Energy Consumption & Choices (HL IB ESS OLD COURSE - IGNORE)

Revision Note

Energy Consumption

  • Energy consumption refers to the total amount of energy used by individuals, industries and countries

  • As populations grow and individual demand increases, global energy consumption continues to rise

  • Meeting energy needs whilst also managing environmental and economic impacts is a significant challenge

Rising demand

  • Population growth:

    • As the global population increases, so does energy demand

    • More people need energy for electricity, transport, heating and cooling

  • Per capita energy demand:

    • People are using more energy per person

      • Particularly in developing countries where industrialisation and living standards are improving

Stacked area chart showing global energy consumption from 1800 to 2021. Includes traditional biomass, coal, oil, natural gas, nuclear, hydropower, wind, solar, modern biofuels, and other renewables.
Global annual energy consumption measured in terawatt-hours

Energy production and consumption changes

  • Fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas continue to supply the majority of the world's energy

  • Renewable energy (e.g. wind, solar and hydro) is growing but still provides a smaller portion of global energy

    • E.g. in 2022, 80% of the world's energy came from fossil fuels, with renewable energy making up 12.7%

Reasons for changes in energy use

  • Economic development:

    • As countries become wealthier, they tend to use more energy for:

      • Industrial processes

      • Transportation

      • Technology

    • For example, India’s energy consumption is rapidly increasing as it develops its manufacturing sector and infrastructure

  • Environmental concerns:

    • Global concerns about climate change are driving a shift towards cleaner energy sources like solar and wind

    • Governments are setting targets to:

      • Reduce carbon emissions

      • Invest in renewable energy

    • For example, the European Union aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, which requires a massive reduction in fossil fuel use

The role of fossil fuels

  • Despite environmental concerns, fossil fuels still play a crucial role in supporting industries that are hard to power with renewable energy:

  • Steel and concrete industries:

    • The production of steel and concrete relies heavily on coal and natural gas

    • Renewable energy is not yet suitable for these high-energy processes

      • For example, China is the world’s largest producer of steel, and its steel industry is responsible for a significant portion of global coal consumption

  • Synthetic fertilisers:

    • Natural gas is essential for producing ammonia

      • Ammonia is a key ingredient in synthetic fertilisers that support global agriculture

      • As global food demand increases, the need for synthetic fertilisers (and therefore natural gas) is likely to continue

Meeting the growing demand for energy

Changing energy production resources

  • Increased renewable energy:

    • Investing in renewable energy sources can help meet rising demand while reducing reliance on fossil fuels

  • Energy storage:

    • Storing energy efficiently is key to managing renewable sources that are not able to provide a constant supply, like solar and wind

      • For example, Tesla’s battery storage systems in Australia help store surplus solar energy for use at night or during low-wind periods

Reducing energy consumption

  • Energy efficiency:

    • Improving the energy efficiency of appliances, vehicles and buildings can significantly reduce overall consumption

      • For example, the UK government has introduced stricter building regulations

      • These require homes to be more energy efficient, helping to lower overall energy demand

  • Behavioural changes:

    • Encouraging individuals and industries to use less energy can make a big difference

Examiner Tips and Tricks

In an exam, don’t assume that renewable energy can easily replace fossil fuels in all industries, especially those like steel and concrete production.

Be clear on energy efficiency vs. reducing consumption: these are different concepts; efficiency involves using less energy for the same task, while reducing consumption means using energy less often or at lower levels.

Energy Choices

  • Energy choices refer to the decisions a country makes about how it generates and consumes energy

  • There are many factors that affect decisions, such as:

    • Economic cost

    • Pollution

    • Energy efficiency

    • Availability

    • Energy security

Factors influencing energy choices

Economic cost

  • The cost of building and maintaining energy infrastructure plays a big role in energy choices

    • Fossil fuels: often cheaper to develop initially but come with high environmental and long-term costs

    • Renewables: may have higher upfront costs but offer long-term savings and environmental benefits

      • For example, solar energy is becoming more cost-competitive in many countries due to advances in technology and falling costs

Pollution

  • Some energy sources cause more pollution than others

  • Many countries are trying to balance energy needs with environmental health

    • Fossil fuels: emit large amounts of greenhouse gases and contribute to air pollution

    • Renewables: produce little to no pollution during operation

Energy efficiency

  • Energy efficiency refers to how well energy is used and conserved.

    • Fossil fuels: often less efficient and result in energy waste during burning

    • Renewables: can be efficient but some rely on weather conditions

Availability

  • The natural resources available to a country influence its energy choices

    • Fossil fuels: countries with large reserves of coal, oil, or natural gas are likely to use them as major energy sources

    • Renewables: depend on geographic features like sunlight, wind, or water availability

Energy security

  • Energy security refers to a country’s ability to meet its energy needs reliably and without being overly dependent on foreign sources

    • Fossil fuels: many countries that rely on imported oil or gas face risks from fluctuating prices or geopolitical issues

    • Renewables: provide more energy security, as they are often produced locally and are not subject to international market fluctuations

Examiner Tips and Tricks

Don’t confuse energy security (ability to meet demand reliably) with availability (what resources are present in the country). A country might have abundant resources (availability) but still struggle to meet its energy needs reliably (energy security) if it lacks the proper systems, funding, or stable supply chains.

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