Energy consumption case studies

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  • Energy consumption case studies
    • UK
      • Physical availability
        • Domestic coal in Yorkshire, South Wales etc until 1970s
        • Global leader in nuclear technology between 50s and 70s
        • North Sea oil and gas reserves
        • Reliant on imported energy since 2004
      • Cost
        • North Sea oil is expensive to extract so global price falls make it less viable to extract (2014-15)
        • Price of Middle East oil grew in 1970s so North Sea was the alternative
      • Technology
        • Deepwater drilling tech allowed North Sea oil and gas extraction
        • Current tech and environmental policies mean the  extraction of the 150 years worth of coal left in the UK unrealistic
        • Tech exists for 'clean coal' but it has lost its political support
      • Level of economic development
        • GDP per capita US$41200
        • Energy use per capita 2752kg
        • Average annual household energy costs £1300
      • Environmental priorities
        • 40% reduction in domestic greenhouse gas emissions by 2030
        • Intends to broaden its energy mix with renewable sources and more nuclear power
      • Political considerations
        • Relies on imported energy
        • Public concern over fracking and nuclear sites
        • Privatisation of the UK's energy supply industry in the 1980s means overseas companies control energy supply
    • Norway
      • Physical availability
        • Mountainous and steep valleys with lots of rain so HEP is plentiful
        • Coal in Svalbard
        • Oil and natural gas in Norway's territorial waters
      • Cost
        • HEP costs are low once capital investment is complete
        • The transfer of electricity from HEP in remote regions to population centres and isolated centres is expensive
      • Technology
        • Deepwater drilling tech allowed Norway to develop North Sea oil and gas extraction
      • Level of economic development
        • GDP per capita US$61,500
        • Energy use per capita 5858kg
        • Average annual household energy costs £2400
      • Environmental priorities
        • Third largest exporter of hydrocarbons and expanding its output
        • Domestic target of being carbon neutral by 2050
        • 40% reduction in domestic greenhouse emissions by 2030
        • Most coal, oil and gas is exported
      • Political considerations
        • The government has an interventionist approach which prevents foreign companies from owning any primary energy source sites
        • Royalties and taxes from the sale of fossil fuels boosts the standard of living through government spending

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