Ch 2 : Energy and the Environment

2.1 Fossil Fuels:

include natural gas, coal, and oil.

Formed from decayed ancient plants and animals, buried for millions of
years under heat and pressure.

Formation of Coal:

Originates from the remains of terrestrial plants in swampy environments.

Accumulated plant material is compacted into peat.
Over time, additional layers of sediment compress the peat, transforming it
into coal through heat and pressure.

Formation of Oil:

Derived from the remains of marine organisms, such as plankton, that

accumulate on the ocean floor.
Layers of sediment cover the organic matter, increasing pressure and
temperature.
Over millions of years, heat and pressure convert the organic material into
hydrocarbons, forming crude oil.

How is oil extracted:

Machinery is used to drill down vertically in the sea from the surface above
oil derrick is erected on the surface
pipes are drilled/installed in the surface until oil is reached
oil is then forced out by pressure

Dangers of working in oilfield: explosion, wells catching fire

2.2 Energy Resources

Demand increases due to growing population, industrialization,

urbanization, and rising standards of living.
To meet this demand, existing energy sources must be used more efficiently,
and exploration of previously challenging or expensive methods is
necessary.

Types of Energy Sources:

How Energy Sources Are Used:

Primary use is often in electricity generation.

Production of Electricity

Most electricity is generated through electromagnetic induction, a process

that uses metal coil and magnet. (converts kinetic energy into electrical
energy )
As the coils rotate near the magnet, electricity is produced.

Solar Power:

Electricity production mainly utilizes photovoltaic cells that generate a small

electric charge when exposed to light.
 Efficiency improvements in photovoltaic cell design and manufacturing.
Advantage:
Does not produce carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases / clean
source of energy
less pollution
renewable
cheap to run
sunlight is unlimited
can be used on homes, buildings to generate own energy
Disadvantages/ limitations:
Environmental impacts e.g. visual impact
habitat disruption
potential damage to local ecosystems
use of rare metals in photovoltaic cells
installation is expensive
use of water to clean
dependent on sunlight/ weather dependent
limited energy storage
generation only occurs in daytime

Hydroelectric power:

Dam is built across a river, water is then taken down through dam to a
generating station, water flows down to turbines where they rotate and
create the electricity.
Advantage:
Does not produce carbon dioxide/
Water can be reused for other purposes
energy becomes cheaper
no imports needed
clean
employment
new infrastructure like roads
can be used for tourism/ recreational activities
Disadvantage:
Building of dams impacts the natural flow of water
Villages and ecosystems maybe destroyed during construction
expensive
disruption of communities
very large/ requires alot of land
 takes time and money to build
infrastructure to distribute electricity
expensive service
material and labour costs
inaccessible site
rehousing costs/ compensation cost/ evacuation
land prep costs
may result in flood
methane emitted from rotting vegetation
loss of habitat
downstream effects
build up sediment
collapse of dam
soil erosion
deforestation

Tidal Power:

Utilizes natural tidal rise and fall in water levels.

Tidal barrage (small dam) releases water through a turbine to generate
electricity.
Advantages:
Clean source of energy
reduced carbon emission
cheaper to produce
Disadvantages:
Power generation depends on tidal level changes throughout the day.
Tidal movements not dependent on weather conditions.
Limited to specific coastal areas.
Impacts the tourist industry and local fishers.
 cost of setting up tidal barrage

Wave Power:

Employs turbines and generators.

Harnesses smaller water level variations caused by wind action and wave
energy.
Not limited to tidal patterns but electricity generation may pause during
calm weather when there are minimal waves.
Advantages:
Low or no carbon emissions
local job creation
renewable and sustainable.
Limitations:
Limited to specific areas
currently not very efficient
large amounts of resources are needed.

Production of Electricity from Geothermal Source:

Cold water is pumped under pressure into a layer of hot igneous rocks
Hot rocks heat the water.
Hot water returns to the surface under pressure.
The hot water heats up a second supply of water using a heat exchanger.
Steam from the second supply moves the turbine.
Turbine generates electricity in the generator.
Advantages:
Water can be reused in the system to continue the process.
Does not produce carbon dioxide.
Unlimited supply as uses the heat from the Earth as the power source.
clean source of energy
cheap to produce
Disadvantages:
Can be expensive to install
only certain areas have suitable conditions.(Iceland, New Zealand)
Suitable for areas with/ nearing volcanic activity
setup cost is expensive
visual impact
Wind power

Wind turbines convert kinetic energy from wind into electricity by using
blades that rotate when the wind blows.
As the blades turn, they spin a rotor connected to a generator, producing
electricity.
Advantages:
Does not produce carbon dioxide.
renewable
Uses a renewable resource.
can be installed on land or sea
low operation cost
job creations
Disadvantages:
Not all locations are suitable, generation only occurs in certain conditions
(at certain wind speeds).
Visual impact and uses a large area
maintenance cost
dependency upon wind
high initial cost
requires alot of space

Biofuels (bioethanol ,biogas, wood):

Bioethanol: produced by fermentation of sugar found in some crops. (maize,

corn, tall grass)
can be used as a substitute for petroleum (gasoline)
Biogas: obtained decomposition of organic matter in absence of oxygen
(anaerobic decomposition). Can also be obtained from animal manure, food
waste and household waste/ main component: methane.
Advantages:
Renewable
 reduces carbon footprint
carbon neutral
lower level of air pollution
cleaner
reduces dependency on other energy sources
reduces imports of foreign oil
helps to conserve fossil fuels
easy to source
reduces greenhouse gases
economic security
Disadvantages:
Carbon emissions when burned
potential land-use conflicts
lot of space required
production of biofuels replaces food crops
deforestation due to clearing land for biofuel crops
loss of biodiversity
monoculture may lead to soil degradation
air pollution
release of methane
Potential removal of natural ecosystems to grow fuel crops.

Nuclear Power:

Nuclear Fission: The process begins by using uranium as fuel. In a reactor,

the nuclei of these atoms are split through nuclear fission, releasing a large
amount of heat energy.
The energy heats water in a closed system, turning it into steam.
Steam Generation: The high-pressure steam produced drives turbines
connected to a generator which causes the generator’s rotor to spin,
converting mechanical energy into electrical energy.
Electricity Generation: The spinning turbine generates electricity, which is
then transferred to the power grid for distribution.
Advantage:
Does not produce carbon dioxide
Small amount of fuel produces large amounts of energy
Power plants employ lots of people/employment
Very little natural resource/uranium needed
limited wasted
little or no air pollution
 cheap to run
high energy output
the fuel is available for most countries.
employment
Disadvantage:
Waste around for a long time
risk of major disaster
expensive to set up nor safe
Risk of radiation leakage
Waste products cannot be recycled as radiation remain active for
centuries
Limited supply
difficulty in finding suitable site for waste dump if dumped deep
underground as could be washed out in groundwater
could contaminate water supplies
explosion can cause adverse effects to ecosystem and health of humans/
cancer/ leukemia/mutation
thermal pollution
contaminated nuclear waste is dangerous for thousands of years
radiation risks
high upfront costs.
Extraction causes damage to local area.
Limited supply: prices will rise as the supplies get smaller.
dangerous if used irresponsibly
minute human errors can cause major catastrophes Eg Chernobyl,
Fukushima.

Coal

Advantages: easy to extract, reliable

Disadvantages: takes a long time to form, releases carbon and other
pollutants in the environment, smog, global warming, health issues, non-
renewable.

Oil:

Advantages: reliable
Disadvantages: releases carbon and other pollutants in the environment,
global warming, health issues, non-renewable, pollution, takes a long time to
form.
Factors in Choosing Energy Sources:

Economic Factors:

Energy supply can be expensive, especially with increasing demand and

limited sources.
import of energy raises the overall price.
Local fuel supply can be more cost-effective than importing.
Some regions have natural resources (e.g., oil in the Middle East, natural gas
in Russia).
Economic barriers may hinder technology investment (e.g., solar power).
Some countries have other naturally occurring sources they can take
advantage of.

Social Factors:

Impact on local areas and industries varies.

Mining or drilling can disrupt agriculture.( but create local employment.)
Infrastructure improvements may accompany large-scale projects.
Community displacement may occur (e.g., flooding for hydroelectric power).
New technologies can bring manufacturing opportunities but may impact
declining sectors.
Changes in energy sources can alter political relationships and trade
patterns.

Environmental Factors:

Impact varies by region.

Many renewables (wind, solar, wave) produce no carbon dioxide emissions.
Biofuels emit carbon dioxide when burned but absorb it during plant growth.
Fossil fuels are a major source of atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Pollution from fuel spillage and combustion can harm wildlife.
Fuel extraction can destroy animal habitats.
Renewable projects like dams may affect fish breeding.
Visual impact, like large solar panels or wind turbines, can alter landscapes.

2.3 The Demand Of Energy

Energy use is predicted to increase significantly over the next 40 years.

Challenge: limited supply of non-renewable resources.
Demand and consumption vary from country to country.
 Inaccurate predictions have occurred as new deposits are discovered and
prices increase or new alternatives are introduced.
Prices of non-renewables will continue to rise with increasing demand.

Industrial Demand:

Traditional farming communities use less energy per person than

industrialized ones. (Mostly LEDCs)
Manufacturing requires substantial energy at all production stages.
Eg, Iron and steel production requires high temperatures/energy to melt,
refine and model.
Technological advancements in manufacturing lead to increased energy
needs for higher production.
public’s shift from ‘wants’ to ‘needs’. eg. previously, cellphone was a luxury
(want) whereas now it is a necessity. (need)

Domestic Demand:

varies from person to person, country to country

More efficient manufacturing processes make goods more affordable.
Items like televisions, cars, computers, and mobile phones have become
necessities due to affordability.
Domestic demand is driven by the desire to keep up with neighbors.
Demand of out-of-season fruits and vegetables, which require significant
energy for production and transportation.

Transport Demand:

Efficient production systems have led manufacturers to supply customers

worldwide.
Global shipping and air transport have increased significantly.
Both modes of transport rely on large amounts of fossil fuels.

Economic Factors:

Good economic conditions result in higher employment and more spending

on luxury items and more energy demands/
Poor economic conditions lead to reduced spending, including fuel and
electrical items usage/ more focus on saving.
Poor Economy: less production/ less energy usage/ fewer goods to
transport/ inability to purchase foreign supplies and goods.
A reduction in manufacturing in one country can impact the global economy.
Climate:

Complex due to differing weather conditions.

Temperate climates experience colder winters, leading to higher heating
energy demands.
Shorter daylight hours in winter increase electric lighting usage.
Hot weather increasing the use of air condition.
change in climatic patterns may alter the usage as well.

2.4 Conservation and management of energy resources.

Energy Conservation:

refers to the practice of reducing energy use by increasing efficiency and

decreasing unnecessary consumption.

Reduce Consumption:

Focus on energy efficiency to reduce waste.

Reducing heating energy consumption in colder climates/ wear warm
clothes/ extra layers of clothing to stay warm.

Insulation:

Use insulation to prevent heat loss in buildings

use white paint on exterior and roof
concrete blocks on roof.
Fill gaps in walls with insulating material
make thicker walls
use of hay in the walls or the roof
Implement double glazing or triple glazing for windows to improve
insulation/ double paneling with space in between
thatch
Reduce Standby Power:

Turn off electrical devices when not in use as standby mode still consumes
power.

Purchase Energy-Efficient Devices:

Buy newer, more energy-efficient appliances and machines/ use of LEDs

Modern appliances and machines consume less energy.Example: Improved
fuel efficiency in vehicles

Implement Scrap-page Schemes:

Some countries offer scrap-page schemes to replace inefficient machines.

Consumers receive compensation for trading in old, inefficient machines.
promotes the use of energy-efficient versions, improving overall energy
efficiency.

Anaerobic Digestion:

Energy from waste

Breaks down organic waste (e.g., food and vegetation) using bacteria.
Produces methane gas, usable for heating purposes/ Composted waste
improves soil structure.

Incineration:
 Household rubbish incineration generates heat, used for electricity
generation.
Controversial due to possible poisonous gas emissions during combustion.
Ash produced occupies less space when disposed of.

How is electricity produced using anaerobic digester?

Human and food waste is put into a digester

microorganism in the digester break down the orgainc material producing
biogas (methane)
Biogas is then burned in a power station to produce heat
heat turns water into steam, which rotates a turbine connected to generator,
producing electricty.

Issues:

too much accumulation of human waste at one site can cause air pollution
storage for waste required
cost of infrastructure
dependency on fuel to burn
visual impacts
local people might object to the construction
might reduce the prices of the nearing properties

Recycling Cooking Oils:

Collecting and recycling used cooking oils from food-processing industries.

Converted into biofuels suitable for vehicles, either as additives or exclusive
fuels.

Education:

Importance of communicating the benefits of new energy technologies.

Energy conservation departments in many countries promote energy-
efficient practices.
Emphasize long-term energy bill savings despite initial costs.
Government insistence on energy-efficiency ratings for products.

Exploiting Existing Energy Sources:

Economic cost significantly influences decisions.

Some countries with coal reserves may not exploit them due to high
extraction costs.
 Renewable sources may not always be consistently available, requiring
backup fossil fuel-powered stations.
International agreements on emissions and fossil fuel use can influence
energy source choices.
Development of other renewables like biofuels could reduce fossil fuel
consumption, but insufficient supplies currently exist worldwide.

Transport Policies:

Transportation of goods and personal vehicles significant energy consumers.

Government plays a crucial role in regulating and encouraging efficient
transport to reduce impact on oil reserves and enhance air quality by:
taxation on fuel
encouraging car sharing
routes for cyclists and pedestrians
improving public transport
electric cars/ hybrid cars
availability if electric charging points
restricting car use on certain days
congestion charge
Why is there a rapid increase in worldwide use of electric cars?
people’s environment concern
no CO2 emission
consumer demand
competitive purchase price
low maintenance
improvement in battery tech
better performance
availability of charging infrastructure
rising cost of traditional fuel
cheaper to run
gov incentives like free parking, scrappage schemes, reduced tax.

Development of New Resources:

Growing concerns about inadequate renewable technology development to

meet increasing global energy demands.
Environmental considerations prevent exploiting potential oil, gas, and coal
reserves in Antarctica.

Fracking (Hydraulic Fracturing):

 Fracking involves injecting water, sand, and chemicals deep underground to
extract oil and natural gas from shale rocks.
Vertical drilling up to 2 km deep reaches fuel-rich shale rocks.
Water, chemicals, and sand are pumped under pressure into shale rocks to
fracture them, releasing oil and gas.
Components: water (for pumping), chemicals (assist process, prevent pipe
blockages, some toxic), sand (keeps rock cracks open, often refered as
proppant).

Arguments for Fracking:

Allows access to limited oil and gas supplies.

Gas and oil produce less pollution than coal when burned.
Reduces reliance on importing oil and gas.
Creates local jobs.

Arguments Against Fracking:

Risk of toxins from fracking entering water tables.

Toxicity of chemicals used may affect local residents.
High water usage may reduce availability.
noise/ visual/ air/ land pollution
May have long-term environmental impacts.
Destruction of natural areas during drilling.
Possibility of causing earth tremors.
change in local rock structure/ sink holes/ risk of subsidence
clearance of land/ loss of habitat
2.5 Impacts of Oil Pollution

Oil remains a crucial energy source due to its ease of storage, transport,
extraction, and versatility.
produces less pollution when burned compared to coal.

Challenges:

Uneven distribution of oil reserves necessitates long-distance

transportation.
Oil reserves grant economic power to countries possessing them.
Oil is toxic, flammable and causes extensive environmental damage.
Causes: offshore oil extraction, oil pipelines, shipping and transportation.
impacts of local economy/ fishing activity/ loss of livelihood/ visual and
water pollution/lack of tourism/ cleaning is challenging as the oil travels far
and beyond/ expensive/ human health issues/oil can seep into the ground
and may find its way to water supply

Impact on marine ecosystems:

Disruption of food webs

Potential extinction of species.
 Long-term effects on health of organisms
birds and fish die due to ingestion
damages the coat of birds
prevents flight
blocks gills of marine animals
reduction in nesting grounds for birds and animals

Effects of Oil Spills on Organisms:

Phytoplankton: Reduced photosynthesis due to oil blocking light.

Fish: Shortage of food, reduced oxygen exchange, direct harm to gills.
Birds: Food shortage, ingestion of toxic oil, impaired flight and buoyancy.
Mammals: Depleted food sources, toxic ingestion, skin coating.
Reefs: Reduced photosynthesis, oxygen depletion, potential devastation.
Beaches: Coating of rocks, harm to shallow-water organisms, impact on local
economy.

2.6 Management of Oil Pollution

Efforts to Reduce Marine Oil Pollution:

International cooperation resulted in the MARPOL treaty, targeting pollution

from ships, including oil, sewage, and toxic liquids.
regulations for safe crude oil transfer at sea, reducing small oil spills.
Tanker design improvements, such as double-hulled tankers, minimize the
risk of oil spillage due to hull damage.(expensive)
use defined shipping routes
use of oil pipelines rather than ships
reduced ocean traffic
better training of the crew
use of overland transport

Mitigating Oil Spills:

Floating Booms: Barriers to encircle and contain the oil slick.

Detergent Sprays: Break down oil into smaller droplets for natural
dispersion.
Skimmers: Mechanically remove oil from the water's surface.
Manual Beach Cleaning: Hand removal of oil from affected beaches.
Use of hair mats

strategies that would help to conserve non-renewable energy sources.

 Domestic: insulation/ double or triple glazing/ thatch
Gov: car sharing/ bike lanes/ public transport/ electric cars etc

Why solar power is suitable energy source in areas with hot climate?

clear skies, lots of sunshine/ sparsely populated/long daylight hours/

minimal temperature fluctuations/ land availability

Why some oil spills can be cleaned up more quickly than others?

size of the spill/proximity to populated area/ wealth of the country/

efficiency of the gov/ effectiveness of clean-up service/ speed/ stormy seas
can break up spills/ wind direction

Suggest why avg electricity use per person varies between countries?

different temperatures/ light intensity/ availability of electric

supply/affordability of electricity and appliances/ level of industrial
development/ no. of electric devices in the country/ availability of
alternatives to electricity/ fracking

why some countries do not use wave power to generate electricity?

landlocked/ not near the sea/ waves are not big enough/ lack of money/ have
other sources/ environmental opposition/ lack of political interest

DO NOT FORGET TO GO THROUGH THE CASE STUDIES FOR THIS CHAPTER

FROM THE BOOK