Knowledge

• Energy security means having a reliable, uninterrupted and affordable supply of energy.
• A country's energy security depends on the supplies available (either produced or imported), the size of the population, and the amount of energy that a typical person uses.
• An energy surplus is when a country produces more energy than its population requires - the extra energy can be exported. An energy surplus gives a country energy security
• Having less energy than required is called an energy deficit - this can cause energy insecurity
• Some countries produce lots of energy because they have large energy reserves and the money to exploit them. For example:

  -Iran, Saudi Arabia large oil reserves

  -China, Australia large coal reserves

  -UK, Russia large oil and gas reserves
• Some countries produce little energy because they have few resources, and some are unable to exploit the resources they do have due to poverty or political instability. For example :

  -Ireland has few resources to exploit

  -Sudan politically unstable, has little money
• Strong relationship between energy consumption and wealth- Wealthy

  -Developed countries tend to consume lots of energy per person because people expect a higher standard of living and they can afford it.

  -Most people have access to electricity and heating, and use energy intensive devices e.g cars
• Strong relationship between wealth and energy consumption- Poorer

  -Less developed countries 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
• Global demand for energy is increasing - Rising population 


  -Global population is projected to increase to over 9 million by 2040

  -More people means more energy is needed e.g to heat homes
• Global demand for energy is increasing - Economic development 


  Recent economic development has increased wealth of poorer countries

  -People use this wealth to buy more material possessions. Lots of these things use energy e.g cars and televisions

  -As countries develop, their industry expands. Industry uses a lot of energy, so global demand for energy increases
• Global demand for energy is increasing- Technological advances 


  -Have created all sorts of new devices that need energy e.g computers, mobile phones and tablets. As these become more popular, more energy is need to power them

  -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
• Environmental impacts of energy insecurity - Drilling 


  Drilling for oil in Siberia and Alaska threatens the fragile polar and tundra ecosystems
• Environmental impacts of energy insecurity - Rainforest 


  Areas of rainforest have been cleared in tropical areas to make way for biofuel
• Environmental impacts of energy insecurity - Construction of dams

  The constructions of dams and reservoirs has led to valleys being flooded, displacing thousands of people, the loss of farmland and the destruction of ecosystems.
• Environmental impacts of energy insecurity - Controversial construction

  The controversial construction of renewable energy such as wind and solar farms in popular upland areas such as Scottish Highlands and the Lake District
• Economic impacts of energy insecurity - 


  It is expensive to extract energy resources from remote and environmentally sensitive locations, leading to an increase in the price of energy, which will be met by consumers
• Economic impacts of energy insecurity - Food production

  As economic development continues across the globe, the demand for energy to increase agricultural output will continue to grow. This is particularly the case in areas devoid of natural energy resources and already experience energy insecurity, leading to an increase in food prices
• Economic impacts of energy insecurity - Industrial output 


  Can be affected by energy insecurity and fluctuating prices. As a result of this, prices can increase with growing uncertainty. Companies based in countries that experience energy insecurity, therefore experience considerable challenges in competing with those in countries with energy security, reducing economic output in NEE's
• Social impacts of energy insecurity - Rise in prices

  Rises in the price of energy will increase living costs i.e running the home, manufactured goods, food and travel
• Social impacts of energy insecurity - Power cuts

  Power cuts may be become more common, inconveniencing people
• Social impacts of energy insecurity - Jobs

  Jobs may be out at risk if sales of goods and services fall
• Social impacts of energy insecurity - Conflict

  In countries where there is energy insecurity, there are conflicts between different sectors including industry, domestic users and agriculture. It may be up to government to prioritise energy users. In the UK, agriculture and poor households will be losers
• Options to increase energy supplies -

  -Develop and increase use of renewable sources of energy, such as wind,solar and HEP

  -Continue to exploit non renewable fossil fuels such as oil and gas and develop use of nuclear power
• Renewable energy sources -

  -Biomass

  -Wind

  -Hydro (HEP)

  -Tidal

  -Geothermal

  -Wave

  -Solar
• How does biomass work? -

  Energy produced from organic matter includes:

  -Burning dung or plant matter

  -Production of biofuels, by processing specially grown plants such as sugar canes
• Cons of using biomass to increase energy supplies-

  -Using land to grow biomass rather than food crops is controversial

  -Burning organic matter can create smoky unhealthy conditions

  -Fuelwood supplies are limited
• How does wind work? 


  Turbines on land or at sea are turned by the wind to generate electricity
• How does Hydro (HEP) work?

  Large scale dams and smaller micro dams create enough water to turn turbines and generate electricity
• Cons of using Hydro (HEP) to increase energy supply?-

  -Larges dams are expensive and controversial
• Pros of using Hydro(HEP) increase energy supplies?

  -Micro dams are becoming popular options at local level

  -An important energy source in several countries, it currently contributes 85% of global renewable electricity
• How does Tidal work? -

  Turbines within barrages (dams) built across river estuaries use rising and falling tides to generate electricity
• Cons of using Tidal increase energy supplies? - 


  Few tidal barrages due to high costs and environmental concerns
• How does Geothermal it work?-

  Water heated underground in contact with hot rocks that creates steam that drives turbines to generate electricity
• How does Waves work? -

  Waves force air into chamber where it turns a turbine linked to a generator
• Cons of using Geothermal to increase energy supplies?

  Limited to tectonically active countries:
• Cons of using Waves to increase energy supplies?-

  There are many experimental wave farms but costs are high and there are environmental concerns
• How does Solar work ?

  Photovoltaic cells mounted on solar panels convert sunlight into electricity
• Cons of using Solar to increase energy supplies ?

  Energy production is seasonal

  Solar panel farms need a lot of space
• Pros of using Solar to increase energy supplies ?

  Great potential in some LIC's with high levels of sunshine
• Natural Gas Extraction- 


  Natural gas is a fossil fuel. It is formed when layers of decomposing plant and animal matter are exposed to intense heat and pressure under the surface over millions of years. Energy the plants originally obtained from sun is stored in gas. Trapped below ground then extracted