ENERGY SOURCES

UNIT-III
NOTES
RENEWABLE ENERGY:
 Renewable energy is energy derived from natural sources that are replenished
at a higher rate than they are consumed. Sunlight and wind, for example, are
such sources that are constantly being replenished. Renewable energy sources
are plentiful and all around us.
 Renewable resources cannot be depleted over time.
 Most renewable resources have low carbon emissions and low carbon footprint.
 Energy that can be renewed or replenished. It is often referred to as 'clean
energy' because it is less harmful to the environment as compared to non-
renewable energy. Renewable energy is obtained from natural resources and
processes that are constantly replenished.

What are the 7 types of renewable energy?

 Solar energy
 Wind energy
 Hydroelectric energy
 Biomass energy
 Hydrogen and fuel cells
 Geothermal power
 Tidal energy
Solar Energy
Solar energy is the energy obtained from the sun. The radiant light and heat energy are
harnessed by solar collectors. The sun's energy can be captured to generate electricity or heat
through a system of panels or mirrors.Solar or photovoltaic cells convert sunlight directly into
electricity while solar thermal collectors use heat-absorbing panels and a series of attached
circulation tubes to heat water or buildings.
Wind Energy
Wind power or wind energy makes the use of wind to provide mechanical power to electric
generators through wind turbines so that they can do operations like milling or pumping. The wind
hits two or more propeller-like blades around a rotor. This rotor is connected to the main shaft
connected to the generator so that when the rotor moves it moves the shaft in turn, hence electricity
is produced as the generator operates. These turbines are installed mostly in high-altitude areas.

Geothermal Energy
Earth has its thermal energy stored in it. The energy that is generated from the thermal
energy stored in the earth is called geothermal energy. Hot springs and volcanoes are used to
capture the heat energy and this heat is directly used by industries for heating the water and other
purposes.

Hydropower
 Hydropower or hydroelectricity is the energy generated by the use of water. Dams and
reservoirs are constructed on flowing water which uses the kinetic energy of the water to run
turbines and in turn, generate electricity. Hydropower is also generated by making use of tides
known as tidal energy. Also, energy from the surface of ocean waves is used to produce electricity
known as wave energy.
Bioenergy
Bioenergy is derived from biomass which is the organic waste of animals and plants.
Biomass contains stored chemical energy. It is burnt to produce bioenergy. It may be converted to
biofuel and then used or it can directly be used to produce heat through combustion. The heat
generated from combustion is used to run generators to produce electricity.
SOLAR ENERGY:
1. SOLAR THERMAL,
2. SOALR PHOTOVOLTAIC.
1. SOLAR THERMAL,
SOLAR TOWER:
2. SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM:
A solar cell (also known as a photovoltaic cell or PV cell) is defined as an electrical device
that converts light energy into electrical energy through the photovoltaic effect. A solar cell is
basically a p-n junction diode. Solar cells are a form of photoelectric cell, defined as a device whose
electrical characteristics – such as current, voltage, or resistance – vary when exposed to light.
Construction of Solar Cell
A solar cell is basically a junction diode, although its construction it is little bit different
from conventional p-n junction diodes. A very thin layer of p-type semiconductor is grown on a
relatively thicker n-type semiconductor. We then apply a few finer electrodes on the top of the p-
type semiconductor layer.
These electrodes do not obstruct light to reach the thin p-type layer. Just below the p-type layer
there is a p-n junction. We also provide a current collecting electrode at the bottom of the n-type
layer. We encapsulate the entire assembly by thin glass to protect the solar cell from any
mechanical shock.

Working Principle of Solar Cell

When light reaches the p-n junction, the light photons can easily enter in the junction,
through very thin p-type layer. The light energy, in the form of photons, supplies sufficient energy to
the junction to create a number of electron-hole pairs. The incident light breaks the thermal
equilibrium condition of the junction. The free electrons in the depletion region can quickly come to
the n-type side of the junction.
Similarly, the holes in the depletion can quickly come to the p-type side of the junction.
Once, the newly created free electrons come to the n-type side, cannot further cross the junction
because of barrier potential of the junction.
Similarly, the newly created holes once come to the p-type side cannot further cross the
junction became of same barrier potential of the junction. As the concentration of electrons becomes
higher in one side, i.e. n-type side of the junction and concentration of holes becomes more in
another side, i.e. the p-type side of the junction, the p-n junction will behave like a small battery
cell. A voltage is set up which is known as photo voltage. If we connect a small load across the
junction, there will be a tiny current flowing through it.
V-I Characteristics of a Photovoltaic Cell
WIND ENERGY:
Wind energy is a form of solar energy. Wind is caused by the uneven heating of the
atmosphere by the sun, variations in the earth's surface, and rotation of the earth
Wind power is the conversion of wind energy into electricity or mechanical energy using
wind turbines.

Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy in the wind into mechanical power. A generator can
convert mechanical power into electricity. Mechanical power can also be utilized directly for
specific tasks such as pumping water.
The mechanism used to convert air motion into electricity is referred to as a turbine. The
power in the wind is extracted by allowing it to blow past moving blades that exert torque on a
rotor. The rotor turns the drive shaft, which turns an electric generator. The amount of power
transferred is dependent on the rotor size and the wind speed. The types of wind power plants based
on capacity are
 Utility-scale wind: Wind turbines that range in size from 100 kilowatts to several megawatts,
where the electricity is delivered to the power grid and distributed to the end user by electric
utilities or power system operators.
 Distributed or "small" wind: Single small wind turbines below 100 kilowatts that are used to
directly power a home, farm or small business and are not connected to the grid.
 Offshore wind: Wind turbines that are erected in large bodies of water, usually on the continental
shelf. Offshore wind turbines are larger than land-based turbines and can generate more power.

Windmills: People have been using windmills for centuries to grind grain, pump water, and do other
work. Windmills generate mechanical energy, but they do not generate electricity.

Wind Turbines: In contrast to windmills, modern wind turbines are highly evolved machines with
more than 8,000 parts that harness wind's kinetic energy and convert it into electricity.

Wind farm: Oftentimes a large number of wind turbines are built close together, which is referred to
as a wind project or wind farm. A wind farm functions as a single power plant and sends electricity
to the grid.

Wind power:
P= ½ ρAv3

Wind Speed – Power curve:

Wind speed largely determines the amount of electricity generated by a turbine. Higher wind
speeds generate more power because stronger winds allow the blades to rotate faster. Faster rotation
translates to more mechanical power and more electrical power from the generator. The relationship
between wind speed and power for a typical wind turbine is shown in Fig 2.

Fig.4 Wind power curve

Turbines are designed to operate within a specific range of wind speeds. The limits of the range are
known as the cut-in speed and cut-out speed. The cut-in speed is the point at which the wind turbine
is able to generate power. Between the cut-in speed and the rated speed, where the maximum output
is reached, the power output will increase cubically with wind speed. For example, if wind speed
doubles, the power output will increase 8 times. This cubic relationship is what makes wind speed
such an important factor for wind power. This cubic dependence does cut out at the rated wind
speed. This leads to the relatively flat part of the curve in Fig. 4, so the cubic dependence is during
the speeds below 15 m/s (54 kph).
The cut-out speed is the point at which the turbine must be shut down to avoid damage to the
equipment. The cut-in and cut-out speeds are related to the turbine design and size and are decided
on prior to construction.
Compnents of Wind Turbine:
POWER CURVE:
BIOMASS ENERGY:
TIDAL ENERGY:
FUEL CELL:
GEOTHERMAL ENERGY:
Geothermal energy is one which generates from the heat within the earth. The hot rocks in
the Earth’s core emit the earth’s surface with steam and pressure. We use this steam for running and
producing electricity.

How is Geothermal Energy Generated?

There is a rise in the temperature of Earth from the surface to the core. This gradual shift in
its temperature is called the geothermal gradient, which is around 25° C per 1 kilometre of depth in
the majority parts of the world. Under the hottest part of the Earth's core, the vast majority of heat
emanates from the continual decay of different radioactive isotopes. Temperatures in this part of the
Earth's surface rises above 5,000° C that helps to create this source of energy. The heat always
radiates outside and warms the water, rocks, gas, and different geological elements.When rock
formations in the mantle and lower crust of Earth heat to roughly 700 to 1,300° C, they can turn into
magma. It's a molten rock penetrated by gas as well as gas bubbles that sometimes erupts as lava to
the Earth's surface. This magma melts nearby rocks and underground aquifers that emit out
geothermal energy on the Earth's surface in diverse forms throughout the world. The source of
geothermal energy is lava, geysers, steam vents, or dry heat. The heat can be seized and utilised
directly for heating purposes, whereas the application of geothermal energy steam is to generate
electricity.
Advantages of Geothermal Energy:
There are plenty of hot springs and natural pools across the world that emit geothermal
energy. The water from such a natural source of geothermal energy is commonly used for bathing,
warmth, and cooking.
GHPs powered heating, and air-conditioning systems are more efficient as they use 25 to
50% less electricity than conventional systems. Ultimately, there is a decrease in greenhouse gas
emissions as well.
Many buildings, sidewalks, and parking lots are heated using geothermal energy. Also,
known as a green source of energy because it does not release hazardous greenhouse gases. Thus, it
is safe for both environmental and human health.
Geothermal energy systems can adjust to various conditions.
One of the best advantages of geothermal energy is that cold countries use geothermal
energy to heat greenhouses or heat water for irrigation.
Iceland mostly uses geothermal energy to heat buildings and water using magma and molten
rock resources.It is a renewable, carbon-free, and sustainable source of energy. The Earth will
continuously transmit heat from its core for billions of years.