Increasing Energy Demand (Edexcel A Level Geography): Flashcards
Exam code: 9GE0
1/420Still learning
Know0
- FrontEnergy Security
Define energy security.
Was this flashcard helpful?
Cards in this collection (42)
Define energy security.
The uninterrupted availability of energy at affordable prices, usually ensured by meeting most energy demand from domestic sources.
Define energy mix.
The combination of energy sources (fossil fuels, renewables, recyclable fuels) used to meet a country’s total energy demand.
Define physical availability (of energy).
The extent to which domestic energy resources exist and are accessible for exploitation within a country.
Define energy intensity.
A measure of how efficiently a country uses energy, usually energy consumed per unit of GDP.
How does cost affect access to energy?
Higher exploitation, processing and delivery costs make energy less accessible and reduce consumption, especially in lower-income countries.
How can technology influence energy consumption?
Advanced technology allows exploitation of difficult resources and new sources, increasing availability and often leading to higher energy consumption.
How does level of development affect energy use?
More developed countries usually have higher per capita energy consumption due to greater appliance use, transport demand and higher living standards.
Name two main reasons for rising global energy consumption.
Rising population and increasing development/standard of living both increase demand for energy in households, industry and transport.
True or False?
Higher import dependence usually reduces energy security.
True.
Relying heavily on imported energy exposes countries to price shocks and supply disruptions, reducing energy security.
True or False?
Climate has no impact on national energy consumption.
False.
Extreme heat or cold increases demand for heating, cooling and lighting, raising overall energy consumption.
What is the main role of OPEC in global energy?
OPEC coordinates member countries to control oil supply and influence global oil and gas prices.
True or False?
Consumers strongly control global energy prices.
False.
Individual consumers have little influence on prices, which are mainly shaped by governments, TNCs and OPEC.
Energy consumption is often measured per capita in of oil equivalent per year or in per year.
Energy consumption is often measured per capita in kilograms of oil equivalent per year or in gigajoules per year.
Key factors affecting access to energy include , cost, technology and .
Key factors affecting access to energy include physical availability, cost, technology and public perception.
Transnational corporations are involved in exploring, , transporting and energy resources.
Transnational corporations are involved in exploring, extracting, transporting and refining energy resources.
Define fossil fuels.
Fossil fuels are energy resources like coal, oil and natural gas formed from ancient organic matter over millions of years.
Why did oil overtake coal in the twentieth century as the main fossil fuel?
Oil became dominant because it is easier to transport, has higher energy density and suits uses like transport, industry and electricity generation.
True or False?
Coal production is falling globally because coal reserves are nearly exhausted.
False.
Coal production is still rising in some regions; the decline in consumption is mainly due to fuel switching to oil, gas and renewables.
The two largest coal consumers and producers are and the .
The two largest coal consumers and producers are China and the United States.
Why is there a strong mismatch in global oil supply and demand?
Major suppliers are OPEC countries, while main consumers are in Europe and other developed regions, so production and consumption are geographically separated.
Define tar sands.
Tar sands are mixtures of clay, sand, water and bitumen, a heavy oil that must be mined and processed before it can be pumped.
Define shale gas.
Shale gas is natural gas trapped in fine-grained sedimentary rocks, usually extracted using fracking techniques.
What is a key benefit of developing unconventional fossil fuel sources?
They can increase energy security for importing countries, provide jobs, and supply fuel while renewable energy technologies expand.
True or False?
Unconventional fossil fuels have no impact on the carbon cycle.
False.
Their extraction and use release greenhouse gases, disturb carbon stores, and contribute to global warming and environmental degradation.
Extraction of shale gas by uses water and chemicals, raising risks of contamination.
Extraction of shale gas by fracking uses water and chemicals, raising risks of groundwater contamination.
Define energy pathway.
An energy pathway is the route by which energy moves from producer regions to consumer regions, often via pipelines, shipping routes or power lines.
Why are energy pathways needed for fossil fuels?
They link resource-rich areas to demand centres, overcoming mismatches caused by physical resource locations and human population or industrial patterns.
A major gas pathway runs from to , and has faced disruption since 2022.
A major gas pathway runs from Russia to Europe, and has faced disruption since 2022.
Define carbon capture and storage.
A method of reducing emissions by capturing CO\(_2\) from power plants or industry and storing it deep underground instead of releasing it to the atmosphere.
Why is carbon capture and storage considered risky?
There is uncertainty whether stored CO\(_2\) will remain underground, as leaks could allow it to escape back to the surface and atmosphere.
Why is carbon capture and storage currently expensive?
It needs advanced technology for capturing, transporting and injecting CO\(_2\), which makes both installation and operation costs very high.
True or False?
Coal is likely to remain part of the global energy mix.
True.
Coal is abundant and cheap, so many countries are expected to keep using it alongside newer energy technologies.
Define fuel cell.
A device that combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, heat and water, generating power continuously while fuel is supplied.
Why are hydrogen fuel cells seen as low-pollution?
Burning hydrogen or using it in fuel cells mainly produces water, so there are very low direct emissions compared with fossil fuels.
Give two major uses of hydrogen fuel cells.
They can provide heat and electricity for buildings and act as a power source for electric vehicles, helping to cut carbon emissions.
Define biofuel.
An energy source derived immediately from recent living matter, such as crops, forestry products, fishing products or organic waste.
Primary biofuels like fuelwood, wood chips and pellets are used without processing for heating, cooking or electricity.
Primary biofuels like fuelwood, wood chips and pellets are used directly without processing for heating, cooking or electricity.
Secondary biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel are produced by agricultural crops like sugar cane or maize.
Secondary biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel are produced by processing agricultural crops like sugar cane or maize.
True or False?
Growing more biofuel crops can affect food supply.
True.
Land used for energy crops cannot grow food crops, so large biofuel expansion can reduce food production and raise food prices.
What is meant by renewable energy?
Energy from naturally replenished sources such as hydro, wind, solar, geothermal and tidal, which will not run out on human timescales.
In energy studies, nuclear power and biofuels are classed as energy sources.
In energy studies, nuclear power and biofuels are classed as recyclable energy sources.
True or False?
Renewable sources will completely replace fossil fuels worldwide.
False.
Renewables are expected mainly to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and lower carbon emissions, not fully replace them globally.
Sign up to unlock flashcards
or