Energy choices and security
Cause of increase in global consumption of energy
Growth of population.
Industrial development.
Increase in affluence of human societies.
Increase in affluence of human societies.
detrimental effects of fossil fuels
Acid deposition.
Air pollution including photochemical smog
Climate change due to release of green house gases
FOSSIL FUELS
ENSURE FUTURE SUPPLIES
Diversify energy sources
Reduce consumption by energy saving strategies
coal, oil and natural gas.
finite source of energy
High energy content.
Extraction causes destruction of habitats
Power plants require relatively large amounts of water which may compete with other users of water and also have a detrimental impact on aquatic ecosystems.
Infrastructure present for its use in most countries e.g.connection to electricity grid are well established.
NUCLEAR POWER
ADVANTAGES
Non polluting
North America, Europe and parts of Asia.70% energy in France
do not produce carbon dioxide emissions, reducing the risk of climate change.
DISADVANTAGES
Generate nuclear waste with high
radioactive levels that last thousands of years.
Risk of nuclear accidents e.g. Chernobyl and Fukushima.
High capital cost and high decommissioning cost (when power plant is closed and dismantled).
Potential use in nuclear weapons
TECHNOCENTRIC VIEW solutions
Provide a solution to the radioactive waste created.
Provide a replacement for uranium as a fission material that produces less radioactive waste and is more abundant.
RENEWABLE ENERGY
solar, wind, hydropower, biomass, geothermal, wave and tidal.
ADVANTAGES
production of less primary pollutants like particulate matter,CFCs ,SO2
Reduced GHG emissions e.g. CO2.
provide employment opportunities
improve the energy security of a country.
DISADVANTAGES
High Capital Cost
Dependent on the geographic location of the place
Weather dependent
ABUNDANT
LOW RUNNING COST
DISCUSS EACH OF THESE INDIVIDUALLY
ENERGY SECURITY
energy security as 'the uninterrupted availability of energy sources at an affordable price'.
DEPENDS ON
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Affordable supply to ensure access to all.
Reliable supply, that is not interrupted e.g. by conflict.
An adequate supply of energy which matches demand.
Threats to energy security
Affects national security
Political instability and /or conflict in exporting country.
Accidents or natural disasters e.g. Fukushima accident.
Risk of terrorist attacks on source or supply infrastructure.
Exhaustion of resource.
INCREASING ENERGY SECURITY
ICELAND
USA
20% from hydropower and about 66% from geothermal power.
CONSERVATION STRATEGIES to reduce dependence on other countries
General trends
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Increase energy conservation to reduce demand.
Increase indigenous production of fossil fuels and reduced oil imports.
Reduction in use of coal and oil but increase in use of less polluting natural gas.
Continued use of nuclear power.
Increase in renewable energy sources e.g. wind, solar and biomass.
Investment in low carbon emission technologies e.g. electric vehicles.
Overall increase in the range of different energy sources.
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FACTORS affecting energy choices
AVAILABILITY
Cultural Attitudes
Politics
Economics