The Changing Importance of Other Energy Sources

IB Geography II

Traditional Sources of Energy: Fossil Fuels

• Oil: Oil production increased by 11% between 1998-2008.

• Natural Gas: production increased 35%• Coal: production increased 49%

Nuclear Power

• No other energy source creates such heated discussion!

• Main concerns: – Power plant accidents, which could release

radiation into air, land, sea (Chernobyl in the Ukraine!)

– Radioactive waste storage/disposal– Terrorist use of nuclear fuel for weapons – Possible increase in cancer near nuclear plants

Nuclear Power

• Advantages – Zero emissions from greenhouse gases – Reduced reliance on imported fossil fuels

Fast-breeder Reactor:• A few countries have

developed this technology • A nuclear reactor that is

efficient at manufacturing plutonium fuel

• Greatly increases energy production

• BUT…. Can be very dangerous if it gets into the wrong hands! Plutonium is the key ingredient for nuclear weapons.

Renewable Resources

• Hydroelectricity •Wind• Biofuels • Geothermal Energy • Solar• Tidal

Future Energy NeedsWorld energy consumption is expected to increase by 60% between 2000 and 2020

Trends In Renewable Energy Sources

• Renewable energy is rapidly growing.

• In 2006, wind development grew by 20%.

• In 2006, solar development grew by 40%.

• Renewable energy will become increasingly important as the world attempts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to slow down global warming.

Hydroelectric Power: Using the power of falling water in rivers to drive generators. At the moment dams have

to be built to create HEP power.

Advantages• It is a clean form of energy• It is infinite as long as rivers

are managed properly.• The built dam can also

prevent flooding.• The reservoir behind the

dam can be a store of water.

Disadvantages • Only a limited number of

suitable rivers• Can hamper navigation up

and down river• Reservoirs may force

resettlement

Hydroelectricity 33% of all power plants in the U.S. are hydroelectric, but they only generate 6% of U.S. electricity needs

HydroelectricityHydroelectricity is a very clean, pollution-free, renewable energy source

The water is not consumed, but rather simply passes the generating equipment, and since several dams may occur along the same river, the water can be reused and reused

Wind: Using the wind to move a wind turbine to drive a generator and create electricity.

Advantages• It is a clean form of energy• It is an infinite resource• It can be used on a local

scale e.g. in your back garden

• Technology is proven

Disadvantages • Visual pollution (NIMBY -

see below)• Noise pollution• Wind is unreliable• It is hard to store surplus

energy

The wind is free, commonly available and can provide clean, pollution-free energy

Today’s wind-turbines are very high tech

Wind Energy

Biofuels/Biomass: fossil fuel substitutes that can be made from a range of agricultural crop materials

including oilseeds, wheat, corn and sugar Advantages• It is a renewable form of

energy as long as people replant crops.

• It is cheap and the resources can be grown locally

Disadvantages • It can still release

greenhouse gases.• Areas can be deforested to

grow crops for energy generation.

• If crops are used for energy production it can lead to an increase in food prices

Geothermal Energy: the natural heat found in the Earth’s crust in the form of steam, hot water

and hot rock

Geothermal EnergyThe steam and/or hot water is used to create electricity or for heating

Solar Power: Using the power of the sun to either heat water or generate electricity.

Advantages• It is a clean form of energy• It is a infinite resource• Panels can be used locally

e.g. on top of someone’s house

• It can be used to heat water and generate electricity.

Disadvantages • It is expensive to make solar

panels• The sun does not shine all

the time• They can't be used at night• It is hard store surplus

energy• Supply does not always

equal demand

Solar EnergyThe Sun is free (nobody owns or controls it)

In principle, the amount of solar energy that reaches the Earth’s surface could provide for all human energy needs forever

Solar EnergyThe distribution of solar energy over the continental U.S. in watts per square meter

The desert regions of the southwest U.S. receive the most sunlight

Solar ElectricityA major limitation is cost, which greatly exceeds the cost of producing electricity using fossil fuels or nuclear power

The best solar cells are only 20% efficient and only provide 50 watts of electricity per square meter of cell size

Tidal: Using the motion of incoming and outgoing tide to create energy

Advantages• It is a clean form of energy• It is an infinite resource,

tides happen twice a day.• Ideal for island countries.

Disadvantages • It can block important shipping

routes• May interfere with some

animals e.g. sea otters and seals

• Limited number of sites• Useless for landlocked

countries• High start up costs• may be damaged by tropical

storms

Tidal Power

You can use the flowing water between low and high tides to generate electricity, similar to hydropower

The Reasons for Variations in Energy Supply

Physical Economic Political•Deposits of fossil fuels are only found in a limited number of locations •Wind power needs high average wind speeds throughout the year •Solar power needs a large number of days a year with strong sunlight.

•The most accessible, low cost energy sources are developed first•In poor countries, foreign direct, investment is often essential for development of energy sources

•Countries wanting to develop nuclear electricity require permission from the International Atomic Energy Agency. • Legislation regarding emissions from power stations will favor less

pollutant material.

World Energy Production