To start… Recap questions.
• Why is wood considered only semi-renewable as a
resource?
If you cut it down faster than it grows stops being
renewable.
• Where are the worlds main known oil reserves?
Middle East
• Why was the Chernobyl incident so important for the
nuclear industry?
Highlighted the dangers of nuclear power.
• What is the main source of fuel in Mali and why is
this a problem?
Firewood – deforestation and desertification.
• What is the UK’s main source of renewable energy?
Wind farms eg Scroby Sands, located on a sand back
3km off the coast of Great Yarmouth. 30 turbines
can produce enough electricity for 41,000 homes.
What are the social,
economic and environmental
issues associated with the
increasing demand for
energy?
Key ideas…
1.
The exploitation of energy resources brings
both opportunities and problems for the
people and environment.
2. The social and economic opportunities
created by the exploitation of energy
resources include employment, community
development and economic sustainability.
3. The problems created by the exploitation of
energy include conflicts with indigenous
people, economic issues and environmental
degradation.
Issues arising from an increased demand for
energy.
Positives and Negatives? Political issues?
The big issue: Global Warming
What is global warming?
How is it caused?
What are the effects?
Case Study: Norway - Opportunities created by
the exploitation of energy resources.
Background
Oil was discovered in late 1960s. Because the
quantities of oil have been large and Norway’s
population is relatively small (4.5 million), the
benefits per person have been considerable.
Norway is the 7th largest producer of crude oil
in the world, and the third largest exporter
(behind Saudi Arabia and Russia).
Location of Norway’s
Oil and Gas
Reserves
All oil and gas is offshore.
Norway has also been richly endowed with the
physical characteristics to develop large scale
hydroelectricity. Hydroelectric power
accounts for 99% of electricity generation in
Norway.
Norway has about 850 hydroelectric plants
giving a total installed capacity of over 27
000MW. However, as all the most obvious
locations have been utilised, further
development is limited.
Environmental
• Heavy industries have been attracted to the area
because of the cheap HEP power – this has caused
environmental concerns.
• However, Norway's oil and gas sectors works to high
standards in terms of both operation and inspection,
resulting in a very limited environmental impact.
• However, with the offshore nature of oil and gas
exploitation, the danger of a major maritime incident
is always possible.
• Norway has a renewable energy programme. Its main
objective is to reduce hydropower transmission line
loss and to develop undersea cable technology. It is
also looking at solar, wind and biomass possibilities.
Economic
• Oil and gas account for 1/3 of Norway’s export
earnings.
• Oil and gas are vital to the economy. Around 8000
people are directly employed by oil related
businesses.
• Almost 250000 jobs are attributed directly or
indirectly to the oil and gas industry.
• At first Norway largely relied on the expertise of
foreign companies, but the industry is now fully
developed and its expertise is in demand all over the
world. In addition, the oil and gas industry has
boosted innovation and technological development in
other industrial sectors.
• The relatively cheap HEP has attracted
heavy industries requiring large power
inputs. Such foreign direct investment
has provided a significant number of
jobs, creating a cycle of Cumulative
causation.
• Southern Norway has the largest
concentration of electro-chemical
indsutries in Western Europe.
Social
• The standard of living in Norway is much
higher than it would be without oil and gas
revenues. Incomes are high and the country is
able to afford a welfare system which is one
of the best in the world.
• Community development is a top priority on
Norway’s agenda. Revenue from oil and gas
has allowed a high per capita spending on
sports, youth, transport and facilities.
• This money has also helped rural areas and
reduced rural depopulation.
Political
• Norway’s people and politicians realise
the oil and gas will not last forever.
• For a number of years, surplus oil
revenues have been placed in a
Government Petroleum Fund. This money
is invested abroad and is now more than
$150 million.
How have abundant energy
resources improved the quality
of life in Norway?
Case Study: Nigeria
Limited benefits from oil wealth
Now use the Nigeria case study
information to fill in the other
side of the table – note form
please!
How can energy supply
be managed to ensure
sustainability?
Key Ideas…
• Managing energy supply requires
detailed planning and balancing of socioeconomic and environmental needs.
• Energy demand can be satisfied in an
increasingly sustainable way.
• The development of renewable energy
resources is an important goal of
sustainable energy policies.
What is sustainability?
1. Using of existing finite resources
efficiently.
2. Developing renewable energy sources.
3. Conserving energy in industry,
transport, homes etc.
Energy management and conservation?
Why do we need to manage energy supplies?
• Exhaustion of fossil fuels.
• Impact of emissions on environment.
• High cost of building large energy installations.
We need to balance between socio-economic and
environmental needs.
Carbon Trading
Important part of the EU’s environment and energy
policies. Under the EU’s emissions trading scheme, heavy
industrial plants have to buy permits to emit greenhouse
gases over the limit they are allowed to by the
government. If a company does not use up the level of
emissions it is entitled to, it can sell the remainder of
the entitlement.
Is this the solution?
What can individuals do to conserve
energy?
What can the government do to conserve
energy?
Which measures will have the biggest
impact?
Figure 7.34 p279
Electrical appliances
left on standby use
about 7% of all
electricity used in
UK homes.
Homework!
Title: Alternative Sources of Energy
Using the text book p280-284 write notes
about the different types of alternative
energy.
Use the note making skills from today – pick out
the main parts, do not copy it all down!
Due: Friday 26th Feb