Resource Provision » Energy Use Variations

What you'll learn this session

Study time: 30 minutes

Global patterns of energy consumption and production
Factors affecting energy use variations between countries
Renewable vs non-renewable energy resources
Energy security challenges and solutions
Case studies of energy use in different development contexts

Introduction to Energy Use Variations

Energy is essential for modern life - from powering our homes and schools to fuelling transport and industry. However, energy isn't used equally around the world. Some countries consume vast amounts while others struggle with energy access. Understanding these variations helps us make sense of global development patterns and sustainability challenges.

Key Definitions:

Energy consumption: The total amount of energy used by a country or region.
Energy mix: The combination of different energy sources used by a country.
Energy security: Having reliable access to sufficient energy at affordable prices.
Energy poverty: Lack of access to modern energy services.

🔥 Non-renewable Energy

Energy sources that will run out and cannot be replaced in our lifetime:

Fossil fuels: Coal, oil, natural gas
Nuclear: Uranium

These currently provide about 80% of global energy.

🌞 Renewable Energy

Energy sources that are naturally replenished:

Solar, wind, hydroelectric
Geothermal, biomass, tidal

Growing rapidly but still only about 20% of global energy.

Global Patterns of Energy Use

Energy consumption varies dramatically across the world. High-income countries (HICs) typically use much more energy per person than low-income countries (LICs). The average American uses over 100 times more energy than someone in Ethiopia.

📈 Energy Use Facts

The USA, China and India are the world's largest energy consumers.
Qatar, Iceland and Canada have the highest energy use per person.
About 770 million people worldwide still lack access to electricity.
The average UK resident uses about 5 times more energy than the average Indian.

Factors Affecting Energy Use Variations

Several key factors explain why energy use varies so much between countries:

🏢 Economic Development

Countries with higher GDP typically use more energy for:

Industrial production
Transport networks
Commercial activities

🌡 Climate & Geography

Natural conditions affect energy needs:

Cold climates need more heating
Hot climates need more cooling
Large countries need more transport energy

👪 Population & Lifestyle

Social factors influence consumption:

Population size and density
Consumer habits and wealth
Urban vs rural living patterns

Energy Use Across Development Stages

Energy use typically follows a pattern as countries develop:

🌁 LICs & Some NEEs

Energy characteristics:

Lower overall consumption
High reliance on biomass (wood, dung)
Limited electricity access in rural areas
Growing industrial energy demand
Energy infrastructure challenges

🌇 HICs & Advanced NEEs

Energy characteristics:

High overall consumption
Diverse energy mix
Near-universal electricity access
Growing renewable energy sector
Focus on energy efficiency

Case Study: Energy Use in India (NEE)

India illustrates the complex energy challenges facing developing nations:

Rapid growth: Energy demand growing at 4-5% annually
Coal dependence: 70% of electricity from coal
Energy poverty: Despite progress, millions still lack reliable electricity
Renewable ambitions: Target of 450 GW renewable capacity by 2030
Urban-rural divide: Stark differences in energy access and consumption

India shows how NEEs must balance development needs with sustainability goals.

Energy Security Challenges

As countries develop, ensuring reliable energy becomes increasingly important. Energy security faces several threats:

Resource depletion: Fossil fuels are finite and becoming harder to extract
Price volatility: Energy markets can experience rapid price changes
Political instability: Many energy-rich regions face conflicts
Infrastructure vulnerabilities: Power grids and pipelines can be damaged
Climate change impacts: Affecting both energy production and demand

🛡 Energy Security Strategies

Countries use various approaches to improve energy security:

Diversifying energy sources to reduce dependence on any single resource
Developing domestic resources to reduce import reliance
Building strategic reserves of fuels like oil and gas
Investing in energy efficiency to reduce overall demand
International agreements to ensure stable supply chains

The Future of Global Energy Use

Energy use patterns continue to evolve globally. Several key trends are shaping the future:

🟢 Renewable Growth

Renewable energy is the fastest-growing energy source globally, with costs falling rapidly. Solar PV costs have dropped by 85% since 2010.

🏠 Urbanisation

Growing cities, especially in Asia and Africa, are driving new energy demand patterns and infrastructure needs.

🚗 Electrification

Transport and heating are increasingly shifting to electricity, changing how and where energy is used.

Case Study: UK Energy Transition

The UK demonstrates how energy use in HICs is changing:

Coal decline: Coal provided 40% of UK electricity in 2012 but less than 2% in 2020
Renewable growth: Wind power now generates over 20% of UK electricity
Consumption patterns: Total energy use has fallen since 2000 despite economic growth
Transport shift: Electric vehicles growing rapidly, with petrol/diesel sales to end by 2030

The UK shows how HICs can reduce carbon while maintaining development.

Sustainable Development and Energy

Energy is central to achieving sustainable development goals. The challenge is ensuring everyone has access to affordable, reliable energy while reducing environmental impacts.

Key considerations include:

Energy access: Providing electricity and clean cooking to all
Energy efficiency: Getting more value from each unit of energy
Low-carbon transition: Shifting to cleaner energy sources
Energy justice: Ensuring fair distribution of benefits and costs

The path forward requires balancing immediate development needs with long-term sustainability, especially in LICs and NEEs where energy demand is growing fastest.

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