🗺️ Geography 0460 Study Notes: Energy (Theme 3: Economic Development)

Hello Geographers! This chapter is all about Energy – the power source that fuels economic development and modern life. Understanding where energy comes from, how different countries use it, and the challenges of choosing sustainable sources is crucial for your exam.

Energy is not just about keeping the lights on; it dictates how factories run, how people travel, and ultimately, a country's level of development. Let's dive in!

1. Classifying Energy Resources: Non-Renewable vs. Renewable

We classify energy sources based on whether they can run out. This is the first key distinction you need to master.

A. Non-Renewable Energy Sources (Finite)

These sources are used much faster than they can be naturally replaced. Once they are gone, they are gone forever! They are often called Fossil Fuels because they are formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals.

  • Characteristics: High energy output, relatively cheap to extract and use (if infrastructure is established), but they cause pollution (especially CO2 and sulfur dioxide).
  • Examples: Coal, Oil (Petroleum), Natural Gas, and Nuclear Power (although the uranium fuel is finite).
B. Renewable Energy Sources (Sustainable)

These sources are continuous and replenish themselves naturally, meaning they will never run out within a human timescale.

  • Characteristics: Much lower environmental impact (less CO2), but often rely on specific weather conditions and require high initial investment costs.
  • Examples: Solar, Wind, Hydro-Electric Power (HEP), Geothermal, Biofuels, Wave, and Tidal power.

Quick Review: Think of non-renewable resources like a single tube of toothpaste – once it's used up, you need a new one. Renewables are like a river that keeps flowing!

2. Non-Renewable Sources in Detail

2.1 Fossil Fuels (Coal, Oil, Natural Gas)

Fossil fuels are currently the world's most important energy sources, especially in industrialised countries (MEDCs).

  • Coal: The most abundant and cheapest fossil fuel. Used primarily for electricity generation. Disadvantage: It is the dirtiest to burn (highest CO2 and atmospheric pollution).
  • Oil (Petroleum): Extremely versatile. Essential for transport (petrol, diesel) and used in plastics manufacturing. Disadvantage: Distribution relies on complex pipelines and shipping (risks of oil spills), and prices are highly unstable globally.
  • Natural Gas: Cleaner than coal or oil when burned (less CO2). Often transported via pipelines. Used for heating and electricity. Disadvantage: Difficult to store and transport long distances (must be liquefied) and poses explosion risks.
2.2 Nuclear Power: Benefits and Disadvantages (Evaluation)

Nuclear power uses uranium (a finite resource) to generate massive amounts of energy through fission (splitting atoms). It is classified separately from fossil fuels because it produces zero greenhouse gases during operation.

Benefits (Advantages) Disadvantages

Massive Output: A small amount of fuel produces huge amounts of energy, making it efficient.

Hazardous Waste: Produces radioactive waste that remains dangerous for thousands of years, requiring extremely secure, expensive storage.

Reliable: Not dependent on weather (unlike wind or solar) and can run 24/7.

High Cost & Long Build Time: Reactors are very expensive and take decades to build.

Low Carbon: Does not contribute to enhanced global warming (zero CO2 emissions).

Risk of Catastrophe: Accidents (like Chernobyl or Fukushima) are rare but potentially devastating, releasing deadly radiation over huge areas.

Did you know? Decommissioning (safely shutting down) an old nuclear power plant can cost billions and take over a century due to the remaining radioactivity.

3. Renewable Energy Sources in Detail (Evaluation)

Renewable sources are essential for sustainable development – meeting current needs without compromising future generations.

3.1 Hydro-Electric Power (HEP)

HEP uses the energy of falling water, usually released from a dam, to turn turbines.

  • Benefit: Reliable (unless drought occurs), high output once built, and zero emissions.
  • Disadvantage: Massive initial cost; flooding large areas destroys ecosystems, displaces people, and disrupts river flows. (Example: The Three Gorges Dam, China).
3.2 Wind Power

Wind turbines convert wind movement into electricity. These can be onshore or offshore.

  • Benefit: Clean, quick to install (compared to dams or nuclear), and costs are falling.
  • Disadvantage: Intermittency – only works when the wind blows (unreliable). Visual pollution (eyesores). Noise pollution. May pose a threat to migrating birds.
3.3 Solar Power

Solar panels convert sunlight directly into electricity (photovoltaic cells).

  • Benefit: Clean, especially useful in sunny climates or remote areas where cabling is too expensive. Low running costs.
  • Disadvantage: Intermittency – only works during the day, efficiency drops on cloudy days. Requires large land areas for utility-scale farms.
3.4 Geothermal Power

Uses the heat naturally stored deep within the Earth (common in areas of volcanic activity, like Iceland or New Zealand).

  • Benefit: Extremely reliable and continuous (not intermittent). Very low emissions.
  • Disadvantage: Only available in specific geological locations; drilling costs are very high.
3.5 Wave and Tidal Power

Captures the energy from the movement of ocean waves or the massive flow of water during tides.

  • Benefit: Predictable (especially tides) and powerful.
  • Disadvantage: High installation costs; can damage marine ecosystems; difficult to maintain in harsh coastal conditions.
3.6 Biofuels

Fuels derived from recently living matter, such as crops (e.g., sugarcane ethanol, corn oil) or animal waste.

  • Benefit: Considered carbon neutral if the crops grown absorb the CO2 released during burning.
  • Disadvantage: Requires vast amounts of agricultural land, competing with land needed for food production (ethical debate). Can cause deforestation.

Don't worry if all these definitions seem like a lot! The key for the exam is to remember the main benefit (usually clean/sustainable) and the main drawback (usually cost or intermittency).

4. The Role of Energy in Economic Development

The demand for and source of energy varies hugely between countries, depending on their level of economic development (LEDC vs. MEDC).

4.1 Global Distribution and Importance

Globally, the world still heavily relies on fossil fuels (oil, coal, gas) because they are reliable, high-density energy sources that powered the Industrial Revolution.

  • MEDCs (More Economically Developed Countries): Have very high energy consumption per capita (per person). Demand is high for industrial and transport uses. They have the capital (money) to invest in complex sources like nuclear and advanced renewables.
  • LEDCs (Less Economically Developed Countries): Have lower overall energy consumption. They rely heavily on traditional sources (like fuelwood) or older fossil fuel technology (like coal) because it is cheaper or more accessible locally. As they industrialise, their demand for commercial energy (oil/gas) increases rapidly.

The availability of reliable energy is a major factor in improving quality of life. Without electricity, it is hard to run hospitals, power irrigation for crops, or connect to global markets. Therefore, energy poverty limits economic development potential.

4.2 Fuelwood: A Critical Resource in LEDCs

Fuelwood (wood and charcoal) is often overlooked but is the primary energy source for billions of people in rural LEDCs.

  • Importance: Used for cooking, heating, and small-scale industry. It is generally free and accessible locally.
  • Consequences: Excessive reliance leads to deforestation, soil erosion, and desertification (linking back to Theme 2 topics). Also, indoor smoke from burning wood causes serious respiratory illnesses.

5. Case Study Focus: Energy Supply in a Country or Area (3.5)

For your exam, you must have a case study of energy supply. This is where you bring the theory to life. You need to focus on a country and explain:

  1. The mix of energy sources used (e.g., 50% coal, 30% nuclear, 20% wind).
  2. The reasons for this mix (e.g., lots of coastline = good for wind; historic coal reserves = cheap tradition).
  3. The benefits and disadvantages associated with that country's energy strategy.

Example Case Study Ideas:

  • Iceland: A country heavily relying on Geothermal and HEP (high reliance on renewables due to high volcanic activity and many rivers).
  • A major industrial nation (like Germany or China): Examining their historical reliance on coal/gas and their current transition towards massive renewable investment (e.g., China's huge solar capacity).

Key Takeaway for Energy:
The core geographical challenge is balancing the need for reliable energy (often met by finite fossil fuels) against the need for sustainability (met by renewables and clean sources like nuclear). This balance impacts development, costs, and the environment.