3.5.1 Energy supply, demand and security
Energy sources can be classified in different ways (renewable, recyclable, non-renewable,
primary or secondary) and energy use varies according to level of development
Access to and use of energy resources depends on a range of factors (physical availability, cost,
technology, public perception, environmental priorities) and varies spatially
Renewable energy: energy that is finite and won’t run out (eg. solar)
Non-renewable energy:
Recyclable energy: energy that can be used repeatedly
Primary energy: producing energy using raw materia
Secondary energy: energy derived from another source (eg. electricity)
Factors affecting energy use
Fixed? Effect on the future?
•Development level n Higher development = more energy used
Higher development (HIC) = renewable energy
Lower development = primary energy used
Lower development = lower GDP = lowered affordability in getting
energy
Lower development = unable to extract local energy resources.
•Physical y Higher access = higher use + lower cost (no transportation fee
availability needed) --> government is more likely to subsidised and encourage
the use of what energy is present
•Cost n Higher cost = lower use
Eg. Costs of gas is increasing due to Russia-Ukraine War
•Technology n Higher technology = more renewable energy
Higher unconventional fossil fuel (eg. Fracking)
More energy efficient = lower energy consumption
•Public perception n COP 26
Increase use of sustainable energy (nuclear – controversial)
•Environmental n Sustainability
policies Global agreements
•Population size n More people = more energy usage
, Demand for energy is growing globally, especially in emerging and developing regions causing
economic and social changes and with environmental implications
Energy availability: range of factors that affect the availability of energy, including physical
factors, cost of exploitation and production, technology and political factors.
Energy affordability:where countries have an interrupted supply of energy or cannot afford to
provide energy.
Traditional society (lower developed area/regions)
- Energy is supplied by human and animal labour plus fuelwood for cooking and heating.
Only parts of LEDCs now fit this description. Low energy demand
Simple Technology
- Wind and water harnessed to carry out tasks. Agriculture becomes mechanised, relieving
people from land. Industries grow using local power sources and resources. Increased
GDP linked to increase in energy demand.
Industrialisation
- Manufacturing secondary industry grows and new technology/infrastructure uses more
fossil fuels, usually coal initially. Society becomes more urban. Domestic energy demand
grows both for goods and power. Public transport infrastructure are established. GDP will
rise rapidly along with energy demand(and supply).
The fossil fuel era
- Standard of living increases for majority of country’s population. Still fossil fuel based
but mix of coal/gas/oil, may also have access to nuclear power. Market led. High
consumption of electrical goods to support lifestyle. Individual transport dominates –
cars. Heavy impacts are pleased on planets’ environments. Some research into
alternatives. GDP high along with energy demand.
- Future scenario – maintain status quo or greening of energy demand.
Stage + Impact on energy – Environmental Social consequences Example (inc.
description amount and type used consequences statistics)
Traditional Extremrely limited amount Limited - but small May cause low levels of Thailand –
society and types of energy used. level of increased health issues - mainly
This usually occurs in low greenhouse gas from resipratory problems, agriculture
developed regions burning of fuelwood asthma country
Usually use of primary
resources
,Simple Energy used increases as Increased GHG + Prices may slightly Brazil
technology agriculture switches to mining for energy increase due to demand
technology for efficiency which some population
(the poorest) would find
Renewable energy sources it difficult to afford it.
are still primary - wind
and water, but use of local Increased living
energy resources (fossil standards as higher GDP
fuel etc) - more money can be
used for development
Industrialisation Energy demand is high More extraction of Energy prices may India/USA/UK
due to manufacturing and resources needed, loss increase due to high
industries needed. of habitat for species, demand but still same
Developed countries increased GHG, loss of levels of supply if no
would also need high greenery, international pathways
energy demands due to contamination of watr, present. Energy security
their more high tech. pollution may reduce due to higher
Industries. Energy mix can demand in which current
be a mix of renewable or amounts may not be
non-renewables (eg. sufficient for all.
Nuclear, Wind, Increased health issues.
Geothermal)
Fossil fuel era Energy amount needed Climate change, GHG GHG could lead to China/Russia
would drastically increase, emissions, lciamte change =
and energy mix would wildlife/water/air secondary impacts of
primary be pollution affecting food and water
non-renewables with fossil supplies, heavy rainfall
fuels
, The physical distribution of energy resources means some regions have energy surpluses and
some deficits leading to global trade in energy and contrasting national energy mixes (developed,
emerging and developing countries)
Access to energy resources is uneven around the world. Some countries have become wealthy
because of their huge reserves of fossil fuels. This uneven distribution is caused by 3 main
factors:
● Geology (rock type determines whether oil forms)
● Relief and Climate (access to the resources eg. oil)
● Accessibility and Development
Main exporters of fossil fuel:
- Russia
- Saudi Arabia
- Canada
- USA
** these countries would have the largest % of fossil fuel in energy mix
Main exporters of coal:
- Australia ($47 billion - 37% of total exports)
- Indonesia ($20.6 billion - 16.2% of total exports)
- Russia ($17 billion - 13.4% of total export)
- US ($12 billion - 9.4% of total export)
Energy sources can be classified in different ways (renewable, recyclable, non-renewable,
primary or secondary) and energy use varies according to level of development
Access to and use of energy resources depends on a range of factors (physical availability, cost,
technology, public perception, environmental priorities) and varies spatially
Renewable energy: energy that is finite and won’t run out (eg. solar)
Non-renewable energy:
Recyclable energy: energy that can be used repeatedly
Primary energy: producing energy using raw materia
Secondary energy: energy derived from another source (eg. electricity)
Factors affecting energy use
Fixed? Effect on the future?
•Development level n Higher development = more energy used
Higher development (HIC) = renewable energy
Lower development = primary energy used
Lower development = lower GDP = lowered affordability in getting
energy
Lower development = unable to extract local energy resources.
•Physical y Higher access = higher use + lower cost (no transportation fee
availability needed) --> government is more likely to subsidised and encourage
the use of what energy is present
•Cost n Higher cost = lower use
Eg. Costs of gas is increasing due to Russia-Ukraine War
•Technology n Higher technology = more renewable energy
Higher unconventional fossil fuel (eg. Fracking)
More energy efficient = lower energy consumption
•Public perception n COP 26
Increase use of sustainable energy (nuclear – controversial)
•Environmental n Sustainability
policies Global agreements
•Population size n More people = more energy usage
, Demand for energy is growing globally, especially in emerging and developing regions causing
economic and social changes and with environmental implications
Energy availability: range of factors that affect the availability of energy, including physical
factors, cost of exploitation and production, technology and political factors.
Energy affordability:where countries have an interrupted supply of energy or cannot afford to
provide energy.
Traditional society (lower developed area/regions)
- Energy is supplied by human and animal labour plus fuelwood for cooking and heating.
Only parts of LEDCs now fit this description. Low energy demand
Simple Technology
- Wind and water harnessed to carry out tasks. Agriculture becomes mechanised, relieving
people from land. Industries grow using local power sources and resources. Increased
GDP linked to increase in energy demand.
Industrialisation
- Manufacturing secondary industry grows and new technology/infrastructure uses more
fossil fuels, usually coal initially. Society becomes more urban. Domestic energy demand
grows both for goods and power. Public transport infrastructure are established. GDP will
rise rapidly along with energy demand(and supply).
The fossil fuel era
- Standard of living increases for majority of country’s population. Still fossil fuel based
but mix of coal/gas/oil, may also have access to nuclear power. Market led. High
consumption of electrical goods to support lifestyle. Individual transport dominates –
cars. Heavy impacts are pleased on planets’ environments. Some research into
alternatives. GDP high along with energy demand.
- Future scenario – maintain status quo or greening of energy demand.
Stage + Impact on energy – Environmental Social consequences Example (inc.
description amount and type used consequences statistics)
Traditional Extremrely limited amount Limited - but small May cause low levels of Thailand –
society and types of energy used. level of increased health issues - mainly
This usually occurs in low greenhouse gas from resipratory problems, agriculture
developed regions burning of fuelwood asthma country
Usually use of primary
resources
,Simple Energy used increases as Increased GHG + Prices may slightly Brazil
technology agriculture switches to mining for energy increase due to demand
technology for efficiency which some population
(the poorest) would find
Renewable energy sources it difficult to afford it.
are still primary - wind
and water, but use of local Increased living
energy resources (fossil standards as higher GDP
fuel etc) - more money can be
used for development
Industrialisation Energy demand is high More extraction of Energy prices may India/USA/UK
due to manufacturing and resources needed, loss increase due to high
industries needed. of habitat for species, demand but still same
Developed countries increased GHG, loss of levels of supply if no
would also need high greenery, international pathways
energy demands due to contamination of watr, present. Energy security
their more high tech. pollution may reduce due to higher
Industries. Energy mix can demand in which current
be a mix of renewable or amounts may not be
non-renewables (eg. sufficient for all.
Nuclear, Wind, Increased health issues.
Geothermal)
Fossil fuel era Energy amount needed Climate change, GHG GHG could lead to China/Russia
would drastically increase, emissions, lciamte change =
and energy mix would wildlife/water/air secondary impacts of
primary be pollution affecting food and water
non-renewables with fossil supplies, heavy rainfall
fuels
, The physical distribution of energy resources means some regions have energy surpluses and
some deficits leading to global trade in energy and contrasting national energy mixes (developed,
emerging and developing countries)
Access to energy resources is uneven around the world. Some countries have become wealthy
because of their huge reserves of fossil fuels. This uneven distribution is caused by 3 main
factors:
● Geology (rock type determines whether oil forms)
● Relief and Climate (access to the resources eg. oil)
● Accessibility and Development
Main exporters of fossil fuel:
- Russia
- Saudi Arabia
- Canada
- USA
** these countries would have the largest % of fossil fuel in energy mix
Main exporters of coal:
- Australia ($47 billion - 37% of total exports)
- Indonesia ($20.6 billion - 16.2% of total exports)
- Russia ($17 billion - 13.4% of total export)
- US ($12 billion - 9.4% of total export)
