Energy security: Uninterrupted availability of energy sources at an affordable price.
Energy surplus: More energy than needed. This exists where energy supply is greater than demand.
Energy deficit: Less energy than needed. This exists where energy demand is greater than supply.
Global patterns of energy supply & consumption
The world’s major consumers of energy are also the major suppliers of energy.
Most of the highest energy consumers and suppliers are HICs.
Energy production is low in those countries where the demand for energy is low.
The lowest energy consumers and suppliers tend to be LICs.
Areas of surplus (security) and deficit (insecurity)
The balance between energy supply (production) and demand (consumption) determines the level of energy security. If supply exceeds demand then a country has an energy surplus. If demand exceeds production, there is an energy deficit and the country suffers from energy insecurity.
Areas of the world with an energy deficit (insecurity) include…
Western Europe
North America
Asia
Sub-Saharan Africa
Areas of the world with an energy surplus (security) include…
Russia
Eastern Europe
Middle East
Causes of energy insecurity
Conflict & political instability - conflict may result in energy insecurity as war affects a country’s ability to extract, transport and import energy resources.
Poor infrastructure - poor infrastructure may result in energy insecurity as it affects a country’s ability to transport and import energy resources.
Depletion of coal and oil reserves - as a country's reserves decline and run out, it will become reliant on imports from other countries, resulting in energy insecurity.
Volatile prices - countries that are reliant on energy imports can be negatively impacted by rising prices, resulting in reduced supply and energy insecurity.
Renewable energy of nuclear concerns - concerns by the public about nuclear energy (e.g. accidents/spillages) and renewable energy (e.g. visual and noise pollution) may put a country off investing in them, making it increasing reliable on fossil fuel imports, resulting in energy insecurity.
Increasing energy consumption - rapidly increasing demand may outstrip supply, resulting in energy insecurity.
Unequal distribution of fossil fuel sources - some countries have no or few reserves of fossil fuels, which often results in energy insecurity.
Causes of energy security
Wealth - Some countries have a low risk to their energy supply because they have high incomes so they are able to buy energy no matter how high the price
Plentiful supplies - Plentiful supplies of fossil fuels means that countries can control their own energy supply, resulting in energy security.
Control of energy companies - Risk is low for some countries because they control the energy companies, so even if the supply is not in their country they can secure supplies from wherever it is being found.
Suitable landscape/climate to generate renewable energy - this helps to reduce reliance on imported fuels, increasing energy security.
Reasons for increasing energy consumption
1. Economic development
As countries develop their demand for energy supplies increases.
NEEs will account for more than 90% of the growth in demand for energy to 2035. Recent growth in Asia's energy demand has been led by China.
Rapid economic growth and industrialisation in India is likely to lead to greater energy demand.
2. Rising population
As the world's population increases, so too does the demand for energy.
In 2015 the world's population was 7.5 billion. By 2050 it is estimated to reach 9 billion!
3. Technology
The increasing use of technology such as computers, mobile phones and other electrical equipment, has resulted in a growing demand for energy.
As wealth increases, so too does the demand for cars, lighting and heating; all of which result in increased energy demand.
Factors affecting energy supply
1. Physical factors
The geology of an area determines the location and availability of fossil fuels. Coal is formed by vegetation (plants) laid down and altered by pressure and heat over millions of years. Natural gas and oil are trapped in folded layers of rock.
Geothermal energy is produced in areas of tectonic activity like Iceland.
2. Cost of exploitation and production
Some energy sources are costly to exploit. For examples, oil rigs and pipelines require huge investment.
Nuclear power stations are expensive to build.
3. Technology
Technological advances mean that we can now exploit energy sources in remote or difficult environments that were previously impossible to access e.g. the Arctic.
Technological advances can also result in reduced costs.
Technological advances have made a new technique called fracking possible, which allows us to reach trapped shale gas that we were previously unable to reach. Fracking involves injecting high pressure liquids into shale rock to release the shale gas trapped underneath.
4. Political factors
Political instability in the Middle East has meant that many oil consuming countries have looked for alternative sources of energy.
Some Western countries and Israel currently want to stop Iran developing nuclear power, as they fear it will be used for non-peaceful purposes.
The UK government has decided to cut subsidies for renewable energy such as solar and wind.