Key Terms: Energy Security (AQA A Level Geography): Revision Note

Energy sources and mixes - key terms

Biofuels – Fuels made from organic matter such as crops or waste biomass. They are renewable if managed sustainably but can compete with food production.

Coal – A fossil fuel formed from ancient swamp forests, used primarily for electricity generation and heavy industry.

Electricity – A secondary energy source produced from the conversion of primary sources like coal, gas, nuclear or renewables.

Energy mix – The combination of different energy sources used by a country, often varying by development level and government policy.

Flow resource – Renewable energy sources that are naturally replenished, such as wind, solar, and hydroelectric power.

Natural gas – A fossil fuel commonly used for heating and electricity. Some countries like the UK have domestic reserves (e.g. North Sea).

Oil – A fossil fuel crucial for transport and manufacturing. Some countries rely heavily on imports, others are producers (e.g. Nigeria).

Primary energy – Energy found in nature that hasn’t been converted, like coal, wood, wind, or crude oil.

Renewable energy – Energy from naturally replenishing sources, such as wind, solar, geothermal, and hydro.

Secondary energy – Energy converted from primary sources into a usable form, such as electricity or biofuels.

Stock resource – Non-renewable energy sources such as oil, gas, and coal, which are finite and will eventually be exhausted.

Geography of supply - key terms

Climate – Affects the potential for solar, wind, and hydro energy. E.g. high solar radiation in deserts; wind farms in the UK benefit from prevailing winds.

Drainage – River systems provide water for hydroelectric schemes and cooling for power stations. Dams require steep-sided valleys and consistent flow.

Geology – Determines the location of fossil fuels and geothermal energy. Coal and oil form under specific rock conditions.

HEP (Hydroelectric power) – Energy from moving water, requiring high rainfall or snowmelt and suitable topography.

Solar power – Requires high solar insolation, found in places like California, North Africa, and the Middle East.

Tectonic activity – Provides geothermal energy in places with thin crusts (e.g. Iceland, Japan), but makes other power types (e.g. nuclear) riskier.

Wind power – Strong, consistent winds (especially in upland/coastal areas) support onshore and offshore wind farms.

Increasing and managing energy supplies - key terms

Enhanced oil recovery – Techniques to extract more oil from existing fields, including thermal, chemical, and biological methods.

Fracking (Hydraulic fracturing) – High-pressure injection of liquid into shale rock to extract oil and gas. Linked to groundwater contamination and seismic risks.

Nuclear energy – A low-carbon source producing significant electricity, but controversial due to cost, safety, and waste storage.

Renewable expansion – Growth of wind, solar, geothermal, tidal, and biofuels as cleaner alternatives to fossil fuels.

Smart meters – Devices installed in homes and businesses to monitor energy usage, helping reduce consumption.

Subsidies – Financial support from governments to encourage energy efficiency or switch to cleaner energy sources.

Tar sands – Bitumen-rich sands in places like Alberta, Canada, processed to extract oil; environmentally damaging and energy-intensive.

TNCs (Transnational Corporations) – Major global players like BP that control exploration, extraction, refining, and sale of energy resources.

Issues of energy sustainability - key terms

Acid rain – Caused by sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from fossil fuel combustion, damaging ecosystems and soils.

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) – The most common greenhouse gas from fossil fuel use, driving global warming and climate change.

Enhanced greenhouse effect – Human-induced increase in greenhouse gases, trapping more heat and raising global temperatures.

Energy conservation – Reducing energy use through efficiency measures such as insulation, LED lights, and improved appliances.

Methane – A potent greenhouse gas released during extraction and transport of fossil fuels like coal and gas.

Nitrous oxide – Emitted during fossil fuel combustion, contributing to global warming and ozone depletion.

Transboundary pollution – Pollution, such as acid rain, that travels across national borders via air currents.

Zero carbon/low-carbon energy – Energy sources that produce little or no greenhouse gas emissions (e.g. wind, solar, nuclear).