Increasing Energy Supply (AQA GCSE Geography): Revision Notes

6.4.3 Increasing Energy Supply

Finding ways to increase energy supply is really important, given all the problems we've already looked at…

Strategy	Problem
Wind• Turbines are turned by the wind to generate power. Wind currently supplies 10% of the UKs energy.	BUT can look ugly and wind is variable, so sometimes they don't provide any energy at all
Solar– Photovoltaic cells mounted on solar panels convert sunlight into energy.	BUT solar power is seasonal and farms need a lot of space
Geothermal• Damming a river allows water to be stored in a reservoir and controls river flow.	This is a long term solution, BUT only works in areas that are tectonically active.
Wave• waves force air into a chamber where it turns a turbine linked to a generator.	BUT costs are high. Portugal built the first wave farm in 2008. They don't work very well in calm conditions.
Hydro– large scale dams create enough water to turn turbines to generate electricity. They currently supply 85% of the world's renewables	BUT Large dams are expensive and can destroy communities and wildlife as the area behind the dam is flooded.
Tidal– turbines in barrages build across rivers use rising and falling tides to generate electricity.	BUT as tides happen only a few times per 24 hours, they can't provide energy all day
Biomass• Energy produced from organic matter.	BUT burning organic matter can create smoky conditions and fuelwood is limited

What are the Impacts of Being Energy Insecure?

Social Effects

• Power Cuts:
  • Increased incidence due to energy insecurity; inconveniences people and reduces quality of life.
• Demand for Cleaner Energy:
  • Increases demand for biofuels.
  • Growing crops for biofuels uses land needed for food, straining food supply.
• Time Spent Collecting Fuel:
  • People in LICs spend time collecting firewood due to lack of other fuels, impacting quality of life and ability to work or attend school.

Economic Effects

• Rising Food Production Costs:
  • Agriculture needs large amounts of energy, raising food production costs.
• Company Shutdowns:
  • Companies reliant on oil may shut down without it.
• Increased Living Costs:
  • Higher energy costs increase overall cost of living (home running, food, travel).

Environmental Effects

• Exploiting Reserves:
  • Difficult and environmentally sensitive areas (e.g., Arctic, Alaska) exploited as fossil fuel reserves are used up.
  • Increases production costs and damages the environment.

Conflict

• Energy Deficit:
  • Countries with energy deficits may engage in conflicts with those having energy surpluses.
  • Example: Conflict between Russia and Ukraine over oil supplies.