What problems are associated with the supply of energy?

·        What are the different types of energy production? (renewable, non-renewable, fossil fuels, nuclear, solar, wind, biofuels, tidal, HEP, waste-to-energy, geothermal)

·        Energy production has high economic costs.  Give examples of the economic issues of energy supply. (Start-up costs, waste disposal, public enquiries)

·        Some forms of energy have environmental concerns.  Give examples of these. (biofuels, nuclear waste, greenhouse gas emissions, large dam projects)

·        How do political decisions influence energy supply? (Carbon trading, Kyoto)

·        Why does technology cause problems for the supply of energy, particularly in LEDCs?

How and why is the demand for energy changing?

·        In nearly all cases demand for energy is increasing – explain why. (Affluence, economic development)

·        How does economic change increase the demand for energy? (industrialisation, globalisation)

·        How do social factors influence the demand for energy? (housing, education, sanitation, health)

·        In what ways can technology change the demand for energy?  (more use of technology = greater demand versus greater efficiency = reduced demand).

How can the demand for energy be sustainably managed?

·        Are alternative sources of energy (renewable energy) more sustainable than traditional methods of energy production? (Economy, environment, society, futurity)

·        Does greater energy efficiency really make energy usage more sustainable?

·        In what ways can demand for energy be reduced? (energy-efficient devices, government campaigns (Act on CO₂), home-working, video conferencing)

·        Demand for energy can be managed on a variety of scales – how can it be managed internationally, nationally, locally and by individuals? (Kyoto, government boiler grants, energy supply in new-build housing)

Can a sustainable energy supply be maintained in the future?

·        How sustainable is energy supply and demand in Sweden?

·        Which is a more sustainable approach to meeting energy demand – nuclear power or renewable energy sources?

·        Evaluate the sustainability of the different methods of energy production.  Which options meet the terms of economic, environmental, social and political sustainability?

·        Can economic development be achieved though the use of sustainable energy supply?

Sustainable development                Energy Supply           Nuclear Power           Tidal Power

Wind Power    Solar Power              Energy Efficiency      Biofuels          Hydro-electric power

Futurity            Social Justice            Geothermal energy               Carbon footprints

Kyoto Agreement      reduce, reuse, recycle                      Nuclear Waste           Agenda 21