. There is a strong correlation between GNP per capita and energy use. In poor countries it is the high and middle income groups that generally have enough money to purchase sufficient energy and they also tend to live in locations where electricity is available. Around the world, 2 billion people lack access to household electricity services. It has been estimated that connecting people to electricity services would add only 1% extra to emissions of greenhouse gases. In the poorest countries of the world, traditional biomass often accounts for 90% or more of total energy consumption.
Secondary energy
Primary energy that has been converted into a more convenient form, usually electricity
Recyclable energy
Recyclable energy resources are defined as those where fuel that has been used once can be used again to generate power. At present, only nuclear power is classed as a recyclable resource as nuclear reprocessing can make uranium waste reusable.
Renewable energy (FLOW RESOURCES)
Renewable sources of energy are those that are not depleted as they are used. Such resources are in constant supply. Renewable energy includes solar, wind, HEP, geothermal etc. Renewable resources which do no need regeneration are often termed FLOW RESOURCES. Sustainable sources are those which are capable of natural regeneration on a human timescale, such as wood or biomass
Technological change
Technological change has has a major impact. For example, offshore oil rigs can now drill in much deeper water than 30 years ago. Public perception has also become increasingly important.
Consumption of energy
The consumption of energy varies depending on a variety of factors such as DOMESTIC RESOURCES, availability of resources from elsewhere, wealth and affordability of resources, cultural preferences etc.
Primary energy
The energy found in natural resources. Examples include coal, crude oil, sunlight, wind, rivers, vegetation and uranium.
Demand for energy
The great challenge today is to meet an ever-rising global demand for energy, while trying to limit the considerable environmental costs involved in harnessing many forms of energy and instead finding new and sustainable sources of energy.
ENERGY MIX
The relative contribution of different energy sources to a country's energy production/ consumption
DOMESTIC RESOURCES
The renewable and non-renewable energy sources available within the country
Primary Energy Type BIOMASS
The use of organic matter to create energy. Energy sources include biofuels (e.g. ethanol from sugar cane or corn, biodisel from vegetable oils and animal fats), wood, biogas and organic wastes (e.g. manure) KEY CONCERNS +Range of products -Reduces land for food production -Desertification -Health issues
Primary Energy Type WIND ENERGY
Uses wind turbines to generate electricity on a variety of scales, from single turbines to vast winds farms of hundreds of turbines. Modern turbines range from 600KW to 5MW of rated power KEY CONCERNS -Unreliable -Visual impact -Costly -Can cause health issues
Primary Energy Type GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
Using heat within the earth to generate energy. Generally water is pumped down to where there is magma near the surface, the magma heats the water, and then steam can be used to generate electricity KEY CONCERNS -Not available everywhere -Pollution -Salty water
Primary Energy Type NUCLEAR POWER
Works by splitting uranium or plutonium atoms to release huge amounts of energy which can be converted into heat that raises stream to drive turbines and generate electricity KEY CONCERNS -Dangerous e.g. Chernobyl, Ukraine 1986 -Raises health issues e.g. Cancer -Deposal of waste +Little waste produced -Terrorism issues
Energy Poverty
Worldwide, some 2 million do not have access to a modern energy supply. About 16 billion people live without electricity, either because they are in areas without a supply network or because they could not afford electricity even if it were available. Having no access to energy is just one aspect of the multiple deprivation that characterizes extreme poverty. Alleviating this 'energy poverty' is a key factor in achieving most of the UN's Millennium Development Goals.
