Secondary Sector Activities: Energy and Industrial Production
Industry: The Main Component of Secondary Sector Activities
Industry encompasses the processing of manufactured materials. Energy sources are the natural resources that provide the strength to transform raw materials, move machinery, and facilitate people and merchandise.
Nonrenewable Energy
Coal: Its origin is in the accumulation of vegetable debris. These remains, buried in soil or water at shallow depths, suffered decomposition and a solidification process. Coal is used as a fuel to produce electricity in thermal power plants. Major producing countries include China, the USA, India, Australia, Russia, and South Africa.
Petroleum: Its accumulation comes from the remains of plankton at the bottom of the sea that, when buried, became hydrocarbons due to lack of oxygen. Petroleum requires a refining process. It is used in the media and transportation industries. Major producing countries include Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iran, Mexico, Venezuela, and China.
Natural Gas: Its origin is related to petroleum, so it is possible to find it forming a layer over oil deposits. Other times, it is found in isolated deposits. Major producing countries include Russia, the USA, Canada, the UK, Iran, the Netherlands, Norway, and Algeria.
Nuclear Energy: This energy comes from minerals with a high level of radioactivity, such as uranium. It is obtained through a process called fission in nuclear power plants. It causes environmental problems related to radioactive waste storage, along with the danger of nuclear accidents. The use of this energy has been questioned, and it has provoked the closure of plants that do not comply with the required standards. Major producing countries include the USA, France, Japan, and Germany.
Renewable Energy
Hydroelectric: This uses the force of the fall of a large body of water from a certain height to generate electricity. Major producing countries include Canada, Brazil, the USA, China, and Russia.
Solar: This comes from harnessing sunlight through photovoltaic cells and solar panels to generate electricity. Major producing countries include the USA, Germany, Australia, and Canada.
Wind Energy: This energy takes advantage of the wind’s force to generate electricity in wind turbines. Major producing countries include Germany, Spain, the USA, and Denmark.
Tidal: Based on the movement and harnessing of the waves and tides to generate electricity in tidal power plants. Major producing countries include France, the UK, and Canada.
Geothermal: It comes from the Earth’s internal heat and is used in heating systems to generate electricity. Major producing countries include the USA, the Philippines, and Mexico.
Biomass: This consists of the use of waste as fuel in industries to obtain heating or gas. The USA, France, and Sweden stand out as major producers.
Human Resources
In underdeveloped countries, human resources are abundant, working hours are long, and there are hardly any breaks. The facilities do not meet minimum safety and hygiene requirements.
Types of Industries
Heavy Industry
Heavy industries are those that transform raw materials into semi-finished products. They require large capital investments, are very polluting, and require large spaces. There are two types:
Metallurgical: Dedicated to the manufacture of metal products. When it produces iron and steel, it is called the steel industry. Aluminum is of great importance and is used in other industries and high-voltage lines. Copper metallurgy also has great interest, as this metal is used in the electrical, automotive, and aeronautical industries.
Heavy Chemical Industry: Develops products needed for current industry, such as sulfuric acid, nitrogen, and phosphate. It requires large investments and qualified workers, so it is often located in more developed countries.
Equipment Goods Industries
These transform semi-finished products from heavy industry into finished goods and products. The high-tech and aerospace industries stand out, with some highlights in the European Union.
Light Industry
Light industries produce products destined for direct consumption. They consume less quantity of raw materials and energy sources, are less polluting, tend to be located near cities, and their size varies. There are five types:
Food: These industries transform and manipulate plant products, meat, milk, and fish. Major producing countries include the United Kingdom, Switzerland, the USA, and the Netherlands.
Automotive: The manufacture of individual vehicles has experienced significant expansion due to the growth of cities and the increased purchasing power of the population in developed countries. The most important producers include the European Union, the USA, and Japan. South Korea and China are also included.
Light Chemical: This is responsible for the production of various commodities, such as pharmaceuticals, photographic materials, cosmetics, plastics, etc. Major producing countries include France, Germany, the UK, and Italy.
Electronics and Information Technology: These are in continuous evolution. They include radios, televisions, photographic material, clocks, calculators, telephones, audio-visual equipment, and household appliances. Major producing countries include the USA, Japan, and parts of Europe.
Textile: This compiles a set of activities ranging from spinning and weaving to the making of garments and other articles. It uses natural materials (wool, cotton, etc.) and synthetic materials. This industry is deploying applications worldwide.