Energy From The Sea Ocean Thermal Energy (OTE) The energy available due to the difference in the

e temperature of water at the surface of the ocean and at deeper levels is called ocean thermal energy. Ocean thermal energy plant can operated if the temperature difference between the water at the surface and water at the depth upto 2 km is 20 oC Tidal Energy The water of the ocean attracted by the moon causes high tide whereas the fall of ocean water is called low tide. This movement of water between high tides and low tides is a source of energy in the coastal areas known as tidal energy. This energy can be utilised by constructing a tidal dam. A dam is constructed across a narrow opening to the sea. The water moves in and out of the openings in the dam during high and low tides. As the water moves through the openings, it flows over the turbines fixed inside the dam that generate electricity. Ocean Wave Energy Wind blowing across the surface of the oceans causes waves. The kinetic energy of the huge amount of water that moves along the waves is called ocean wave energy. Geothermal Energy Geothermal Energy - Geothermal energy is the heat energy present in certain regions called hot spot. Due to geological changes, molten rocks (magma) formed in the deeper hot region of earths crust are pushed upwards and are trapped in hot spots. When underground water comes in contact with the hot spot, steam is generated. This steam is routed through a pipe to a turbine and used to generate electricity. Advantages 1. Geothermal plant can operate round the clock. 2. Geothermal plant is almost pollution free. 3. It is cheaper to run a geothermal plant than a coal-based plant. 4. The source of energy is free and renewable. Disadvantages 1. It is not available everywhere. 2. Deep drilling into the earth to obtain geothermal energy is a difficult and expensive process. Nuclear Energy Nuclear energy A physical reaction which involves changes in the nucleus of an atom is called a nuclear reaction. The energy released during a nuclear reaction is called nuclear energy. The nuclear energy is released mainly in the form of heat energy. Nuclear Fission The process in which the heavy nucleus of a radioactive atom (such as uranium, plutonium or thorium) splits up into smaller nuclei when bombarded with low energy neutrons, is called nuclear fission. The energy produced during nuclear fission reaction is used for generating electricity at nuclear power plants.

Nuclear Power Plant A power plant in which heat required to make steam and turn turbines (to drive generators for making electricity) is obtained by nuclear reaction, is called a nuclear power plant. The nuclear power plants use the nuclear fission reaction to generate electricity. Most of the nuclear power plants use uranium-235 as fuel to produce heat. Nuclear Fusion The process in which two nuclei of light elements (like that of hydrogen) combine to form a heavy nucleus (like that of helium), is called nuclear fusion. A tremendous amount of energy is produced during the fusion process. The conditions needed for carrying out nuclear fusion process are millions of degrees of temperature and millions of Pascal of pressure. The energy produced during fusion has not been controlled so far.

Advantages of Nuclear Energy 1. It produces a large amount of useful energy from a very small amount of nuclear fuel. 2. Once the nuclear fuel is loaded into the reactor, the nuclear power plant can go on producing electricity for two to three years at a stretch. 3. It does not produce gases like carbon dioxide which contributes to greenhouse effect or sulphur dioxide which cause acid rain. Disadvantages of Nuclear Energy 1. The major hazard of nuclear power generation is the storage and disposal of spent or used nuclear fuels. These wastes are radioactive in nature and emit harmful nuclear radiations. 2. There is the risk of accidents in nuclear reactors. Such accidents lead to the leakage of radioactive materials which can cause serious damage to the plants, animals and environment. 3. The high cost of installation of nuclear power plants and the limited availability of uranium fuel make the large scale use of nuclear energy prohibitive. Source of Energy Any arrangement, which can provide adequate amount of useful energy at a constant rate for a long period of time, is called a source of energy. Renewable Sources of energy Those sources of energy which are being produced continuously in nature and are inexhaustible, are called renewable sources of energy. Examples: Hydro energy, Wind energy, Solar energy, Geothermal energy, Biomass etc. Non -renewable Sources of energy Non-renewable sources of energy are those natural sources which are exhaustible and cannot be replaced once they have been consumed. Examples: Coal, Petroleum, Natural gas and Nuclear fuels. Good Source of Energy 1. Release a large amount of energy per unit volume or mass. 2. Which is cheap and easily available. 3. Which is easy to store and transport. 4. Which is safe to handle and use. 5. Which does not cause environment pollution. Law of Conservation of Energy Energy can neither be created nor destroyed but can be transformed from one to another form of energy. Calorific Value The amount of heat produced by burning one gram of a fuel completely is called its calorific value. Its unit is KJ/g. Ignition Temperature The minimum temperature to which a fuel must be heated so that it may catch fire and start burning, known as its ignition temperature. Fuels The material which are burnt to produce heat energy are known as fuels. Examples: Wood, Coal, Cooking Gas (LPG), Kerosene, Diesel and Petrol etc. Characteristics of a Good Fuel 1. It should have high calorific value. 2. It should burn without giving out any smoke or harmful gases. 3. It should have a proper ignition temperature. 4. It should be cheap and easily available. 5. It should be easy to handle, safe to transport and convenient to store. 6. It should not leave much ash behind after burning. 7. It should burn smoothly. Conventional Sources of Energy

The traditional sources of energy which are familiar to most peoples are called conventional sources of energy. The main conventional sources of energy are wood and fossil fuels.