2.

ENERGY SOURCES & TECHNICAL ASPECTS

2.1 Classification of Energy Sources

The classification of energy sources are done on the following aspects:

(i) On the basis of Energy Source availability

(ii) On the basis of Energy Source being older or newer
(iii) On the basis of non-renewable or renewable energy resource

2.1.1 (i) Classification of Energy Sources on the basis of availability:

(a) Primary energy resources:

These are obtained directly from the environment, the example includes:

1. Fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas etc.

2. Nuclear fuels such as Uranium, Thorium etc.

3. Hydro energy

4. Solar energy

5. Wind energy

6. Geothermal energy

7. Ocean energy such as tidal energy, wave energy

8. Biomass energy such as gobar gas

9. Hydrogen energy

(b) Secondary energy resources:

They are derived from primary energy resources as they do not exist in nature.

The examples are:

1. Petrol, diesel, kerosene oil.

2. CNG and LPG

3. Electrical energy based on coal, diesel gas.

2.1.2 (ii) On the basis of being older or newer:

1. Conventional Energy Resources

The sources of energy which have been in use for a long time.

The examples are:

1. Fossil fuel

2. Nuclear energy

3. Hydro energy

2. Non-conventional Energy Resources

The sources of energy which are discovered newly and yet in the process of
development over the past few years.

The examples are:

1. Solar energy

2. Wind energy

3. Geothermal energy etc.

2.1.3 (iii) On the basis of renewable and non-renewable energy resource:

Non-renewable energy resources:

A non renewable resource is one that cannot be produced once we use it.

The examples are:

1. Coal

2. Petrol/Diesel
3. Natural gas

Renewable energy resources:

A renewable energy source is one that can be produced again, like sugar, wheat etc
so we can make bio-fuel for example.

The examples are:

1. Solar energy

2. Wind energy

3. Geothermal energy

2.2 Non-Renewable Energy Sources

They are also called as Fossil fuels. Fossil fuels come from deep within the earth. The main
fossil fuels are oil, coal and natural gas. Fossil fuels are a product of many millions of years of
pressure and heat applied to plant and animal matter that has become trapped underground. After
a long time, the decomposing material becomes a fossil fuel.

2.2.1 Coal

Coal is found inside the earth’s crust where they have formed through heat and compression of
forests, wooden waste and other organic matter, which got buried due to earthquake, landslide
etc. Coal is the most abundantly found fossil fuel in the world. It contains carbon, water, sulfur
and nitrogen. Coal meets 70% of the total energy needs of the world found and 87.4% of all
commercial energy. Coal is majorly used for electricity generation in thermal power plants,
cooking, heating in industries.
The major use of coal is for electricity generation through thermal power plant. Let
us now study how thermal power plants generate electricity by burning coal.

Working of a thermal power plant:

The function of the coal fired thermal power plant is to convert the energy
available in the coal to electricity. Coal power plants work by using several steps to
convert stored energy in coal to usable electricity that we find in our home that
powers our lights, computers, and sometimes, back into heat for our homes. The
working of a coal power plant is explained in brief:

Firstly, water is taken into the boiler from a water source. The boiler is heated with
the help of coal. The increase in temperature helps in the transformation of water
into steam. The steam generated in the boiler is sent through a steam turbine. The
turbine has blades that rotate when high velocity steam flows across them.

This rotation of turbine blades is used to generate electricity. A generator is

connected to the steam turbine. When the turbine turns, electricity is generated and
given as output by the generator, which is then supplied to the consumers through
high-voltage power lines.

2.2.2 Petroleum or Crude Oil

Most of the oil and gaseous fuels are basically derived from petroleum. It is a
natural, underground fossil energy resource. It is formed due to decomposition of
animal deposits under the ground, sea beds, lakes and rivers for million of years.
The decomposition takes place by the action of bacteria, under lack of oxygen and
also by catalytic cracking. It is also called crude oil.

The crude oil is a mixture of many components like petrol, diesel, kerosene etc.,
and they are divided by a process called fractional distillation. The various
components of crude oil have different sizes, weights and boiling temperatures; so,
the first step is to separate these components. Because they have different boiling
temperatures, they can be separated easily by a process called fractional
distillation.

Petroleum products include transportation fuels, fuel oils for heating and electricity
generation, asphalt for laying roads, and the feedstock used to make chemicals,
plastics, and synthetic materials found in nearly everything we use today.
2.2.3 Natural Gas

After coal and petroleum, natural gas is the third major source of fossil fuel. It
contributes to about 24% of the energy requirement of the world. It is fast
emerging as an alternative source as it is eco-friendly in characters.

It is a mixture of hydrocarbon gases trapped beneath the earth’s surface. It is

mainly consisting of methane (CH4), propane (C3H8) and butane (C4H10). After
processing it is transported to supply filling stations. Natural gas is used for power
generation, cooking, vehicle fuel etc. Natural gas is used as fuel for vehicles in the
form of CNG (compressed natural gas).

2.2.4 Advantages and Disadvantages of Fossil Fuels

Advantages of Fossil Fuels

 A major advantage of fossil fuels is their capacity to generate huge amounts

of electricity in just a single location.
 Fossil fuels are very easy to find.
 When coal is used in power plants, they are very cost effective. Coal is also
in abundant supply.
 Transporting oil and gas to the power stations can be made through the use
of pipes making it an easy task.
 Power plants that utilize gas are very efficient.
 Power stations that make use of fossil fuel can be constructed in almost any
location. This is possible as long as large quantities of fuel can be easily
brought to the power plants.
Disadvantages of Fossil Fuels

 Pollution is a major disadvantage of fossil fuels. This is because they give

off carbon dioxide when burned thereby causing a greenhouse effect. This is
also the main contributory factor to the global warming experienced by the
earth today.
 Coal also produces carbon dioxide when burned compared to burning oil or
gas. Additionally, it gives off sulphur dioxide, a kind of gas that creates acid
rain.
 Environmentally, the mining of coal results in the destruction of wide areas
of land. Mining this fossil fuel is also difficult and may endanger the lives of
miners. Coal mining is considered one of the most dangerous jobs in the
world.
 Power stations that utilize coal need large amounts of fuel. In other words,
they not only need truckloads but trainloads of coal on a regular basis to
continue operating and generating electricity. This only means that coal-
fired power plants should have reserves of coal in a large area near the plants
location.
 Use of natural gas can cause unpleasant odors and some problems especially
with transportation.
 Use of crude oil causes pollution and poses environmental hazards such as
oil spills when oil tankers, for instance, experience leaks or drown deep
under the sea. Crude oil contains toxic chemicals which cause air pollutants
when combusted.

2.3 Renewable Energy Sources

As we have already discussed, a renewable energy source is a natural resource with
the ability to reproduce through biological or natural processes and replenished
with the passage of time. There are many types of renewable energy sources and
they are:

1. Solar energy
2. Wind energy
3. Tidal/Wave energy
4. Ocean thermal energy
5. Hydropower
6. Geothermal energy
7. Biomass energy
8. Hydrogen energy
 1. Solar Energy

The sun is our most powerful source of energy. Sunlight, or solar energy, can be
used for heating, lighting and cooling homes and other buildings, generating
electricity, water heating, and a variety of industrial processes. Most forms of
renewable energy come either directly or indirectly from the sun. For example,
heat from the sun causes the wind to blow, contributes to the growth of trees and
other plants that are used for biomass energy, and plays an essential role in the
cycle of evaporation and precipitation that makes hydropower possible.

Technology of converting solar energy:

For our energy requirement the solar energy can be converted in to usable form
and for that reason we can use the fallowing technologies:

i) Active solar heating and cooling technologies

ii) Passive solar heating, cooling and day-lighting technologies

iii) Photovoltaic technology (PV cells)

i) Active solar heating and cooling technologies:

Active solar heating makes use of pumps and/or motors to move fluids
and deliver captured heat. There are a number of different active solar
heating systems available. One of these is the stationary solar water
heater system. The main application of these simple devices is to provide
hot water, primarily for domestic use.
ii) Passive solar heating, cooling and day-lighting technologies:
By definition, passive solar power systems do not involve the use of
motors pumps or blowers. Their effectiveness is therefore reliant on good
building design. This type of technology can play an important role in the
conservation of energy.

In passive solar cooling technologies, use is made of solar-induced climate

effects such as wind and temperature differences to cool buildings. Buildings
can be so designed, for example with underground walls, to take advantage of
the natural convective and radiative cooling processes of the Earth at night. This
enables heat which has been built up during the day to be drawn out at night.
The underground walls act as a heat transfer medium and the earth itself as a
heat sink. This technique greatly reduces the need for air conditioning in hot
countries.

Finally, day-lighting technologies are designed to make maximum use of

natural light for illuminating the interior of commercial buildings. These
include such techniques are core lighting where shopping centers and office
blocks have a central atrium to allow natural light to center.
 iii) Photovoltaic technology (PV cells)

Photovoltaic technology involves the direct conversion of solar radiation into

direct-current (DC) electricity.

Electric energy is generated by photovoltaic effect caused when the sun is beamed
on the semiconductors, such as silicon. When a p-n junction of a semi conductor is
exposed to sunlight, it p-region becomes positively charged and the n-region
becomes negatively charged. If an external load i applied, this charge difference
will drive a current through it till the sunlight is effective. This principle is used in
developing a solar cell as shown in the above Fig.
 2. Wind Energy

Wind is the movement of air that occurs when warm air rises and cooler air rushes
in to replace it. The energy of the wind has been used for centuries to sail ships and
drive windmills that grind grain. Today, wind energy is captured by wind turbines
and used to generate electricity.

Technology of converting wind energy:

A wind turbine works the opposite of a fan. Instead of using electricity to make
wind, like a fan, wind turbines use wind to make electricity. The wind turns the
blades, which spin a shaft (circular rod), which connects to a generator and makes
electricity. Wind turbines, like windmills, are usually mounted on a tower to
capture the most energy. Wind turbines operate on a simple principle. The energy
in the wind turns two or three propeller-like blades around a rotor. The rotor is
connected to the main shaft, which spins a generator to create electricity. Wind
turbines are mounted on a tower to capture the most energy. At 100 feet (30
meters) or more above ground, they can take advantage of faster and smoothly
flowing wind.
3. Tidal/Wave Energy

The ocean provides several forms of renewable energy, and one of that is energy
from ocean waves and tides can be harnessed to generate electricity. Using existing
technologies, most ocean energy is not cost-effective compared to other renewable
energy sources, but the ocean remains and important potential energy source for
the future.

Technology of converting tidal energy:

During high tide period, the water flows from the sea to tidal basin through the
water turbine as the level of water in the sea is more than that of basin. This
operates the turbine and ultimately the generator thus converting mechanical
energy into electrical energy.

During low tide period, the water flows from tidal basin to sea as the water level in
the tidal basin is more than that of sea. During this period also, the flowing water
turns the turbine and generates the power. The generation of power stops only in
case of the same level of water in sea and basin. In this case, the turbine blades
should be reversible with proper blade angles depending upon direction of flow.
 4. Ocean thermal Energy

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) makes use of the naturally occurring
thermal gradient of the oceans. The warm water acts as a heat source and the cold
water at about 1000 m down acts as a heat receiver. This creates
a thermal power cycle which can be used to generate electricity. The
minimum difference required between the heat source and the heat receiver is
20 °C. The efficiency of OTEC is very low but the enormous magnitude of this
potential energy resource merits its use. In addition, OTEC could provide a
continuous energy supply, unlike many other renewable technologies.

Technology of converting tidal energy:

A basic OTEC plant is shown in the figure to the right. Warm seawater passes
through an evaporator and vaporizes the working fluid, ammonia. The ammonia
vapor passes through a turbine which turns a generator making electricity. The
lower pressure vapor leaves the turbine and condenses in the condenser connected
to a flow of deep cold seawater. The liquid ammonia leaves the condenser and is
pumped to the evaporator to repeat the cycle.

5. Hydropower

Water flowing down in a river or a channel is a powerful force. Water is a

renewable resource, constantly recharged by the global cycle of evaporation and
precipitation. The heat of the sun causes water in lakes and oceans to evaporate and
form clouds. The water then falls back to Earth as rain or snow, and drains into
rivers and streams that flow back to the ocean. Flowing water can be used to rotate
water turbine that drives a generator to produce electricity. This is achieved by
constructing a dam across a river which stores water with high potential energy,
this water when allowed to flow, and its potential energy is converted to kinetic
energy and thus running a turbine.

Technology of converting Hydro power:

Water flowing in rivers is stored in a man-made reservoir by constructing a dam as

shown in the figure. The kinetic energy of the flowing water is transformed into
potential energy as the water level rises. This water is carried through pipes to the
turbine situated at the bottom of the dam. The water turbine has blades around its
circumference. A jet of moving water rotates the water turbine rapidly, which in
turn rotates the shaft which is attached to its centre. The other end of the shaft is
connected to the coil of an electric generator. The generator coil rotates and
produces electricity.

6. Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy is the natural heat of the Earth's crust. The temperature at the
Earth's core is over 70,0000C. Even a few kilometers down, the temperature can be
over 250 degrees Celsius if the Earth's crust is thin. In general, the temperature
rises one degree Celsius for every 30 - 50 meters you go down, but this does vary
depending on location. Hot rocks underground heat water to produce steam. We
drill holes down to the hot region; steam comes up, is purified and used to drive
turbines, which drive electric generators. There may be natural "groundwater" in
the hot rocks, or we may need to drill holes and pump water down to them to form
steam.

Technology of converting geothermal energy:

Geothermal energy can be converted in to electric energy in two ways. They are:

(i) Dry steam type

(ii) Flash steam type

(i) Dry Steam type: The dry steam power plant uses hot steam taken
directly from the geothermal reservoir to directly run a turbine that
powers a generator. This is the oldest type of power plant and is still in
use today. See Figure below.
(ii) Flash steam type: The flash steam power plant uses hot water from
geothermal reservoirs. As the water is pumped from the reservoir to the
power plant, the drop in pressure causes the water to vaporize into steam
and it runs the turbine that powers the generator. Any water not flashed
into steam is pumped back into the reservoir for reuse, See Figure below.
 7. Biomass Energy

Biomass is the organic matter produced by the plants or animals which include
wood, crop residues, cattle dung, manure, sewage, agricultural wastes etc. Biomass
has been an important source of energy ever since people first began burning wood
to cook food and warm themselves against the winter chill. Wood is still the most
common source of biomass energy, but other sources of biomass energy include
food crops, grasses and other plants, agricultural and forestry waste and residue,
organic components from municipal and industrial wastes, even methane gas
harvested from community landfills. Biomass can be used to produce electricity
and as fuel for transportation, or to manufacture products that would otherwise
require the use of non-renewable fossil fuels (bio-diesel).

Technology of converting biomass energy:

Biomass energy of different forms is converted in to useful forms in the following

ways:

(a) Energy Plantations

(b) Petro-crops

(c) Agricultural and Urban Waste biomass

(d) Biogas
(e) Biofuels
(a) Energy Plantations: Solar energy is trapped by green plants through
photosynthesis and converted into biomass energy. Fast growing trees like
cottonwood, poplar, non-woody herbaceous grasses, crop plants like sugarcane,
sweet sorghum and sugar beet, aquatic weeds like water hyacinth and sea-weeds
and carbohydrate rich potato, cereal etc. are some of the important energy
plantations. They may produce energy either by burning directly or by getting
converted into burnable gas or may be converted into fuels by fermentation.

(b) Petro-crops: Certain latex-containing plants like oil palms are rich in
hydrocarbons and can yield an oil like substance under high temperature and
pressure. This oily material may he burned in diesel engines directly or may be
refined to form gasoline. These plants are popularly known as petro-crops.

(c) Agricultural and Urban Waste biomass: Crop residues, bagasse (sugarcane
residues), coconut shells, peanut hulls, cotton stalks etc. are some of the common
agricultural wastes which produce energy by burning. Animal dung, fishery and
poultry waste and even human refuse are examples of biomass energy. In rural
India, animal dung cakes are burnt to produce heat. About 80 % of rural heat
energy requirements are met by burning agricultural wastes, wood and animal
dung cakes.

(d)Biogas: Biogas is a mixture of methane, carbon dioxide, hydrogen and hydrogen

sulphide. Biogas is produced by anaerobic degradation of animal wastes
(sometimes plant wastes) in the presence of water. Anaerobic degradation means
break down of organic matter by bacteria in the absence of oxygen. The most
popular bio gas producer is known as

Working of a floating gas holder type biogas plant: This type has a well- shaped
digester tank which is placed under the ground and made up of bricks. In the
digester tank, over the dung slurry an inverted steel drum floats to hold the bio-gas
produced. The gas holder can move which is controlled by a pipe and the gas outlet
is regulated by a valve. The digester rank has a partition wall and one side of it
receives the dung- water mixture through inlet pipe while the other side discharges
the spent slurry through outlet pipe. (Fig below)
Sometimes corrosion of steel gas-holder leads to leakage of biogas. The tank
has to be painted time and again for maintenance which increases the cost.

(e) Bio-fuels: Bio-fuels are of different types and those are explained below.
Biodiesel: Biodiesel is an alternative fuel formulated exclusively for diesel
engines. A fuel derived from organic oils such as vegetable oil, rather than
petroleum. Biodiesel’s use and production are increasing. It’s typically used for
aircraft, vehicles and as heating oil.

Ethanol: Biomass can be fermented to alcohols like ethanol and methanol which
can be used as fuels. Ethanol can be easily produced from carbohydrate rich
substances like sugarcane. It burns clean and is non-polluting. However, as
compared to petrol us calorific value is less and therefore, produces much less heat
than petrol.
Gasohol: Gasohol is a common fuel used in Brazil and Zimbabwe for running cars
and buses. Gasohol is a mixture of ethanol and gasoline(petrol).
Methanol: Methanol is very useful since it burns at a lower temperature than
gasoline or diesel. Thus the bulky radiator may be substituted by sleek designs in
our cars. Methanol too is a clean, non-polluting fuel. Methanol can be easily
obtained from woody plants and ethanol from grain-based or sugar-containing
plants.
 8. Hydrogen

Hydrogen also can be found in many organic compounds, as well as water. It's the
most abundant element on the Earth. But it doesn't occur naturally as a gas. It's
always combined with other elements, such as with oxygen to make water. Once
separated from other elements, hydrogen can be used to generate electricity that
can power vehicles.

Working of hydrogen fuel cell:

The hydrogen fuel cell operates similar to a battery. It has two electrodes, an anode
and a cathode, separated by a membrane. Oxygen passes over one electrode and
hydrogen over the other. The hydrogen reacts to a catalyst on the electrode anode
that converts the hydrogen gas into negatively charged electrons (e-) and positively
charged ions (H+).The electrons flow out of the cell to be used as electrical energy.
The hydrogen ions move through the electrolyte membrane to the cathode
electrode where they combine with oxygen and the electrons to produce water.
Unlike batteries, fuel cells never run out.
2.4 Nuclear Energy

Nuclear energy can be obtained from fission of atoms i.e splitting of a heavy
nucleus in to two lighter nuclei. The result is the release of enormous quantities of
energy. Splitting of the 1 amu of uranium-235 can generate energy equivalent to
that obtainable from burning of 15 metric tons of coal or about 14 barrels(1 barrel
= approximately 159 liters) of crude oil.

The nuclear energy can be used to generate electricity by using a nuclear reactor. A
nuclear reactor produces and controls the release of energy from splitting the atoms
of elements such as uranium and plutonium. In a nuclear reactor, the energy
released from continuous fission of the atoms in the fuel as heat is used to make
steam. The steam is used to drive the turbines which produce electricity (as in most
fossil fuel plants, but without the combustion of fossil fuels and resultant
greenhouse gas emissions).
Working of a nuclear power plant:

The conversion to electrical energy takes place indirectly, as in conventional

thermal power plants. The heat is produced by fission in a nuclear reactor and
using that heat water vapor (steam) is produced. The pressurized steam is then
usually fed to a steam turbine. After the steam running the turbine the partially
condensed the steam, the remaining vapor are sent to a condenser. The condenser
is a heat exchanger which is connected to a river or a cooling tower. The water is
then pumped back into the nuclear reactor and the cycle begins again.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Renewable Energy

The Advantages of Renewable Energy

 One major advantage with the use of renewable energy is that as it is

renewable it is therefore sustainable and so will never run out.
 Renewable energy facilities generally require less maintenance than
traditional generators. Their fuel being derived from natural and available
resources reduces the costs of operation.
 Even more importantly, renewable energy produces little or no waste
products such as carbon dioxide or other chemical pollutants, so has minimal
impact on the environment.
 Renewable energy projects can also bring economic benefits to many
regional areas, as most projects are located away from large urban centers
and suburbs of the capital cities.
The Disadvantages of Renewable Energy

 One disadvantage with renewable energy is that it is difficult to generate the

quantities of electricity that are as large as those produced by traditional
fossil fuel generators. This may mean that we need to reduce the amount of
energy we use or simply build more energy facilities.
 Another disadvantage of renewable energy sources is the reliability of
supply. Renewable energy often relies on the weather for its source of
power.
 Hydro generators need rain to fill dams to supply flowing water. Wind
turbines need wind to turn the blades, and solar collectors need clear skies
and sunshine to collect heat and make electricity. When these resources are
unavailable so is the capacity to make energy from them. This can be
unpredictable and inconsistent.
 The current cost of renewable energy technology is also far in excess of
traditional fossil fuel generation. This is because it is a new technology and
as such has extremely large capital cost.