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Factors affecting the supply and demand of energy - Coggle Diagram
Factors affecting the supply and demand of energy
National wealth
As average incomes increase living standards improve, which involved the increasing use of energy and the use of a greater variety of energy sources.
Changes in demand
At one times, all of Britain's trains were powered by coal and most people also used coal for heating in their homes. Today, trains are almost entirely electric, and people use gas central heating instead of coal for their homes.
Before natural gas was discovered in he North Sea, Britain's gas was produced from coal (coal gas)
Environmental
Physical
Large-scale HEP development requires high precipitation, major steep-sided valleys and impermeable rock.
Large power stations require flat land and geologically stable foundations.
Solar power needs a large number of days a year with strong sunlight.
Tidal power stations require a very large tidal range.
The availability of biomass varies widely according to climatic conditions.
Politcal
Governments may insist on energy companied producing a certain proportion of their energy from renewable sources.
Potential HEP schemes on 'international rivers' may require the agreement of other countries to use this river.
Changes in price
The relative prices of different tyes of energy can influence demand
Electricity production in the UK has been switching from coal to gas over the last 20 years, mainly because power stations are cheaper to run on natural gas.
Public opinion
Public opinion can influence decisions made by governments. people today are much better informed about the environmental impact of energy sources than they were in the past, so legislation is likely favour the use of renewable energy sources and low-sulphur coal.
Technology
Nuclear electricity has only been available since 1954.
Oil and gas can now be extracted from much deeper waters than the past.
Renewable energy technology is advancing steadily.