Lecture on Patterns and Trends in Global Energy Consumption

Objectives

• Describe trends in energy consumption.
• Practice calculating answers with appropriate units.

Key Trends in Energy Consumption

Developed vs. Developing Nations

• Energy Use per Capita
  • Developed countries: higher energy use per person.
  • Developing countries: lower per person but higher total energy use due to larger population.
  • Example: U.S. uses about 5 times as much energy per person as the world average.
• Developing World Trends
  • Population growth and industrialization increase energy consumption.
  • Rising standards of living lead to higher per capita energy use.

Dominance of Fossil Fuels

• Primary Energy Sources
  • Oil, coal, and natural gas are the dominant global energy sources.
• Uses
  • Oil: Mainly used as fuel for transportation.
  • Coal: Predominantly used for electricity generation (~40% globally).
  • Natural Gas: Used for electricity generation and heating.

Alternative Energy Sources

• Hydroelectricity: Second to fossil fuels; involves using water to generate electricity.
• Nuclear Power: Distant third; involves fission of uranium to generate electricity.

Impact of Development on Energy Use

• Subsistence Fuels in Underdeveloped Areas
  • Includes wood, manure, charcoal, and other biomass.
  • Used for heating and cooking due to availability and low cost.
• Transition to Fossil Fuels
  • As wealth increases, there's a shift from subsistence fuels to fossil fuels.
  • Increase in demand for oil, natural gas, and coal to meet higher energy needs.

Factors Affecting Energy Source Use

Availability

• Dependence on Fossil Fuel Reserves
  • Availability and accessibility can greatly influence use.
  • Example: 2010 increase in natural gas production from U.S. shales due to fracking.
  • Price decreases as availability increases, leading to higher consumption.

Government Regulation

• Energy Mix Mandates
  • Governments can require a certain percentage of energy to come from renewables.
  • Cannot directly set prices but can use taxes and incentives to influence energy production.
• Geographical and Political Influences
  • Variation in renewable energy use across countries and even states in the U.S.
  • Progressive policies may increase renewable energy use.

Practice

• FRQ 6.2: Perform calculations and show work in notebooks.

Thanks for watching! Like, subscribe, and explore more resources. Think like a mountain, write like a scholar.