Energy Supply Factors
Why energy supply is uneven across the world: the factors that decide how much energy a place can secure, and what energy insecurity does when supply falls short.
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Why energy supply is uneven
Energy is not shared evenly around the world. Some countries have plenty of their own fuel, while others must buy energy from abroad. Several factors decide the supply. Physical availability matters most, since a country with few fuel reserves has less of its own to use. Cost affects it too, as expensive fuels may be left in the ground. Technology can unlock energy that was once too hard to reach. Climate-change and political factors also count, since a dispute between countries can cut off imported energy overnight. When supply falls short a country suffers energy insecurity, which pushes it to drill in fragile places, raises the economic and environmental cost of energy, and can even reduce food production. This module looks at those factors and impacts; the next covers ways to secure more.
Energy supply words
Learn these before you match any factor, and keep the difference between making energy and buying it in mind.
Energy surplus against energy deficit
The global pattern splits roughly into countries with more energy than they need and countries that fall short.
How to link a factor to a consequence
Marks come from the chain, not the label. Start with one factor, say what it does to the energy a country can secure, then follow it to a real impact. A country with no reserves of its own must import fuel, which leaves it exposed, so a political dispute abroad can cut the supply and send prices soaring. Pick a single factor, trace each step, and end at a named consequence for a place rather than listing causes and effects in two separate heaps.
Match the factor to its effect on supply
- few fuel reserves of its own
- the high cost of a fuel
- new technology
- a political dispute
- the country must import its energy
- expensive fuel is left in the ground
- energy that was once too hard to reach is unlocked
- imported energy can be cut off
Which factor is this?
A country buys most of its gas from a neighbour. A political dispute breaks out and the neighbour shuts off the pipeline. Which factor has limited the energy supply?
- Political factors.
- Better technology.
- An energy surplus.
- Huge reserves of its own.
Impacts of energy insecurity
Select the TWO impacts that energy insecurity can cause.
- Drilling in difficult, environmentally-sensitive areas
- Higher economic costs as energy becomes expensive
- Cheaper energy for everyone
- Much more food being grown
Daily energy gap
A country demands 900 units of energy a day but produces only 600 units. Subtract to find the daily energy gap it must cover, in units.
Order how a supply crisis unfolds
Put the chain from relying on imports to a shortage in order, earliest first.
- A country relies on imported gas from abroad
- A political dispute cuts off the supply
- Energy becomes scarce and costly
- Homes and factories go short of power
Complete the facts
Having reliable access to enough affordable energy is energy _____. Not being able to get enough affordable energy is energy _____. Coal, oil and gas formed over millions of years are _____ fuels. A country with few reserves of its own must rely on _____.
Match the impact to what it means
- exploring sensitive areas
- economic cost
- environmental cost
- effect on food
- drilling in fragile places such as the Arctic
- energy becomes expensive to produce and buy
- pollution and damage from producing energy
- less energy means less food is grown and moved
Spot the true energy supply facts
Tap the TWO statements that are true about energy supply.
- Physical availability of fuel affects energy supply
- A political dispute can cut off imported energy
- Energy is shared perfectly evenly across the world
- Energy insecurity always makes energy cheaper
Diagnose the cause
Read each case and choose the best response, with a reason.
- A country has almost no coal, oil or gas of its own and must buy nearly all its energy from other nations. Which factor most limits its supply?
- Facing a shortage, a country begins drilling for oil in a fragile Arctic region. Which impact of energy insecurity is this?
- A student lists factors and impacts in two separate blocks with no link between them. How could the answer be improved?
Explain energy supply and insecurity
A country that imports most of its energy keeps suffering shortages. Explain the factors that limit its energy supply and the impacts of the energy insecurity that follows.
- Explain how physical availability of fuel limits energy supply
- Explain one other factor, such as cost, technology or political factors
- Explain what energy insecurity means
- Describe two impacts of energy insecurity on the country
- Finish with a judgement linking the main factor to its worst consequence