Edexcel Geography GCSE

Consuming Energy Resources

Detailed Notes

This work by PMT Education is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Resources across the Globe
There are many resources that humans need to live or use to enhance their living. A resource is a
product that is valuable to living. Essential global resources can be split into three groups: food,
water and energy.

Types of Energy Sources

Before we talk about energy consumption and trends across the world, we need to know the
different sources of energy first! Energy sources can be split into three groups:
● Renewable - This energy source can be used over and over, since there isn’t a limit to the
supply of materials or force that generates electricity. For example, solar or wind energy.
● Non-Renewable - Once used, an energy source cannot be reused and so the amount of fuel
available is limited. For example, coal, oil & gas.
● Recyclable - Energy is provided from sources that can be recycled. Even though the
amount of fuel is limited, more can be grown or made. For example, biofuels.

Each source comes with their own benefits and risks, so governments have to weigh up the pros
and cons before choosing an energy source. Often, countries use a mix of energies so they don’t
rely on one source.

Fossil Fuels - Coal, Oil, Gas Nuclear Energy

Source: DB Daily Updates Source: The Conversation

Description: Fuels that take thousands of Description: Using Uranium (through nuclear
years to form underground, from dead fission) to produce energy
vegetation and animals. Very reliable output of energy, so
Cheap to mine good base energy source throughout
High demand, since fossil fuels can the year
be used in all countries and provide a Risk of radiation poisoning if
reliable source of energy uncontrolled (Chernobyl)
Polluting - releases carbon dioxide Any waste must be sealed in
and methane, which contributes to concrete and glass, and left
Global Warming underground for hundreds of years
Non-renewable, so limited supply left When the power station is finished, it
of coal is expensive to decommission
 Solar Power Wind Power

Source: Green Energy Times Source: The Balance

Description: Panels that convert the sun’s Description: Wind drives large turbines and
energy into electricity generators that produce electricity
Costs are decreasing rapidly Low running costs
Large potential in desert areas Can be used year round
Not very efficient yet (15-20%) Plenty of suitable sites
Effectiveness dependent on Bird life can be affected
climate and time of the year and day Weather dependent

Wave Power Tidal Power

Source: E360 Yale University Source: Renewable Energy World

Description: Waves force a turbine to rotate Description: Incoming tides drive turbines in
and produce energy - or other similar method similar way to hydropower
Produce most electricity during Has significant potential
winter when demand is highest Reliable source of energy
Pioneer projects are once installed
commencing across the globe Very expensive
Very expensive and a ‘perfect’ Few schemes currently
solution is yet to be created operating inthe world
Needs to survive storms Impact on marine life
 Hydroelectric Power (HEP) Biomass/ Biofuel

Source: Research Gate Source: Eletimes

Description: Water from a reservoir pushes Description: Vegetation and waste food can
turbines built within a dam, as it escapes be burned (as pellets or directly into the fire)
downhill Cheap and easy to find
Dams built for reservoirs can also Biofuel is a renewable alternative
generate electricity, improving clean to oil, which doesn’t require car
water and energy supplies engines to be modified
Large dams are expensive to build Vegetation must be found
Disrupts fish migration along the sustainably, so land shouldn’t be
river, as fish cannot swim through the cleared for biofuels and not
dam replanted.

Geothermal

Source: Daniel Allen

Description: Water is pumped beneath the

ground to hot areas and the steam from the
water drives turbines to produce electricity
Low maintenance costs
High installation cost
Risk if earthquakes etc.
Energy Distribution
Across the world, the demand for electricity varies. We require electricity for many purposes:
household appliances (TVs, washing machines, etc), industry (machinery and factories),
transport (for example trams).

Graph A - Source: Our World in Data Graph B - Source: secret-bases.co.uk

The consumption of energy across the world can be shown in many different graphs: Graph A,
showing the type of energy source used and the amount of energy it contributes, or Graph B, which
shows the amount of energy consumed by each country.

In general, the world is demanding more and more energy. This is because the world’s population
is growing, as is the number of developed countries. As countries develop, they demand more
electricity for household appliances and evolving industries.

However, there are many inequalities between countries relating to electricity:

➔ The richest, more developed countries consume much more electricity than poorer, less
developed countries.
➔ Not all countries have sources of energy. Most of the world’s oil can be found in Saudi
Arabia, whereas countries (such as Chad and Sudan) have no fossil fuels to burn and few
bodies of water to use to generate electricity.
➔ In general, fossil fuels tend to be cheaper and easier to source than renewable sources.
Therefore only the most developed, high income countries can afford to generate electricity
sustainably.
Energy Security
A country can have energy surplus or energy deficit. This depends on how much energy a
country can produce and how much its population and industries demand. If the supply exceeds
demand, the country has energy surplus. If the supply is less than the demand, the country has an
energy deficit. Some examples of different countries’ security is given in the table below:

Energy Surplus Energy Deficit

- Russia - due to its large natural gas and - Western Europe - The UK has largely
oil fields, as well as many nuclear used up its supply of coal during the
plants. mining era.

- Middle East - Saudia Arabia, Iran, Iraq - Asia - Rapidly growing population
& Kuwait have between them 100 billion means rapid demand outweighs the
barrels of oil to be extracted, making supply of energy.
them wealthy and energy secure.

Controversial Nuclear
Nuclear energy has many benefits:
Reliable source of constant energy since nuclear fission is a constant process and so
the same amount of energy can be produced each day.
The fuel (Uranium) is extremely concentrated, so there are small mining sites
required o
t fuel the nuclear plant.
The nuclear industry creates many employment opportunities at each plant. 475,000
jobs
are created in the US’s nuclear sector, from head engineers to cleaners.
However, not all countries believe nuclear energy is a good idea as the biggest negative is the
possibility of a nuclear meltdown, the effects of which are incredibly long lasting. The land around
Chernobyl (a nuclear power station in Ukraine) is still full of radiation and the effects are still being
felt to this day. Due to this, some governments have adopted anti-nuclear policies. Countries such
as Germany and Denmark don’t use nuclear power stations to generate energy. This is because
these populations share anti-nuclear views and are scared of the radiation risk. In recent years,
fewer countries wish to build nuclear power plants after the 2011 Fukushima Disaster.

Environmental Impacts of Energy

Our consumption of energy is impacting the planet in many different ways. Even renewable
sources negatively impact the environment! Here are some of the ways that energy sources impact
our environment:

● Many power stations and energy generators are

visually polluting. Wind turbines and solar
panels are especially unattractive, as they stick
out from the natural surroundings.

Source: Seattle Times

● Mining will damage the landscape and many

habitats must be cleared to make room for the
mine. Even if the pit head is small, there must
be space on land for waste rubble and
transport to take the coal away. Open-cast
mines are most damaging to the landscape, as
the top of the ground is dug away to reveal the
fuels.
Source: Environment.co.za

● Oil spills can be frequent and can be toxic to

any wildlife nearby. The oil spill is difficult to
contain, since oil spreads quickly in water. Oil
spills can happen if the oil rig becomes
damaged, an oil freight ship capsizes or if any
pipelines leak. Following a leak, many marine
animals will wash up dead and seabirds
become unable to fly.
Source: SciTech Daily

● To make room for a power station, dam or mine, builders may clear the land. This means all
vegetation is destroyed and trees are cut down, through deforestation. This means many
wildlife must migrate to live elsewhere. In addition, land is cleared to grow more renewable
biofuels. However, it is not environmental to clear habitats and endanger wildlife.
Factors that Affect Energy Supply
There are physical and human factors that can affect the energy supply.

- Government policies affect which types of energy can and

cannot be used. This will affect the overall supply of energy for
Human Factors a country. For example, Germany has decided to stop using
nuclear power plants, which could put pressure on its other
energy sources to meet demand.
- Conflict can prevent energy sources being extracted. For
example, conflict in Iraq stopped oil production which
impacted the price of oil in global markets.
- The development of a country will affect the technology
available. Some energy sources are difficult to extract or
power stations require high tech monitoring. This means
countries with low levels of technology cannot use some
energy sources, such as nuclear.

- Not all countries have access to all energy sources

- Fossil fuels can be found only for specific geology
types - either sedimentary rock or natural gas/oil has
become trapped in rocks.
- Geothermal energy can only be produced near
Physical Factors magma plumes, which are only found near tectonic
boundaries or in individual pockets.
- Climate can impact the efficiency of renewable sources
- Solar energy relies on limited cloud cover, so rainy
climates are unsuitable for lots of solar panels
- Not all countries have wind powerful enough for wind
turbines. Turbines are best out at sea, or built across
low-lying plains
- For a country to use tidal energy, it must have coasts.
Therefore landlocked countries cannot use tidal power.
- Similarly, HEP requires dams to be built in mountainous
areas. Therefore the shape of the land (morphology) is
important.

- The cost involved in using an energy source could be too

much for a country, and make the electricity generated
Economic Factors unaffordable for families. There are many different ways that
cost can be added to an energy source:
- Extraction of the energy source could require
specialist equipment or high pressure
- The energy source is dangerous (ie radioactive, or
mining is hazardous) therefore wages must be higher
to compensate for the risk
- Transportation of energy sources from mining to
processing can involve many kilometers of pipelines or
regular freight ships, which are costly to use.
Sensitive Energy Sources
Since we have consumed a lot of energy sources within the last century, many easy-access energy
sources have been mined and consumed. For example, in the UK, shallow coal beds and oil fields
were mined and drained up until the 1950s. As the places which are easy to extract from have all
been used up, more dangerous or risky environments now have to be exploited. For example,

➔ Miners have to drill deeper to find coal and oil that hasn’t been exploited. Drilling deeper
into the ground increases the risk of earthquakes, mines collapsing and high pressure
ruptures in the rock, which could release the oil and let it escape.
➔ Energy sources in hostile environments are to be exploited. For example, there are large
reserves of oil locked in the Middle East. Some of the Middle East is occupied by militant
groups, so workers are at high risk of capture or being hurt during conflict.
➔ There are some fossil fuel stores in fragile environments, such as the Amazon and
Antarctica. Despite being fragile ecosystems with many rare and endangered species,
some governments are looking to exploit the oil found here.

Unconventional Fossil Fuels

Shale Gas

Extracted through fracking, Shale Gas has

received major environmental opposition.
However, it provides 25% of the US’s energy
needs in 2015. Fracking is a relatively new
process of extracting Shale gas. Water,
chemicals and sand are pumped into the ground
to break up the shale, access the hydrocarbons
and force them to the surface. Horizontal
drilling helps to remove the gas reserves.
There are benefits and costs of fracking:

Source: www.shale-safe.com

Advantages Disadvantages

Shale gas produces half the Fracking faces large environmental

emissions of coal, which would reduce opposition, especially as fracking can
global emissions without completely trigger minor tremors.
eradicating fossil fuel use. Shale gas is still more
The majority of shale gas is found in expensive o t produce than
the US, which would improve the US’s conventional gas.
economy. Earthquakes of low magnitude
may
occur, though they are not usually
strong enough to pose a risk to humans.
They may damage fracking
infrastructure, causing further leakages
Deep-Water Oil
As oil supplies decrease, energy companies have begun
extracting oil from deeper depths. Deep-water oil faces
larger risks during extraction, and (similar to normal oil
production) oil spills during transportation.

Source: seekingalpha.com

Advantages Disadvantages

Most engines use oil, so oil is Deepwater oil is more hazardous to

easy o t sell and consumers wouldn’t extract. Therefore workers are at risk of
need to change vehicle to use deep- death or injuries by working on the oil
water oil rig.
Jobs working on oil rigs are high It is risky to extract oil from deep
paid, offering locals a good wage (this underground, which could lead to more
is because of the high risk involved, frequent oil spills or small earthquakes
and living on the rig for up to a month)

Tar Sands
The extraction of petroleum from sands involves
high energies and boiling water, which can leave
ponds of concentrated chemicals. Tar sands have
a large environmental cost, but can be lucrative in
profit and employment opportunities.

Source: The Star

Advantages Disadvantages

Approximately 2.4 million barrels of It takes 12 barrels of hot water and

oil are produced from tar sands each 3 barrels of chemical waste to produce
day! 1 barrel of bitumen
Local economies can benefit Waste chemicals are left in tailing
largely from local tar sands. There are ponds, which are open ponds of water
large profits from oil and many mixed with sulfur, chlorine and
employment opportunities to operate ammonia. These chemicals are
machinery. poisonous to consume.
Open mining involves removing the top
layer of vegetation and soils to access
the bitumen-sands, destroying habitats.
Increasing Energy Supplies
There are many countries that experience energy insecurity now. However, there are many more
countries that will experience energy insecurity in the future. Therefore, governments are looking
ahead to improve their energy sources now and for the future:

➔ Will the energy source run out? Is it non-renewable? Have we over-used this source,
meaning we take more than is replaced?
➔ Do we rely on other countries for our energy? What if we have different political beliefs?
Will there be conflict in the future, which could stop any energy trade?
➔ Could we reduce our energy consumption, especially in terms of how much energy is
wasted?
➔ Will our climate change in the future, due to the Greenhouse Effect? Will the renewable
sources we use now be able to be used in the future? For example, will our climate warm up
so fewer vegetation can grow and be used for biofuel?

Energy in the UK
Within the last decade, the UK’s energy consumption has decreased. This is because the UK’s
manufacturing industry has decreased (such as the production of cars, steel and textiles) and our
technology has developed to become more efficient. Therefore the amount of energy our
household appliances waste has decreased.

However, there is still a very high portion of fossil fuels burned

to generate electricity. The picture to the left shows the energy
mix for the Uk in 2018. 46% of the UK’s energy is generated by
burning coal and natural gas. In addition, nearly a fifth of the
UK’s energy is generated using nuclear power plants, which
don’t directly release greenhouse gases but instead pose a
large radiation risk.
Why has the UK’s energy mix changed?
● Approximately 75% of the UK’s own energy sources (predominantly coal beds) have been
exhausted. Therefore it became cheaper to import energy than to extract fossil fuels from
deeper beds (which is more hazardous and not as profitable).
● Coal has also declined due to the negative impacts of burning coal on the environment. Coal
is heavily polluting, releasing large quantities of carbon dioxide when burned. This
contributes to Global Warming. The UK Government has agreed to close all coal-powered
power stations by 2025, converting them into biomass plants or decommissioning them.
● A growing awareness of renewable sources has meant an increase in green tariffs in the
UK. This means that the consumer is choosing to use energy only produced using
renewable or carbon neutral energy sources. Green tariffs may cost more, but more of the
UK’s population is choosing to be environmentally friendly.

Fracking
In the UK, fracking is debated and a controversial issue. The UK has a supply of natural gas
trapped in shale rocks (a sedimentary rock made from fine sands, silts and mud). To release this
trapped natural gas, the process of fracking is used:

Source: No Majesty

Fracking involves pushing high-pressure liquids underground, which causes the shale rocks to
crack and the natural gas to escape. There are many protests against fracking, because
Fracking is an energy-intensive process, since pressurising the liquids requires a lot of
energy. Therefore fracking is expensive and the price of natural gas may increase to make
up for the expenses.
There is a risk of earthquakes due to fracking, as the shale rocks crack underground. If
these earthquakes are strong enough, structural damage to buildings on the surface could
occur. However, up till now, the UK has only experienced up to 2.0 magnitude earthquakes
due to fracking (not high enough to cause damage).
There is also a risk that the pressurised liquids infiltrate and pollute underground water
sources. The liquids forced underground can be mixed with chemicals and salt, to increase
the probability that the shale rock cracks.