3.5.1 - Energy
supply, demand Enquiry question: Why is energy security a key economic and development goal for countries?
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.
Classifying Energy Sources
Renewable Recyclable Non-renewable Primary Secondary
Definition Flow of resources Can be used Finite stock of Sources found or Sources derived
that is infinite in repeatedly if carefully resources, will stored in nature, from a primary
human terms. managed. Source of eventually run out. extract energy source.
fuel can be directly from a
replenished. raw material.
Energy Wind, solar, Nuclear energy, Fossil fuels: coal, Coal, gas, oil Electricity,
Source geothermal, biomass oil, natural gas gasoline, steam,
hydroelectric, wave, biodiesel (from
tidal biomass),
hydrogen (from
water)
Renewable Energy
Hydroelectric power
Solar power
Wind power
Non-Renewable Energy
Coal
Accounts for 27% of global energy production.
Energy sources can Usage decreasing as countries shift their energy mix away from coal and less polluting energy sources are used.
be classified in Coal one of the most abundant energy sources in the world.
different ways, Oil
and their use Accounts for 32% of global energy production.
varies widely Usage continues increasing as global energy demands increases.
Most used in USA, China and India. Greatest production in USA, Saudi Arabia and Russia.
Natural Gas
Accounts for 22% of global energy production.
Emits ½ of the carbon emissions of coal.
Highest production in USA, Russia and Iran. Greatest consumption in USA, Russia and China.
Recyclable Energy
Nuclear energy
Biomass
Access to and use of energy resources depends on a range of factors (physical availability,
cost, technology, public perception, environmental priorities) and varies spatially.
Factor Effect on access to and use of energy resources Examples
Level of Developed countries tend to have relatively high levels Developed example: USA
Economic of energy consumption because people have more Energy use per capita: 76,634 kWh
Development domestic appliances/live more energy-intensive lives, per capita
so the energy consumption per capita Is higher. A high Energy consumed per year: 25,825
level of economic development also means an TWh
increasingly affluent population, so more people Developing/industrialising example: China
consume more energy, meaning more energy is Energy use per capita: 30,711 kWh
required to meet the demand. per capita
Energy mix of developed countries are more diversified Energy consumed per year: 43,791
than developing countries because developed countries TWh
can afford to invest in expensive renewable Emerging example: Ethiopia
technologies. Energy use per capita: 927 kWh
, Energy consumed per year: 106 TWh
There is a limit to the supply available for non- High fossil fuel physical availability: China
renewables. Has 149.8bn tons of coal reserves,
Use of fossil fuels will reduce in the future, as fossil fourth highest in the world.
fuels are predicted to run out by 2060 at current rates Coal makes up 59% of China’s energy
of use. mix, with 24,559 TWh consumed in
Domestic energy sources may be available but not 2022.
Physical
easily accessible. High renewable physical availability: Iceland
Availability
Countries with high physical availability of an energy About 62% of energy comes from
source means that that energy source tends to hydropower, with 36.96 TWh in
dominate their energy mix because there is a large 2022.
supply, so it is cheaper than other sources.
Countries with few/no energy sources available need to
import energy.
Cost of producing a source: -
o The cost of extracting the energy source.
o The cost of processing a primary energy
source into secondary energy source.
o Cost of transport and delivery to consumers.
Cost High cost means the energy resource is limited to highly
developed countries that have more money to invest in
expensive energy sources.
Developing countries tend to rely more on fossil fuels
than developed countries because it is cheaper than
renewable sources.
Modern technology is very useful in exploiting energy, -
e.g., oil that requires deep drilling into the Earth.
Modern technology makes energy sources more
accessible, so increasing energy consumption usually
follows.
Technology
Developed countries tend to have better technology as
they have more money to invest in improving
technologies. This may mean that they may have more
high-tech energy sources, such as solar energy, wind
energy and hydroelectric power.
Energy costs are perceived differently in different -
countries, e.g., what is perceived as expensive in one
country may seem reasonable in another country.
Public perception usually depends on level of economic
Public
development and the standard of living.
Perception
Some consumers perceive energy almost as a human
right, so it is to be used with little or no regard for the
environmental consequences. Others give priority to
minimising energy wastage and maximising security.
Governments may choose more expensive methods to -
meet their energy needs out of environmental concern
and the need to reduce their carbon emissions.
Developed countries may aim to increase their reliance
Environmental on renewable energy sources, may also have policies
Priorities that increase energy efficiency and energy saving.
Some countries, especially developing countries’,
energy policies will be to take the cheapest route to
meet the nation’s energy demands, regardless of the
environmental costs.
Demand for energy is growing globally, especially in emerging and developing regions
As well as rising causing economic and social changes and with environmental implications.
global demand,
distribution of Growing Energy Demand
energy resources is Energy demand is increasing globally, especially in emerging and developing regions.
uneven This is because of growing population in these countries and the emergence of industries that are energy-intensive.
Rising affluence means more energy is consumed per capita.
, This leads to economic and social changes, with environmental implications.
Economic Changes
As more people become more wealthy, they have a greater disposable income to spend on goods, such as electrical
appliances which use energy or require energy to be produced.
Social Changes
As the middle class grows, the consumption of goods that improve quality of life increases, e.g., dishwashers, telephones
and electric or gas cookers.
Environmental Implications
Combustion of fossil fuels for energy releases carbon dioxide, a GHG, which leads to the enhanced greenhouse effect.
o Since the 1980s, 75% of carbon emissions have come from burning fossil fuels.
Growth of energy-intensive industry (manufacturing) increases energy consumption, so more fossil fuels burned and
industrial carbon emissions increase, which leads to further global warming .
Volume of vehicles increases as more people can afford their own private vehicle, so fuel becomes more widely available
and carbon emissions rise.
Ocean acidification from increased CO2 in the atmosphere, meaning more CO2 dissolves in the water. Can cause coral
bleaching.
Rostow’s Model
Traditional Society
Energy is supplied by human and animal labour, and fuelwood for cooking and heating.
Only parts of LEDCs now fit this description.
Low energy demand.
Simple Technology
Wind and water is harnessed to carry out tasks.
Agriculture becomes mechanised, relieving people from land.
Industries grow using local power sources.
Increase in 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 for both goods and power.
Public transport infrastructure is established.
GDP will rise rapidly along with energy demand and supply.
The Fossil Fuel Era
Standard of living increases for the majority of a country’s population.
Still fossil fuel based, but mix of coal, oil and gas, and may also have access to nuclear power.
Market led.
High consumption of electrical goods to support lifestyle.
Individual transport dominates (private cars).
Heavy environmental impact.
Some research into energy alternatives.
GDP high along with energy demand.
