Energy

The classical description of energy is the ability of a system to perform work, but because
energy exists in so many forms, it is hard to find one comprehensive definition. In short,
energy is the ability of a system to make things happen. It is a property of an object which
can be transferred from the object to an object or converted to different forms but cannot
be created or destroyed. There are numerous sources of energy. It can be chemical energy,
electrical energy, heat/ thermal energy, mechanical energy, nuclear energy, and energy in
the form of electromagnetic radiation i.e. light.

Sources of energy contain energy in them in forms that cannot be used directly but it can
be harnessed by converting into other forms like mechanical energy and electrical energy.
Therefore, you must unlock this energy to get work done. Humans get energy from food
which has this energy stored in the form of chemical energy. Your body absorbs this energy
from food and burns it to fuel your body so that you can run around and have fun. A candle
has chemical energy stored in it, but it has to be burnt to be useful. This conversion of
chemical energy to yield heat and light energy happens through burning. Burning is a
process of converting chemical energy to heat energy and sometimes light too.

Classification of energy sources

About 70% of India's energy generation capacity is from fossil fuels, with coal accounting
for 40% of India's total energy consumption followed by crude oil and natural gas at 24%
and 6% respectively. India is largely dependent on fossil fuel imports to meet its energy
demands — by 2030, India's dependence on energy imports is expected to exceed 53% of
the country's total energy consumption. In 2009-10, the country imported 159.26 million
tonnes of crude oil which amount to 80% of its domestic crude oil consumption and 31% of
the country's total imports are oil imports. The growth of electricity generation in India has
been hindered by domestic coal shortages and as a consequence, India's coal imports for
electricity generation increased by 18% in 2010

Due to rapid economic expansion, India has one of the world's fastest growing energy
markets and is expected to be the second-largest contributor to the increase in global
energy demand by 2035, accounting for 18% of the rise in global energy consumption.
Given India's growing energy demands and limited domestic fossil fuel reserves, the country
has ambitious plans to expand its renewable and nuclear power industries. India has the
world's fifth largest wind power market and plans to add about 20GW of solar power
capacity by 2022.India also envisages to increase the contribution of nuclear power to
overall electricity generation capacity from 4.2% to 9% within 25 years. The country has five
nuclear reactors under construction (third highest in the world) and plans to construct 18
additional nuclear reactors (second highest in the world) by 2025.

Sources of Energy

Sources of energy can be classified into:

 Renewable Sources

 Non-renewable Sources

A renewable source is the natural resources that cause no impact to nature. Renewable
sources of energy are available plentiful in nature and are sustainable. These resources of
energy can be naturally replenished and are safe to the environment.

Renewable energy sources derive their energy from existing flows of energy from on- going
natural processes, such as sunshine, wind, flowing water, biological processes, and
geothermal heat flows. A general definition of renewable energy sources is that renewable
energy is captured from an energy resource that is replaced rapidly by a natural process
such as power generated from the sun or from the wind. Examples of renewable sources
of energy are: Solar energy, geothermal energy, wind energy, biomass, hydropower and
tidal energy.

Non-renewable sources of energy cause impact to nature and are a limited supply
source. Non-renewable sources can be extracted from the earth, and will run out as time
passes.

Examples of non-renewable sources of energy are: Natural gas, coal, petroleum,

Nuclear energy and hydrocarbon gas liquids.
 Difference Between Renewable and Non-renewable Sources of Energy

Renewable Non-renewable

The resources that can be renewed or The resources that cannot be renewed once
replaced are called renewable sources of they are consumed are called non-renewable
energy. sources of energy.

These resources do not cause any pollution These resources cause pollution to the
to the environment. environment.

Renewable resources are inexhaustible. Non- Renewable resources are exhaustible.

Renewable resources are not affected by Non- Renewable resources are affected by
human activities. human activities.

Examples of Renewable resources- Air, Examples of Renewable resources- Mineral,

water and solar energy oil, and Coal
Natural Sources of Energy

The natural resources around us provide a variety of sources of energy around us. During
the stone age, it was wood. During the iron age, we had coal. In the modern age, we
have fossil fuels like petroleum and natural gas. So how do we choose sources of energy?

Good sources of energy should have the following qualities:

 Optimum heat production per unit of volume/mass used

 Easy to transport

 Least Polluting

 Economical

Earlier coal was used pretty much everywhere, from domestic used to steam engines all
the way to Titanic. One problem that coal faced was transporting large amounts of coal
needed all around the world. Hence, now the world over energy use is shifting towards
either diesel or electricity. This example shows how petroleum is better against coal on all
the above parameters.

Types of Natural Sources of Energy

There are two types of natural sources of energy classified by their popularity and use,

 Conventional Sources of Energy

 Non-Conventional Sources of Energy

Difference Between Conventional and Non-Conventional Sources of Energy

Conventional Non-conventional

The resources which have been in use for a The resources which are yet in the process
long time. of development over the past few years.

These resources are exhaustible. These resources are inexhaustible.

These resources cause pollution as they emit

These resources are usually pollution-free.
smoke and ash.
These resources are very expensive to be These resources are less expensive due to
maintained, stored and transmitted. local use and can easily be maintained.

Examples- coal, natural gas, petroleum, and Examples- solar, biomass, wind, biogas, and
water power. tidal, geothermal.
 Advantages of Renewable Energy

1. Renewable Energy is Eco-friendly

• Renewable energy is considered clean energy since it doesn’t cause

grave environmental pollution, and it has low or zero carbon and greenhouse
emission.

• Fossil fuels emit high levels of greenhouse gas and carbon dioxide, which are greatly
responsible for global warming, climate change, and degradation of air quality. Fossil
fuels also contribute to sulfur emission to the atmosphere leading to acid rains. Acid
rains can cause damage to buildings.

2. It’s a Renewable Resource

• This implies that they do not deplete over a lifetime, and there is zero possibility that
they will run out (sustainable source of energy).

• Sources of energy like fossil fuels (oil, gas, and coal) are considered limited
resources, and there is a strong possibility that they will run out in the future.

3.Renewable Energy is a Reliable Source of Energy

• In the previous few decades, the use of fossil fuel has sharply increased. This over-
reliance on fossil fuels has led to our security being threatened. Fossil fuels are prone
to trade disputes, political instabilities, a spike in energy prices and unnecessary
wars. These variables affect a lot more than a nation’s energy policies; they can
significantly drain a county’s economy.

4.Less Maintenance of Facilities

• Renewable energy technologies require less overall maintenance than traditional

generators that use traditional fuel sources. This renewable energy generating
technology like solar panels and wind turbines either have few or no moving parts.
Above all, they don’t rely on flammable, combustible fuel sources to operate, which
makes the operating costs lower too.
Disadvantages of Renewable Energy

1.The Electricity Generation Capacity is Still Not Large Enough

• There are still challenges to the generation of large quantities of power in renewable
energy technology compared to traditional forms of energy generation like fossil fuel.
Fossil fuel still produces large quantities of electricity today, by far. This, essentially,
means that it can’t be solely relied upon to power the whole nation.

2. Renewable Energy Can be Unreliable

• Renewable energy technologies totally depend on the weather (e.g., sun and wind)
to be able to harness any energy. In case atmospheric conditions are not good
enough, renewable energy technologies would lack the ability to generate any
electricity.

3.Low-efficiency Levels

• Renewable energy technologies are still significantly new to the market, meaning,
they still lack the much-needed efficiency. Lack of sufficient knowledge on how to
effectively harness these forms of energy makes the installation and maintenance
cost for such facilities quite high. This poses forecast problems, and investors may
shy away from investing their money for fear of not getting returns pretty quickly.

4. Takes a Lot of Space to Install

• It takes over 40 hectares of panels to generate about 20 megawatts of energy using

current solar energy generation technologies. A nuclear power plant of average size
generates about 1,000 megawatts of energy on 259 hectares, whereas a solar
energy facility would produce less than 200 megawatts given the same amount of
space.
 Solar power plant
Solar power plant works by absorbing the sunrays which are in the form of radiation coming
from the sun. Sun is the major source of energy on the earth. Solar energy enters into the
earth’s atmosphere in the form of radiations at different wavelength. These radiations can
be converted into other form of energy such that heat and electricity by using proper
equipment and setup. Sun is a renewable source of energy and mostly sun light is available
at every part of the earth (except some places). Solar energy can be directly converted into
electricity by using photovoltaic cells or by indirect method i.e. solar power plant. Solar
power plants require large setup for generation of electricity.

Solar power plants have two types both have different components, working operations and
have different applications but both use sun radiation to generate electricity.

 Photovoltaic’s (PV) or Domestic Solar power plants

 Solar Thermal power plant

1. Photovoltaic’s solar power plant:

This power plant has photovoltaic cells, as name suggest for power generation. This power
system generates electricity for medium and small size applications like for domestic
purposes, street lights or at some areas where electricity supply lines can’t reach. The main
drawback of its initial cost because PV cells are made up silicon as we know silica/sand is
available in abundant on earth but the extraction process is very costly, which increases the
cost of PV cells.

Component:
A domestic solar power plant has various components which are arranged in proper
sequence for generation and consumption of electricity. Following are the major
components of solar power plant.
Modern residential solar power systems use photovoltaic (PV) to collect the sun’s energy.
“Photo” means “produced by light,” and “voltaic” is “electricity produced by a chemical
reaction.” PV cells use solar energy to generate a chemical reaction that produces
electricity. Each cell contains a semiconductor; most commonly silicon in one of several
forms (single-crystalline, multi-crystalline, or thin-layer), with impurities (either boron or
phosphorus) diffused throughout, and is covered with a silk screen. Cells are joined
together by a circuit and frame into a module. Semiconductors allow the electrons freed
from impurities by the sun’s rays to move rapidly and into the circuit, generating electricity.
Commercial residential PV modules range in power output from 10 watts to 300 watts, in
a direct current. A PV module must have an inverter to change the DC electricity into
alternating current energy in order to be usable by electrical devices and compatible with
the electric grid. PV modules can also be used in group to create large-scale power plants.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Solar Power Plant
Advantages
The advantages of solar power plants are listed below.
 Solar energy is a clean and renewable source of energy which is an unexhausted source
of energy.
 After installation, the solar power plant produces electrical energy at almost zero cost.
 The life of a solar plant is very high. The solar panels can work up to 25 years.
 This plant is not causing pollution.
 There are no moving parts in solar cells. So, maintenance is not needed to keep a solar
plant running.
 It does not produce any noise.
 For a bulk generation, this plant can be installed in any land. So, there are no specific
site selection criteria like thermal and hydropower plants.
 The solar plant can be installed on the house or flat. So, it reduces the transmission cost
as it generates energy near the load center.
 In a grid-tied power plant, the electrical generate power can directly transfer to the grid
and this will reduce the cost of transmission.

Disadvantages
The disadvantages of solar power plants are listed below.
 The initial cost of a solar panel is very high.
 It requires large land to produce electrical power in bulk amounts.
 The solar plant is only installed in countries where sunline is available efficiently.
 During a cloudy atmosphere, the solar plant cannot operate efficiently.
 The efficiency of a solar panel is very less.
 This plant generates electrical energy when sunlight is available. During the night, this
plant cannot generate electrical power. Hence, if you need to use electrical power at
night, you have to install a battery and charge controller. That increases the cost and
maintenance of the plant as the life of a battery is very short.
 In a grid-tide power plant, the inverter is required, which is costly and needs skilled
manpower and new technology to make sync with grid power quality.

Major Solar Power Plants in India – Brief Details

Bhadla Solar Park

1. Bhadla Solar Park is the world’s largest solar park located in India which is spread
over a total area of 14,000 acres in Bhadla, Phalodi tehsil, Jodhpur district,
Rajasthan, India.
2. The region has been described as “almost unlivable” due its climate. Average
temperatures in Bhadla hover between 46 and 48 degrees Celsius. Hot winds and
sand storms occur frequently. Bhadla is a sandy, dry and arid region with an area of
about 45 km2.
3. The Solar park has a total capacity of 2,245 MW.
4. When its full capacity is operational, the park will become the world’s largest fully
commissioned PV project, with investment rising to Rs 10,000 crore (US$1.3 billion).

Pavagada Solar Park

1. Pavagada Solar Park is a solar park covering an area of 53 square kilometres

(13,000 acres) in Pavagada taluk, Tumkur district, Karnataka.
2. The Solar Power park has a capacity of 2,050 MW and is the World’s second largest
photovoltaic solar park after 2245 MW Bhadla Solar Park in Rajasthan.
3. It was completed in 2019.
Kurnool Ultra Mega Solar Park

1. Kurnool Ultra Mega Solar Park is a solar park spread over a total area of 5,932.32
acres in Panyam mandal of Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh, with a capacity of 1,000
MW.
2. The park was built at an investment of around ₹7,000 crore (US$980 million) by solar
power developers and the Central and State governments.
3. It was commissioned on 29 March 2017 and owned by Andhra Pradesh Solar Power
Corporation Private Limited (APSPCL).

NP Kunta Ultra Mega Solar Park

1. The NP Kunta Ultra Mega Solar Park, also known as Ananthapuram Ultra Mega
Solar Park, is a solar park spread over a total area of 7,924.76 acres in
Nambulapulakunta mandal in the Ananthapur district of the Indian state of Andhra
Pradesh.
2. It was commissioned in May 2016, and is owned by Andhra Pradesh Solar Power
Corporation Private Limited (APSPCL).

Rewa Ultra Mega Solar

1. Rewa Ultra Mega Solar is the first solar project in the country to break the grid parity
barrier. It is one of the largest solar power plants in India and Asia’s Largest Single
site solar plant.
2. Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Limited (RUMSL), the implementing agency of the project,
is a joint venture between the Madhya Pradesh Urja Vikash Nigam Limited
(MPUVNL) and the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI).
3. Rewa is the first project in India to be supplying power to an inter-state open access
customer, viz., Delhi Metro. This is also the first project in India where solar power
would be used for railway traction.
4. The project got the World Bank Group’s President’s Award for excellence for its
transaction structure.

Charanka Solar Park

 1. Gujarat Solar Park-1 (also called Charanka Solar Park) is currently in the process of
development on a 2,000-hectare (4,900-acre) plot of land near Charanka village in
Patan district, northern Gujarat.

Kamuthi Solar Power Project

1. Kamuthi Solar Power Project is a photovoltaic power station spread over an area of
2,500 acres in Kamuthi, Ramanathapuram district, 90 km from Madurai, in the state
of Tamil Nadu, India.

Kadapa Ultra Mega Solar Park

1. Kadapa Ultra Mega Solar Park is a solar park spread over a total area of 5,927.76
acres in the Mylavaram mandal of Kadapa district, Andhra Pradesh.The project is
being implemented by the Andhra Pradesh Solar Power Corporation Private Limited
(APSPCL), a joint venture of Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), Andhra
Pradesh Power Generation Corporation and the New & Renewable Energy
Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh Ltd.

Ultra Mega Solar Power Projects

1. Ultra Mega Solar Power Projects, also known as Ultra Mega Solar Parks, are a series
of solar power projects planned by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy of the
Union Government of India.
2. In December 2014, the Government of India introduced a scheme to establish at
least 25 solar parks and Ultra Mega Solar Power Projects, adding over 20 GW of
installed solar power capacity. The Central Government provides financial support
for the construction of these solar projects.
 Wind Energy
Wind is one of the most promising alternative energy technologies of the future.
Throughout recent years, the amount of energy produced by wind-driven turbines has
increased exponentially due to significant breakthroughs in turbine technologies, making
wind power economically compatible with conventional sources of energy. Wind energy is a
clean and renewable source of power. The use of windmills to generate energy has been
utilized as early as 5000 B.C., but the development of wind energy to produce electricity
was sparked by the industrialization. The new windmills, also known as wind turbines,
appeared in Denmark as early as 1890. The popularity of wind energy however has always
depended on the price of fossil fuels. For example, after World War II, when oil prices were
low, there was hardly any interest in wind power.

However, when the oil prices increased dramatically in the 1970s, so did worldwide interest
in the development of commercial use of electrical wind turbines. Today, the wind-
generated electricity is very close in cost to the power from conventional utility generation
in some locations.

Where does wind come from? Wind is a form of solar energy and is caused by the uneven
heating of the atmosphere by the Sun, the irregularities of the Earth’s surface, and rotation
of the Earth. The amount and speed of wind depends on the Earth’s terrain and other
factors. The wind turbines use the kinetic energy of the wind and convert that energy into
mechanical energy, which in turn can be converted into electricity by means of a generator.

There are essentially two types of wind turbines: The horizontal-axis variety, and the
vertical- axis design. The horizontal-axis design is used more commonly and looks like
an Old Dutch windmill, whereas the vertical-axis design looks like an eggbeater. These
wind turbines generally have either two or three blades, called rotors, which are angled
at a pitch to maximize the rotation of the rotors. The horizontal-axis design is slightly more
efficient and dependable than the vertical-axis windmill. Most of the windmill models that
are currently in production are thus horizontal-axis windmills.

Utility scale turbines can produce anywhere from 50 kilowatts to several megawatts of
energy. These large windmills are generally grouped together in a windy area in what
is called a wind
farm. The proximity of the windmills in a wind farm makes it easier to feed the produced
electricity into the power grid. Wind energy offers many advantages compared to fossil
based power and even some other types of alternative energy, which explains why it is
the fastest growing energy source in the world. The two main reasons are cleanliness and
abundance. The fact that wind is a renewable resource gives it a major advantage over
oil and the nonrenewable resources. Considering that environmental pollution is being
linked to several global problems that might eventually threaten the existence or at the
very least worsen human living conditions, the fact that windmills do not produce any
emissions whatsoever is another reason to increase the use of wind turbines. Increasing
the percentage of wind power used by the United States would not be unreasonable,
seeing that the price of wind power is between 4 and 6 cents.

Even though wind energy has many environmental and supply advantages, there are
several disadvantages that limit the usability of wind power. The main disadvantage to
wind power is that it is unreliable. Wind does not blow at a constant rate, and it does not
always blow when energy is needed. Furthermore, the windiest locations are often in
remote locations, far away from big cities where the electricity is needed. Just like with
any other energy plant, people oppose it because of aesthetic reasons. The rotor noise
produced by the rotor blades is another reason for opposition.

Wind seems to be a very good source of alternative energy. Its biggest setback is its
unreliability, but in combination with other, more reliable sources, wind energy should be
used extensively to supplement the demand for energy.

Following are the parts of the wind turbine:

1. Blades
2. The rotor
3. Nacelle
4. A gearbox and coupling (transmission system)
5. Aeroturbine
6. Controller
7. Electrical generator
8. Supporting structure.
1. Blades

Lifting style wind turbine blades. These are designed most efficiently, to capture the
energy of strong and fast winds. Some European companies manufacture single
blade turbines.
2. The Rotor

The rotor is aerodynamically designed to occupy the maximum surface area of the
wind to spin the most ergonomically. The blades are lightweight, durable and
corrosion-resistant material. The best materials are composites of fibreglass and
reinforced plastic.

3. Nacelle

A housing which contains all the components which are essential to operate the
turbine efficiently is called a nacelle. It is mounted on top of a tower and includes
gearboxes, low and high-speed shafts, generators, controllers and brakes. Wind
vane and wind speed anemometer are mounted on the nacelle.

Nacelle provides housing for:

1. Low-speed shaft
2. Brake
3. Gearbox
4. High-speed shaft
5. Generator
6. Anemometer
7. Wind vane.
4. A Gearbox and Coupling (Transmission System)

A gearbox magnifies or amplifies the energy output of the rotor. The gearbox is
located between the rotor and the generator. A rotor rotates the generator as guided
by the tail pane.

5. Aeroturbine

Aeroturbine converts wind energy into rotary mechanical energy.

6. Controller

The controller senses wind direction, wind speed power output of the generator rotor
and other performance quantities of the system. And initiates proper control signals
to take suitable corrective action.

7. Electrical Generator

This unit produces electricity from the rotation of the rotor. The generator comes in
various sizes with respect to the output. This generator converts mechanical energy
into electrical power. The output of the generator coupled to the load or system grid.
8. Supporting Structure

This is the heavy structure set up with a proper foundation and carries all the
components of the windmill. It should be properly designed with a proper factor of
safety to withstand a dead load of all components and wind force.

Working of Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine

As the wind blows, a wind turbine converts the kinetic energy of the wind’s motion
into mechanical energy by the rotation of the rotor and this mechanical energy is
transmitted by the shaft to the generator through the gear train. The generator,
further converts this mechanical energy into electrical energy, thereby generating
the electricity.

The wind passes over both surfaces of the airfoil-shaped blade but passes more
rapidly over the longer (upper) side of the airfoil, thus creating a lower pressure area
above the airfoil. The pressure differential between the top and bottom surfaces
results in the aerodynamic lift.

As the blades of a wind turbine are constrained to move in a plane with the hub as
the centre, the lift force causes rotation about the hub. In addition to the lift force, a
drag force perpendicular to the lift force prevents rotor rotation.

The main objective in wind turbine design is to have a high lift-to-drag ratio for the
blades. This ratio can vary with the length of the blade to optimize the energy output
of the turbine at different wind speeds. The main rotor shaft and generator are placed
in the box at the top of the array and everything is placed on top of a high column.

It is suitable for use in places where the wind factor is high because it is strong and
manufactured to withstand strong forces. Disadvantages of horizontal axis wind
turbines are that they require heavy construction and are often considered more
unpleasant
 Hydroelectric Power
 Hydropower is leading renewable energy resource. This notable success can be
attributed to the fact that out of all the renewable power sources, hydropower the
most reliable, efficient, and economical. Furthermore, the concept behind
hydroelectric power is fairly simple and has been in use for a significant span of time.

 The word “hydro” comes from the Greek language meaning “water.” Several
centuries later, the Romans were the first to utilize the waterwheel. Due to the
Romans’ powerful influence on Europe through conquest, the waterwheel was
soon commonly found throughout that continent, and by 1800, tens of thousands of
waterwheels had been built. Water energy was first converted into electricity on
Sept. 30, 1882 near Appleton, Wisconsin. By 1980 hydroelectric power accounted
for about 25% of global electricity and 5% of total world energy use, which
amounted to approximately 2,044 billion kilowatt hours (kW h).
Harvesting energy from water is possible due to the gravitational potential energy stored
in water. As water flows from a high potential energy (high ground) to lower potential
energy (lower ground), the potential energy difference thereby created can be partially
converted into kinetic, and in this case electric, energy through the use of a generator.
The principle is simple: the force of the water being released from the reservoir through
the penstock of the dam spins the blades of a turbine. The turbine is connected to the
generator that produces electricity. Hydroelectric power offers several significant
advantages compared to fossil based power, and even other types of alternative energy.
Probably the most important asset of hydroelectric power is its reliability. Furthermore, it
creates no pollution, and once the dam is built, even though that process is very
expensive, the produced energy is virtually free. A dam has the ability to continuously
produce electricity and can adjust to peaks in demand by storing water above the dam
and by being able to increase production to full capacity very quickly. Other than the high
construction and planning costs, the major drawbacks of large dams are mostly
environmental. The dam does not produce harmful emissions as in the case of fossil fuel
burning. It does however alter the landscape dramatically, producing several severe, even
unbearable changes to the habitat of fish and other plants and animals. Building a large
dam will of course flood a large area of land upstream of the dam, causing problems for
the animals that used to live there. It furthermore affects the water quantity and quality
downstream of the dam which in turn affects plants and animals. Blocking the river also
disallows certain migration pattern of fish. Finding sites that are suitable for dams is also
a challenge. Hydroelectric power seems to be a very good source of alternative energy:
one that should be maintained at the maximum level possible.
Geothermal Energy
Geothermal energy is one of the only renewable energy sources not dependent on the
Sun. Instead, it relies on heat produced under the surface of the Earth. Geothermal
energy already has several applications and could potentially provide a significant source
of renewable power. However, it is limited by a multitude of factors revolving around the
issues of sustainability and economics. There are two main applications of geothermal
energy, which include producing electricity at specialized power plants, and direct-
heating, which puts to direct use the temperature of water piped under the earth’s surface.
Geothermal power plants take on several types of forms, depending on the type of
geothermal area from which they extract energy. In any case, the plants depend on
steam to power turbines and generate electricity, though the methods of producing
steam varies depending on the type of geothermal reservoir. Geothermal energy could
potentially become a major source of renewable power. This is because geothermal
energy reduces the dependence on foreign oil, it’s extremely reliable due to the constant
source of heat emanating from the earth, and it has almost no negative environmental
impact.In 2004, the US produced approximately 2300 MW of electricity, and the
Department of Energy estimates that the figure could reach 15000 MW per year within a
decade.
The process involves drilling deep into the surface of the Earth where temperatures are
hot, and then injecting water into cracks of rock, which is heated and then pumped back
to the surface.If this “hot dry rock” (HDR) technology proves effective, then more
geothermal plants could operate in more locations, since much of the Earth’s surface is
underlain by hot, dry rock. Some problems that geothermal energy faces are depletion
of both water and heat in geothermal areas. The first problem has been partially
addressed by re-injecting water into reservoirs, thus sustaining the plant’s ability to
operate. However, it has been shown that water re-injection can cause small
earthquakes, which raises the question of whether the plants should be liable for the
damages caused. In Alameda, California, water reinjection at a geothermal power plant
triggered earthquakes of magnitudes up to 3.9 and 3.5 on the Richter scale, which were
felt 90 miles away in the community of Middletown.
 Other issues facing geothermal power are building costs and economic
competitiveness with other energy sources. Geothermal plants can be expensive,
depending on factors such as how deep the wells must be drilled and the
temperature of the water or steam. These initial costs of an economically
competitive plant can be as high as
 The plants are economically competitive in the long run, because their fuel is free,
whereas natural gas or coal plants spend up to two thirds of their total operating
costs on fuel. Another problem that adds cost to geothermal plants is the problem
of connecting to energy grids. This is a critical issue because geothermal plants
are built where geothermal resources permit- such as geysers and areas with less-
heated water. Over time, however, the plants pay for themselves and all the
necessary costs because of low operating costs; namely, the fact that the plants
energy is free and always available. Expanding use of geothermal energy depends
largely upon the success of the hot dry rock technology and the simultaneous
prevention of earthquakes caused by water injection at those plants and water re-
injection at other plants. If the HDR technology proves to be viable and safe,
geothermal plants can be built in closer proximity to electricity grids, without
worrying about geothermal resources like geysers. This would make the plants more
cost effective and enable geothermal energy to compete with other energy types.
 Biomass
As a pending global energy crisis appears more and more imminent, it is important to consider
many different options for new energy sources. Renewable energy sources are ideal because
they are more efficient, environmentally friendly and, ultimately, better for consumers. Biomass
can be converted into fuels through a number of different processes, including solid fuel
combustion, digestion, pyrolysis, and fermentation and catalyzed reactions. Electricity is
generated in many places through solid fuel combustion. These products are usually wood
matter, vegetation, waste from timber yards, and the like. Power plants burn such fuels to heat
a boiler, and the resulting steam powers turbines and generators. This process still releases a
lot of carbon dioxide and other polluting gases into the environment, but helps eliminate waste
efficiently.

Digestion is another process that makes use of existing waste. Digestion is the naturally
occurring process of bacteria feeding on decaying matter and making it decompose. It is that
which releases gases like methane, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, etc. In many landfills, owners
are experimenting with set-ups to best collect the gases produced by such bacteria. The
standard system includes pipelines running through the waste to collect the gases. Animal
feed lots and other facilities are also exploring tapping such resources. Benefits of this process
include the relative lack of impurities in the gases produced and the fact that the synthesis
gases (carbon monoxide and hydrogen) can be converted to any kind of hydrocarbon fuel.

A third process, pyrolysis, creates a product much like charcoal, with double the energy density
of the original biomass, making the fuel highly transportable and more efficient. Anhydrous
pyrolysis heats the biomass at intense temperatures in the absence of oxygen or water.
Scientists assume that this is the process that originally produced fossil fuels (under different
conditions). Most industrial processes of pyrolysis convert the biomass under pressure and at
temperatures above 800° F (430° C). A liquid fuel can also be produced using this process.

The most widely used alternative fuel, ethanol, is created through fermentation of organic
materials. Using biomass could be the answer to the energy questions made more imminent
by the recent crises that have further threatened our oil supply.
 Tidal Energy
Tide or wave is periodic rise and fall of water level of the sea. Tides occur due to the attraction
of sea water by the moon. Tides contain large amount of potential energy which is used for
power generation. When the water is above the mean sea level, it is called flood tide. When the
water level is below the mean level it is called ebb tide.

Working

The arrangement of this system is shown in figure. The ocean tides rise and fall and water can
be stored during the rise period and it can be discharged during fall. A dam is constructed
separating the tidal basin from the sea and a difference in water level is obtained between the
basin and sea.

During high tide period, water flows from the sea into the tidal basin through the water turbine.
The height of tide is above that of tidal basin. Hence the turbine unit operates and generates
power, as it is directly coupled to a generator.
During low tide period, water flows from tidal basin to sea, as the water level in the basin is more
than that of the tide in the sea. During this period also, the flowing water rotates the turbine and
generator power.

The generation of power stops only when the sea level and the tidal basin level are equal. For
the generation of power economically using this source of energy requires some minimum tide
height and suitable site. Kislaya power plant of 250 MW capacity in Russia and Rance power
plant in France are the only examples of this type of power plant.

Advantages of tidal power plants.

1. It is free from pollution as it does not use any fuel.
2. It is superior to hydro-power plant as it is totally independent of rain.
3. It improves the possibility of fish farming in the tidal basins and it can provide
recreation to visitors and holiday makers.
Disadvantages

1. Tidal power plants can be developed only if natural sites are available on the bay.
2. As the sites are available on the bays which are always far away from load centres,
the power generated has to be transmitted to long distances. This increases the
transmission cost and transmission losses.

NUCLEAR FUELS

 Alternative source of energy.

 Uranium is the main element required to run a nuclear reactor.
 Nuclear fission or fusion will produce tremendous amount of heat energy.

Nuclear fusion: Fusion energy is a form of nuclear energy released by the fusion (combustion)
of two light nuclei (i.e. nuclei of low mass) to produce heavier mass.

Nuclear fission:

 Nuclear fission is the process, where a heavy nucleus splits into two fragments of more or
less of equal mass.
  Neutron + Heavy nucleus → Fission fragments + Neutrons ( 2 to 3 ) + energy
 The energy released by fission of I gram of U-235 is equal to that due to combustion of
50 million tons of coal ; it is about 8.5 x 1010 J.

Figure 1: Nuclear fission

NUCLEAR REACTOR/POWER PLANT

 A nuclear reactor is a device which controls the nuclear fission chain reaction to
hardness nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

 A nuclear reactor which is used t generate electricity, is called a nuclear power plant.

 Fuel in the form of pellets is enclosed in several tubular claddings of steel or

aluminum. This is called fuel assembly. Enriched U-235 or Pu-239 is the fuel material.

 A coolant is circulated through the reactor to remove the heat generated. Ordinary
water is most commonly used coolant.

 Rods made of boron or cadmium which are neutron absorbers are used as control
rods. The neutrons available for fission are controlled by moving the control rods in
and out of the nuclear core. The rods can be used to shut down the reactor.
 Figure 2: Nuclear reactor

 Heat produced during fission process is absorbed by the coolant and is

used to convert water in to steam in the heat exchanger. The steam is
used to rotate the steam turbine. The steam turbine is connected to a
generator which generates electricity.

 The entire reactor is enclosed in a concrete building with lead sheets

covered inside to prevent radioactive radiations being released in to the
environment.
9 Sources of Energy

Energy is used to power the devices we use for heat and light in our homes, for transportation
and for the manufacture of all kinds of products. The primary use of these different sources of
energy is to produce electricity. These all different sources of energy add to the store of electrical
power that is then sent out to different locations via high powered lines.

There are 9 Main Different Sources of Energy are:-

 Solar energy

 Wind energy

 Geothermal energy

 Hydrogen energy

 Tidal energy

 Wave energy

 Hydroelectric energy

 Biomass energy

 Nuclear power energy

Solar Energy

It is the energy from the sun that is harnessed using a range of technologies such as solar
heating, solar architecture, photovoltaics, and artificial photosynthesis. It is an essential source
of renewable energy. The mechanism by which silicon solar panels harness the sun's energy
and generate electricity is known as photovoltaic effect.

Advantages

 Reduce Electricity bills

 Low maintenance cost

  Technology development

Disadvantages

 Weather dependent

 Solar energy storage is expensive.

 Uses a lot of space

Wind Energy

It describes the process by which wind is used to generate electricity. Wind turbines convert the
kinetic energy in the wind into mechanical power and that mechanical power can also be utilized
for specific tasks.

Advantages

 Clean & environment-friendly fuel source.

 Cost-effective

Disadvantages

 Notice and aesthetic pollution.

 Threat to wildlife

 Fluctuations of wind

Geothermal Energy

It is the heat that comes from the surface of the earth. It is contained in the rocks and fluid
beneath the earth's crust. The oldest form of geothermal energy is dry steam. It takes out of the
ground and uses it to directly drive the turbine.

Advantages

 High efficiency

 Little to no geothermal system maintenance.

Disadvantages

 High investment cost

 Location restricted

 Sustainability

Hydrogen Energy

It involves the use of hydrogen or hydrogen compounds to generate energy to be supplied to all
practical uses. It is a zero-emission fuel burned with oxygen. It can be used in combustion
engines or fuel cells. It is also used as a fuel in rocket propulsion.

Advantages

 It is fuel-efficient.

 It is renewable.

 It does not produce harmful emissions.

Disadvantages

 It is expensive.

 It is difficult to store.

 It is highly flammable.

Tidal Energy

It is the form of hydropower that converts the energy obtained from tides into useful forms of
power, mainly electricity. They are more predictable than the wind and the sun.

Advantages

 It is Continuous, predictable energy.

 The longevity of equipment.

Disadvantages
  The impact of EMF emissions.

 High construction costs.

Wave Energy

It is produced by the up and down motion of floating devices placed on the surface of the ocean.
The energy provided is most often used in power plants, water pumps, and desalination plants.

Advantages

 It is abundant and widely available.

 Easily predictable.

 No damage to the land.

Disadvantages

 It is suitable for certain locations.

 It is highly dependent on the wavelength.

 They also generate noise and visual pollution.

Hydroelectric Energy

It is the energy derived from the movement of water. It has kinetic energy when it moves, which
can be harnessed. Basically, it is the electricity produced by hydropower.

Advantages

 It is reliable and adjustable.

 It is emission-free.

 It is completely renewable.

Disadvantages

 Higher initial costs.

  Flood risk.

 Carbon and methane emissions.

Biomass Energy

It is the use of organic material to generate energy. Biomass is just organic matter that is made
in nature like dung, grass clippings, etc. It is a renewable source of energy.

Advantages

 It is carbon neutral.

 It is less expensive than fossil fuels.

 It's a revenue source for manufacturers.

Disadvantages

 It is not entirely clear.

 It can lead to deforestation.

 It requires a lot of space.

Nuclear Power Energy

It is the use of nuclear reactions that release nuclear energy to generate heat which is used in
steam turbines to produce electricity in a nuclear power plant.

Advantages

 It is less expensive.

 No greenhouse gases.

Disadvantages

 It harms plant and animal life.

 It is a water pollutant.
Water Turbine
 It is a hydraulic prime mover which converts the potential and kinetic energy
of waterinto mechanical energy in the form of rotation of shaft.

Classification of Water turbines:

1. Type of energy available at the inlet

a. Impulse turbine: only kinetic energy is available at the inlet of the
turbine.
Example- Pelton wheel
b. Reaction turbine: both pressure and kinetic energy are available at the
inlet ofthe turbine. Example- Kaplan, Francis turbine.
2. Head at the inlet of the turbine
a. High head turbine: Head of water available at the inlet of turbine. It
ranges from100 to 1000 meters. Example- Pelton wheel
b. Medium head turbine: Head of water available at the inlet ranges from
50 to 400meters Example- Francis turbine.
c. Low head turbine: Head of water available at the inlet will be less
than 50meters Example- Kaplan turbine.
3. Based on the direction of flow of water through the runner
a. Tangential flow turbine: Water flows tangential to the runner.
Example- Peltonwheel
b. Axial flow turbine: water flows parallel to the axis of rotation of the
runner.Example- Kaplan turbine.
c. Radial flow turbine: water flows in radial direction through the runner.
Example-Thomson turbine.

Pelton wheel:

 It is a tangential flow impulse turbine used for high heads and small
quantity waterflow
 Water from the high head reservoirs is supplied to the nozzle provided
with aneedle which controls the quantity of water flowing out of the nozzle
 As the water flows through the nozzle the potential energy is converted to
 kineticenergy.
 The high velocity jet of water from the nozzle is made to impinge on the curved
blades known as Pelton cups fixed around the runner
 The impulsive force of the high velocity jet of water sets the runner into
rotary motion and the shaft coupled to the runner also rotates.

Francis Turbine

 It is a medium head reaction turbine in which water flows radially inwards

 It consists of a spiral casing used to distribute water uniformly around the runner

 Water from the reservoir enters the spiral casing and flows radially inwards to
the outerperiphery of the runner through the guide blades and finally discharged
to the tail race axially from the centre of the runner via a draft tube
  During its flow over the moving blades it imparts kinetic energy to the energy to
the runner to set it into rotational motion. Hence the shaft connected to the runner
also rotates thereby doing useful work

Francis Turbine

Kaplan turbine

 It is a low head axial flow section turbine

 The runner of the Kaplan turbine resembles with the propeller of the ship hence
it is also called as propeller turbine

 Water from the reservoir flows through the spiral casing where potential energy
of water gets converted to kinetic energy

 The water then moves through the guide vanes (blades) and flows axially
imparting thekinetic energy to set it into rotational motion

 When the water leaves the blade at high velocity a reaction force is set up and
this force rotates the runner thus potential energy of water is converted into
 mechanical work

Kaplan turbine

What sources of energy are renewable?

Following are the sources of energy that are renewable:

 Biomass energy

 Wind energy

 Tidal energy

 Hydro energy

What is the main source of energy in India?

When commercial purposes are considered coal, oil, and natural gas are the main
source of energy in India.
What are the sources of energy in India?

Following are the sources of energy in India:

 Coal

 Natural gas

 Thermal energy

 Mineral oil

Can any source of energy be pollution-free?

No, the source of energy cannot be pollution-free as it affects the environment in some
way. For example, solar energy can be considered as pollution-free but the installation
of the setup will cause damage to the environment.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of wind power?

Advantages:

 There are no harmful gases released into the environment.

 It is a way for the generation of revenue in the local communities.

 It is one of the clean sources of energy.

Disadvantages:

 The storage of energy needs to be improved.

 The initial set up requires a lot of investment.

 Numerous lands will be used up.

List the examples of sources of energy

Following are the examples of sources of energy:

 Biofuel energy

 Hydropower
 Geothermal energy

 Solar energy

 Nuclear energy

 Tidal energy

 Wind energy