Energy Resources as Natural Resources
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Questions and Answers

What is the primary process by which coal was formed?

  • Volcanic eruptions transforming organic matter
  • Rapid cooling of molten rock
  • Burial of giant plants under heat and pressure (correct)
  • Chemical reactions in the ocean

    • What percentage of global primary energy consumption do fossil fuels account for as of 2022?

  • 79% (correct)
  • 65%
  • 90%
  • 50%

    • Which of the following fossil fuels primarily contributes to transportation fuels?

  • Oil (correct)
  • Natural Gas
  • Coal
  • Nuclear Energy

    • What is a significant environmental impact caused by fossil fuel combustion?

    <p>Carbon dioxide emissions contributing to climate change</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Approximately how long could coal reserves last at current consumption rates?

    <p>132 years</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What percentage of electricity generation is provided by nuclear energy globally?

    <p>10%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which country leads in the contribution of nuclear energy to electricity generation?

    <p>France</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common challenge in the development of nuclear power plants?

    <p>High capital costs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a primary use of biomass energy?

    <p>Electricity generation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a significant challenge associated with traditional biomass use?

    <p>Overharvesting leading to deforestation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a form of ocean energy?

    <p>Tidal energy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a limitation of geothermal energy?

    <p>Limited to regions with high geothermal activity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What percentage of global energy consumption was dominated by fossil fuels as of 2022?

    <p>79%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What environmental impact is associated with ocean energy?

    <p>Potential effects on marine ecosystems</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following challenges is associated with geothermal energy?

    <p>High initial costs for exploration</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the global investment in renewable energy in 2022?

    <p>$500 billion</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of energy resources sees increasing use over time?

    <p>Fossil fuels</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What has driven the demand for renewable energy sources?

    <p>Sustainability concerns</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How are oil and natural gas formed?

    <p>From buried sea plants and animals</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which countries are identified as the biggest consumers of energy resources?

    <p>USA, Canada, Saudi Arabia</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which energy resource has been the least utilized historically?

    <p>Renewable energy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a primary characteristic of non-renewable energy sources?

    <p>They are limited in supply</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following was one of the earliest energy sources used by humans?

    <p>Firewood</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What major shift is suggested for the future of energy sources?

    <p>Shift towards renewable energy sources</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a significant environmental concern regarding uranium mining?

    <p>Disruption of landscapes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a challenge faced by solar energy systems?

    <p>High upfront costs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What percentage of global electricity is supplied by wind energy as of 2022?

    <p>7%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a major concern associated with hydropower?

    <p>Ecosystem disruption</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the main uses of biomass as a renewable energy source?

    <p>Electricity generation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key environmental impact of solar panel disposal?

    <p>Land use concerns</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What environmental challenge is associated with wind energy?

    <p>Bird and bat mortality</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which renewable energy source is noted for causing methane emissions from reservoirs?

    <p>Hydropower</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the solar capacity in India in 2014?

    <p>2.6 GW</p> Signup and view all the answers

    By how much did solar tariffs decrease from 2014 to 2023?

    <p>$0.11/kWh</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Approximately how many jobs has the solar sector created in India?

    <p>500,000 jobs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the approximate amount of CO2 emissions avoided by solar energy in 2022?

    <p>100 Mt</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What percentage of China's energy mix was constituted by coal in 2022?

    <p>56%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What challenge is posed by large solar farms in India?

    <p>Land use conflicts</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary environmental consequence of coal-fired plants in China?

    <p>Contribution to air pollution</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What aspect of solar panel usage is India currently lacking infrastructure for?

    <p>Recycling</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What percentage of India's renewable energy mix was accounted for by solar energy in 2023?

    <p>18%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How much CO2 did China emit in 2022?

    <p>12.5 Gt</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What critical issue does the global transition toward renewables aim to address?

    <p>Environmental and sustainability challenges</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main renewable energy challenge faced by China?

    <p>Dependence on coal</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What proportion of electricity in France is generated from nuclear power?

    <p>70%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What amount of radioactive waste does France produce annually?

    <p>2,500 metric tons</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a significant economic benefit of nuclear energy for France?

    <p>Savings on energy imports</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What renewable energy initiative was launched by India in 2010?

    <p>National Solar Mission</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Energy Resources as Natural Resources

    • Energy is fundamental to human development, shaping economic growth and modern lifestyles.
    • Energy resources are categorized into renewable and non-renewable types.
    • Non-renewable sources, like fossil fuels and nuclear energy, dominate but the need for sustainability demands a transition to renewable sources.

    Evolution of Energy in Time

    • For millennia, food and firewood were the primary energy sources.
    • As humans evolved, they discovered new energy sources and used them for purposes beyond simple physical labor.
    • The need for energy increased, leading to a diversification of energy sources.
    • Not all energy sources are used equally, with non-renewable resources being overused in comparison to renewable sources.
    • The most used resources are oil, coal, and natural gas.

    Evolution of Energy in Time (cont.)

    • Energy use varies significantly around the world.
    • The largest producers of energy resources are often the largest consumers.
    • The United States, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Australia and Russia are among the largest consumers.

    1. Non-Renewable Energy Resources

    1.1 Fossil Fuels

    • Types: Coal, oil, and natural gas
    • Formation: Dead sea plants and animals buried and compressed over time under layers of sediment, transformed by heat and pressure into oil and gas; similarly, dead plants in swamps were buried, compressed and transformed into coal.
    • Global Usage (2022): Approximately 79% of global primary energy consumption.
    Uses:
    • Coal: Power generation (41% globally), industrial processes (particularly in Asia).
    • Oil: Transportation fuels (gasoline, diesel), petrochemical industries, and heating.
    • Natural Gas: Electricity generation, residential heating, industrial feedstock.

    1.1 Challenges

    • Depletion of Reserves: Current projections indicate finite lifespans for coal (~132 years), oil (~50 years), and natural gas (~52 years) at current rates.
    • Environmental Degradation: Mining and extraction activities disrupt ecosystems.

    1.1 Environmental Impacts

    • Carbon Dioxide Emissions: Fossil fuels contribute significantly to annual CO2 emissions, driving climate change.
    • Air Pollution: Combustion releases particulate matter, NOx, and SO2, causing respiratory illnesses and acid rain.

    1.2 Nuclear Energy

    • Global Contribution: Accounts for ~10% of global electricity generation.
    • Primarily used for electricity generation in 32 countries, with France leading, generating ~70% from nuclear power.

    1.2 Challenges

    • High Capital Costs: Building nuclear power plants is extremely expensive ($6,000-$12,000 per kW of capacity).
    • Safety Concerns: Risks of catastrophic accidents (e.g., Fukushima, Chernobyl).
    • Environmental Impacts: Low operational emissions but significant radioactive waste requiring secure storage.

    2. Renewable Energy Resources

    2.1 Solar Energy

    • Global Installed Capacity (2022): 1,033 GW
    • Uses: Residential and industrial electricity generation, heating water and air.
    • Challenges: Intermittency (depends on sunlight), high upfront costs.
    • Environmental Impacts: Minimal during operation, but concerns about land use and disposal of solar panels.

    2.2 Wind Energy

    • Global Installed Capacity (2022): 837 GW
    • Uses: Electricity generation through onshore and offshore wind farms.
    • Challenges: Intermittency and variability of wind, land and noise concerns from onshore installations.
    • Environmental Impacts: Minimal emissions, but bird and bat mortality issues.

    2.3 Hydropower

    • Global Contribution: Largest renewable source, generating ~16% of global electricity.
    • Uses: Electricity generation from rivers and dams, water management for agriculture and urban areas.
    • Challenges: Ecosystem disruption (dams), high capital costs.
    • Environmental Impacts: Methane emissions from reservoirs in tropical regions, habitat loss and displacement of communities.

    2.4 Biomass

    • Contribution: Accounts for 10% of global primary energy supply.
    • Uses: Electricity generation, heating, and biofuel production (e.g., ethanol, biodiesel).
    • Challenges: Overharvesting leading to deforestation, inefficiency of traditional methods (e.g., wood burning).
    • Environmental Impacts: Combustion releases CO2 and particulate matter.

    2.5 Geothermal Energy

    • Global Capacity (2022): 16 GW
    • Uses: Electricity generation and direct heating.
    • Challenges: Limited to regions with high geothermal activity, high initial costs.
    • Environmental Impacts: Minimal emissions, but geothermal fluids may contain pollutants.

    2.6 Ocean Energy

    • Types: Tidal, wave, and ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC).
    • Uses: Electricity generation, desalination, aquaculture support.
    • Challenges: High costs, limited deployment areas.
    • Environmental Impacts: Potential effects on marine ecosystems.

    3.1 Current Status

    • Global energy consumption is largely driven by fossil fuels (79%), with renewables contributing ~29% to electricity generation.

    3.2 Transition Strategies

    • Investments in renewables are substantial (~$500 billion globally in 2022), aiming towards decarbonization. This transition will involve shifting to low-carbon energy systems.

    Case Study 1: Coal Energy in China

    • Background: China is the world's largest coal producer and consumer.
    • Details: Significant coal production in 2022; powering primarily electricity (~56% of energy mix); large CO2 emissions.
    • Environmental Impact: Large CO2 emissions (65% of total in 2022); severe air quality issues.
    • Challenges: Dependence on coal hindered transition to renewables; government pledged to peak CO2 emissions.

    Case Study 2: Nuclear Energy in France

    • Background: France relies heavily on nuclear energy (~70% of electricity).
    • Details: Large nuclear capacity (61.4 GW in 2022); production exceeds domestic demand.
    • Economic Benefits: Reduces dependence on fossil fuels; immense savings on energy imports.
    • Challenges: Aging infrastructure requiring costly upgrades; nuclear waste management.
    • Environmental Impact: Significant reduction in CO2 emissions.

    Case Study 3: Solar Energy in India

    • Background: India has risen as a solar energy leader with its National Solar Mission.
    • Details: Increased solar capacity (from 2.6 GW to 70 GW between 2014–2023), accounting for 18% of renewable energy.
    • Economic Impact: Decreased solar tariffs, resulting in cost competitiveness vs. coal; numerous jobs created in the sector.
    • Environmental Benefits: Reduced CO2 emissions in 2022.
    • Challenges: Land use conflicts with agriculture; still needs recycling infrastructure for end-of-life solar panels.

    Conclusion

    • Energy choices are crucial for societal progress but are associated with significant environmental challenges.
    • A global transition to renewables is critical for addressing these challenges and ensuring future energy security.

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    Description

    This quiz explores the evolution of energy resources, focusing on the distinction between renewable and non-renewable sources. It addresses the historical context of energy use and the growing need for sustainable energy solutions. Test your knowledge on the changes in energy consumption over time and its impact on human development.

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