Management of Energy Sources (Edexcel IGCSE Geography)
Revision Note
Sustainable energy management
Sustainable energy management is essential:
to ensure future generations are to have the energy resources they need
to limit climate change
UN sustainable development goal 7 is 'affordable and clean energy'
The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates:
that around the world 1.2 billion people have no access to electricity
approximately 2.7 billion people rely on biomass for cooking
Non-renewable sources will at some point run out so need to be used carefully
As supplies start to run out prices will increase this will mean:
economic development is harder as profits will decrease
countries with an energy surplus become more powerful
countries with an energy gap pay more to import energy
Fossil fuels create pollution and emit greenhouse gases so the amount used needs to be reduced
Energy management can be Individual and national
Energy efficiency is key to making the most of energy sources as it cuts down on waste and reduces consumption
Less energy is used and fuel is used more economically
Ecological & carbon footprints
An ecological footprint is a way of measuring the impact on the environment
This can range from an individual's ecological footprint to a country's ecological footprint
The ecological footprints of developed countries and the individuals within them are higher than those of developing and emerging countries
Carbon footprints measure the impact in terms of the greenhouse gases produced
Energy efficiency
Efficient use of energy is an essential aspect of sustainable management of energy
Energy efficiency involves using the least energy possible to meet the demands
This may involve:
improved energy efficiency of appliances
reducing energy waste
Energy conservation
Individual
There are many actions that individuals can take to reduce energy use and conserve resources or use energy more efficiently including:
Reduce car use by using public transport, walking or cycling
Insulating walls and roof spaces
Buy energy-efficient (AAA rated) appliances such as washing machines
Don't leave electrical items on standby
Install double or triple-glazing
Install heat exchange
Turn the thermostat down and wear more layers
Install solar panels
National
Governments have several strategies to make energy use sustainable
These include ways to conserve energy and use it more efficiently:
Invest in renewable technologies such as wind and solar
Encourage the switch to electric cars
Invest in public transport
Provide grants and loans for homeowners to install solar panels or insulation
Building regulations to ensure that new homes are energy-efficient
Educating the population about the importance of energy conservation and efficiency through campaigns on TV and social media
Energy management in Nepal
Case Study
Energy use in Nepal
Nepal is a developing country located between China and India
The landscape is mountainous and includes much of the Himalayas
The population is rural with only 16% of the population living in towns and cities
Energy demand is very low but growing as the country develops
Nepal's energy mix
The main source of energy for 82% of the rural population is fuelwood
In urban areas, the use of fuelwood is 36%
Nepal has no suitable coal, oil or gas reserves so these have to be imported
98% of all electricity in Nepal is generated through hydropower
Sustainable future
Access to electricity has increased rapidly over the past 15 years:
88% of the population now have access to electricity
Support from the World Bank has led to more investment in hydropower
There are now over 3000 micro-hydro plants in Nepal
Ruma Khola micro-hydro
Completed in 2009
Provides electricity for the town of Darbang and five neighbouring villages
It supplies energy for 22 industries including:
metal workshop, furniture manufacturers, a cement block manufacturer, a noodle factory, poultry farms and dairy farms
Built and operated by the community the micro-hydro plant was funded using grants from the government with support from the World Bank
The loans are paid back using money that the community pay for the electricity supply
It has improved the standard of living in the communities
Reliance on kerosene and fuelwood has reduced and emissions have fallen
Deforestation has decreased
Energy mangement in Norway
Case Study
Energy use in Norway
Norway is a developed country in northern Europe
The demand for energy is one of the highest in the world
The population is mainly urban with 83% of people living in towns and cities
Energy mix in Norway
Norway has significant energy resources including:
1% of the world's gas reserves (17th in the world)
0.3% of the world's oil reserves (22nd in the world)
There are also some coal reserves
Norway is one of the world's largest energy exporters
Hydropower generates 90% of Norway's electricity and accounts for 65% of energy use
Sustainable future
There are over 1500 hydropower plants in Norway
Due to the issue of reliance on hydropower during the dry season and the environmental impact of large hydropower plants Norway is expanding other renewable energy sources
Demand continues to increase
Norway is expanding the number of wind farms:
There are currently 53 wind farms
36 additional onshore and offshore are planned and due to be started or completed by 2030
Includes the world's first floating wind farm
Norway is also investing in solar energy:
Homeowners in Oslo get a 30% subsidy for installing solar panels
To reduce the consumption of oil Norway is encouraging the population to move to electric cars:
In 2021 66% of all new car sales in Norway were electric
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