SUSTAINABLE PLANNING

AND ARCHITECTURE

UNIT - 3

Energy Sources
Renewable Energy & Non Renewable Energy
Energy Sources
ENERGY
Power derived from the utilization of physical or chemical resources, especially to provide light and heat or to
work machines. Energy conservation and efficiency measures reduce the impact of energy development, and
can have benefits to society with changes in economic cost and with changes in the environmental effects.

SUSTAINABLE ENERGY:
Sustainable energy is the sustainable provision of energy that meets the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

TOTAL WORLD ENERGY CONSUMPTION

• Contemporary industrial societies use primary and secondary energy sources for transportation
and the production of many manufactured goods. Also, large industrial populations have various
generation and delivery services for energy distribution and end-user utilization.
• This energy is used by people who can afford the cost to live under various climatic conditions
through the use of heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning.
• Level of use of external energy sources differs across societies, along with the convenience,
levels of traffic congestion, pollution sources and availability of domestic energy sources.
• Thousands of people in society are employed in the energy industry, of which subjectively
influence and impact behaviors.
• The conventional industry comprises the petroleum industry the gas industry, the electrical power
industry the coal industry and the nuclear power industry.
• New energy industries include the renewable energy industry, comprising alternative and
sustainable manufacture, distribution, and sale of alternative fuels.
• While there is the development of new hydrocarbon sources, including deepwater/horizontal
drilling and fracking, are contentiously underway, commitments to mitigate climate change are
driving efforts to develop sources of alternative and renewable energy.

Non-renewable resource

•A non-renewable resource (also called a finite resource) is a resource that does not renew itself at
a sufficient rate for sustainable economic extraction in meaningful human time-frames.
•An example is carbon-based, organically-derived fuel. The original organic material, with the aid of
heat and pressure, becomes a fuel such as oil or gas.
•Fossil fuels (such as coal, petroleum, and natural gas), and certain aquifers are all non-renewable
resources. In contrast, resources such as timber (when harvested sustainably) and wind (used to
power energy conversion systems) are considered renewable resources, largely because their
localized replenishment can occur within timeframes meaningful to humans.
Fossil Fuels
Coal, Oil and Gas are called "fossil fuels" because they have been formed from the fossilized remains of prehistoric plants
and animals. They provide around 66% of the world's electrical power, and 95% of the world's total energy demands. It is a
non renewable energy and once we've burned them all, there isn't any more, and our consumption of fossil fuels has nearly
doubled every 20 years since 1900. This is a particular problem for Oil, because we also use it to make plastics and many
other products.

How Fossil Fuels Work

• Coal is crushed to a fine dust and burnt. Oil and gas can be burnt directly.
•Burn fuel - heat water to make steam - steam turns turbine - turbine turns generator - electrical power - distributed around
the country
•Coal provides around 28% of our energy, and oil provides 40%.
•Crude oil (called "petroleum") is easier to get out of the ground than coal, as it can flow along pipes. This also makes it
cheaper to transport.
•Natural gas provides around 20% of the world's consumption of energy

Advantages to Using Fossil Fuels

 Very large amounts of electricity can be generated in one place using coal, fairly cheaply.
 Transporting oil and gas to the power stations is easy.
 Gas-fired power stations are very efficient.
 A fossil-fuelled power station can be built almost anywhere

Disadvantages of Using Fossil Fuels

• Basically, the main drawback of fossil fuels is pollution.
• Burning any fossil fuel produces carbon dioxide, which contributes to the "greenhouse effect", warming the Earth.
• Burning coal produces sulphur dioxide, a gas that contributes to acid rain.
• With the United States importing 55% of its oil, oil spills are a serious problem
• Mining coal can be difficult and dangerous. Strip mining destroys large areas of the landscape.
• Some power stations are built on the coast, so they can use sea water to cool the steam instead. However, this warms
the sea and can affect the environment, although the fish seem to like it.
Nuclear Power
• Nuclear power is generated using Uranium, which is a metal mined
in various parts of the world.
• Nuclear power produces around 11% of the world's energy needs,
and produces huge amounts of energy from small amounts of fuel,
without the pollution that you'd get from burning fossil fuels.
• It is a non renewable energy because Once we've dug up all the
Earth's uranium and used it, there isn't any more.

How Nuclear Power Works

•Nuclear fission makes heat - heated water makes steam - steam turns
turbines - turbines turn generators - electrical power is sent around the
country
•The reactor uses Uranium rods as fuel, and the heat is generated by
nuclear fission. Neutrons smash into the nucleus of the uranium
atoms, which split roughly in half and release energy in the form of heat.

Advantages to Using Nuclear Power

• Nuclear power costs about the same as coal, so it's not expensive
to make.
• Does not produce smoke or carbon dioxide, so it does not
contribute to the greenhouse effect.
• Produces huge amounts of energy from small amounts of fuel.
• Produces small amounts of waste.
• Nuclear power is reliable.

Disadvantages of Nuclear Power

Although not much waste is produced, it is very, very dangerous. It
must be sealed up and buried for many years to allow the radioactivity
to die away.
RENEWABLE ENERGY:

Renewable energy is generally defined as energy that comes from resources which are naturally
replenished on a human timescale such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, waves and geothermal heat.

The sun, wind and biomass are the three renewable energy sources.
Renewable energy replaces conventional fuels in four distinct areas:

• Electricity generation
•Hot water / space heating
•Motor Fuels
•Rural (off-grid) energy services.
TECHNOLOGIES THAT PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE ENERGY - Renewable energy sources:
•Hydroelectricity
•Solar energy
•Wind energy
•Wave power
•Geothermal energy
•Artificial photosynthesis
•Tidal power
•Technologies designed to improve energy efficiency

Benefits of Renewable Energy

Renewable energy has a host of social, environmental, and economic benefits. To be truly sustainable, an
energy source must meet these criteria:

•Have minimal or no negative environmental or social impact.

•No depletion of natural resources.
•Meet the needs of people today and in the future in an accessible, equitable and efficient manner.
•Protect air, land and water.
•Have little or no net carbon or other greenhouse gas emissions.
•Be safe today and not burden future generations with unnecessary risk.
•The facilities used to create renewable energy require less maintenance.
•In regions that produce renewable energy, economic growth is seen with the creation of high paying jobs.

Disadvantages of renewable energy:

•A disadvantage is that it is difficult to generate in large quantities due to most of the resources being
natural.
•The supply is not reliable, which forces producers to always have a back-up source or alternative material
on hand.
Solar Energy

•Solar energy, radiant light and heat from the sun, is harnessed using a range of ever-evolving
technologies such as solar heating, solar photovoltaic, solar thermal electricity, solar
architecture and artificial photosynthesis.

•Solar technologies are broadly characterized as either passive solar or active solar depending on the
way they capture, convert and distribute solar energy.

•Active solar techniques include the use of photovoltaic panels and solar thermal collectors to harness
the energy.

•Passive solar techniques include orienting a building to the Sun, selecting materials with
favourable thermal mass or light dispersing properties, and designing spaces that naturally circulate air.

1. Cost efficiency is the primary reason to design a home with a passive heating system. While a passive
heating system may not be able to satisfy the heating needs of a home completely, it will dramatically save
on energy costs.
2. Another benefit of passive solar heating is that it has no negative impact on the environment.
Passive solar heating systems do not emit greenhouse gases and does not depend on the use of fossil
fuels. This form of heating is completely renewable and clean.

Solar power is produced by collecting sunlight and converting it into electricity. This is done by using solar
panels, which are large flat panels made up of many individual solar cells. It is most often used in remote
locations, although it is becoming more popular in urban areas as well.
APPLICATION OF SOLAR ENERGY IN ARCHITECTURE:
Sunlight has influenced building design since the beginning of architectural history. The common features
of passive solar architecture are:
• Orientation relative to the Sun,
• Compact proportion (a low surface area to volume ratio),
• Selective shading (overhangs) and thermal mass.
• When these features are tailored to the local climate and environment they can produce well-lit
spaces that stay in a comfortable temperature range. Active solar equipment such as pumps, fans and
switchable windows can complement passive design and improve system performance.
• Urban heat islands (UHI) are metropolitan areas with higher temperatures than that of the
surrounding environment.
• The higher temperatures are a result of increased absorption of the Solar light by urban materials
such as asphalt and concrete, which have lower albedos and higher heat capacities than those in the
natural environment.
• A straightforward method of counteracting the UHI effect is to paint buildings and roads white and
plant trees

Water heating

Solar hot water systems use sunlight to heat water. In low geographical
latitudes (below 40 degrees) from 60 to 70% of the domestic hot water use
with temperatures up to 60 °C can be provided by solar heating systems.
The most common types of solar water heaters are Evacuated tube
collectors (44%) and Glazed flat plate collectors (34%) are generally used
for domestic hot water; and unglazed plastic collectors (21%) used mainly
to heat swimming pools.
Evacuated tube collectors Glazed flat plate collectors

•Thermal mass is any material that can be used to store heat—heat from the Sun in the case of solar
energy. Common thermal mass materials include stone, cement and water. Historically they have been used
in arid climates or warm temperate regions to keep buildings cool by absorbing solar energy during the day
and radiating stored heat to the cooler atmosphere at night. However they can be used in cold temperate
areas to maintain warmth as well. The size and placement of thermal mass depend on several factors such
as climate, daylighting and shading conditions.

•A solar chimney (or thermal chimney, in this context) is a passive solar ventilation system composed of a
vertical shaft connecting the interior and exterior of a building. As the chimney warms, the air inside is
heated causing an updraft that pulls air through the building. Performance can be improved by using glazing
and thermal mass materials in a way that mimics greenhouses.
Photovoltaic cell (solar cell)

•Solar cells are made of the same kinds of semiconductor materials, such as silicon, used in the
microelectronics industry.
•For solar cells, a thin semiconductor wafer is specially treated to form an electric field, positive on one side
and negative on the other.
•When light energy strikes the solar cell, electrons are knocked loose from the atoms in the semiconductor
material.
•If electrical conductors are attached to the positive and negative sides, forming an electrical circuit, the
electrons can be captured in the form of an electric current -- that is, electricity. This electricity can then be
used to power a load, such as a light or a tool.

Photovoltaic Module or Array

•A number of solar cells electrically connected to each other and mounted in a support structure or frame is
called a photovoltaic module.
•Modules are designed to supply electricity at a certain voltage, such as a common 12 volts system.
•The current produced is directly dependent on how much light strikes the module.
Solar Water Heaters

Components of solar water heaters:

•A typical domestic solar water heater consists of a hot water storage

tank and one or more flat plate collectors.
•The collectors are glazed on the sun facing side to allow solar radiation
to come in.
•A black absorbing surface (absorber) inside the flat plate collectors
absorbs solar radiation and transfers the energy to water flowing through
it. Heated water is collected in the tank which is insulated to prevent heat
loss.
•Circulation of water from the tank through the collectors and back to the
tank continues automatically due to density difference between hot and
cold water

Flat plate collectors:

•It consists of an absorber plate which is coated on its sun facing surface with an absorbent coating, also
called selective coating.
•The absorber consists of a grid of metallic tubes and sheets. Water flows through the tubes.
•Sheet absorbs the solar radiation falling on it and transfers it to water.
•The absorber plate is placed in a top open box to protect it from weather.
•The space between back and sides of the absorber and the box is filled with insulation to reduce heat
losses.
•The front of the box is covered with a high transmittance glass plate.
•Flat plate collectors are specified on the basis of their area and are of commonly 1x2 m size.
Hot water storage tank

• The hot water storage tank in domestic solar water

heating systems is typically a double walled tank.
• The space between the inner and the outer tanks is filled
with insulation to prevent heat losses.
• The inner tank is generally made of copper or stainless
steel to ensure long life.
• The outer tank could be made of stainless steel sheet,
painted steel sheet or aluminum.
• Electrical heating elements controlled by thermostats can
be provided as an option in the tank itself to take care of
those days when sun is not there or demand of water has
gone up.
• The capacity of the tank should be in proportion to the
collector area used in the system.
• A commonly used thumb rule is to provide 50 litres of
storage for every sq. m of collector area. Too large or too
small tanks are both detrimental to efficiency.
• Multiple modules can be wired together to form an array.
• In general, the larger the area of a module or array, the
more electricity that will be produced.
• Photovoltaic modules and arrays produce direct-current
(dc) electricity.
• They can be connected in both series and parallel
electrical arrangements to produce any required voltage
and current combination.
Solar Furnaces
• Use a huge array of mirrors to concentrate the Sun's energy into a small space
and produce very high temperatures.

Advantage of Solar Power

• Solar energy is free - it needs no fuel and produces no waste or pollution.
• In sunny countries, solar power can be used where there is no easy way to get
electricity to a remote place.
• Handy for low-power uses such as solar powered garden lights and battery
chargers

Disadvantage of Solar Power

• Doesn't work at night.
• Very expensive to build solar power stations. Solar cells cost a great deal
compared to the amount of electricity they'll produce in their lifetime.
• Can be unreliable unless you're in a very sunny climate.
SOLAR ARCHITECTURE:
• Solar photovoltaics enable Architects to create buildings which produce their own low carbon energy, whilst creating
unique and visually stunning designs.

BUILDING INTEGRATED PHOTOVOLTAICS (BIPV)

• These are photovoltaic materials that are used to replace conventional building materials in parts of the building
envelope such as the roof, skylights, or facades.
• They are increasingly being incorporated into the construction of new buildings as a principal or ancillary source of
electrical power, although existing buildings may be retrofitted with similar technology.
• The advantage of integrated photovoltaics over more common non-integrated systems is that the initial cost can be
offset by reducing the amount spent on building materials and labor that would normally be used to construct the
part of the building that the BIPV modules replace.

FORMS
Flat roofs
The most widely installed to date is a thin film solar cell integrated to a flexible polymer
roofing membrane.
Pitched roofs
Modules shaped like multiple roof tiles.
Solar shingles are modules designed to look and act like regular shingles, while
incorporating a flexible thin film cell.
It extends normal roof life by protecting insulation and membranes from ultraviolet rays
and water degradation. It does this by eliminating condensation because the dew point
is kept above the roofing membrane.
Facade
Facades can be installed on existing buildings, giving old buildings a whole new look.
These modules are mounted on the facade of the building, over the existing structure,
which can increase the appeal of the building and its resale value.
Glazing
Semi-transparent modules can be used to replace a number of architectural elements
commonly made with glass or similar materials, such as windows and skylights.
ADVANTAGES:

Versatility:
• Photovoltaics (PV) provide a unique way for buildings to harvest energy
from their environment, capitalising on solar radiation as well as
minimising solar gain. As rain screen cladding, plant screens, louvres
and even glass laminates, photovoltaics can be considered as a unique
and truly versatile building material.
Revenue generation:
• Solar photovoltaic panels can be used in the same way as conventional
materials for the external building envelope but with the unique
advantage that they generate energy. This means the building can
utilise the electricity generated to displace mains electricity, fulfilling the
twin objectives of minimising environmental impact and saving money.
High-tech aesthetics:
• Solar PV is also a high-tech solution with a unique aesthetic, which can
be cheaper than other prestige materials such as marble or bronze. As
well as providing a state-of-the-art finish for any building, solar PV
helps reduce carbon emissions and demonstrates a serious
commitment to the environment.

SOLAR ARCHITECTURE OPTIONS:

Solar Louvres
Shading is an important part of low energy building design that minimises
glare and overheating caused by excessive solar gain. The use of louvres or
brise soleil to shade south facing facades is a proven means of reducing
solar gain, reducing the need for artificial cooling. Solar shading also
reduces glare for PC users and increase occupant comfort whilst generating
clean renewable electricity.
Plant Screens

Photovoltaics are an obvious choice as a protective solution for plant

equipment and roof mounted facilities. Plant screens are naturally well
positioned to incorporate solar panels, receiving a large amount of solar
radiation on at least two sides of the building.

Solar Glazing

Solar Glazing is a unique combination of solar photovoltaics and glass, where

the PV cells are laminated between two panes of specialised glazing. The
resulting glass laminate serves the dual function of creating energy and
shade at the same time. Solar Glazing can be used wherever conventional
glass would be specified - such as curtain walling, atria, windows and shading
canopies, and can be integrated into sealed glazing systems or conventional
bolted glass structures. The finished effect of Solar Glazing offers a unique
aesthetic, where natural lighting is combined with dappled shading to provide
comfortable naturally lit spaces.

SOLAR FACADES

There are two different Solar Facade options, both of which can be designed
to meet specific building requirements:

1.Rain Screen Cladding

Vertical Solar Facades directly replace conventional rainscreen cladding

materials providing a smooth, flat facade surface for any building, with a
striking aesthetic. Vertical facades allow building designers to fit the most
solar PV per square metre, giving the highest possible electrical power output
for a given area. This solution is best for buildings where the area available
for Solar Facade is limited.
2. Optimized Rain Screen Cladding

Optimized Facades replace conventional rain screen cladding with

rows of PV panels tilted towards the sun. This maximizes the amount
of electricity generated, offering up to 30% more energy from each
square metre of PV panel. However, rows of panels are spaced to
avoid self shading which means less PV panels per square meter. It
is best for buildings with large areas available for Solar Facade
installation.

Case Study: Solar Louvres - Environment Agency, Red Kite

House

• Red Kite House is an Environment Agency office in Wallingford,

England. The Environment Agency comissioned Solarcentury to
design a brise-soleil canopy to provide shade to the interior.
• The PV panels form a louvre canopy on the concave south
facade, by fixing the PV louvres to existing steel beams.
• Solar louvres were created by fixing the modules and the
aluminium cowling to telescopic spindles on the ground, which
were then lifted into position.
• Energy from the solar louvres, complemented by the energy
efficient design of the building, will meet around 20% of the
building’s annual demand for electricity.
• The solar louvres also reduce solar glare to the offices, which
helps to keep the building cool during summer months by
minimising thermal gain. This application therefore minimises
the buildings cooling load to further reduce overhead energy
costs.
WIND POWER
•We've used the wind as an energy source for a long time.
•The Babylonians and Chinese were using wind power to pump water for irrigating
crops 4,000 years ago, and sailing boats were around long before that.
•Wind power was used in the Middle Ages, in Europe, to grind corn, which is
where the term "windmill" comes from.

How Wind Power Works

• The Sun heats our atmosphere unevenly, so some patches become warmer
than others.
• These warm patches of air rise, other air blows in to replace them - and we
feel a wind blowing.
• We can use the energy in the wind by building a tall tower, with a large
propellor on the other end.

Advantages to Wind power

 Wind is free, wind farms need no fuel.
 Produces no waste or greenhouse gases.
 The land beneath can usually still be used for farming.
 Wind farms can be tourist attractions.
 A good method of supplying energy to remote areas.

Disadvantages of Wind Power

•The wind is not always predictable some days have no wind.

•Suitable areas for wind farms are often near the coast, where land is expensive.
•Some people feel that covering the landscape with these towers is unsightly.
•Can kill birds - migrating flocks tend to like strong winds. Splat!
•Can affect television reception if you live nearby.
•Noisy. A wind generator makes a constant, low, "swooshing" noise day and night.
WIND ENERGY
• It is a form of solar energy and is a result of the uneven heating of
the atmosphere by the sun, the irregularities of the earth's surface,
and the rotation of the earth. Wind flow patterns and speeds vary
and are modified by bodies of water, vegetation, and differences in
terrain. Humans use this wind flow, or motion energy, for many
purposes: sailing, flying a kite, and even generating electricity.
• The terms wind energy or wind power describe the process by
which the wind is used to generate mechanical power or electricity.
Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy in the wind into
mechanical power. This mechanical power can be used for specific
tasks (such as grinding grain or pumping water) or a generator can
convert this mechanical power into electricity.

Wind power
• Wind power is the conversion of wind energy into a useful form of
energy, such as using wind turbines to make electrical power,
windmills for mechanical power, wind pumps for water pumping or
drainage, or sails to propel ships.
• Large wind farms consist of hundreds of individual wind turbines
which are connected to the electric power transmission network.
For new constructions, onshore wind is an inexpensive source of
electricity, competitive with or in many places cheaper than fossil
fuel plants. Small onshore wind farms provide electricity to isolated
locations. Utility companies increasingly buy surplus electricity
produced by small domestic wind turbines. Offshore wind is
steadier and stronger than on land, and offshore farms have less
visual impact, but construction and maintenance costs are
considerably higher.
• Wind power, as an alternative to fossil fuels, is plentiful,
renewable, widely distributed, clean, produces no greenhouse gas
emissions during operation and uses little land.
Distribution of wind speed
The strength of wind varies, and an average value for a given location does not alone
indicate the amount of energy a wind turbine could produce there. To assess the frequency
of wind speeds at a particular location, a probability distribution function is often fit to the
observed data. Different locations will have different wind speed distributions.

High altitude winds

Power generation from winds usually comes from winds very close to the surface of the
earth. Winds at higher altitudes are stronger and more consistent. Recent years have seen
significant advances in technologies meant to generate electricity from high altitude winds.

Wind farm
A wind farm or wind park is a group of wind turbines in the same location used to produce
energy. A large wind farm may consist of several hundred individual wind turbines and cover
an extended area of hundreds of square miles, but the land between the turbines may be
used for agricultural or other purposes. A wind farm can also be located offshore.

Working
A wind turbine is a device that converts kinetic energy from the wind into electrical
power. A wind turbine used for charging batteries may be referred to as a wind charger. The
wind passes over the blades creating lift (like an aircraft wing) which causes the rotor to
turn. The blades turn a low-speed shaft inside the nacelle: gears connect the low speed
shaft of the rotor with a high speed shaft that drives a generator. Here, the slow rotation
speed of the blades is increased to the high speed of generator revolution. Some wind
turbines do not contain a gearbox and instead use a direct drive mechanism to produce
power from the generator.
The rapidly spinning shaft drives the generator to produce electric energy. Electricity from
the generator goes to a transformer which converts it to the right voltage for the electricity
grid. The electricity is then transmitted via the electricity network.

Types of turbines
Modern wind turbines fall into two basic groups: the horizontal-axis variety and the
vertical-axis design. Horizontal-axis wind turbines typically either have two or three blades.
These three-bladed wind turbines are operated "upwind," with the blades facing into the
wind.
Wind power in Architecture

AeroVironment’s small, modular wind turbine solution is designed to provide an attractive, kinetic, clean energy generating
solution that integrates easily into new and existing commercial buildings.

Whereas solar thermal and solar photovoltaic systems are typically located on top of roofs, out of sight, it provides a visible,
compelling and architecturally enhancing statement of the building’s commitment to renewable energy.
Unlike other small wind turbine designs this combines the functional with the aesthetic to create the first modular and
architecturally enhancing small wind turbine system. The patented design and innovative positioning method takes advantage
of the natural acceleration in wind speed resulting from the building’s aerodynamic properties.

This accelerated wind speed can increase the turbines’ electrical power generation by more than 50% compared to the
power generation that would result from systems situated outside of the acceleration zone. The sleek and modular units also
operate with less noise and vibration compared to conventional wind turbine designs.
GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
• The word geothermal comes from the Greek words geo (earth) and therme (heat).
• Geothermal energy is thermal energy generated and stored in the Earth. Thermal energy is the energy that determines
the temperature of matter. The geothermal energy of the Earth's crust originates from the original formation of the planet
(20%) and from radioactive decay of minerals (80%).[1][2] The geothermal gradient, which is the difference in temperature
between the core of the planet and its surface, drives a continuous conduction of thermal energy in the form of heatfrom the
core to the surface.
• Earth's internal heat is thermal energy generated from radioactive decay and continual heat loss from Earth's formation.
Temperatures at the core-mantle boundary may reach over 4000 °C (7,200 °F).The high temperature and pressure in
Earth's interior cause some rock to melt and solid mantle to behave plastically, resulting in portions of mantle
convecting upward since it is lighter than the surrounding rock. Rock and water is heated in the crust, sometimes up to 370
°C (700 °F).
• Geothermal energy has been used to provide heat for as long as people have been around to take advantage of it. For
example, in some places the natural groundwater, heated by this geothermal energy, finds its way to surface and emerges
in hot springs or steam geysers, which have been used by humans for bathing and agriculture since pre-history.
• It is a renewable energy and the energy keeps on coming, as long as we don't pump too much cold water down and cool
the rocks too much.
People can capture geothermal energy through:

Geothermal power plants

which use heat from deep inside the Earth to generate steam to
make electricity.

Geothermal heat pumps

which tap into heat close to the Earth's surface to heat water or
provide heat for buildings.

Hot rocks underground heat water to produce steam.

We drill holes down to the hot region, steam comes up, is
purified and used to drive turbines, which drive electric
generators. There may be natural "groundwater" in the hot rocks
anyway, or we may need to drill more holes and pump water
down to them.
 Geothermal Power Plants
• At a geothermal power plant, wells are drilled 1 or 2 miles deep into the Earth to pump steam or hot water to the
surface. You're most likely to find one of these power plants in an area that has a lot of hot springs, geysers, or
volcanic activity, because these are places where the Earth is particularly hot just below the surface.

1. Hot water is pumped from deep underground

through a well under high pressure.
2. When the water reaches the surface, the pressure is
dropped, which causes the water to turn into steam.
3. The steam spins a turbine, which is connected to a
generator that produces electricity.
4. The steam cools off in a cooling tower and
condenses back to water.
5. The cooled water is pumped back into the Earth to
begin the process again.

Geothermal heat pumps

• Heating and cooling homes to warming swimming pools. These systems transfer heat by pumping water or a refrigerant (a
special type of fluid) through pipes just below the Earth's surface, where the temperature is a constant 50 to 60°F.
During the winter, the water or refrigerant absorbs warmth from the Earth, and the pump brings this heat to the building above.
In the summer, some heat pumps can run in reverse and help cool buildings.

1. Water or a refrigerant moves through a loop of pipes.

2. When the weather is cold, the water or refrigerant heats
up as it travels through the part of the loop that's buried
underground.
3. Once it gets back above ground, the warmed water or
refrigerant transfers heat into the building.
4. The water or refrigerant cools down after its heat is
transferred. It is pumped back underground where it heats
up once more, starting the process again.
5. On a hot day, the system can run in reverse. The water or
refrigerant cools the building and then is pumped
underground where extra heat is transferred to the ground
around the pipes.
Forms of geothermal energy
Geothermal energy comes in either vapor-dominated or liquid-dominated forms. Larderello and The Geysers are vapor-
dominated. Vapor-dominated sites offer temperatures from 240-300 C that produce superheated steam.

Advantages of Geothermal Energy

1) It is a renewable source of energy.
2) By far, it is non-polluting and environment friendly. Extensive GHG emissions reductions and, unlike fossil fuel power
stations, no pollution
3) There is no wastage or generation of by-products.
4) Geothermal energy can be used directly. In ancient times, people used this source of energy for heating homes,
cooking, etc.
5) Maintenance cost of geothermal power plants is very less. And no fuel required.
6) Geothermal power plants don't occupy too much space and thus help in protecting natural environment. Compact plant
equipment that uses just one thirtieth of the land of a coal fired power plant.
7) Unlike solar energy, it is not dependent on the weather conditions.
8)Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, producing “base load” electricity unlike many other renewable technologies
that are affected by weather and seasonal variations.
9)No need for power storage and no issues dispatching electricity to the grid making them a more direct substitute for
fossil fuel power stations than many other mature renewable technologies
10)Extremely reliable power source available 95% of the time on average, compared to 60-70% for coal and nuclear

Disadvantages of Geothermal Energy

1) Only few sites have the potential of Geothermal Energy.
2) Most of the sites, where geothermal energy is produced, are far from markets or cities, where it needs to be consumed.
3) Total generation potential of this source is too small.
4) There is always a danger of eruption of volcano.
5) Installation cost of steam power plant is very high.
6) There is no guarantee that the amount of energy which is produced will justify the capital expenditure and operations
costs.
7) It may release some harmful, poisonous gases that can escape through the holes drilled during construction.
8) Construction of geothermal energy plants can affect the seismic stability to a large extent. Even though there are lesser
emissions, digging deep holes causes seismic disturbances which have led to earthquakes.
HYDRO ELECTRICITY
• Hydro Electricity Is The Electricity Generated By Hydropower. A dam is built to trap water, usually in a
valley where there is an existing lake. Water is allowed to flow through tunnels in the dam, to turn
turbines and thus drive generators.
• Hydro-electricity provides 20% of the world’s power
• Accounting For 16% Of Global Electricity Generation-3427 Terawatts-hours Of Electricity Produced In
2010.
• Hydropower Is Produced In 150 Countries.
• China Is The Largest Hydro Electricity Producer With 721 Terawatts Hrs.
• INDIA HAS ANNUAL PRODUCTION OF 115.6TWh @2009
• Once A Hydro Electric Complex Is Constructed, the Project Produces No Direct Waste, And Has A
Lower Output Level Of Greenhouse Gases(co2)than Fossil Fuel Power Plants.
GENERATION METHODS SIZE AND CAPACITIES

METHODS EFFECTS SIZE PRODUCTION

CONVENTIONAL DAMS Potential energy of dammed water

driving a water drivig a turbine and Large Upto 10 GW
generator.
PUMPED STORAGE To supply high peak demands by moving Small Upto 10 Mw
water b/w reservoirs at different
elevation.
Micro Upto 100 Kw
RUN OF THE RIVER Water coming from upstream must be
used for generation at moment.
Pico Under 5kw
TIDE Daily rise and fall of ocean water due to
tides
UNDERGROUND Large natural height difference
b/w 2 waterways such as water
falls,mountainlake
ADVANTAGES
• Flexibility
• Low Power Costs
• Suitability For Industrial Application
• Reduced Co2 Emissions
• Once the dam is built, the energy is virtually free.
• No waste or pollution produced.
• Much more reliable than wind, solar or wave power.
• Water can be stored above the dam ready to cope with
BENEFITS
peaks in demand.
•Cut your electricity bills
• Hydro-electric power stations can increase to full power
•Be paid to generate energy
very quickly, unlike other power stations.
•Cheap heating and hot water
• Electricity can be generated constantly.
•Cheaper option for off grid homes
•Cut your carbon foot prints.
DISADVANTAGES
• Ecosystem damage and loss of land
• Siltation and flow shortage
• Methane emission from reservoirs
• Relocation & Failure risks
• The dams are very expensive to build.
• Building a large dam will flood a very large area upstream,
causing problems for animals that used to live there.
• Finding a suitable site can be difficult - the impact on
residents and the environment may be unacceptable.
• Water quality and quantity downstream can be affected,
which can have an impact on plant life.
Tidal Power

 Tidal power works rather like a hydro-electric scheme, except that

the dam is much bigger.
 It is a renewable resource since the tides will continue to ebb
and flow, and the energy is there for the taking.
 A huge dam (called a "barrage") is built across a river estuary.
When the tide goes in and out, the water flows through tunnels in
the dam.
 The ebb and flow of the tides can be used to turn a turbine, or it
can be used to push air through a pipe, which then turns a turbine.
Large lock gates, like the ones used on canals, allow ships to
pass.
 Only around 20 sites in the world have been identified as possible
tidal power stations.

Advantages to Tidal Power

•Once built, tidal power is free.

•It produces no greenhouse gases or other waste.
•It needs no fuel.
•It produces electricity reliably.
•Not expensive to maintain.
•Tides are totally predictable.

Disadvantages to Tidal Power

•A barrage across an estuary is very expensive to build, and affects a very wide area - the environment
is changed for many miles upstream and downstream. Many birds rely on the tide uncovering the mud
flats so that they can feed. there are few suitable sites for tidal barrages.
•Only provides power for around 10 hours each day, when the tide is actually moving in or out.
BIOGAS

• Biogas is the gas produced by the biological breakdown of organic materials. Fermentation, or
anaerobic digestion, is the most common process that breaks down the organic materials. The
organic materials are then oxidized and create energy, which dates back to ancient Persians who
observed that rotting vegetables produce flammable gas.
• Anaerobic digestion is a process that uses microorganisms to break down the organic material in the
absence of oxygen, which creates energy. An anaerobic digestion plant was built to process sewage in
Bombay in 1859, and has been used in the United Kingdom since 1895.
• The types of organic materials include biomass, landfill waste, sewage, manure, and plant
material. The most common gases produced are methane and carbon dioxide. Other common
gases that can be formed include hydrogen, nitrogen, and carbon monoxide.
• Methane, hydrogen, and carbon monoxide can be combusted to create heat and electricity. When
biogas is created from existing waste streams, it reduces odors and methane emissions and creates
two renewable resources.
• Sewage sludge and animal slurries usually end up as fertilizer, so it is better to obtain fuel from
them first, while preventing runoff and methane emissions at the same time. Biogas is not a widely
used renewable energy technology for most new construction or major renovation projects since most
buildings do not have a large source of organic material. However, projects located near a landfill or
contained animal feeding operation may want to consider this option since it can provide low-cost
energy.
• Methane is a very potent greenhouse gas—more than 21 times stronger than carbon dioxide—and is a
key contributor to global climate change. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)Landfill
Methane Outreach Program estimates that a landfill gas energy project will capture roughly 60% to
90% of the methane emitted from the landfill, depending on system design and effectiveness.
• This overview is intended to provide specific details for Federal agencies considering biogas
technology as part of a major construction project.
APPLICATION:
• There are two primary methods of recovering biogas for use as energy. The first process is to create an anaerobic
digestion system to process waste, most commonly manure or other wet biomass. The second process is to
recover natural biogas production formed in existing landfills. Once recovered, biogas can be converted to energy
in a number of methods.

Anaerobic Digestion
An anaerobic digestion system is made up of several key components, including:
• Manure collection systems
• Anaerobic digesters
• Biogas handling systems
• Gas use devices.
A manure collection system is needed to gather manure and transport it to the digester. Existing liquid/slurry manure
management systems can readily be adapted to deliver manure to the anaerobic digester. Anaerobic digesters,
commonly in the form of covered lagoons or tanks, are designed to stabilize manure and optimize the production of
methane. A storage facility for digester effluent, or waste matter, is also required. In the biogas handling system,
biogas—a product of the decomposition of the manure, typically comprising about 60% methane and 40% carbon
dioxide—is collected, treated, and piped to a gas use device. Biogas can then be used to generate electricity, as a
boiler fuel for space or water heating, upgraded to natural gas pipeline quality, or for a variety of other uses. Flares are
also installed to destroy extra gas and as a back-up mechanism for the primary gas use device.
The stages of the anaerobic digestion process
Anaerobic digesters are made out of concrete, steel, brick, or plastic. All anaerobic digestion system designs
incorporate the following same basic components:
• A pre-mixing area or tank
• A digester vessel
• A system for using the biogas
• A system for distributing or spreading the effluent.

• Batch digesters and continuous digesters are the two basic types of anaerobic digesters. Batch-type digesters
are the simplest to build. Their operation consists of loading the digester with organic materials and allowing it to
digest. The retention time depends on temperature and other factors. Once the digestion is complete, the effluent
is removed and the process is repeated.
• In a continuous digester, organic material is constantly or regularly fed into the digester. The material moves
through the digester either mechanically or by the force of the new feed pushing out digested material. Unlike
batch-type digesters, continuous digesters produce biogas without the interruption of loading material and
unloading effluent. There are three types of continuous digesters: vertical tank systems, horizontal tank or plug-
flow systems, and multiple tank systems.
• Proper design, operation, and maintenance of continuous digesters produce a steady and predictable supply of
usable biogas, which is better suited for large-scale operations.
Landfill Gas Recovery
• A landfill gas treatment station with blower and flare.
• The same anaerobic digestion process that produces biogas from
wastewater and animal manure occurs naturally underground in landfills.
The waste is covered and compressed by the weight of the material that
is deposited above. This material prevents oxygen exposure, thus
allowing chemical reactions and microbes to act upon the waste, and
encouraging an uncontrolled process of biomass decay. The rate of
production is affected by waste composition and landfill geometry. Landfill
gas is about 40% to 60% methane, with the remainder consisting mostly
of carbon dioxide.
• Landfill gas is extracted from landfills using a series of wells and a
blower/flare system. According to the Landfill Methane Outreach
Program, the system directs the collected gas to a central point where it
can be processed and treated depending upon the ultimate use for the
gas. A landfill gas collection system includes the following components:
Landfill gas well, Landfill gas wellhead, Landfill gas processing and
treatment and Landfill gas flare.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
The following are important special considerations for biogas systems.
Interconnection
• A biogas system that will be used for power production will need to be connected to the local utility grid and must
meet interconnection requirements of the local utility. Many states or localities have guidelines that require
interconnection of many customer-owned power projects. Some guidelines limit the size of a project that can be
interconnected, or place a grid-wide limit on the amount of capacity a utility must interconnect. The local utility for
the site is the best resource for interconnection rules.

Environmental Review / Permitting

• If the project is located on Federal land or uses Federal funding (besides a tax credit), it must comply with
the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Although both anaerobic digestion and landfill gas recovery
systems have a net positive effect of removing harmful emissions from the air, they can still face issues with NEPA
review. However, if the projects are not on Federal lands and are not owned by the agency, the NEPA process
may not be required for certain systems. Consulting with an agency environmental expert on procedures for
implementing NEPA is recommended.

BIOGAS CYCLE
HOUSEHOLD BIOGAS

In North America, use of biogas would generate enough electricity to meet up to 3% of the continent's electricity expenditure. In
addition, biogas could potentially help reduce global climate change. Normally, manure that is left to decompose releases two
main gases that cause global climate change: nitrous oxide and methane Nitrous oxide (N2O) warms the atmosphere 310 times
more than carbon dioxide and methane 21 times more than carbon dioxide

BIOMASS

Biomass is any organic material which has stored sunlight in the form of chemical energy. As a fuel it may include
wood, wood waste, straw, manure, sugar cane, and many other by-products from a variety of agricultural processes.
How Biomass Works
• Plant and animal waste is used to produce fuels such as
methanol,
natural gas, and oil. We can use rubbish, animal manure,
woodchips,
seaweed, corn stalks and other wastes.
• Sugar cane is harvested and taken to a mill, where it is crushed
to extract the juice. The juice is used to make sugar, whilst the
left-over pulp, called "bagasse" can be burned in a power
station.
• Other solid wastes, can be burned to provide heat, or used to
make steam for a power station.
• Burn fuel-heat water to make steam-steam turns turbine-turbine
turns generator-electrical power sent around the country.
• We will always make waste products. We can always plant
& grow more sugar cane and more trees, so those are
renewable too.

Advantages to Biomass
• It makes sense to use waste materials where we can.
• The fuel tends to be cheap.
• Less demand on the Earth's resources.

Disadvantages to Using Biomass

• Collecting the waste in sufficient quantities can be difficult.
• We burn the fuel, so it makes greenhouse gases.
• Some waste materials are not available all year round.
Biomass applications
• Depending on the type of biomass, it can be combusted either to generate heat or to produce electricity. It can
also be digested to generate biogas, processed to produce bioliquids for heat or power generation, or used as a
transport fuel, as "biodiesel".

Why use Biomass?

• Biomass is a renewable, low carbon fuel that is already widely, and often economically available. Its production
and use also brings additional environmental and social benefits. Correctly managed, biomass is a sustainable fuel
that can deliver a significant reduction in net carbon emissions when compared with fossil fuels.

Categories of biomass materials

Biomass in various forms can be used for a range of energy options, through a variety of technologies, to achieve
various end purposes.

Within this definition, biomass for energy can include a wide range of materials. There are five basic categories of
material:
• Agricultural residues: residues from agriculture harvesting or processing
• Food waste, from food and drink manufacture, preparation and processing, and post-consumer waste
• Industrial waste and co-products from manufacturing and industrial processes
• Virgin wood, from forestry, arboricultural activities or from wood processing
• Energy crops: high yield crops grown specifically for energy applications

Using biomass to achieve a carbon balance

• The combustion (direct or indirect) of biomass as a fuel also returns CO2 to the atmosphere.
• However this carbon is part of the current carbon cycle: it was absorbed during the growth of the plant over the
previous few months or years and, provided the land continues to support growing plant material, a sustainable
balance is maintained between carbon emitted and absorbed.
4 Good reasons to use biomass as a sustainable fuel:
• Correctly managed, biomass is a sustainable fuel that can both offer a significant reduction in net carbon
emissions compared with fossil fuels.
• Biomass can be sourced locally, contributing to security of supply.
• Biomass can offer local business opportunities and support the rural economy.
• Woodlands, forestry and agriculture are generally perceived to be an environmentally and socially attractive
amenity by the population, providing opportunities for recreation and leisure activities.

Source: Environment Agency (2009): 'Minimising greenhouse gas emissions from biomass energy generation'