DU Question Bank Science and Life Energy What are the different sources of energy?

Which one of them in your view holds the maximum prospect for common use in the future, and why? 1. At present the sources of energy in common use globally are the fossil fuels: coal, petroleum products and natural gas. 2. Different petroleum fractions such as gasoline, diesel and aviation fuel are the major fuels for transport. 3. Electricity generation worldwide relies most on coal and to some extent natural gas. 4. Natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas are also used as cooking fuel in addition to kerosene and coal still used, especially in low income households of developing countries. 5. The abovementioned fuels are non-renewable, they cause air pollution and contribute to global warming hence it would be good to reduce dependence on them. 6. Another other energy source used for electricity generation to a limited extent is nuclear energy in the form of thermal power plants based on nuclear fission reactors at present. 7. Since nuclear fuel (largely fissionable Uranium 235) is limited, this type of nuclear energy is also non-renewable though it does not contribute to global warming. 8. In addition, fission reactors produce hazardous nuclear waste, safe disposal of which is a difficult task. 9. Nuclear energy in the form of fast breeder reactor, which produces more nuclear fuel than it consumes, and controlled nuclear fusion reaction, if harnessed, can be considered renewable. However, hazardous nuclear waste would still be produced. 10. Renewable energy sources used at present are: hydropower, solar energy, energy from biomass and wind energy to a greater extent and geothermal energy and tidal energy to a limited extent (they are highly site-specific). 11. Rather than relying on a single energy source for sustainable development, a combination of renewable energy sources with limited and progressively diminishing use of fossil fuels would be a better policy globally as well as for developing countries like India. 12. Solar energy is available all over the world and especially in the tropics (e.g. in India), where the sun shines strongly throughout the year. 13. India and other developing countries can concentrate on researching solar energy to bring down its cost and increase its productivity for electricity generation since the chief obstacle in wider use of solar energy for electricity generation is the cost of solar photovoltaic films and the low productivity of solar power plants. 14. In addition, India can also focus on clean biomass energy such as gobar gas plants and energy from biodegradable municipal and agricultural waste where possible. 15. Wind energy can be utilised in coastal areas, desert areas and hilly regions with high wind speeds. 16. Hydropower is a clean and green option with smaller dams to reduce the area of flooding and displacement of population. 17. A series of small dams can be built after cost-benefit analysis and agreement of local population affected by the dams.

18. Efforts can be made to identify tidal basins on the coast where it would be economically viable to construct a tidal power plant. 19. Similarly, geothermal energy can be harnessed to a greater extent in regions where it is known or suspected to be accessible. 20. Energy policy can emphasise on localised development of energy resources so that a combination of energy sources can be exploited keeping local conditions in mind. 21. India can also contribute to the ongoing global efforts to harness the power of hydrogen from water (an inexhaustible source, since the product of combustion of hydrogen is water) and controlled nuclear fusion, which might go a long way in permanently meeting the worlds energy needs. Give an estimate of the energy needs in a typical Indian home. Give your description of the home and suggest ways to avoid wastage. 1. Energy needs of Indian homes vary according to family size, size of dwelling and economic status. 2. Energy needs are also dependent on the season of the year since fans and air conditioners increase the electricity consumption in summer. 3. Energy needs of a family would also depend on whether all the family members are working. In such households no electricity would be consumed during weekdays when all occupants of the house are away. 4. A typical Indian middle class working couple with 1 or 2 children residing in a 2/3 bedroom house may require 200 to 400 units of electricity (in the form of Kilowatt hour, Kwh). 5. Peak summer consumption is around 400 units while consumption during the rest of the year is around 200 units. 6. Most cities have a system of electricity billing where the first slab costs less, with progressive increase above that. For example, in Delhi, domestic power consumers pay Rs.3.90 per unit for the first 200 units. Each unit consumed between 201 and 400 units costs Rs.5.80 per unit and between 401 and 800 units costs Rs.6.80 per unit. Any consumption above 800 units costs Rs.7 per unit. 7. Thus electricity bill for the same family may from Rs. 1000 to Rs. 4000, depending on the season and other factors like vacations, visitors, house guests etc. 8. For cooking, a household described above may consume 10-15 cubic metres of cooking gas (costing Rs 200 300). 9. Cooking gas consumption per month is also dependent on holidays, house guests, guests invited for meals, festivals etc. 10. A typical apartment in Delhi may consist of a drawing room, dining space (or drawing cum dining room), two or three bedrooms, a kitchen and one or two bathrooms. 11. In addition, there may be a balcony and a terrace or two balconies. 12. Most people have their TV in the drawing or drawing cum dining room. Some families may have an additional TV in one of the bedrooms.

13. There are also 1-2 fans and lights in the drawing cum dining room and 1 fan and 1 light in each of the bedrooms. 14. The kitchen, bathroom(s) and balcony have lights too. 15. There may also be air conditioners in each of the bedrooms and also in the drawing room. 16. Other electrical appliances may include refrigerator, food processor, electric toaster, electric oven, hot water geyser in bathroom and kitchen, music system, electric iron, computer, room heaters for winter, water purifier, vacuum cleaner, washing machine, kitchen chimney, microwave oven etc. 17. Electricity wastage may be avoided by making sure that rooms without occupants have all lights and fans switched off; appliances are not left in Standby mode for long periods; energy efficient appliances (as per Bureau of Energy Efficiency star ratings) are purchased; hot water geysers and air conditioners are used strictly when required; washing machines are used only with full load etc. 18. Cooking fuel wastage may be avoided by cooking in covered vessels; using pressure cooker when possible; cutting vegetables smaller so that they cook faster; using medium or low flame most of the time; turning off the gas flame as soon as cooking is over etc. 19. Energy usage in any family may be different depending on the familys needs and traditions. 20. Energy conservation methods have to be accordingly adapted as well keeping the familys situation in mind. All members of the family need to agree and cooperate in the energy conservation processes.