Energy gap, energy mix and sustainable energy use

Welcome to Your Energy Study Notes!

In this chapter, we are going to explore how the world powers itself. From the lights in your bedroom to the massive factories making your clothes, everything requires energy. We will look at why some countries use more energy than others, the different types of energy available, and how we can use energy more sustainably to protect our planet for the future. This is a key part of your Paper 2: Human Geography exam.

1. Energy Demand and Production

Not every country uses or produces the same amount of energy. The balance between demand (how much we want) and production (how much we make) is constantly changing. There are three main reasons for this variation:

A. Population Growth

This is a simple "more people = more power" rule. As the global population grows, more people need electricity for lighting, cooking, and heating. In many developing countries, rapid population growth is putting a massive strain on energy supplies.

B. Wealth and Development

As countries become wealthier and move from primary industries (like farming) to secondary (manufacturing) and tertiary (services) industries, their energy use skyrockets.
Example: A person in a wealthy, developed country is likely to have a car, air conditioning, and multiple electronic devices, all of which use a lot of energy compared to someone in a subsistence farming community.

C. Technology

Technology is a double-edged sword. On one hand, new inventions (like computers and smartphones) increase our demand for energy. On the other hand, technology helps us produce energy more efficiently (like better solar panels) or save energy (like LED lightbulbs).

Quick Review: Demand is rising fastest in emerging countries because they have growing populations AND increasing wealth.

2. The Energy Mix: Renewable vs. Non-Renewable

A country’s energy mix is the specific combination of different energy sources it uses. We divide these into two main groups:

Non-Renewable Energy

These are sources that will eventually run out. They cannot be replaced once they are used.
Examples: Coal, Oil, Natural Gas (Fossil Fuels), and Nuclear power.

Advantages:
- Reliability: They provide a constant "base load" of power regardless of the weather.
- Cost: The technology and infrastructure (like power stations) already exist, making them relatively cheap to use right now.

Disadvantages:
- Pollution: Burning fossil fuels releases \( CO_2 \), which leads to global warming.
- Finite: They will run out, leading to energy insecurity in the future.

Renewable Energy

These are "infinite" sources that can be used over and over again without running out.
Examples: Solar, Wind, Hydroelectric Power (HEP), Geothermal, and Biomass.

Advantages:
- Sustainable: They won't run out.
- Clean: They produce little to no greenhouse gases during operation.

Disadvantages:
- Intermittency: Solar doesn't work at night; wind turbines don't spin if there is no wind.
- High Setup Costs: Building wind farms or solar parks can be very expensive at the start.

Did you know? The "Energy Gap" is the difference between a country's energy demand and what it can produce itself. If a country has a large energy gap, it has to import energy from other countries, which can be expensive and risky!

3. Sustainable Energy Management

To make sure we have enough energy for the future without destroying the environment, we need to manage it sustainably. There are three main ways to do this:

1. Education

This is about changing people's behaviour. If people understand the impact of their energy use, they might make small changes that add up to a big difference.
Example: School campaigns encouraging students to "Turn it off" (lights, computers) or choosing to walk instead of taking a car.

2. Efficiency

This is about using better technology to get the same result while using less energy.
Example: Using LED lightbulbs which use about \( 75\% \) to \( 80\% \) less energy than old-fashioned bulbs, or improving home insulation so less heat escapes through the walls.

3. Conservation

This is about using less energy overall by changing how we live and design our world.
Example: Designing "smart cities" with excellent public transport so fewer people need to drive cars, or industries reusing "waste heat" from factories to warm nearby homes.

Key Takeaway: Sustainability isn't just about making green energy; it's also about wasting less of the energy we already have.

4. Case Study Focus: Energy Resource Management

For your exam, you need to know how energy is managed in two different types of countries. While your teacher will give you specific named examples, here is the general pattern you should look for:

Developed Country (e.g., UK or Norway)

- The Goal: Reducing \( CO_2 \) emissions and moving away from old coal power stations.
- The Strategy: Investing heavily in wind and solar, and using nuclear for a steady supply. They use education and government grants to help people make their homes more energy-efficient.

Developing or Emerging Country (e.g., India or China)

- The Goal: Supporting a growing population and rapid industrialisation.
- The Strategy: They often still rely on coal because it is cheap and available, but they are now becoming world leaders in renewable investment (like massive solar farms) to try and close their energy gap without causing too much pollution.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

- Confusing "Renewable" with "Environmentally Friendly": While most renewables are cleaner, building a massive Hydroelectric (HEP) dam can destroy local ecosystems and displace people. Always look at both sides!
- Thinking Nuclear is Renewable: It isn't! Uranium is a finite resource. However, it is "low carbon" because it doesn't burn fuel to produce electricity.
- Forgetting the "Energy Gap": If a question asks why a country is changing its energy mix, don't just talk about the environment—talk about energy security (the need to not rely on other countries).

Note: For more information on how we collect data about energy use, see the chapter on "Energy use fieldwork enquiry". For details on how jobs change as countries develop, see "Economic sectors and the location of economic activity".