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Geo - theme 3 (economic development) > 3.5 Energy > Flashcards

Flashcards in 3.5 Energy Deck (3)
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1
Q

Describe the importance of non-renewable fossil fuels, renewable energy supplies, nuclear power and fuelwood; globally and in different countries at different levels of development

A

Energy sources in countries based on level of development:
LEDC: burning wood
NIC: fossil fuels; coal, oil, natural gas
MEDC: coal, oil, increasingly renewables

2
Q

Evaluate the benefits and disadvantages of nuclear power and renewable energy sources

A
Nuclear
Advantages:
- Generates large quantities of energy
- Not as air polluting
- Cheap once its built
- Uranium very available & generates lots of power

Disadvantages:

  • Serious danger of radioactive pollution, could leak
  • Requires hi-tech, skilled workers
  • Lots of water for cooling
  • Diff waste disposal
  • Terrorism: radioactive material, nuclear weapons

Renewables:
Advantages:
- Infinite power source
- Non-polluting, na gases/fiumes
- Cheap after its built, cheap running costs
- Less damaging than nuclear/fossil fuels

Disadvantages:

  • Doesn’t generate lots of energy
  • Still young, undeveloped technology
  • Physical region related, sunny, windy, high tide
  • Not reliable, always breaking
3
Q

case study

energy supply in a country or area

A

Germany

Key facts:

  • 30% renewables
  • 2000 renewable act feed in tariff laws
  • Hard coal and lignite 40%

Key points:
- 1973 Worl Oil Crisis- needed alternatives: more coil, lignite, HEP, and expansion of nuclear

  • 1986 Chernobyl disaster: changed mind about nuclear. Also started Green Movement: reduce fossil fuels
  • Stated that all nuclear will be phased out by 2025
  • Expanding on clean fossil fuels, e.g. natural gas
  • Big push for renewables (solar in south, wind in north)
  • Feed In Tariff Law: private people (mainly farmers) can build solar/wind farms and energy companies have to buy any surplus energy at a fixed price, very profitable
  • Now GER biggest users of new-renewable energy in world
  • Also more HEP and biomass