energy

• What does it mean to have energy security?

  Having a reliable, uninterrupted and affordable supply of energy.
• What does a country's energy security depend on?

  • The supplies available (either produced or imported)
  • The size of the population
  • The amount of energy that a typical person uses
• What is an energy surplus?

  When a country produces more energy than its population requires - the excess energy can be exported. An energy surplus gives a country energy security.
• What is it called when a country has less energy than required?

  An energy deficit - this can cause energy insecurity.
• What are some examples of countries that have energy insecurity and why?

  Some countries produce little energy because they have few resources, and some are not able to exploit the resources they have due to poverty or political instability. For example:

  • Ireland - has few resources to exploit
  • Sudan - is politically unstable and has little money
• What are some examples of countries that have energy security and why?

  Some countries produce lots of energy because they have large energy reserves and money to exploit them. For example:

  • Saudi Arabia - large oil reserves
  • China - large coal reserves
  • UK - large oil & gas reserves
• Why do wealthy, developed countries tend to consume more energy per person?

  Wealthy, developed countries (e.g. Australia and the USA) tend to consume lots of energy per person because people expect a higher standard of living and are able to afford it. Most people have access to electricity and heating, and use energy-intensive devices, e.g. cars.
• Why do poorer, less developed countries tend to consume less energy per person?

  Poorer, less developed countries (e.g. Mongolia) consume less energy per person as people are less able to afford it. Less energy is available and lifestyles are less dependent on high energy consumption than in wealthier countries.
• How does a rising global population increase the demand for energy?

  The global population is projected to increase to over 9 billion by 2040. More people means more energy is needed, e.g. to heat more homes.
• How does economic development increase the demand for energy?

  Recent economic development has increased the wealth of some poorer countries. People use this wealth to buy more material possessions. Lots of these things use energy, such as cars and televisions. Additionally, as countries develop, their industry expands - industry uses a lot of energy, so global demand for energy increases.
• How do technological advances increase the demand for energy?

  Technological advancements have created all sorts of new devices that need energy, e.g. computers and mobile phones. As these become more popular, more energy is needed to power them. Also, some advances have made energy more affordable - the use of wind energy in Texas has prevented consumers' energy costs from rising. However, this means people can afford to use more energy, so demand increases.
• Why is the global distribution of fossil fuels unequal?

  Some countries have few resources while others have inaccessible resources, e.g. Antarctic oil reserves.
• How does the finite nature of fossil fuels impact electricity supply?

  Fossil fuels are non-renewable, so supplies will run out eventually. For example, South Africa's Mossel Bay plant was projected to run out of gas in the early 2020s.
• How does the location of fossil fuel reserves affect energy supply?

  The location of fossil fuel reserves affects the cost and ease of extraction - some oil reserves in the USA are trapped in rocks so do not flow freely.
• How do climate and geography affect energy supply?

  An area's climate or geography affects its potential to generate renewable energy, e.g. solar and wind power.
• How do natural disasters affect energy supply?

  The likelihood of natural disasters that can damage energy infrastructure affects the types of energy that can be used, e.g. earthquakes may damage gas pipelines.
• Why are fossil fuel prices volatile, and how does this affect energy supply?

  The prices of fossil fuels such as oil and gas are very volatile - they can vary a lot due to complex economic and political factors, such as world exchange rates and trade deals between countries. Countries that rely on energy imports might not always be able to afford them.
• How does the cost of extracting and developing energy sources affect energy supply?

  • Remaining non-renewable energy sources are becoming harder to reach and more costly to extract.
  • Some LICs may have potential energy sources but too little wealth to exploit them.
  • Building new energy infrastructure (e.g. nuclear power stations or wind farms) can be very expensive. For example, Niger has large uranium reserves but lacks the money to develop nuclear technology.
• How can political instability affect energy supply?

  Political instability in countries with large energy reserves can affect their ability to export resources, e.g. oil exports from the Middle East decreased during the Gulf War.
• How can concerns about climate change affect energy supply?

  Climate change linked to burning fossil fuels has resulted in international agreements to reduce the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, e.g. many countries pledged to reduce their carbon dioxide emissions as part of the Paris Agreement.
• How can concerns about safety affect energy supply?

  Concerns over the safety of nuclear power and nuclear waste disposal have resulted in stricter regulations. This means it's become harder to build nuclear power stations.
• How can energy insecurity impact industrial output?

  Energy shortages and higher energy costs reduce industrial output - factories have to produce less or relocate somewhere with better energy security to minimise costs. This can threaten jobs, as factories may be forced to reduce employee hours or even shut down. Higher costs are also often passed on to the consumer, as produces are forced to raise their prices.
• Give an example of how energy insecurity impacted industrial output.

  In 2017, some companies in the UK (such as Tata Steel) had to shut down during peak hours because of high energy costs.
• How can energy insecurity impact environmental and economic costs?

  As fossil fuels are used up, reserves in less accessible and more environmentally sensitive areas are exploited. This increases the cost of producing energy and risks environmental damage.
• Give an example of how energy security has impacted environmental and economic costs?

  The UK began fracking near Blackpool to exploit shale gas reserves. However, fracking was halted after a 3 magnitude earthquake struck Lancashire in 2019.
• How can energy insecurity impact food production?

  Energy insecurity can limit how many agricultural machines can be used. The demand for cleaner and cheaper energy sources increases demand for biofuels, and growing biofuel crops takes up land that could be used to grow food. This can lead to food shortages and may increase food prices.
• Give an example of how energy insecurity has impacted food production.

  It's predicted that over 150 million acres of land would be needed to grow enough sugarcane to meet all the USA's energy needs with biofuel.
• How can energy security impact the potential for conflict?

  There is the potential for political instability when energy demand exceeds energy supply. This can cause conflict between countries with an energy surplus and those with an energy deficit.
• Give an example of how energy insecurity has impacted the potential for conflict.

  In 2012, Sudan and South Sudan came into conflict over the ownership of the Heglig oil field, which lies on the border of the two countries. South Sudan attempted to claim the oil field from Sudan to prevent energy insecurity, and a short war was fought.
• Why could renewable energy sources be a good option for increasing energy supply?

  The sources won't run out, they produce few or no waste products, and generally require less maintenance than non-renewable power stations.
• How does solar energy work?

  Energy from the Sun is used to heat water or to generate electricity using photovoltaic cells.
• What are the advantages of solar energy?

  • Solar cookers and water heaters are cheap
  • Excess energy can be sold, making extra money
• What are the disadvantages of solar energy?

  • Photovoltaic cells are expensive
  • They depend on sunlight, so are unreliable
• How does hydroelectric power work?

  Hydroelectric power is created from falling water. Water trapped by a dam is allowed to fall through tunnels. The force of the falling water turns turbines and generates electricity.
• What are the advantages of hydroelectric power?

  It's flexible and efficient - water flow and electrical output can be adjusted to match demand and limit waste.
• What are the disadvantages of hydroelectric power?

  • Building dams can destroy habitats and communities
  • It's expensive to build the dams and turbines
• How does geothermal energy work?

  Water is pumped into the ground and turned into steam by heat from the Earth's crust. The steam turns a turbine, which generates electricity. However, the steam can also be piped straight to houses for heating.
• What are the advantages of geothermal energy?

  It's cheap and reliable - generally, little construction needs to take place to harness this energy.
• What are the disadvantages of geothermal energy?

  It works best in tectonically active areas, which aren't found everywhere.
• How does tidal energy work?

  Currents or changes in water level caused by tides are used to turn turbines and generate electricity.