Energy

A-All types of Energy Used in Australia

  • Black Coal: 53.8%: It is a fossil fuel which "consists of the higher rank anthracite, bituminous and sub-bituminous coals". It is one of the main sources that Australia uses to generate electricity. Coal is found in most of Australia's states by specially what is considered the Northern Territory. 
  • Brown Coal: 22.5%: A fossil fuel that "is sometimes known as lignite" and has a lower rank. It is also one of the main contributors to Australia's energy sources. 
  • Gas: 15.9%: A environmentally friendly energy source which is the "natural gas is the cleanest-burning conventional fuel" since it produces low levels of green house emission. It is also cheaper than many other energy sources. 
  • Hydro: 4.5%: It is energy that is taken from the water and through a process it is converted to electricity. The most common way of getting this energy is trough a hydroelectric dam. It is the most used replenish able energy source in this country.  
  • Wind: 1.5%: It is the conversion of wind into a functional energy source. Most of the times it is acquired through different types of wind turbines. 

 B-Strengths and Weakness: Hydro electrical and Coal Energy

HYDRO ELECTRICAL
STRENGTHS: 
  • It is a replenishable source meaning that it is created by the sun and will never run out.
  • It is a natural energy source. 
  • After the dam is built little has to be done in order to get the energy.
  • These power plants need little maintenance and can last half a century. 
  • The creation of the plant is not extremely expensive when comparing it to methods used to obtain nonrenewable energy sources. 
WEAKNESSES:
  • Can only be created with a water source and many countries do not have access to one. 
  • The building process of the dam could be quite destructive.
  • It could harm marine life such as fish or other species. 
  • It can cut of streams that are vital for certain species and communities living in a nearby area. 

Coal Energy: 

STRENGTHS:

  • There is a lot of it.
  • It is inexpensive when compared to other energy sources such as gas. 
  • It can be converted into different forms of energy either liquid or gas form.
  • It is a continuos power, one is always able to obtain it. 
  • New technology has been created to reduce the pollution and contamination that it creates. 

WEAKNESSES:

  • Coal power plants contribute to a big part of air pollution, therefore it is one of the main causers of global warming. 
  • It could bring health problems "Air pollution from coal-burning poses a health hazard, especially for individuals with respiratory diseases"
  • It is a non-renewable energy source meaning that at some point it will run out. 
  • Produces high levels of radiation. 

C-Factors that Affect the Choice of Energy Sources of Australia

COAL

  •  There is a huge amount of Coal in the area.
  • It is is the easiest and cheapest way to generate the needed energy. 
  • The coal which is mined is also exported and this gives Australia income. 
  • It can be obtained in several locations of the country.
GAS
  • Gas is the non-renawable source that is the most environmental friendly and therefore it doesn't contaminate the environment too much.
  • It has many uses such as domestic, commercial industrial and for transportation.
  • It is the lightest fossil fuel.
HYDRO
  • It is a country which is surrounded by water and yet it is extremely dry, consequently it can only be used is the locations which receive the highest rainfall.
  • It has been able to construct more than 100 dams. 
  • When the area is not dry with hydro power they can supply all the energy of a city, such as in Tasmania. 
  • It is not expensive once it is built.
WIND:
  • Most of Australia's locations are very wind, because of the ocean that surrounds them, this gives them the ability to have wind turbines in different locations. 
  • Wind farms have a huge capacity. 
  • It does not contaminate the environment and Australia is one of the most developed countries in this aspect. 

D- Energy Resources Used in your Society Changed Over Time

In the past, the amount of energy of production in Australia wasn't as high, this was because the economy of Australia wasn't that strong. However, as this countries economy continues to flourish the energy consumption that it requires is much higher. Consequently, one of the reasons to why Australia is the 9th worlds energy producer is the strong economy that the country has. 

In the past they didn't use any type of renewable energy, meaning that all of their energy came from fossil fuels and natural gases, many which are still used now. 

The main sources of energy were (Still used now) :

  • Coal
  • Natural Gas 
  • Oil
However, in the last 60 years this has begun to change. These changes have been due to improvements and modifications in technology, infrastructure, and as mentioned above most of all the economy of the country. 
  • The first hydropower plant was built in the 1950's in Australia. 
  • Other replenishable sources such as solar, wind and bio are also beginning to make a small contribution. 
Most of Australia's energy still comes from non-renewable sources, sources which contaminate the environment. Yet as the country continues to grow, as the economy continues to get stronger, their will be further development of other energy sources, decreasing the impact that human beings have on the environment.   

Overall, I believe that Australia is in a good track. They are beginning to implement more replenishable sources and through this they will able to lower their ecological footprint. One should also consider that this seems to be a country is that is completely concerned with the environment, so, it will be no surprise if the use of replenishable resources continues to increase. Since, this country is is a MEDC they also have the opportunity to invest money in these purposes, and considering that replenishable energy sources are many times very expensive at the beginning but not over time which means that they can spend money on the initial face. I don't think we should worry a lot of this countries ecologic footprint, seeing that they are doing everything they can to minimize it.