成人快手

What do you know?

What have you used electricity for today?

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Key points

  • Energy powers our homes, industries and transport systems. Some countries have a of energy and others have a . Energy is traded to even this out.
  • Energy consumption is increasing globally. The production of electricity from energy is increasing, but fossil fuels still make up most of the energy we use.
  • There are advantages and disadvantages of renewable and non-renewable energy resources.
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What is energy consumption?

A power station
Image caption,
A power station

Energy powers buildings, , and transport systems. This is often but can also be like wood and .

Energy use is often measured . Iceland, Canada, the United States and wealthier nations in the Middle East are amongst the highest of energy per capita. Iceland is able to and many Middle Eastern countries have large reserves of oil. Many oil producing countries are also large consumers of oil. It is usually cheaper and more reliable for a country to use their own energy reserves, rather than import resources from elsewhere. Bangladesh, Burkina Faso and French Guiana are amongst the lowest consumers of energy per capita. In Burkina Faso, around 20 per cent of people don't have access to electricity.

A power station
Image caption,
A power station

Energy consumption is increasing globally. Non-renewable fossil fuels still make up most of the energy use. New oil fields have been discovered in countries like China and Brazil, which have meant that more fossil fuels are available for use. The production of electricity from renewable energy is increasing. However, only around one-third of the world's electricity is generated using renewables.

Some countries have a surplus of energy and others have a deficit. Energy is to even this out. On occasions, has led to disputes and even the possibility of conflict between countries. For example, Ethiopia鈥檚 Grand Renaissance Dam, which was constructed to generate hydro-electric power (HEP), has led to conflict with Sudan and Egypt. The dam collects water, which reduces the flow of the River Nile into Sudan and Egypt.

Proven oil resources in countries (in billions of barrels) across the world Venezuela 鈥 303.8 Saudi Arabia 鈥 297.6 Canada 鈥 169.7 Iran 鈥 155.6 Iraq 鈥 145.0 Russia 鈥 107.2 Kuwait 鈥 101.5 UAE 鈥 97.8
Figure caption,
Some countries have a large proven supply of oil, and greater supplies lead to lower oil prices. This makes oil more affordable, which often means more is consumed.

Question

Why is per capita a good measure of energy use?

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How does electricity reach UK homes?

  1. Electricity is produced when are turned. This can be done using things like coal and oil, or wind and waves. As turbines spin, is converted into an electric current. This produces a , which is electricity.

  2. increase the voltage or power. This allows the electricity to travel over long distances.

  3. The electricity is then added to a . This is a system for managing electricity supplies across a country. It ensures that everyone has access to electricity all of the time.

  4. The electricity arrives at . These lower the voltage so that it is safe to travel along smaller power lines and into homes.

  5. Electricity enters your home via a . This measures how much electricity you use. It then travels through wires inside the walls to plug switches and light sockets.

How electricity gets to homes. Turbines rotate to create kinetic energy. Transformers increase power and goes to the national grid. Substations lower voltage. Electricity enters meter box in the home
Figure caption,
How electricity gets into homes

Question

What is the national grid and why is it needed?

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Non-renewable energy resources

Non-renewable energy cannot be replaced and so they will eventually run out. Examples include fossil fuels and nuclear power.

Image gallerySkip image gallerySlide 1 of 2, Diggers digging up coal, Coal - a fossil fuel

Fossil fuels

are coal, oil and gas. Burning fossil fuels creates heat, but also releases , which adds to the amount of .

Advantages:

  • Fossil fuels have been used for many years and so they are easy to use.
  • They generate large amounts of energy relatively cheaply.

Disadvantages:

  • Burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide, adding to .
  • The UK is dependent on prices set by other countries.

Nuclear power

uses as a fuel.

Advantages:

  • Small amounts of uranium produce lots of energy.
  • Once up and running, it is cheap to produce electricity.
  • Carbon emissions are low.

Disadvantages:

  • Accidents involving nuclear power are highly dangerous and can cause loss of life. They can also have long lasting affects.
  • The waste from nuclear power is dangerous and so expensive to store.
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Renewable energy sources

Renewable energy sources can be replaced quickly. Examples include wind power, hydroelectric power (HEP), and solar energy.

Image gallerySkip image gallerySlide 1 of 3, Wind turbines in a field, Wind power Wind turbines

Wind power

Wind power uses to harness the power of the wind, which does not generate .

Advantages:

  • Wind power does not generate carbon emissions.
  • The land beneath turbines can be used for other things.

Disadvantages:

  • Wind power can only be used when the wind blows.
  • Some people think turbines spoil views and make a noise.

Hydroelectric power (HEP)

uses to trap water, which can be used to turn turbines.

Advantages:

  • Hydroelectric power does not generate carbon emissions.
  • Dams can reduce risk and water shortages.

Disadvantages:

  • Dams are expensive to build.
  • Large areas of land are flooded.

Solar energy

Energy released from the Sun is transferred into electricity.

Advantages:

  • Solar energy does not generate carbon emissions.
  • Solar panels can be placed on houses allowing households to become more energy secure.

Disadvantages:

  • Advance costs can be expensive.
  • Equipment needs regular maintenance.
  • Manufacturing of panels requires fossil fuels to be used.
  • Habitats can be damaged with solar panel farms.

Question

Which types of energy do not produce carbon emissions?

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Test yourself

Quiz

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Play the Planet Planners game! game

Make decisions for the planet in this KS3 geography game.

Play the Planet Planners game!
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