GradeGen.AI

The Challenge of Energy Supply

Every time you boil a kettle or charge your phone, you are relying on a complex national energy mix.
When a country's energy demand exceeds its domestic production, it creates an energy gap.
This leads to an energy deficit and a reliance on imported energy, which threatens a nation's energy security.
To close this gap and maintain the four pillars of energy security (Accessibility, Availability, Acceptability, and Affordability), countries must use strategies to increase their energy supply.

Non-Renewable Strategies (Finite Resources)

Non-renewable energy comes from finite resources that will eventually run out, such as fossil fuels (which still provide 80% of global energy) and uranium used for nuclear fission.
These sources are crucial because they provide a constant, reliable Base Load of electricity for the national grid.
We can increase supply from these finite sources by using advanced efficiency technologies.
For example, Combined Cycle Systems reuse waste heat to make power plants up to 50% more efficient.
To reduce environmental impacts, Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) can be used to capture up to 90% of $CO_2$ emissions from burning fossil fuels and store them safely underground.

Students often state that renewables are '100% carbon-free'. Examiners will award marks if you note that manufacturing, transport, and construction (e.g., concrete for HEP dams) still produce CO2 emissions.

When answering an 'Evaluate' question (usually 6 or 9 marks), you MUST provide a final, balanced conclusion. Summarise whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages based on your evidence.

Use the term 'Base Load' when explaining why we cannot completely switch to wind and solar power overnight; examiners look for this to show you understand the problem of renewable intermittency.

In case study questions about fossil fuel extraction, explicitly categorise your points into Social, Economic, and Environmental impacts to ensure a structured, high-level response.

The range and proportions of different energy sources used by a nation to meet its energy demands.

The difference between a country's rising energy demand and its diminishing ability to produce that energy from its own resources.

The uninterrupted availability of energy sources at an affordable price.

Energy from finite resources that will eventually run out, such as coal, oil, natural gas, and nuclear power.

A heavy, naturally occurring radioactive metal used as the primary fuel source in nuclear power stations.

The process of splitting atomic nuclei (such as uranium) to release a large amount of heat energy, used to generate electricity.

A constant, reliable supply of energy provided by fossil fuels or nuclear power to meet continuous minimum demand.

Power plant technology that reuses waste heat to generate additional electricity, making the generation process up to 50% more efficient.

Technology used to capture CO2 emissions from industrial sources and store them underground to prevent them from entering the atmosphere.

Energy from infinite sources that will not run out, such as solar, wind, HEP, geothermal, and tidal.

A renewable energy method that uses the force of flowing or falling water, often via a dam, to drive turbines and generate electricity.

Renewable organic material (such as plants or wood) burned for energy; considered carbon-neutral because the CO2 released during burning equals the CO2 absorbed during growth.

The removal of solid mineral resources from the earth for economic use.

Injecting water, sand, and chemicals at high pressure into shale rock to release trapped natural gas.