The Demand for Energy

• The price of materials has increased which made mining or drilling in new areas economic

  • the world price of non-renewable energy sources will continue to rise w/ increase in demand and there is only a finite amount of resources
• There is a significant difference in the amount of energy used per person of different populations
• Industrial demand (1)

  • the use of energy per head of population is lower in a traditional farming community than an industrialised community
  • manufacturing requires the use of large quantities of energy in all stages of production
  • iron and steel preoduction has an extremely alrge energy demand
  • needs fuel to melt iron ore and refine it
  • additional heat is needed to shape the product
• Industrial demand (2)

  • advance in manufacturing techniques has resulted in technological advances in the product and their prices
  • many items are no longer considered as luxuries but as necessities
  • more ppl want to buy them and increased demand leads to increasing energy needs for increased production
• Domestic demand (1)

  • total amount of money spent on goods and services by people, companies, and government within a country that would be spent if the goods and services were available
  • more efficient manufacturing processes has meant that many goods have become more affordable
  • e.g. televisions, cars, computers and mobile phones used to be considered for high earners but are not produced worldwide
  • created by affordability and availability and is also driven by the need to keep up with neighbours
  • items that were seen as a luxury decades ago are now seen as necessities in many cultures
• Domestic demand (2)

  • these purchases increase the demand for energy supplies & the need for a reliable electricity source
  • domestic demand and changing purchase patterns have resulted in people wanting to be able to get fruit and vegetables that are not naturally in season
  • can be met by either producing in controlled conditions like glasshouse or growing them in a more favourable climate & transporting them
  • energy cost is significant
  • richer countries and people have higher energy demand because of high consumption
• Transport demand

  • drive to develop efficient systems of production means that manufacturers are supply over the globe
  • decreases production costs but significantly increases the costs of transportation
  • causes a significant increase in the amount of air and ship transport
  • both air and ship transport require large amounts of fossil fuels to operate
  • the cost of transporting goods across the ocean may be significant but the cost savings in manufacturing make them attractive to the end customer
• Economic factors (1)

  • domestic demand for energy will be dependent upon the people within a country
  • if economic conditions are good, it will cause higher employment and more money to spend on luxuries
  • if economic conditions are poor, it will cause families to have less available money and need to make savings which reduces the use of fuel and purchase and use of electrical items
  • if a country has less income because of a reduction in manufacturing it will have less ability to import foreign goods
• Economic factors (2)

  • a poor economy means:
  • less manufacturing (less energy used)
  • fewer goods to transport (less energy used)
  • inability to purchase foreign energy supplies
  • an impact on one country’s economy can impact the global economy
  • a country has a reduction in their economy
  • a reduction in demand for a resource
  • a decrease in the amount of manufactured goods transported by ships
  • a decrease in the price of oil bcs worldwide demand has decreased as a result of the two factors above
• Climate

  • comparing the energy usage of one country with another is dependent by weather conditions
  • people living in temeprate climates experience colder winters than those living in equatorial climates so the energy demand for heating in colder climates is higher
  • the population also experiences fewer hours of daylight because of winter, causing an increase use of electric lighting
  • climate change has resulted in extreme weather
  • e.g. excessive cold and heat have resulted in increased energy consumption , particularly form those in urban areas through the need for additional heating or AC units
• Why is the demand for energy increasing?

  -       Increasing population

  -       Increasing technological advancements

  -       Climate change

  -       Increasing standards of living and expectations
• How do photovoltaic cells work?

  When the cells are exposed to light, they slightly generate some electricity so when a whole group of them is exposed to light, they can produce a significant amount of electricity 
• How does tidal power generate electricity?

  The tide rises and falls. Water goes into the tidal basin when tides are high, and it is held back by a tidal barrage (a dam). This water is then released back into the turbine when tides are low, spinning the turbine, generating kinetic energy. This kinetic energy is converted to electricity using the generator and it is connected to the pylons to be distributed. 
• Describe how wave power works

  Similar to the tides, the waves rise and fall, which causes movement and spins the turbines. This is dependent on the wind and not the tides which isn’t as reliable but also is flexible as it isn’t restricted to the tides. 
• Why does national wealth create more energy consumption

  • increases to personal wealth
  • higher usage of electrical appliances at home
  • greater vehicle ownership