6.4A Consumption of Energy & Energy Mix

• Energy Security

  • Energy security is the uninterrupted availability of energy sources at affordable prices

  
• -> Energy secure countries are those that will be able to meet all or most of their energy demands from within their country

  
• Energy Consumption:

  • Energy is essential to the functioning of a country especially for the economy and the well-being of people
  • The consumption of energy (demand) is increasing as a result of:
  • Global population growth
  • Development and rising standard of living
  • The essential nature of energy to our everyday life

  
• -> Energy consumption is usually expressed in per capita terms using one of the following measures:

  • Kilograms of oil equivalent per year (kgoe/yr)
  • Gigajoules per year (GJ/yr) or exajoules per year (EJ/yr)
  • Megawatt hours per year (MWh/yr)

  
• • Measuring how efficiently energy is being used in a country is important too
  • Energy intensity is a measure of how efficiently a country is using its energy 

  
• Energy Mix:

  • The term energy mix is used to describe the combination of different energy sources that are used to meet a country’s total energy demand
  • One vital part is the mix of primary energy sources that are used to generate electricity which include:
  • Non-renewable fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas
  • Renewable energy such as wind and hydroelectricity
  • Recyclable fuels such as nuclear energy and biomass

  
• Countries have their own individual energy mix, for example:

  -> Developing countries usually use natural resources such as firewood for cooking

  -> Emerging countries will see a rise of oil use as transport and car ownership increases

  -> As countries develop they tend to start using more gas and nuclear power as technology advances

  • Energy security increases as dependence on imported energy sources decreases
  • A country that depends massively on imported energy are at risk from sudden threats