UK Energy Mix | AQA GCSE Geography | UK Overview 7

Summary

This video explores the evolving energy mix in the UK, highlighting the shift from fossil fuels to renewable sources like wind, solar, and biomass. Despite increased energy demand, consumption has decreased due to advancements in energy efficiency. The UK's reliance on imported energy, particularly oil and gas, raises concerns about energy security. The video discusses challenges like fracking, coal phase-out plans, and the role of government subsidies for renewables. It also covers the environmental impact of different energy sources and the UK's commitment to reducing carbon emissions in line with international agreements.

Takeaways

• 😀 Energy consumption in the UK has fallen due to the decline of heavy industry, improved energy conservation, and more efficient appliances, leading to a 60% drop in industrial energy use and a 12% drop in domestic energy use.
• 🌍 In 1990, 34% of the UK's energy came from fossil fuels like coal and oil, which are non-renewable and contribute to climate change through CO2 emissions.
• ⚛️ By 2007, the UK energy mix consisted equally of coal, gas, and nuclear power. Nuclear energy emits minimal CO2 but has concerns related to waste management, accidents, and finite uranium supplies.
• 🌞 Since 2014, renewable energy sources like wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass have grown rapidly in the UK, with wind and solar leading the charge, providing around 30% of the country's energy.
• 🌬️ Renewable energy is dependent on environmental conditions and faces challenges in cost and energy production capacity, although government subsidies in the past helped increase its share.
• 🔋 The UK's energy mix fluctuates daily, with more wind energy in winter due to stronger winds and higher solar energy in summer due to longer daylight hours.
• 💡 The UK no longer produces enough energy to be self-sufficient, importing about one-third of its energy sources, which affects energy security, especially during supply shortages.
• 🛢️ Despite having some remaining gas and oil reserves, the UK’s oil production has been declining by 6% annually, with remote reserves such as the Mariner oil field being difficult to access.
• 💥 Shale gas, extracted through hydraulic fracturing (fracking), is a controversial option for the UK. It has environmental risks, including earthquakes and water pollution, and is costly to extract.
• ⛔ The UK is phasing out coal-fired electricity production, with a target to complete the phase-out by October 2024, a year ahead of the previous deadline, in alignment with climate goals set at COP26 and the Paris Agreement.

Q & A

What factors have contributed to the decline in energy consumption in the UK?

The decline in energy consumption in the UK is mainly due to the decrease in heavy industry, improved energy conservation, the use of low-energy appliances, better building insulation, and more fuel-efficient cars.

What was the energy mix in the UK like in 1990?

In 1990, 34% of energy in the UK came from coal and oil, which are fossil fuels. These energy sources are non-renewable and contribute to the greenhouse effect and climate change.

How did the energy mix in the UK change by 2007?

By 2007, the energy mix in the UK had become more balanced, with an equal distribution between coal, gas, and nuclear energy. Nuclear energy, which produces minimal carbon dioxide, was seen as a cleaner alternative to fossil fuels.

What are the advantages of nuclear energy, and what concerns are associated with it?

Nuclear energy emits minimal carbon dioxide, making it better for the environment than fossil fuels. However, concerns include the long-term storage of nuclear waste, the risk of accidents, and the finite supply of uranium.

What are renewable energy sources, and why are they considered 'green'?

Renewable energy sources include the sun, wind, tides, geothermal heat, and biomass. They are considered 'green' because they do not emit carbon dioxide during energy generation, making them environmentally friendly.

What are some challenges to increasing renewable energy production in the UK?

The main challenges to increasing renewable energy production include dependency on environmental conditions (like weather), high technology costs, and the current limited capacity to generate large amounts of energy.

What role did government subsidies play in the growth of renewable energy in the UK?

Government subsidies for wind and solar energy helped increase the proportion of energy produced by renewables in the UK. However, these subsidies were recently stopped, though the share of renewable energy continues to grow.

How does the energy mix in the UK vary throughout the year?

The energy mix in the UK changes with the seasons. In winter, wind energy generation tends to be higher due to stronger winds, while in the summer, solar energy production is greater because of longer hours of sunlight.

What is energy security, and why is it a concern in the UK?

Energy security refers to the uninterrupted availability of energy sources at an affordable price. It is a concern in the UK because the country is no longer self-sufficient in energy, importing about one-third of its energy sources, which can lead to price increases during times of low supply.

What is fracking, and what are the concerns related to it?

Fracking is a process where high-pressure liquid is used to fracture shale rock and release natural gas. It is controversial due to concerns that it could trigger earthquakes, pollute underground water sources, and be expensive.

How has coal use in the UK changed, and what are the government's plans for coal-fired power stations?

Coal use in the UK has steadily declined due to concerns over greenhouse gas emissions and the reduction of heavy industry. The UK government has set a target to phase out coal-fired electricity production by 2025, which was recently brought forward to October 2024 in an effort to reduce carbon emissions.