A- level Energy
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Energy sources, access and uses
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.
Non renewable- a finite stock of resources, which will run out- coal, oil, gas (shale, tar sands)
Renewable- a flow of resources which is infinite in human terms (wind, solar, geothermal)
Recyclable- can be used repeatedly, if managed carefully (biomass, nuclear)
Primary energy- energy form found in nature that has not been subjected to any human engineered
conversion process- Those found or stored in nature (coal gas, solar)
Secondary energy- energy produced by converting so-called primary energy, or energy available in its
natural state in the environment- those derived from another source (electricity, gasoline, steam)
,Access to and use of energy resources depends on a range of factors:
Fixed? Effect on the future?
•Development level Alter More dev more usage, low dev primary
•Physical availability Fixed Less availability less usage, cheaper, subsidise
•Cost Alter Low costs more usage, or make it higher cost to promote
less usage
•Technology Alter Cheaper for renewable as well as non-renewable, more
available, energy efficient, fracking
•Public perception Alter Worse perception on non-renewables, promote use of
renewable, COP26, esp. nuclear
•Environmental policies Alter Can prevent usage of non-renewables but also increase
popularity
•Population size Alter More pop, more consumption
Which factor has the biggest impact on energy use – amount and type?
Amount:
1. Physical availability
2. Population
3. Development
4. Cost
5. Technology
6. Environmental policies
7. Public policies
Type:
1. Development level
2. Technology
3. Cost
4. Physical availability
5. Public perception
6. Environmental policies
7. Population size
Access to a use of energy resources depends on a range of factors:
, - Development level- More developed leads to more energy resources used. Lower
development will use primary resources. Renewables are expensive so HICs are more likely
to invest in the new technology.
- Physical availability - If they have oil, they will use oil (Saudi, America) because it is cheaper
for them to use their own resources – the government is more likely to subsidize and allow for
people to use what they have
- Cost- The higher the cost the less usage. - Expensive energy due to a lack of supply due to the
war between Russia and Ukraine has meant that people are no longer buying energy from
Russia.
- Technology -More access to technology leads to more use of renewables as it uses new
technology. Increase in unconventional fossil fuels, e.g. fracking. Improved technology can
decrease consumption by having more energy efficient appliances.
- Public perception- COP 26. Increased use of sustainable. Lots of argument over nuclear
power
- Environmental policies- COP 26 (global agreements)
- Population size- More people = more energy required.
Energy demand
Demand for energy is growing globally, especially in emerging and developing regions causing
economic and social changes and with environmental implications.
As well as rising global demand, distribution of energy resources is uneven
Why is energy demand increasing?
,https://geographyalevelslc.wordpress.com/a-level-unit-3/
Energy sources, access and uses
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.
Non renewable- a finite stock of resources, which will run out- coal, oil, gas (shale, tar sands)
Renewable- a flow of resources which is infinite in human terms (wind, solar, geothermal)
Recyclable- can be used repeatedly, if managed carefully (biomass, nuclear)
Primary energy- energy form found in nature that has not been subjected to any human engineered
conversion process- Those found or stored in nature (coal gas, solar)
Secondary energy- energy produced by converting so-called primary energy, or energy available in its
natural state in the environment- those derived from another source (electricity, gasoline, steam)
,Access to and use of energy resources depends on a range of factors:
Fixed? Effect on the future?
•Development level Alter More dev more usage, low dev primary
•Physical availability Fixed Less availability less usage, cheaper, subsidise
•Cost Alter Low costs more usage, or make it higher cost to promote
less usage
•Technology Alter Cheaper for renewable as well as non-renewable, more
available, energy efficient, fracking
•Public perception Alter Worse perception on non-renewables, promote use of
renewable, COP26, esp. nuclear
•Environmental policies Alter Can prevent usage of non-renewables but also increase
popularity
•Population size Alter More pop, more consumption
Which factor has the biggest impact on energy use – amount and type?
Amount:
1. Physical availability
2. Population
3. Development
4. Cost
5. Technology
6. Environmental policies
7. Public policies
Type:
1. Development level
2. Technology
3. Cost
4. Physical availability
5. Public perception
6. Environmental policies
7. Population size
Access to a use of energy resources depends on a range of factors:
, - Development level- More developed leads to more energy resources used. Lower
development will use primary resources. Renewables are expensive so HICs are more likely
to invest in the new technology.
- Physical availability - If they have oil, they will use oil (Saudi, America) because it is cheaper
for them to use their own resources – the government is more likely to subsidize and allow for
people to use what they have
- Cost- The higher the cost the less usage. - Expensive energy due to a lack of supply due to the
war between Russia and Ukraine has meant that people are no longer buying energy from
Russia.
- Technology -More access to technology leads to more use of renewables as it uses new
technology. Increase in unconventional fossil fuels, e.g. fracking. Improved technology can
decrease consumption by having more energy efficient appliances.
- Public perception- COP 26. Increased use of sustainable. Lots of argument over nuclear
power
- Environmental policies- COP 26 (global agreements)
- Population size- More people = more energy required.
Energy demand
Demand for energy is growing globally, especially in emerging and developing regions causing
economic and social changes and with environmental implications.
As well as rising global demand, distribution of energy resources is uneven
Why is energy demand increasing?
