POWER RESOURCES ------ COAL

WHAT IS THE QUALITY OF A GOOD COAL/ QUALITY OF COAL DEPENDS UPON

The type and quality of coal depends upon its location. If coal is found in depth then it is good
quality. The closer it is to the surface the quality becomes low.

The quality of coal is determined by its colour, hardness and amount of smoke when it burns. If
the coal is black, hard and gives less smoke it is the good quality one. If it is grey, soft and has
high sulphur content then it means it will give less heat and more smoke.

TYPES OF COAL

1. Anthracite (located very deep, best quality ….not found in Pakistan. It is imported)

2. Bituminous (good quality . Pakistan has this and sub bituminous))

3.Lignite ( Low quality … Found in abundance in Pakistan at Thar coal field

Pakistan has the world’s seventh largest reserves of lignite,)

4. Peat (very close to the surface….. )

HOW IS COAL MINED

The type of mining of coal depends upon the depth at which it is located.

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Open Cast Mining

This is when the coal is located very close to the surface. In this method is the easiest and
cheapest as well as the safest.

Adit mining

This is when the coal is located inside a mountain in horizontal seems. The tunnels are dug
horizontally and coal is extracted. The cost is high as ventilation is also important inside the
tunnel.

Vertical Shaft Mining

This is the type of mining when the coal is very deep down. This is very costly as many safety
measures need to be taken as well as ventilation. The digged out coal is also transported out of
the deep mine with the help of mechanical lifts.

Sometimes a mine is dug vertically but inside it can be horizontal digging as well. However it
will still be called vertical shaft as the opening of the mine is deep below and not horizontal to
the ground.

HOW IS COAL TRANSPORTED FROM MINE TO CONSUMERS

Various measures include use of donkeys, trolleys inside the mine which run on narrow rail like
lines as well as trucks and rail once outside the mine. The donkeys are also used both inside as
well as inside.

Transportation of coal is expensive as it is heavy and required in huge quantities as well as the
fact that mines are located far into the hills or deserts away from major city centres where they
are to be used in industry mostly as fuel.

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As for imported coal As with the Pakistan Port Qasim Power Project, most of the coal used for
the power plant will be imported from Indonesia and South Africa, and will be transported by
rail from the Port of Karachi and Port Qasim in Pakistan's Sindh Province to the nearby village
of Yusuf Wala for the newly constructed Sahiwal Coal Power Project on Pakistan's existing
railway infrastructure

WHY IS COAL NOT A PREFERRED SOURCE OF FUEL

 The intensifying monsoon-induced floods due to climate change

 In 2016 a lethal heat wave claimed over a thousand lives in the city of Karachi. 
 2010, one of the deadliest floods in Pakistan’s history inundated over a fifth of the
country, killing two thousand people and displacing several million from their homes. 
 the UN Climate Summit in Paris to conclude an agreement on climate with the goal of
limiting the rise of global temperatures below 2 degrees Celsius. Coal increases green
house gases which are the cause of climate change.
 These coal power plants will spew billions of tonnes of carbon dioxide into the
atmosphere over their lifetime
 The World Bank and other multilateral financial institutions have turned their back on
coal and related projects.

THAR COAL POWER PROJECT

At Thar there are around 175 billion tons of coal reserves that have the potential to generate
5,000MW for at least 800 years.

“The same quality of coal is found in Austria where power is being generated through under-
ground gasification. Pakistan is blessed with many natural resources, but there is a need for
proper planning and implementation.

The Thar Engro Coal Power Project (Thar-ll) is a coal-fired power plant under construction

in Tharparkar.

The company has initiated work on developing the mine through an open-cast method. It will
extract 3.8m tonnes of coal annually, which will be sufficient to fuel the proposed 660MW
power plant. The Project is a part of the plan of electrification.

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The quality of coal is not so good. So the plan is to use the gasification of coal producing the
coal gas.

WHY IS COAL NOT THE MAJOR SOURCE OF THERMAL POWER GENERATION

 Most of the coal reserves are of lignite. Their quality is very low so its not cost efficient
to use it for example at coal instead of extraction well is dug and coal is turned into gas.
And then the gas is used to make thermal power plant.
 Coal creates a lot of green house gases. The World Bank and other multilateral financial
institutions have turned their back on coal and related projects. So loans are not being given
by them. All such plants under construction are being funded by China due to CPEC.

 The IPP’s agreements there were few restrictions on technology, fuel source or
efficiency. With most ending up furnace oil not coal, making electricity as they saw fit.
400MW Chinese Nandipur unit completed at a cost of US$840million can only run on
high speed diesel
 The good quality coal is imported from South Africa or Indonesia. The transportation and
over all cost of coal is high, so using other sources seems more easy.
country
 Government is still struggling with the extraction of Thar coal fields regarding
infrastructure development as well as extraction and transportation routes

WHY IS COAL IMPORTED EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE COAL RESERVES

 The good quality coal is imported from South Africa or Indonesia. Some industries like
Steel industry need anthracite which is not available in Pakistan.
 Most of the coal reserves are of lignite. Their quality is very low. Some like Thar coal
have not yet being exploited well as the price of extraction is more than the benefit.

INDUSTRIES THAT RELY ON COAL

 Iron and Steel Industry -----as raw material

 Cement Industry----as fuel
 Brick Kiln Industry as fuel
 Ceramic Industry as fuel

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  Fertilizer Industry
 Thermal Power Plants using coal as fuel.

COAL AS MAJOR FUEL IN INDUSTRIES

BENEFITS

 The indigenous coal at Thar with very high sulphur and ash contents can be used
effectively for co-production of electricity and fertilizer through gasification technology.
The preferred location for such plant will be near the mining site.
 Save precious foreign exchange spent on oil and its related products as fuel.
 The local coal can also make cheaper electricity by IPP’s like Hubco
Even though the coal used as fuel is imported it is still cheaper.
 With the prices of coal (the fuel used in cement production) in decline from $140 per ton
to $70 and now to $52 per ton, the cost of producing cement is lower and this makes most
cement manufacturers optimistic 

PROBLEMS

 at present there are no guarantees of continuous availability of indigenous coal of good

and consistent quality.
 The country also lacks infrastructure to handle import of large quantity of coal and to
transport imported and indigenous coal within

 It is heavy and costly to transport. Increasing cost.

 Environmental concerns due to global warming. International aid agency refuse to fund
such projects using coal.

POWER RESOURCES ------NATURAL OIL

THE OIL TRAP

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Petroleum trap OR Oil trap, underground rock formation that blocks the movement
of petroleum and causes it to accumulate in a reservoir that can be exploited. The oil is
accompanied always by water and often by natural gas; all are confined in a porous and
permeable reservoir rock, which is usually composed of sedimentary rock .

The natural gas, being lightest, occupies the top of the trap and is underlain by the oil and then
the water. A layer of impermeable rock, called the cap rock, prevents the upward or lateral
escape of the petroleum .That part of the trap actually occupied by the oil and gas is called
the petroleum reservoir.

OIL FIELD VS OIL WELL

An "oil field" or "oilfield" is a region with an abundance of oil wells extracting petroleum (crude

oil) from below ground. Because the oil reservoirs typically extend over a large area, possibly
several hundred kilometres across.

An oil well is a boring in the Earth that is designed to bring petroleum oil hydrocarbons to the
surface. 

REASONS FOR SETTING UP OIL REFINERY

KARACHI

 Pakistan imports a very large amount of oil. Since the location of refinery is to also
reduce cost of transport, Karachi has the port.

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  Karachi has a population of 200million itself as well as being the commercial centre and
industries. So huge market. Again distance from market is less so less transportation
coast.
 Karachi itself is dependent upon the thermal power generation. This requires furnace oil.
 Lower Sindh oil fields, the crude oil from near by reserves is also processed here.
 Petrochemicals in any case is a large and complex industry requiring skilled labour,
electricity, water as well a good network of roads to reach different markets. Karachi
fulfills that requirement.
 The crude oil is transported easily from the oil tanker at the port to the refinery nearby
with the help of pipelines. Reducing cost of transport further.

MEHMOOD KOT NEAR MUZZAFARGARGH BY PARCO

 To cater to the needs of the thickly populated south Punjab’s market

 The crude oil is transported from Karachi port through pipelines. It is safer to transport
crude oil compared to refined oil.
 Karachi’s refinery alone could not take the burden of refining for the thickly populated
regions of Punjab as well as Sindh,
 This refinery save the transport cost by refining oil and providing the mid country region
of Pakistan.
 Petrochemicals in any case is a large and complex industry requiring skilled labour,
electricity, water as well a good network of roads to reach different markets.

MORGAH/ ATTOCK OIL REFINERY RAWALPINDI

 Crude oil is extracted from salt range. This refinery is located close to source of raw
material saving the transportation cost.
 Northern Pakistan with cities like Rawalpindi, Islamabad and other cities close by are a
huge market so again benefits in saving transport cost to the market.
 Petrochemicals in any case is a large and complex industry requiring skilled labour,
electricity, water as well a good network of roads to reach different markets. Rawalpindi
fulfills that requirement.

IMPORTANCE OF OIL IN AGRICULTURE

 Tractors, threshers, tube wells in areas where there is no electricity all depend upon oil.

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  The trucks and tractor Lorries used in the transportation from field to market also depend
on petrol.
 The heavy machines also need mobile oil, grease and other oiling agents to ensure
smooth running of engines and power tools attached.

IMPORTANCE OF OIL INDUSTRIAL SECTOR

 The fact that oil lubricants are used in smooth running of the machines used in the
secondary sector like grease, and other lubricants.
 Thermal power stations use furnace oil as fuel.
 Petrochemicals is a huge complex industry which refines from crude oil is in itself
manufacturing many products, The industries like plastics, pesticide and fertilizer depend
upon the by products of petrochemical industries.
 Use of generators in industries has increased and some rely on petrol as fuel for power
backup during load shedding.

TRANSPORTATION OF OIL IN PIPELINES IS PREFERRED

 Reduced transport cost from oil tanker at the port to the factory
 The oil pipeline installation is costly but once laid down is extremely cheap mode.
 Since oil is liquid it can be easily transported while other products cannot be.
 White pipelines take refined oil from refinery towards a major market centre. Apart from
transport cost the safest way to transport the most inflammable of the products, securing
roads from fatal accidents.
 Since pipelines are under ground and location not known they remain safe from any
terrorist attack

OIL TRANSPORATION BY ROAD

 Even if pipelines are used ultimately trucks will be used taking oil

Oil from one petrol station to another and between cities etc

 Roads are well connected and numerous locations can be connected when compared with
the rail network. As petrol runs the everyday life it must reach every where.

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  In the absence of a rail network use for cargo due to engine shortages and track damages
as well as safety issues use roads remains the only source of transport.

REASONS WHY IMPORT IS IMPORTANT

 Limited oil reserves hardly meet less than 20 percent of our needs
 No new discovery, the OGDC hasn’t invested much in the last few years on oil
exploration.
 Increased pressure on IPPs for electricity which heavily depend on furnace oil for fuel.
 Ever increasing population with rise by 3 percent per annum so demand is constantly
increasing
 Essential in all modes of transportation whether road, rail or airplane. The everyday life
depends upon its use.
 With globalization the generation is heavily dependent on convenience having facilities
like car. Buses instead of walking or cycling in the past are now common.
 Even the defense and the fight against terrorism the armed forces are heavily using oil.

EFFECTS OF HUGE OIL IMPORTS ON THE ECONOMY

 The import affects the BOP as oil is expensive and has no close substitute.
 The amount produced locally is too small
 The demand instead of decreasing is increasing. increasing expenditure
 Huge foreign exchange reserves are used up instead of on developmental work.
 Natural gas reserves are not enough to allow to use CNG, LPG or as fuel in industrial
sector. Coal is already of low quality and is not preferred as fuel.

NATURAL GAS I

Found in a dome like structure similar/ same as an oil trap. The only thing is that the trap might
only have gas and not oil.

It is interesting that if in this oil trap oil is there gas will be there but if gas is there it is not
necessary that oil will there. This is the case of SUI in Balochistan.

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A natural gas processing plant is a facility designed to “clean” raw natural gas by separating
impurities and various non-methane hydrocarbons and fluids to produce what is known as
'pipeline quality' dry natural gas.

Gas is also processed to make LNG or CNG. CNG is Compressed Natural Gas, which is
mainly methane compressed at a pressure of 200 to 248 bars.LPG is Liquefied Petroleum Gas,
a mixture of propane and butane liquefied at 15 °C and a pressure of 1.7 - 7.5 bar. ... CNG is
cheaper and cleaner, but LPG has a higher calorific value.LPG is produced as a by-product
of natural gas processing and petroleum refining. CNG is stored on the vehicle in a cylinder, it
is under high pressure.

Jamshoro Joint Venture Limited is Pakistan’s largest private-sector gas processor. JJVL was
the first LPG producer in Pakistan to import and utilize new technology that guarantees it the
highest propane recovery rate in the country and which makes its facilities among the most
efficient in the world.

NATURAL GAS AS AN IMPORTANT SOURCE OF FUEL

 Cheaper in value compared to petroleum and easier to use compared to coal.

 Can be used in variety of ways for connivance like CNG, LNG in various sector like
transport and domestic sector
 More environmentally friendly compared to coal and oil. Called as greener fuel,
 Found in Pakistan in gas reserves of lower Sindh, Quetta and sui etc
 Transported from city to city and within city through door to door pipelines. Too
convenient and constantly available for domestic and industrial use.

DIFFERENT WAYS NATURAL GAS IS USED

 In pipelines used as natural gas. Smell or odour of Sulphur is added to avoid

accidents.

 As CNG it is used in vehicles like cars and even buses.

 As LPG it is used in areas not connected with the natural gas pipeline. The cylinders
make it portable. It is used in heating as in fuel.

WHY PAKISTAN SUFFERS FROM NATURAL GAS SHORTAGES

 Increasing population while no new major reserves are found.

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  Gas was used as a source of cheap fuel in industries. The combined demand of industries
and domestic sector has stressed the reserves.
 The government is already considering gas load shedding its also called Gas Load
Management, this is to ensure domestic sector is provided gas in winters; this forced the
industries to leave Pakistan. Cotton textile manufacturing done by ChenOne, Nishat
Linen have shifted to China and Bangladesh respectively.
 With electricity crises already the gas shortages added to the fuel crises when people
shifted more eg use of gas generators etc
 Government aggravated the situation when it allowed CNG filling stations to operate
commercially like petrol pumps. Draining the reserves.
 Industries like fertilizers use the gas as a raw material. Since main fertilizer made is urea
which uses natural gas. Engro Fertilizers Limited also uses a very large amount of total
gas produced. Since demand for fertilizer is ever rising as Agriculture is the major sector.
 The shortage of trees for firewood and more government efforts to prevent deforestation
also adds the northern regions like Murree, Khaghan Naran etc have started relying on
LPG for heating and cooking and increasing tourism has added to the demand

WHY DOES PAKISTAN NEED TO IMPORT FROM TURKMANISTAN/ QATAR

DESPITE SUFFICIENT RESERVES IN PAKISTAN

 All the above reasons are added.

 Pakistan has made an international deal with 3 other countries. The gas will be imported
from the Central Asian State of Turkmenistan, pipeline passes through Afghanistan,
Pakistan and then India. All 3 will share the cost of pipeline. Pakistan will pay
Afghanistan and then India will pay Pakistan. All 3 will be a part of the TAPI gas
project.
 A deal is also made to buy LPG from Qatar.

WHY IS NATURAL GAS TRANSPORTED IN PIPELINES INSTEAD OF LNG/ LPG

LIKE IN INDIA

 Initially gas lines were installed to go from Sui to Karachi and then linking major
cities. This is the safest and most convenient way to transfer in large amount. Within
city this is used for safety and its easiest way.
 LPG technology makes gas more expensive plus the transportation through trucks.
 Only major cities are provided this facility.

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 HOW IS GAS TRANSPOTED IN AREAS WITHOUT THE PIPELINES LIKE IN
MURREE

LPG cylinders for domestic and commercial use. Cylinders are transported through trucks
again adding the cost.

THE IMPORTANCE OF NATURAL GAS IN FERTILIZER SECTOR

 Industries like fertilizers use the gas as a raw material. Since main fertilizer made is urea
which uses natural gas. Engro Fertilizers Limited also uses a very large amount of total
gas produced. Since demand for fertilizer is ever rising as Agriculture is the major sector.
 The gas is also used as fuel in the various processes in the industry.

WHY HAS CEMENT AND FERTIZLIER INDUSTRY FORCED TO MOVE AWAY

FROM THE GAS TO COAL GAS.

 Shortages of gas due to increased demand by domestic sector has increased pressure
of the gas reserves. This has increased political pressure forcing government to
restrict supply to industries.
 The government is trying to ensure supply of both local and imported coal in order to
reduce the gas shortage.

QUESTIONS Created by nighat asar

HOW GOVERNMENT DECISION MADE THE IPPs RICH BUT DAMADGED THE
ECONOMY.

The IPP policy was probably the most crippling economic decision taken in the last 30 years by
any government. To date, this decision is estimated to have cost the country over $2 billion per
year since 2006.

 Private investors were allowed to set up power generation projects under long term take-or-
pay Power Purchase Agreements at extremely attractive rates.

 There were few restrictions on technology, fuel source or efficiency. With most ending up
furnace oil not coal.

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  Any increase in the cost of fuel was a pass-through item with the risk borne entirely by the
buyer, and a sovereign risk guarantee was required in case of default.

DAWN NEWS 12TH MAY 2016 the article is about the dangers of coal revival in Pakistan

“While the rest of the world is clamping down on coal, Pakistan is attempting to revive its
fledgling coal industry with five new power plants scheduled to start producing electricity by
2018 and many more in the pipeline.”

Electricity crises are a concern. While electricity supply is a meagre 12,000MW, electricity
demand is around 19,000MW resulting in acute power shortage in the country.

A recent World Bank report found that over a third of the nation lacks electricity access and
extended hours of load shedding are the norm, even in areas connected to the grid.

The Economic Survey of Pakistan estimates that the energy shortfall has resulted in financial
losses of between two to three per cent of the national Gross Domestic Product. The energy crisis
also threatens national security. Protests over electricity cuts often turn violent, resulting in loss
of life and infrastructure. The IPPs are using funrnace oil increasing the cost of electricity
generation.

Q. READ THE ARTICLE AND IDENTIFY THE REASONS WHY THE CRISES OF
ELECTRICITY IN PAKISTAN IS A BIG ONE? 6

Q. WHY IS PAKISTAN FOCUSING ON COAL? WHEN IT WILL STILL BE

IMPORTING COAL FOR THESE THERMAL PLANTS? 4

Q. WHY IS COAL NOT PREFFERRED AS A SOURCE OF FUEL IN POWER

GENERATION? 4

6 MARK QUESTIONS ON COAL

Ghulam Rasool, a resident of Muzaffargarh who was displaced by the floods of 2010, sums up
the country’s collective apathy to the climate change issue, “Whether we die of poverty [because
of lack of energy] or are carried away by the floods [caused by a changing climate], it is the same
to us.”

Q.TO WHAT EXTENT DO YOU AGREE WITH THIS STATEMENT? 6

Q. PAKISTAN AT PRESENT USING ONLY 5% OF ITS HYDRO POWER

POTENTIAL. WHAT IS HYDEL POTENTIAL AND HOW SUCCESSFUL WILL
PAKISTAN BE IF IT IS USED FOR POWER GENERATION 6
NIGHAT ASAR NOTES POWER RESOURCES Page 13
Q. “The IPP policy has resulted in Pakistan producing unaffordable power”. TO WHAT
EXTENT DO YOU AGREE WITH THE STATEMENT. 6

HYDROELECTRIC POWER GENERATION (HEP)

WHY ARE DAMS MOSTLY BUILT IN THE NORTHERN AREAS

 A permanent source of water in the form of a river.

 3 sides mountains mean that only one major wall is built, Reducing the cost of
construction as well as time.
 The valley and mountain base provides a rocky base. This prevents the seepage when
water is stored in the dam.
 The area is sparsely populated and this means less people need to be paid and displaced.
 Apart from the area of dam a large area is required for spillway and safety reasons.
 The mountain areas also receive more rainfall than other areas. Adding to the stored
assets.

FUNCTIONS OF DAMS

 Store water in dams

 Control floods
 Hydro electric power generation(HEP)
 Tourist attraction
 Fishing

SIMILARITIES BETWEEN SMALL AND LARGE DAMS

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A large dam by definition is as high as 15 meters. According to this only Tarbela and Mangla
Dam. Kalabagh is the only large dam under consideration. Large dams when compared to small
dams are similar yet different.

 The large /small dams are constructed near a mountain/hill range so that 3 sides are
mountains with deep valley, and a rocky base to avoid seepage
 Store water for irrigation and drinking, scenic beauty etc
 Toursit attraction for locals as well as fishng is done in both.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SMALL AND LARGE DAMS

EXPLAIN WHY HYDEL IS THE PREFFERRED FORM OF ELECTRICITY

COMPARED TO THERMAL

DIAMER-BHASHA DAM is a run of the river dam, gravity dam, in the preliminary stages of
construction, on the River Indus in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. Upon completion, Diamer-Bhasha
Dam would

(i) produce 4,500 megawatts of electricity through environmentally clean hydropower

generation;

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 (ii) store an extra 8,500,000 acre feet (10.5 km3) of water for Pakistan that would be used for
irrigation and drinking

(iii) extend the life of Tarbela Dam located downstream by 35 years; and

(iv) control flood damage by the River Indus downstream during high floods

THIS DAM IS NOW BEING CONSTRUCTED UNDER THE ORDERS OF SUPREME

COURT WITH PUBLIC DONATIONS AS WATER CRISIS IS THERE.

GHAZI-BAROTHA HYDROPOWER PROJECT is a 1,450 MW run-of-the-

river hydropower connected to the Indus River about 10 km (6.2 mi) west of Attock in Punjab, In
the reach from Ghazi to Barotha, the Indus River inclines by 76 meters over a distance of 63 km.
After passing through the powerhouse, the water is returned to the Indus

KALABAGH DAM

The political debate has stopped construction of this dam but now it is a decisive stage for the
survival of the country. Pakistan is one of the seven countries which will face the global wrming
issue first with severe reduction in rain like monsoon and rising heat waves.

The dam will restore the storage capacity last due to siltation in other large dams.

JEHLUM NEELAM PROJECT

Close to the city of Muzaffarabad on the river Jhelum. The river Jhelum is called Neelam in that
part. This hydel project will help make electricity as well as ensure the flood waters are stored
for irrigation purposes. This project has been recently completed.

CHASMA BARRAGE HYDEL PROJECT

carryover capacity of Pakistan is just 30 days against India’s 170 days. Pakistan needs to
narrow the huge gap between the growing population and its needs, and the number and
capacity of water reservoirs,

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Q. Describe how HEP is produced? 5

Q. How does siltation affect the HEP production? 4

Q. Why are small HEP dams like Gomal Zam Dam preferred over large dams these days? 6

Q. Why are wind energy possible in coastal or mountain areas only ?4

Q. Why are renewable energy engineers a career of choice over petrochemical engineer? 2

Q. Why are bio fuels not very feasible for Pakistan? 4

Q. Why is Balochistan called the treasure house of Pakistan? 4

The questions can be many but with smart phones and internet education has become very easy.

Seeing is believing. You must use youtube for learning geography. Just write the term e.g. open
cast mining…. Etc

NIGHAT ASAR NOTES POWER RESOURCES Page 17

 Thar, Atta abad lake as HEP source, Kalabagh and Diamer Bhasha dam are some projects
including Jehlum Neelum Project.

WIND ENERGY

Wind energy offers many advantages, which explains why it's one of the fastest-growing energy
sources in the world. Research efforts are aimed at addressing the challenges to greater use of
wind energy. Read on to learn more about the benefits of wind power and some of the challenges
it is working to overcome.

Advantages of Wind Power

 Wind power is cost-effective. Land-based utility-scale wind is one of the lowest-priced energy

sources available today, costing 1–2 cents per kilowatt-hour after the production tax credit.
Because the electricity from wind farms is sold at a fixed price over a long period of time (e.g.
20+ years) and its fuel is free, wind energy mitigates the price uncertainty that fuel costs add to
traditional sources of energy.
 Wind creates jobs. The U.S. wind sector employs more than 100,000 workers, and wind turbine
technician is one of the fastest growing American jobs. According to the Wind Vision Report,
wind has the potential to support more than 600,000 jobs in manufacturing, installation,
maintenance, and supporting services by 2050.
 Wind enables U.S. industry growth and U.S. competitiveness. New wind projects account
for annual investments of over $10 billion in the U.S. economy. The United States has a vast
domestic resources and a highly-skilled workforce, and can compete globally in the clean energy
economy.
 It's a clean fuel source. Wind energy doesn't pollute the air like power plants that rely on
combustion of fossil fuels, such as coal or natural gas, which emit particulate matter, nitrogen
oxides, and sulfur dioxide—causing human health problems and economic damages. Wind
turbines don't produce atmospheric emissions that cause acid rain, smog, or greenhouse gases.
 Wind is a domestic source of energy. The nation's wind supply is abundant and inexhaustible.
Over the past 10 years, U.S. wind power capacity has grown 15% per year, and wind is now
the largest source of renewable power in the United States.
 It's sustainable. Wind is actually a form of solar energy. Winds are caused by the heating of the
atmosphere by the sun, the rotation of the Earth, and the Earth's surface irregularities. For as long
as the sun shines and the wind blows, the energy produced can be harnessed to send power
across the grid.
 Wind turbines can be built on existing farms or ranches. This greatly benefits the economy in
rural areas, where most of the best wind sites are found. Farmers and ranchers can continue to
work the land because the wind turbines use only a fraction of the land. Wind power plant
owners make rent payments to the farmer or rancher for the use of the land, providing
landowners with additional income.

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 CHALLENGES OF WIND POWER

 Wind power must still compete with conventional generation sources on a cost basis.  Even
though the cost of wind power has decreased dramatically in the past several decades, wind
projects must be able to compete economically with the lowest-cost source of electricity, and
some locations may not be windy enough to be cost competitive.
 Good land-based wind sites are often located in remote locations, far from cities where the
electricity is needed. Transmission lines must be built to bring the electricity from the wind
farm to the city. However, building just a few already-proposed transmission lines could
significantly reduce the costs of expanding wind energy.
 Wind resource development might not be the most profitable use of the land. Land suitable
for wind-turbine installation must compete with alternative uses for the land, which might be
more highly valued than electricity generation.
 Turbines might cause noise and aesthetic pollution. Although wind power plants have
relatively little impact on the environment compared to conventional power plants, concern
exists over the noise produced by the turbine blades and visual impacts to the landscape.
 Wind plants can impact local wildlife. Birds have been killed by flying into spinning turbine
blades. Most of these problems have been resolved or greatly reduced through technology
development or by properly siting wind plants. Bats have also been killed by turbine blades, and
research is ongoing to develop and improve solutions to reduce the impact of wind turbines on
these species. Like all energy sources, wind projects can alter the habitat on which they are built,
which may alter the suitability of that habitat for certain species.

SOLAR POWER

 Advantages of Solar Energy

1. Renewable Energy Source

Among all the benefits of solar panels, the most important thing is that solar energy is a truly
renewable energy source. It can be harnessed in all areas of the world and is available every day.
We cannot run out of solar energy, unlike some of the other sources of energy. Solar energy will
be accessible as long as we have the sun, therefore sunlight will be available to us for at least 5
billion years when according to scientists the sun is going to die.

2. Reduces Electricity Bills

Since you will be meeting some of your energy needs with the electricity your solar system has
generated, your energy bills will drop. How much you save on your bill will be dependent on the
size of the solar system and your electricity or heat usage. Moreover, not only will you be saving
on the electricity bill, there is also a possibility to receive payments for the surplus energy that
you export back to the grid. If you generate more electricity than you use (considering that your
solar panel system is connected to the grid). 

3. Diverse Applications

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Solar energy can be used for diverse purposes. You can generate electricity (photovoltaics) or
heat (solar thermal). Solar energy can be used to produce electricity in areas without access to
the energy grid, to distill water in regions with limited clean water supplies and to power
satellites in space. Solar energy can also be integrated into the materials used for buildings. Not
long ago Sharp introduced transparent solar energy windows.

4. Low Maintenance Costs

Solar energy systems generally don’t require a lot of maintenance. You only need to keep them
relatively clean, so cleaning them a couple of times per year will do the job. If in doubt, you can
always rely on specialised cleaning companies, which offer this service from around £25-£35.
Most reliable solar panel manufacturers offer 20-25 years warranty. Also, as there are no moving
parts, there is no wear and tear. The inverter is usually the only part that needs to be changed
after 5-10 years because it is continuously working to convert solar energy into electricity and
heat (solar PV vs. solar thermal). Apart from the inverter, the cables also need maintenance to
ensure your solar power system runs at maximum efficiency. So, after covering the initial cost of
the solar system, you can expect very little spending on maintenance and repair work.

5. Technology Development
Technology in the solar power industry is constantly advancing and improvements will intensify
in the future. Innovations in quantum physics and nanotechnology can potentially increase the
effectiveness of solar panels and double, or even triple, the electrical input of the solar power
systems.
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Disadvantages of Solar Energy

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1. Cost
The initial cost of purchasing a solar system is fairly high. This includes paying for solar panels,
inverter, batteries, wiring, and for the installation. Nevertheless, solar technologies are constantly
developing, so it is safe to assume that prices will go down in the future.

2. Weather Dependent
Although solar energy can still be collected during cloudy and rainy days, the efficiency of the
solar system drops. Solar panels are dependent on sunlight to effectively gather solar energy.
Therefore, a few cloudy, rainy days can have a noticeable effect on the energy system. You
should also take into account that solar energy cannot be collected during the night. On the other
hand, if you also require your water heating solution to work at night or during
wintertime, thermodynamic panels are an alternative to consider.

3. Solar Energy Storage Is Expensive

Solar energy has to be used right away, or it can be stored in large batteries. These batteries, used
in off-the-grid solar systems, can be charged during the day so that the energy is used at night.
This is a good solution for using solar energy all day long but it is also quite expensive. In most
cases, it is smarter to just use solar energy during the day and take energy from the grid during
the night (you can only do this if your system is connected to the grid). Luckily your energy
demand is usually higher during the day so you can meet most of it with solar energy.

4. Uses a Lot of Space

The more electricity you want to produce, the more solar panels you will need, as you want to
collect as much sunlight as possible. Solar PV panels require a lot of space and some roofs are
not big enough to fit the number of solar panels that you would like to have. An alternative is to
install some of the panels in your yard but they need to have access to sunlight. If you don’t have
the space for all the panels that you wanted, you can opt for installing fewer to still satisfy some
of your energy needs.

5. Associated with Pollution

Although pollution related to solar energy systems is far less compared to other sources of
energy, solar energy can be associated with pollution. Transportation and installation of solar
systems have been associated with the emission of greenhouse gases. There are also some toxic
materials and hazardous products used during the manufacturing process of solar photovoltaic
systems, which can indirectly affect the environment. Nevertheless, solar energy pollutes far less
than other alternative energy sources.

BIOGAS

Advantages of Biogas
1. Biogas is Eco-Friendly

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Biogas is a renewable, as well as a clean, source of energy. Gas generated through biodigestion
is non-polluting; it actually reduces greenhouse emissions (i.e. reduces the greenhouse effect).
No combustion takes place in the process, meaning there is zero emission of greenhouse gasses
to the atmosphere; therefore, using gas from waste as a form of energy is actually a great way to
combat global warming.

Unsurprisingly, concern for the environment is a major reason why the use of biogas has become
more widespread. Biogas plants significantly curb the greenhouse effect: the plants lower
methane emissions by capturing this harmful gas and using it as fuel. Biogas generation helps cut
reliance on the use of fossil fuels, such as oil and coal.

Another biogas advantage is that, unlike other types of renewable energies, the process is natural,
not requiring energy for the generation process. In addition, the raw materials used in the
production of biogas are renewable, as trees and crops will continue to grow. Manure, food
scraps, and crop residue are raw materials that will always be available, which makes it a highly
sustainable option.

2. Biogas Generation Reduces Soil and Water Pollution

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NIGHAT ASAR NOTES POWER RESOURCES Page 23
 

Overflowing landfills don’t only spread foul smells- they also allow toxic liquids to drain into
underground water sources. Consequently, yet another advantage of biogas is that biogas
generation may improve water quality. Moreover, anaerobic digestion deactivates pathogens and
parasites; thus, it’s also quite effective in reducing the incidence of waterborne diseases.
Similarly, waste collection, and management, significantly improve in areas with biogas plants.
This, in turn, leads to improvements in the environment, sanitation, and hygiene.

3. Biogas Generation Produces Organic Fertilizer

The by-product of the biogas generation process is enriched organic (digestate), which is a
perfect supplement to, or substitute for, chemical fertilizers. The fertilizer discharge from the
digester can accelerate plant growth and resilience to diseases, whereas commercial fertilizers
contain chemicals that have toxic effects and can cause food poisoning, among other things. 

4. It’s A Simple and Low-Cost Technology That Encourages A Circular Economy

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The technology used to produce biogas is quite cheap. It is easy to set up and needs little
investment when on a small scale. Small biodigesters can be used right at home, utilizing kitchen
waste and animal manure. A household system pays for itself after a while, and the materials
used for generation are absolutely free. The gas manifested can be used directly for cooking and
generation of electricity. This is what allows the cost of biogas production to be relatively low.

Farms can make use of biogas plants and waste products produced by their livestock every day.
The waste products of one cow can provide enough energy to power a lightbulb for an entire day.

In large plants, biogas can also be compressed to achieve the quality of natural gas, and utilized
to power automobiles. Building such plants requires relatively low capital investment, and
creates green jobs. For instance, in India, 10 million jobs were created, mostly in rural areas, in
plants and in organic waste collection.

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5. Healthy Cooking Alternative For Developing Areas

Biogas generators save women and children from the daunting task of firewood collection. As a
result, more time is left over for cooking and clean. More importantly, cooking on a gas stove,
instead of over an open fire, prevents the family from being exposed to smoke in the kitchen.
This helps prevent deadly respiratory diseases. Sadly, 4.3 million people a year die prematurely
from illness attributable to the household air pollution caused by the inefficient use of solid fuels
for cooking.

Disadvantages of Biogas
 

1. Few Technological Advancements

An unfortunate disadvantage of biogas today is that the systems used in the production of biogas
are not efficient. There are no new technologies yet to simplify the process and make it abundant
and low cost. This means large scale production to supply for a large population is still not
possible. Although the biogas plants available today are able to meet some energy needs, many
governments are not willing to invest in the sector.

2. Contains Impurities

After refinement and compression, biogas still contains impurities. If the generated bio-fuel was
utilized to power automobiles, it can corrode the metal parts of the engine. This corrosion would
lead to increased maintenance costs. The gaseous mix is much more suitable for kitchen stoves,
water boilers, and lamps. 

3. Effect of Temperature on Biogas Production

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Like other renewable energy sources (e.g. solar, wind) biogas generation is also affected by the
weather. The optimal temperature bacteria need to digest waste is around 37°C. In cold climates,
digesters require heat energy to maintain a constant biogas supply.

4. Less Suitable For Dense Metropolitan Areas

Another biogas disadvantage is that industrial biogas plants only makes sense where raw
materials are in plentiful supply (food waste, manure). For this reason, biogas generation is much
more suitable for rural and suburban areas.

Ready to set up your own small biogas generation system?

TIDAL ENERGY

Tides are a regular phenomenon. They can be predicted over months and years in advance. This
is why the energy from this massive movement of water can be harnessed and converted into a
usable form of energy.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Tidal Energy

Some of the advantages of tidal energy are:

 Environment-friendly
 Highly predictable energy source
 High energy density
 Operational and maintenance costs are low
 Inexhaustible source of energy
Some of the disadvantages of tidal energy are:

 High tidal power plant construction costs

 Negative influence on marine life forms
 Location limits
 Variable intensity of sea waves
Although not widely used, tidal energy has the potential for future electricity generation. Among
other sources of renewable energy tidal energy has suffered due to the relatively high cost and
limited availability of sites for construction. However, due to the recent technological
developments indicating that the economic and environmental costs can be brought down to
competitive levels, there seems to be a bright future for tidal energy generation.

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Advantages 

Hydropower is a fueled by water, so it's a  clean fuel source. Hydropower doesn't 
pollute the air like power plants that burn fossil fuels, such as coal or natural gas.
Hydropower is a domestic source of  energy, produced in the United States.
Hydropower relies on the water cycle, which is driven by the sun, thus it's a 
renewable power source. Hydropower is generally available as 
needed; engineers can control the flow of  water through the turbines to produce
electricity on demand.
Hydropower plants provide benefits in addition to clean electricity. Impoundment 
hydropower creates reservoirs that offer a variety of recreational opportunities, notably
fishing, swimming, and boating. Most hydropower installations are required 
to provide some public access to the reservoir to allow the public to take advantage 
of these opportunities. Other benefits may include water supply and flood control.

Disadvantages 
Fish populations can be impacted if fish cannot migrate upstream past impoundment 
dams to spawning grounds or if they cannot migrate downstream to the ocean.
Upstream fish passage can be aided using fish ladders or elevators, or by trapping 
and hauling the fish upstream by truck. Downstream fish passage is aided by
diverting fish from turbine intakes using screens or racks or even underwater lights
and sounds, and by maintaining a minimum spill flow past the turbine.
Hydropower can impact water quality and flow. Hydropower plants can cause low 
dissolved oxygen levels in the water, a problem that is harmful to riparian
(riverbank) habitats and is addressed using various aeration techniques, which 
oxygenate the water. Maintaining minimum flows of water downstream of a 
hydropower installation is also critical for the survival of riparian habitats.
Hydropower plants can be impacted by drought. When water is not available, the 
hydropower plants can't produce electricity.
New hydropower facilities impact the local environment and may compete with other 
uses for the land. Those alternative uses may be more highly valued than electricity
generation. Humans, flora, and fauna may lose their natural habitat. Local cultures

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Hydroelectric Energy Pros and Cons

Updated July 7, 2020

20% of the world’s electricity consumption in 2006 was generated with hydroelectricity
(generating electricity from hydropower), the most used renewable energy source in the world.
We all know that hydroelectricity is both renewable and green, but what are the other advantages
this technology offer? Are there any disadvantages? Read the hydroelectric energy pros and
cons list below to find out!

Advantages of Hydroelectric Energy

1. Renewable

Hydroelectric energy is renewable. This means that we cannot use up. However, there’s only a
limited number of suitable reservoirs where hydroelectric power plants can be built and even less
places where such projects are profitable.

2. Green

Generating electricity with hydro energy is not polluting itself. The only pollution occurs during
the construction of these massive power plants.

3. Reliable

Hydroelectricity is very reliable energy. There are very little fluctuations in terms of the electric
power that is being by the plants, unless a different output is desired. Countries that have large
resources of hydropower use hydroelectricity as a base load energy source. As long as there is
water in the magazines electricity can be generated.

4. Flexible

As previously mentioned, adjusting water flow and output of electricity is easy. At times where
power consumption is low, water flow is reduced and the magazine levels are being conserved
for times when the power consumption is high.

5. Safe

Compared to among others fossil fuels and nuclear energy, hydroelectricity is much safer. There
is no fuel involved (other than water that is).

Disadvantages of Hydroelectric Energy

1. Environmental Consequences

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The environmental consequences of hydropower are related to interventions in nature due to
damming of water, changed water flow and the construction of roads and power lines.

Hydroelectric power plants may affect fish is a complex interaction between numerous physical
and biological factors. More user interests related to exploitation of fish species, which helps that
this is a field that many have strong opinions on.

Fish habitats are shaped by physical factors such as water level, water velocity and shelter
opportunities and access to food. Draining would be completely devastating to the fish. Beyond
this, the amount of water may have different effects on the fish in a river, depending on the type
and stage of the lifecycle. Not all unregulated river systems are optimal in terms of fish
production, because of large fluctuations in flow.

2. Expensive

Building power plants in general is expensive. Hydroelectric power plants are not an exception
to this. On the other hand, these plants do not require a lot of workers and maintenance costs are
usually low.

3. Droughts

Electricity generation and energy prices are directly related to how much water is available. A
drought could potentially affect this.

4. Limited Reservoirs

We have already started using up suitable reservoirs for hydroelectric power plants. There are
currently about 30 major power plants that are expected to generate more than 2.000 MW under
construction. Only one of these projects was started in the last two years.

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