Strategies for the Management of Energy Resources (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Environmental Management): Revision Note

What strategies are used to manage energy resources?

Reducing consumption

• Using less electricity and fuel helps conserve energy resources

  • Turning off lights and appliances when not in use

• Choosing to walk, cycle or use public transport reduces fuel demand

• Reducing consumption lowers energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions

Insulation

• Insulating materials can be added to buildings to reduce heat loss or heat gain

• Insulating walls, roofs and floors keeps warm air inside in winter

• Good insulation keeps hot air out in summer, reducing cooling needs

• Homes need less heating and air conditioning, lowering energy use

Cavity wall insulation

• The gaps or cavities between external walls are often filled with insulation

  • This is called cavity wall insulation

  • This is often done by drilling a hole through the external wall to reach the cavity and filling it with a special type of foam which is made from blown mineral fibre filled with gas

  • This lowers the transfer of heat through the walls from the inside to the outside

Double and triple glazing

• Windows are an area of significant heat loss in houses

• Double or triple glazing in windows is an efficient way to reduce heat loss

  • Double-glazed windows consist of two panes of glass with air trapped between them

  • Triple-glazed windows have three panes

  • The trapped air acts as an insulator, preventing heat loss

Energy-efficient devices, including vehicles and electrically propelled vehicles

• Energy-efficient devices include appliances designed to use less electricity. For example:

  • LED lights use far less electricity than traditional bulbs

  • Energy-efficient fridges and washing machines use less power

• Vehicles have become much more fuel-efficient, using less petrol or diesel per kilometre

• Electrically propelled vehicles (electric cars, scooters, buses) use electricity instead of fossil fuels

  • Produce no exhaust emissions during use

  • Help reduce overall fuel consumption

Exploiting existing energy resources

• Using local energy resources reduces dependence on imports

  • Countries may expand solar, wind or hydropower where conditions are suitable

• Improving existing power stations to increase their efficiency

• Upgrading electricity grids reduces energy lost during transmission

Education on energy conservation

• Teaching people why saving energy matters encourages long-term behaviour change

• Schools and governments can promote switching off unused appliances

• Public campaigns explain how efficient devices and transport choices reduce energy demand

Transport policies

• Governments can introduce policies to reduce fuel use

  • Improving public transport encourages people to drive less

  • Creating cycle lanes and pedestrian zones reduces car use

  • Congestion charges can discourage driving in busy city centres

• Encouraging electric vehicles through subsidies or increasing availability of charging stations reduces fossil fuel demand

Battery storage

• Battery storage systems store electricity for later use

• Helps balance supply and demand, especially for intermittent renewables like wind and solar

• Stored energy can be used during power cuts or peak demand, reducing pressure on the grid

• Large battery systems support the shift towards cleaner energy sources

Development of new energy resources

• Research into next-generation renewables, such as improved solar panels or advanced wind turbines

• Developing hydrogen fuel as an alternative to fossil fuels

• Exploring geothermal and tidal energy in new locations

• Innovation helps reduce dependence on finite resources and increases energy security