IGCSE ENERGY

• Demand for energy


  The consumption of energy by human activity e.g., population growth, industrialisation, food supply
• Energy gap


  The gap between energy demand and energy supply. If there is an energy gap, a country may have to import energy
• Energy security


  Exists when a country can meet all its energy needs reliable, preferably within its own borders e.g., Qatar has large supplies of oil and natural gas
• Energy mix


  The specific combination of different energy sources it uses to meet its energy consumption needs e.g., UK National Grid
• Energy efficiency


  The use of less energy to perform the same task or produce the same result e.g., LED lightbulbs
• Energy conservation


  Reducing energy consumption through using less energy and becoming more efficient in using existing energy sources e.g., Turning off the light when you leave the room, unplugging appliances
• Sustainable energy management


  The need to ensure there will be enough energy to meet long term demands. Often, through reduced energy consumption from non-renewable resources, increased energy consumption from renewable resources, and increased energy efficiency e.g., LED lightbulb, insulation
• Factors that affect energy demand

  Population growth- e.g., Between 2005 and 2030, energy usage to increase by 50%

  Transport Energy- in the form of petrol, diesel or electricity

  Increased wealth- People buy more appliances and technology which require energy
• Coal advantages + disadvantages

  Country: China

  Advantages:

  Cheap because of new tech

  Reliable

  Easy to produce

  
  

  Disadvantages:

  Releases CO^2

  Heavy and bulky to transport

  Pollution

  Finite
• Nuclear advantages + disadvantages

  Advantages:

  No greenhouse gas emissions

  Efficient

  Small amounts of uranium needed

  
  

  Disadvantages:

  Nuclear waste is radioactive and expensive to dispose of

  Power stations are expensive

  Risk of nuclear accidents e.g., Chernobyl, Fukushima

  Finite
• Natural gas advantages + disadvantages

  Advantages:

  Efficient

  Easy to transport through pipes

  Reliable

  
  

  Disadvantages:

  Price fluctuates e.g., Russia-Ukraine

  CO2
• Oil advantages + disadvantages

  Advantages:

  Efficient

  Easy to transport through pipes

  Reliable

  
  

  Disadvantages:

  Oil spills

  CO2

  Price fluctuates
• Shale gas/oil advantages and disadvantages

  UK

  Advantages:

  Task force on shale gas = more jobs

  Better than gas 50% more energy

  
  

  Disadvantages:

  Ppl don't agree

  Could trigger earthquakes

  Distraction from renewable energy
• Wind advantages + disadvantages

  Advantages:

  No emissions

  No air pollution

  Cheap to run

  
  

  Disadvantages:

  Not reliable only works when the wind is strong enough

  Visual pollution

  Noise pollution
• Geothermal advantages + disadvantages

  Advantages:

  No CO2 gases

  Reliable

  Can produce large amounts of energy

  
  

  Disadvantages:

  Expensive

  Emits sulphuric gases

  High temperatures cause maintenance issues
• Biomass advantages + disadvantages

  Advantages:

  Uses waste or biofuels which regrow

  Available in most locations

  
  

  Disadvantages:

  Air pollution

  Produces greenhouse gases

  Expensive
• Solar advantages + disadvantages

  Advantages:

  No greenhouse gas emissions

  No air pollution

  Can be used

  
  

  Disadvantages:

  Expensive

  Weather dependent, only works when it is sunny

  Large numbers needed to produce energy
• Hydroelectric power advantages + disadvantages

  Advantages:

  No greenhouse gas emissions

  Controls flooding downstream

  Often in sparsely populated areas

  
  

  Disadvantages:

  Can prevent fish movement upstream

  Expensive to build and maintain

  Large areas of land are flooded behind the dam
• Sustainable energy management individual + national

  Individual:

  Reduce car use by using public transport, walking or cycling

  Insulating walls and roof spaces

  Buy energy efficient appliances

  
  

  National:

  Invest in renewable technologies such as wind and solar

  Encourage the switch to electric cars

  Invest in public transport e.g., Bee Network, Manchester
• Energy use of Norway


  Energy Use:

  Norway is a developed country in northern Europe

  The demand for energy per person is one of the highest in the world

  The population is mainly urban, with 83% of people living in towns and cities
• Energy mix of Norway

  Hydropower generates 90% of Norway's electricity and accounts for 65% of energy use

  Norway has significant energy resources including:

  1% of the world gas reserves (17th in the world)

  0.3% of the world oil reserves (22nd in the world)
• Sustainable management of Norway

  There are over 1500 hydropower plants in Norway

  There are currently 53 wind farms 36 more planned by 2030

  In Oslo they get a 30% subsidy for installing solar panels
• Energy use of Nepal

  The landscape is mountainous and includes much of the Himalayas

  The population is rural, with only 16% of the population living in towns and cities

  Energy demand is very low, but growing as the country develops
• Energy mix of Nepal

  The main source of energy is fuelwood for 82% of the rural population

  In urban areas the use of fuelwood is 36%

  98% of all electricity in Nepal is generated through hydropower

  No reserves; must be imported
• Sustainable management of Nepal

  Access to electricity has increased rapidly over the past 15 years - 88% of the population now have access to electricity

  There are now over 3000 micro-hydro plants in Nepal

  Reliance on fuelwood has fallen so less emissions + deforestation