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Non Conventional Energy Sources

Unit 1
Introduction
The production of electricity and per capita consumption is the indication of the standard
of living of people in a nation. Energy is a key input in the economic growth. The growth of a
nation largely depends on the availability of the energy. The energy consumption in the world
has been increasing at an alarming rate for the past few decades. The conventional energy
resources such as coal, wood, diesel, petrol, natural gas etc., are depleting. It has been estimated
that the conventional fuels may last for 5 6 decades only. To meet the major part of energy
demand in future, every nation is making efforts to find NCES such as solar, wind, tidal &
geothermal.
Energy is defined as the capacity of a substance or a body to do work. Similarly, energy
resources are the main sources of energy from which the energy can be extracted and utilized for
mankind.
India and global energy sources

Global Energy Scenario

RES; 7%
Coal; 28%

Oil; 38%

Nuclear; 5%
Gas; 21%

Fig 1: Pie chart for global energy scenario


Energy Status
Conventional Resources
Fossil Fuel: the fossil fuels have been major sources of energy this includes coal, oil & gases.

Hydro Resources: these are renewable & non polluting. These require huge capital investment.
So far 20% of potential has been harnessed. The global installed generating capacity is about 6,
27,000MW, i.e. 23% of total electricity produced in the world.
Nuclear Resources: Uranium reserves are scare in the world and they are expected to last for 5
decades. There are about 440 nuclear power plants in the world, generating about 1/6 th of the
world electricity.
Non Conventional Energy Sources
Solar Energy: it is a major sources of power which can be used in the thermal & PV conversion
systems. The estimated energy is 178 billions MW, which is 10,000 times more than the worlds
requirement. Radiation = 1367 W/m2, = 5.67*10-8 W/m2 K4
Wind Energy: the power harnessed from wind energy is about 1.6*10 5MW. It is more
economical energy resources. The world wide installed wind energy generation capacity is
47,317 MW.
Biomass Energy: Biomass energy resources consist of wood, leaves, forest industrial waste,
algae & other vegetation from Ocean Lake. Biomass can supply energy which is estimated to be
about 2*1021 J in a year.
Geothermal Energy: The present installed power generation is about 7704MW in the world.
Ocean Tidal Energy: There is potential of about 550 billions of KW / Year energy which is
possible from ocean tidal energy.
Ocean Wave Energy: The estimated potential of this resources is about 20*105MW
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversation: It has more potential than that of tidal & Wave energy
resources.
Energy Position in India or Indian Energy Scenario
In India, demand for electricity has risen due to the economic growth during the past two
decades. In India, the total power generation capacity in 1947 was only 1360MW. According to
five year plans the total power generation capacity should be 4,25,000MW by 2007, which is
much lower. At present the total installed generation capacity is about 1,82,689MW. The
generation capacity by different type of power plants in India is as shown in tables.

Table 1: India Generation Capacity in (MW) as Planned.


Plant

Year 1992

8th Plan 1997

9th plan 2002

Thermal
Hydro
Nuclear
Others
Total

45,000
18,443
1,500
64,943

28,000
8,680
1,320
38,000
76,000

32,000
26,000
2,880
61,000
1,21,880

10th
plan Total
2007
58,000
1,63,000
23,000
76,123
5,700
81,000
1,80,000
1,62,000
4,24,823

Table 2: Total Installed Capacity as per sector in India


Sector MW
%
State
83,563.65 47
Centra 56,572.63 30
l
Private 42,553.34 23
Total
1,82,689
100
Table 3: Total Installed Capacity as per the fuel type in India
Fuel
Therma
l
Coal
Gas
Oil
Hydro
Nuclear
RES
Total

MW
%
1,19,040.90 35.16
1,00,098.38
17,742.85
1,199.75
38,706.40
4,780
20,162.24
3,01,730.52

24.29
8.71
0.65
18
2.16
11.03
100

Table 4: Renewable Power Status & Potential


Source

Potential
(MW)
Wind Energy
48,561
Small
Hydro 14,292
Power
Biogas
5,000
Bio Power
61,000
Waste Energy
7,000
Solar
Photo 20
Voltaic
Total
1,35,873

Installed
(MW)
10,464
2,461
1,555
773
59
2
14,914

Solar Energy
Energy from the sun is called solar energy. The Suns energy comes from nuclear fusion
reaction that takes place deep in the sun. Hydrogen nucleus fuses into helium nucleus. The
energy from these reactions flow out from the sun and escape into space. Solar energy is
sometimes called radiant energy. These are different kinds of radiant energy emitted by sun. The
most important are light infrared rays. Ultra violet rays, and X- Rays.
Advantages:
1.
2.
3.
4.

It is freely available in nature.


It is renewable energy sources
It does not pollute the environment
It can be directly convert into electricity by employing PV cells

Disadvantages:
1. It is available during day times & clean days
2. Solar energy obtainable also depends on seasonal variation.
3. It requires a large area to entrap appreciable solar energy for the generation of an
economical amount of electricity.
Wind Energy
Winds are caused because of two factors.
The absorption of solar energy on the earths surface and in the atmosphere.
The rotation of the earth about its axis and its motion around the sun.
Because of these factors, alternate heating and cooling cycles occur, differences in pressure
are obtained, and the air is caused to move. The potential of Wind energy as a source of power is
large. This can be judged from the fact that energy available in the wind over the earths surface
is estimated to be 1.6x107 K.W besides the energy available is free and clean.
Advantages:
1.
2.
3.
4.

It is freely & abundantly available in nature.


It is renewable energy sources.
It does not cause pollution to environment.
Windmills require minimal maintenance & operation cost.

Disadvantages:
1. It cannot produce steady& consistent power.
2. It can generate only low power.

Tidal Energy
Tide is periodic rise and fall of the water level of the sea. Tides occur due to the attraction
of seawater by the moon. These tides can be used to produce electrical power which is known as
tidal power.
When the water is above the mean sea level, it is called flood tide and when the level is
below the mean level, it is called ebb tide. A dam is constructed in such a away that a basin gets
separated from the sea and a difference in the water level is obtained between the basin and sea.
Advantages:
1.
2.
3.
4.

It is free from pollution.


It is superior to hydel energy as it does not depend on rain.
The tidal basin can also be used for fish farming.
It is best suited to meet peak power demand.

Disadvantages:
1. It is costly compare to thermal & hydel power plants.
2. Limited locations are available for the construction of tidal power stations.
3. Power generation is not continuous and depends on the capacity of tidal basin.
Geothermal Energy
The word geothermal comes from the Greek words geo (earth) and thermal (heat). It
means the heat of the earth. This is thermal energy trapped beneath and within the solid crust of
the earth. This energy exists in the form of steam, hot water, and / or hot and molten rock. It is
released naturally in form of geyser, hot springs and volcanic eruption.
Advantages:
1. Energy is continuously available. It is more reliable.
2. It has a good potential to meet the power requirement.
3. Capital cost is low in comparison to nuclear & thermal power plants.
Disadvantages:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Components of the plants are liable to be corroded.


Gaseous effluent creates nuisance at the site for the workers.
Gaseous effluent also creates thermal pollution to the environment.
Ground water is likely to be polluted from gases effluents.

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion

The oceans and the seas which cover about 70% of the earth are constantly receiving
solar radiation and act as the largest natural solar collector. An ocean as a collector has an
enormous storage capacity. Energy from the ocean is available in several forms such as OTE,
WE & TE. OTEC is a new technology, needed to be harnessed especially in India where the
coastline is about 6000km. Basically OTEC converts the thermal energy available due to temp
difference b/w the warm surface water and the cold deep water, into electricity.
Advantages:
1. Power generation is continuous throughout the year.
2. Energy is available from nature at no cost.
Disadvantages:
1. It has small temperature gradient which gives a small thermodynamic efficiency.
2. Capital cost is high due to necessity of heat exchanger, boiler & condenser.
Energy
It is the capacity to produce motion, force, work, change in shape, change in form etc.
Forms of energy

Chemical Energy
Nuclear energy
Mechanical energy
Electrical energy
Bio-energy in vegetables and animal bodies
Thermal energy

Energy science: it focuses attention on the energy and energy transformations involved in the
various other branches of science to national economy and civilization.
Energy technology: it is the applied part of energy science for work and processes useful to
human society, nations and individuals.
Characteristics of Energy

It can be stored
It can neither be created nor destroyed.
It is available in several forms.
It does not have absolute value.
The energy is measured in Nm or in Joules.

Energy and Thermodynamics

Thermodynamics is the branch of energy which deals with conservation of heat into work or vice
versa.
Energy Parameters
The energy parameters are measured using the yardstick of gross domestic product (GDP).
Energy Intensity: It is defined as the ratio of energy consumption & GDP.
Energy Intensity = Energy Consumption / GDP
Energy elasticity: It is defined as the growth in energy requirement per GDP
Energy Elasticity = Growth in Energy requirement / GDP
GDP (Gross Domestic Product): It is the value of all finished goods & services produced in a
given period.
Energy Audit
Energy audit is an official survey/study of energy consumption/ processing/ supplying aspects
related with an organization, system, process, plant, equipment.
The objectives of the energy audit are to recommend steps to be taken by the management
for:

Improving the energy efficiencies.


Reducing the energy costs, and
Improving the productivity without sacrificing quality, standard of living/ comforts and
environmental balance.

The energy audit is officially recommended by the management and is carried out by the energy
audit group headed by the energy auditor.
Energy Audit is usually carried out in following three stages within certain agreed time
frame:

Simple walk Through energy audit.


Intermediate energy audit.
Comprehensive / Exhaustive energy audit.

The procedure of energy auditing is dictated by the size, complexity and recurring energy costs
of the plant.
For energy intensive processes/ plants, thorough comprehensive energy audit and high
investments in energy conservation measures are justified.

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