3.3 Energy Resources

Human Population, Carrying Capacity, and Resource Use

Assessment Statements 3.3.1 Outline the range of energy

resources available to society. 3.3.2 Evaluate the advantages and

disadvantages of two contrasting energy sources.

3.3.3 Discuss the factors that affect the choice of energy sources adopted by different societies.

3.3.1 Outline the range of energy resources available to society.

Energy can be generated from both renewable and non-renewable resources.

Renewable resources are sustainable, because there is no depletion of natural capital. These include:

Wind Solar Hydroelectric Geothermal Biomass Tidal Schemes Wastes

3.3.1 Outline the range of energy resources available to society.

Non-renewable resources are not sustainable, because there is a depletion of natural capital. These include:

Oil Coal Natural Gas Nuclear

3.3.2 Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of two contrasting energy sources.

Fossil Fuels (Oil, Coal, Natural Gas)

Advantages:Relatively cheap and

plentifulTechnology for their use,

safe extraction, and controlling the pollution released by them exists.

No other energy source is close to replacing the amount of energy generated by them

Oil can travel via pipeline.

3.3.2 Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of two contrasting energy sources.

Fossil Fuels (Oil, Coal, Natural Gas)

Disadvantages:Most important contributor

to global warmingImplies liquidation of a

limited stock of a resourceWill become increasingly

difficult and dangerous to extract

Oil spills are very damaging and expensive to clean up

Open-cast mining clears habitat causing environmental damage

Coal is not easily transportable over long distances.

3.3.2 Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of two contrasting energy sources.

Nuclear PowerAdvantages:

Does not emit CO2, so does not contribute to climate change.

Technology is readily available.

Large amount of energy is generated.

Very efficient – 1 kg of Uranium contains 20000 times more energy than 1 kg of coal.

3.3.2 Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of two contrasting energy sources.

Nuclear PowerDisadvantages:

Produces radioactive waste which can be dangerous for tens of thousands of years.

Never completely reliable, and could be terrorist targets.

Uranium is scarce, supply will last another 30-60 years.

Time frame to build a plant is 20-30 years.

3.3.2 Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of two contrasting energy sources.

HydroelectricAdvantages:

Reliable form of energy generation

Dams create large artificial lakes which can be used for leisure and irrigation purposes

Relatively cheap to run

3.3.2 Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of two contrasting energy sources.

HydroelectricDisadvantages:

Vast areas may be flooded causing loss of habitats, farming, and displacement of people.

Dams may restrict the flow of sediments affecting ecosystems and farms downstream.

May lead to increased erosion rates

Cost of building a dam is high.

Dams may eventually silt-up and be useless.

3.3.2 Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of two contrasting energy sources.

Tidal PowerAdvantages:

Reliability – More predictable than solar or wind

Low maintenance costEfficiency – Up to 80%

efficient at tide to electric power

Barrages and small dams for it can protect coastal cities from dangerous tides.

3.3.2 Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of two contrasting energy sources.

Tidal PowerDisadvantages:

Good tidal range required to generate sufficient energy

Right shape of coastline to channel water through turbines

Expensive to set upCan interfere with

navigationCan impact wildlife

3.3.2 Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of two contrasting energy sources.

Solar EnergyAdvantages:

Passive solar energy (plus insulation) is much cheaper for heating homes than fossil fuels

Low maintenance cost

Solar cells can last a lifetime

Creates no pollution

3.3.2 Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of two contrasting energy sources.

Solar EnergyDisadvantages:

Very expensive for generating electricity

Limited in northern countries during winter months

Photovoltaic cells take up a lot of space to meet energy needs

3.3.2 Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of two contrasting energy sources.

Wind PowerAdvantages:

Although tall, they only take a small plot of land

Useful for getting electricity in remote areas

Come in a wide range of sizes

Doesn’t produce pollutants

3.3.2 Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of two contrasting energy sources.

Wind PowerDisadvantages:

Not reliable as the strength of the wind varies

Very noisyPollution created in

their productionRequires a lot of

turbines to generate large amounts of electricity

3.3.2 Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of two contrasting energy sources.

Biomass/BiofuelAdvantages:

May be less expensive than fossil fuels

Can come from a wide range of resources

Can be produced locally thereby increasing jobs in the area

3.3.2 Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of two contrasting energy sources.

Biofuel/BiomassDisadvantages:

Produce emissions when burned

Require large amounts of land to grow

Land use may push out food crops or natural ecosystem

3.3.2 Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of two contrasting energy sources.

WastesAdvantages:

Readily availableDoes not deplete

natural capitalGives useful

purpose to waste that would have to be disposed of in some other way.

3.3.2 Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of two contrasting energy sources.

WastesDisadvantages:

Burning produces emissions

Facilities are expensive to construct

Technology is very new

3.3.2 Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of two contrasting energy sources.

GeothermalAdvantages:

3 to 5 times more effective than electrical heating systems

Few moving parts which make them very reliable

Various arrangements allow for flexibility in installation

3.3.2 Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of two contrasting energy sources.

GeothermalDisadvantages:

Installation is expensive

Installation causes a fair amount of disturbance to the local area

Pump requires electricity to run which normally comes from fossil fuels

3.3.3 Discuss the factors that affect the choice of energy sources adopted by different societies.Historical basis due to

large oil, coal, and gas reserves in certain countries.

Oil is high in MEDC due to cars.

Biomass is high in LEDC due to use for cooking.

Fossil fuels are more prevalent due to lack of trust of nuclear power, cheaper, and lack of technology for renewable sources.

3.3.3 Discuss the factors that affect the choice of energy sources adopted by different societies.Culture and tradition in

MEDCs favor non-renewables.

Renewables limited by available sites and local political issues.

Changing awareness of implications of fossil fuels and decreasing ease of access has led to shift in attitude towards renewable resources with an increased demand for them.