Renewable Energy Sources (BETCK205E)

RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES

BETCK205E
2nd Sem
Module-1

Prof. Pranesh K G
Assistant Professor

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Acharya Institute of Technology
Bengaluru-107

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Module-1

Energy
 Energy is defined as the capacity to do work
 Energy exists in various forms such as mechanical energy, electrical energy, thermal
energy and chemical energy.
 Energy in the process of transfer from one body to another. After it has been transferred,
energy is always designated according to its nature.
 Energy can be converted from one form to another in various ways but the total amount of
energy remains constant before and after the transformation.
The SI unit of energy is joule.

Renewable and non-renewable sources of energy

Renewable sources of energy

Renewable energy obtained from the natural and persistent flows of energy occurring in the
immediate environment. These are produced continuously in the nature and that will not get
exhausted eventually in future.
Examples of renewable energy sources: solar energy, wind energy, wave energy, tidal energy,
hydel energy, ocean thermal energy, biomass energy, geothermal energy.

A renewable energy system converts the energy found in sunlight, wind, falling-water, sea-waves,
geothermal heat, or biomass into a form, we can use such as heat or electricity. Most of the
renewable energy comes either directly or indirectly from sun and wind and can never be
exhausted, and therefore they are called renewable

Renewable energy has an important role to play in meeting future energy needs and achieving
sustainability. However, Rigorous methods are needed to accelerate the development and
utilization of renewable energy, and to increase its contribution to the current energy supply mixes

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Non-renewable sources of energy

Energy obtained from static store of energy that remain underground unless released by the human
interaction. These are get exhausted eventually in future.

Examples of non-renewable energy sources: Fossil fuels (coal, petroleum and petroleum products),
nuclear fuels.
.
However, most of the world's energy sources are derived from conventional sources-fossil fuels
such as coal, oil, and natural gases. These fuels are often termed non-renewable energy sources.
Although, the available quantity of these fuels are extremely large, they are nevertheless finite and
so will in principle 'run out' at some time in the future

Renewable energy sources are essentially flows of energy, whereas the fossil and nuclear fuels are,
in essence, stocks of energy. Figure 1 provides a comparison of renewable and conventional energy
systems

Fig. Contrast between renewable and finite energy supplies. Environmental energy flow
ABC and harnessed energy flow DEF

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Difference between Renewable and non-renewable sources of energy

Renewable sources of energy Non- Renewable sources of energy

These are in-exhaustible These are exhaustible
Freely available and environment friendly Not freely available and hazardous to
environment
Initial cost is high but maintenance cost is low Initial cost is low but maintenance cost is high

Energy concentration varies from region to Energy concentration almost same in all
region region
Example: Solar, wind, Tidal etc. Example: Fossil fuels, Nuclear fuels.

Principles of renewable energy

 Energy and sustainable development
 Environmental Impact
 Resource Efficiency
 Decentralization and Energy Democracy
 Innovation and Technological Advancement
 Energy Access and Equity

Energy and sustainable development

Energy and sustainable development include the following

 Principles and major issues

 A simple numerical model
 Global resources

Principles and major issues

Sustainable development can be broadly defined as living, producing and consuming in a manner
that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet
their own needs. It has become a key guiding principle for policy in the 21st century.

The aim of sustainable development is for the improvement to be achieved whilst maintaining the
ecological processes on which life depends. Future energy system compatible with sustainable
development include:

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(a) More efficient use of energy and energy-intensive materials

(b) Increased use of renewable sources of energy

(c) More efficient production and use of fossil fuels

(d) Fuel substitution, from high-carbon- to low-carbon- or no-carbon-based fuels.

Sustainable energy is derived from resources that can maintain current operations without
jeopardizing the energy needs or climate of future generations. The most popular sources of
sustainable energy, including wind, solar and hydropower.

Renewable energy is often regarded as the critical element in building a sustainable energy future,
the progress in its diffusion and deployment is slow. Moderate growth in the use of renewable
energy resources is projected for the next 20 years. Rigorous applications of relevant theory and
technologies are needed to accelerate the development and utilization of renewable energy, and to
increase its contribution to the current energy supply.

A simple numerical model

Every long term forecast of economic energy and sustainable development is based on some form
of numerical modeling, which is a simple model describing the need for commercial and non-
commercial energy resources.

Global resources

Considering the aim of sustainable energy, and with the most energy-efficient modern equipment,
transportation and energy use modern society with an appropriate lifestyle, the energy majorly
from fissile fuels and some percentage from the renewable energy sources. Presently the
worldwide energy supply would total approximately the present global average usage. The
excessive usage of fossil fuels is not environment friendly and these are exhaustible, hence more
focus on renewable source of energy. The renewable energy supplies can provide a satisfactory
supply to meet the energy demand, but only if the technical methods and institutional frameworks
exist to extract, use and store the energy in an appropriate form at realistic costs.

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Environmental Impact

Renewable energy aims to minimize environmental harm compared to traditional energy sources.
By reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants, renewable energy helps mitigate
climate change, improve air quality, and minimize ecosystem disruption. This principle aligns with
the goal of transitioning to a low-carbon and environmentally responsible energy system.

Resource Efficiency

Renewable energy technologies strive to optimize resource utilization and minimize waste. For
example, solar panels are designed to capture and convert as much sunlight as possible, while wind
turbines maximize the conversion of wind energy into electricity. Efficient utilization of renewable
resources helps maximize energy production and minimize resource consumption.

Decentralization and Energy Democracy

Renewable energy can empower individuals and communities by providing opportunities for
decentralized energy production. Distributed generation, such as rooftop solar installations or
small wind turbines, allows for local energy generation and reduces reliance on centralized power
plants. This principle promotes energy democracy, giving people more control over their energy
sources and reducing dependence on centralized fossil fuel infrastructure.

Innovation and Technological Advancement

Renewable energy technologies continuously evolve and improve through research and
innovation. Advancements in materials, efficiency, storage, and grid integration contribute to the
scalability and cost-effectiveness of renewable energy sources. The ongoing development and
deployment of new technologies are vital to furthering the principles of renewable energy.

Energy Access and Equity

Renewable energy has the potential to address energy poverty and provide access to clean,
affordable, and reliable energy for underserved communities. The principles of renewable energy
emphasize the need for equitable distribution of energy resources, ensuring that clean energy
solutions benefit all socio-economic groups and regions.

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By adhering to these principles, renewable energy aims to create a sustainable, low-carbon, and
inclusive energy system that mitigates climate change, protects the environment, and promotes
social and economic well-being.

Social implications
The Industrial Revolution and industrial development in all countries have profoundly affected
social structures and patterns of living. The influence of changing and new energy sources has
been the driving function for much of this change. Thus in all countries the use of fossil fuels has
led to profound changes in lifestyle.

The Social implications in the following areas observed more

 Dispersed living
 Pollution and environmental impact
 The future
 Job Creation
 Health Benefits
 Energy Access and Equity
 Community Engagement and Empowerment
 Resilience and Energy Security
 Climate Change Mitigation

Dispersed living

Renewable energy arrives dispersed in the environment and is difficult, expensive to concentrate.
By contrast finite energy sources are energy stores that are easily concentrated at source and
expensive to disperse. widespread application of renewable energy will favour dispersed, rather
than concentrated, communities.

Pollution and environmental impact

Harmful emissions can be classified as chemical (as from fossil fuel and nuclear power plant),
physical (including acoustic noise and radioactivity) and biological (including pathogens); such
pollution from energy generation is overwhelmingly a result of using ‘brown’ fuels, fossil and

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nuclear. In contrast, renewable energy is always extracted from flows of energy already compatible
with the environment. The energy is then returned to the environment, so no thermal pollution can
occur on anything but a small scale. Likewise material and chemical pollution in air, water and
refuse tend to be minimal.

The environmental impact of renewables depends on the particular technology and

circumstances.

The future

Many changes in social patterns are related to energy supplies. We can expect further changes to
occur as renewable energy systems become widespread. The influence of modern science and
technology ensures that there are considerable improvements to older technologies, and
subsequently standards of living can be expected to rise, especially in rural and previously less
developed sectors. It is impossible to predict exactly the long-term effect of such changes in energy
supply, but the sustainable nature of renewable energy should produce greater socio-economic
stability than has been the case with fossil fuels and nuclear power.

Job Creation

The renewable energy sector has the potential to create numerous job opportunities. Building and
operating renewable energy projects require a skilled workforce, leading to employment growth
in manufacturing, installation, maintenance, and related sectors. This can help stimulate local
economies, reduce unemployment, and promote social and economic development.

Health Benefits

Transitioning to renewable energy can improve public health by reducing harmful air pollutants
and greenhouse gas emissions. Fossil fuel combustion releases pollutants that contribute to air
pollution, respiratory diseases, and other health issues. Shifting to clean energy sources can lead
to cleaner air, improved respiratory health, and a reduced burden on healthcare systems.

Energy Access and Equity

Renewable energy can contribute to addressing energy poverty and increasing access to
electricity. Off-grid renewable energy systems, such as solar home systems or mini-grids, can
provide clean and affordable electricity to remote and underserved communities. This improves
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quality of life, supports education, enhances healthcare services, and fosters economic
opportunities, particularly in developing regions.

Community Engagement and Empowerment:

Renewable energy projects often involve community participation and engagement. Local
communities can have a say in project planning, development, and decision-making, leading to
increased social acceptance and ownership. Renewable energy projects can also offer opportunities
for community-led initiatives, cooperative ownership models, and shared benefits, which can
empower communities and strengthen social cohesion.

Resilience and Energy Security

Renewable energy diversifies the energy mix and reduces dependence on fossil fuel imports,
enhancing energy security. Distributed renewable energy systems, such as rooftop solar panels or
microgrids, can improve energy resilience by decentralizing power generation and reducing
vulnerability to disruptions in centralized energy infrastructure.

Climate Change Mitigation

Renewable energy plays a crucial role in mitigating climate change and reducing greenhouse gas
emissions. By transitioning away from fossil fuels, renewable energy contributes to global efforts
to limit temperature rise and minimize the impacts of climate change on vulnerable communities.
This helps protect ecosystems, livelihoods, and cultural heritage.

It's important to note that the social implications of renewable energy are context-specific and can
vary based on factors such as local policies, community engagement practices, and project design.
To maximize the social benefits, it is essential to ensure inclusive and equitable access, engage
local communities, and address potential challenges or concerns through effective planning and
collaboration.

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Worldwide renewable energy availability

Fig. Worldwide renewable energy availability in 2020

The largest renewable source is currently hydroelectric (57.7%) followed by wind (21.4%), and
11.5% of global renewable energy comes from solar power. However, solar capacity is expanding
at a much faster rate than any other renewable energy source, which means its share will increase
in the future.

Table: World renewable energy generation

Year 2000 2010 2021

Renewable energy (TWh)
Hydro 2647 3429 4274
Wind 31 346 1862
Solar 1 34 1033
Others 185 381 763

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Renewable energy availability in India

Fig. India's current renewable energy mix based on total installed capacity

India classifies renewable energy sources into 4 primary categories: Wind, Solar, small Hydro and
Bio-energy. Unlike fossil fuels, India's renewable energy resources are distributed much more
evenly across the country, though there are still some strong regional variations - particularly for
hydropower. Wind energy has the highest share in this capacity, producing close to 63% of
installed capacity (25 GW), followed by bio-power (5.6 GW), solar power (5.2 GW) and small-
hydro power (4.2 GW). These four together contribute 13.6% of total installed capacity for
electricity. Also, India occupies the fourth position in the world in wind power generation.

Table: Renewable energy availability in India

Renewable energy Availability in GWh

Solar 48.55
Wind 40.03
Small Hydro 4.83
Large Hydro 46.51
Biopower 10.62

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Different forms of Renewable energy sources

The different forms of renewable energy sources are

 Solar energy
 Wind energy
 Ocean thermal energy
 Geothermal energy
 Wave energy
 Biomass energy
 Oil shale

Solar energy

 Sun is the primary source of energy. Sunlight is a clean, renewable source of energy. It is
a sustainable resource, meaning it doesn't run out,
 Solar energy has the greatest potential of all the sources of renewable energy and if only a
small amount of this form of energy could be used, it will be one of the most important
supplies of energy specially when other sources have depleted.
 Solar energy is the most readily available and free source of energy since prehistoric times.
It is estimated that solar energy equivalent to over 15,000 times the world's annual
commercial energy consumption reaches the earth every year.
 India receives solar energy in the region of 5 to 7 kWh/m2 for 300 to 330 days in a year. This
energy is sufficient to set up 20 MW solar power plant per square kilometre land area.
 Solar energy can be utilised through two different routes, as solar thermal route and solar
electric (solar photovoltaic) routes. Solar thermal route uses the sun's heat to produce hot
water or air, cook food, drying materials etc. Solar photovoltaic uses sun's heat to produce
electricity for lighting home and building, running motors, pumps, electric appliances, and
lighting

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Advantages

 It is a natural source and free

 It is available in plenty
 It is non-polluting
 It does not emit any greenhouse gases.
 It doesn’t result in the destruction of forests and eco-systems that occurs with most fossil
fuel operations.

Disadvantages

 Dependent on change in seasons / weather – hence they may not be used always
 Requires high initial investments for productive use
 Solar systems doesn’t work at night directly but the battery bank, which stores energy
during day-time can be used during night.
 Solar electricity storage technology has not reached its potential yet.
 Solar panels are bulky.

Applications

 Heating and cooling of residential buildings

 Solar water heating
 Solar drying of agricultural and animal products
 Solar distillation on a small community scale
 Salt production by evaporating of sea water
 Solar cookers
 Solar engine for water pumping
 Bio conversion and wind energy, which are the indirect source of solar energy
 Solar furnaces
 Solar electric power generation by solar ponds, steam generator.
 Solar photovoltaic cells, which can be used for conversion of solar energy directly into
electricity

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Wind energy

 Wind energy is basically harnessing of wind power to produce electricity.

 Wind possesses kinetic energy, the kinetic energy of wind can be converted into
mechanical energy that can be utilized to perform useful work or to generate electricity.

 When solar radiation enters the earth's atmosphere, different regions of the atmosphere are
heated to different degrees because of earth curvature. This heating is higher at the equator
and lowest at the poles. Since air tends to flow from warmer to cooler regions, this causes
what we call winds, and it is these airflows that are harnessed in windmills and wind
turbines to produce power.

 Wind power is not a new development as this power, in the form of traditional windmills -
for grinding corn, pumping water- have been used for centuries. Now wind power is
harnessed to generate electricity in a larger scale with better technology.
 Wind energy conversion devices are commonly known as wind turbines.

Wind Energy Technology

The basic wind energy conversion device is the wind turbine. Although various designs and

configurations exist, these turbines are generally grouped into two types:

1. Vertical-axis wind turbines, in which the axis of rotation is vertical with respect to the

ground (and roughly perpendicular to the wind stream),

2. Horizontal-axis turbines, in which the axis of rotation is horizontal with respect to the

ground (and roughly parallel to the wind stream.)

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The Figure shows the two types of turbines and typical subsystems for an electricity generation
application. The subsystems include a blade or rotor, which converts the energy in the wind to
rotational shaft energy; a drive train, usually including a gearbox and a generator, a tower that
supports the rotor and drive train, and other equipment, including controls, electrical cables,
ground support equipment, and interconnection equipment. In order for a wind energy system to
be feasible there must be an adequate wind supply. A wind energy system usually requires an
average annual wind speed of at least 15 km/h.

Advantages

 It is environment friendly
 Its freely and abundantly available
 Wind is a reliable and infinite renewable energy resource
 Wind energy is cost effective, and prices are dropping still
 Wind energy reduces carbon emissions when used instead of fossil fuels
 Simple equipments and easy operation

Disadvantages

 High investment requirement

 Wind speed is not uniform all the time which affects power generated

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 Wind energy can be unpredictable as the amount of electricity generated is dependent on

the speed and direction of the wind
 Wind farms can affect the visual appearance of the landscape
 Wind turbines can damage the habitats of birds and marine life.
 Wind farms can be expensive to construct

Applications

 Electrical energy production: Through the use of wind turbines, the wind's kinetic energy
can be transformed into mechanical energy and this, in turn, into electrical energy.
 Pumping water: Wind energy can be used to extract water from the ground using wind
pumps, which are turbines capable of pumping up to six hundred liters per hour, which is
enough to meet the needs of a small farm.

Tidal energy

 Is a form of power produced by the natural rise and fall of tides by the gravitational
interaction between the earth, moon and sun.
 The tidal cycle occurs every 12 hours due to gravitational force of the moon
 The difference in water height from low tide and high tide is potential energy.
 Tidal electricity generation involves the construction of a barrage across an estuary to block
the incoming and outgoing tide.
 The head of water is then used to drive turbines to generate electricity from the elevated
water in the basin as in hydroelectric dams
 Barrages can be designed to generate electricity on the ebb side, or flood side, or both.
Tidal range may vary over a wide range (4.5-12.4 m) from site to site.
 A tidal range of at least 5 to 7 m is required for economical operation and for sufficient
head of water for the turbines.

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Fig. Principle of tidal power generation

 The use of tides for electrical power generation is practical in a few favorably situated sites
where the geography of an inlet or bay favors the construction of a large-scale hydroelectric
plant.
 To harness the tides, a dam would be built, across the mouth of the bay. It, will have large
gates in it and also low head hydraulic reversible turbines are installed in it.
 A tidal basin is formed, which gets separated from the sea, by dam.
 The difference in water level is obtained between the basin and sea.
 The constructed basin is filled during high tide and emptied during low tide passing through
sluices turbine respectively.
 Figure shows the arrangement of harnessing tidal energy, is known as single basin plant.
 The plat continuous to generate power till the tide reaches, its lowest level. Again a
minimum head will be reached when it pays shut down the turbine and open the bypass
valves to drain the remaining basin water to sea.

Advantages of Tidal Energy

 Tides are easily predictable

 Power output is highly predictable
 Inexpensive to maintain
 Reliable and renewable source of energy
 High energy density than other renewable energy forms
 It produces no greenhouse gases or other waste

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 Vertical-axis turbines and offshore turbines are inexpensive to build and have less
environmental impact
 Tidal turbines are 80% efficient, which is higher than solar or wind energy generators.
 Barrages reduce the damage of high tidal surges on the land

Disadvantages of Tidal Energy

 Initial construction cost is very high

 Formation of silt behind the barrage
 Effect on animals and plants living near tidal stations
 Very few suitable sites for constructing barrages
 Disturbs migration of living creatures in the ocean
 It produces power for only about 10 h of the day when the tide is moving in and out.

Applications of tidal energy

 Tidal electricity
 Tidal energy is used in grain mills for the mechanical crushing of grains
 It is used to store energy in a hydroelectric dam, acting as large energy storage
 Protection of coast during high storms

Wave energy
 Wave energy is a form of renewable energy that can be harnessed from the motion of the
ocean / sea waves.
 Unequal solar heating of the earth generates wind and wind blowing over the surface of
water generates waves.
 There are several methods of harnessing wave energy that involve placing electricity
generators on the surface of the ocean
 As waves roll through the ocean, they create kinetic energy, or movement.
 This movement can be used to power turbines, which, in turn, create energy that can be
converted into electricity and power.
 There are also several ways of harnessing wave energy that utilize the up and down motion
of the waves to power pistons/turn generators.

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 One way to harness wave energy is to bend or focus waves into a narrow channel to
increase their size and power and to spin the turbines that generate electricity.
 Waves can also be channeled into a catch basin or reservoir where the water flows to a
turbine at a lower elevation, similar to the way a hydropower dam operates

Advantages

 Non polluting
 Renewable source of energy
 Large amount of energy can be generated
 Reliable source of energy

Disadvantages

 Variable output
 Affects the marine life

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Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC)

 Ocean thermal energy conversion is an electricity generation system.
 Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC), refers to using the temperature difference
between the deep parts of the sea, which are cold and the shallow parts of the sea, which
are cold, to run a heat engine and produce useful work.
 The deeper parts of the ocean are cooler because the heat of sunlight cannot penetrate very
deep into the water.
 Here the efficiency of the system depends on the temperature difference.
 Greater the temperature difference, the greater the efficiency.
 Ocean thermal energy conversion, uses ocean temperature differences from the surface to
depths lower than 1,000 meters, to extract energy.
 A temperature difference of only 20°C can yield usable energy.
 Two types of OTEC technologies to extract thermal energy and convert it to electric power:
closed cycle and open cycle.
 In the closed cycle method, a working fluid, such as ammonia, is pumped through a heat
exchanger and vaporized. This vaporized steam runs a turbine. The cold water found at the
depths of the ocean condenses the vapor back to a fluid where it returns to the heat
exchanger.
 In the open cycle system, the warm surface water is pressurized in a vacuum chamber and
converted to steam to run the turbine. The steam is then condensed using cold ocean water
from lower depths.

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Closed Cycle method

Fig. Closed OTEC cycle

Figure shows the closed cycle method, a working fluid, such as ammonia, is pumped through a heat
exchanger and vaporized with surface sea water. This vaporized steam runs a turbine. The cold water found
at the depths of the ocean condenses the vapor back to a fluid where it returns to the heat exchanger.

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Open Cycle method

Warm surface water enters an evaporator where the water is flash evaporated to steam under
particle vacuum. Low pressure is maintained in the evaporator by a vacuum pump. The low
pressure so maintained removes the non-condensable gases from the evaporator. The steam and
water mixture from evaporator then enters a turbine, driving it thus generating electricity. The
exhaust from the turbine is mixed with cold water from deep ocean in a direct contact condenser
and is discharged to the ocean. The cycle is then repeated

Advantages of OTEC

 Ocean is an infinite heat reservoir which receives solar incidence throughout the year.
 Energy is freely available.

Disadvantage of OTEC

 Efficiency is very low, about 2.5%, as compared to 30-40% efficiency for conventional
power plants.
 Capital cost is very high.

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Geothermal Energy
 The word geothermal comes from the Greek words geo (earth) and therme (heat), and
geothermal energy is a renewable energy source because heat is continuously produced
inside the earth.
 Geothermal technology extracts the heat found within the subsurface of the earth, which
can be used directly for heating and cooling, or converted into electricity.

Electricity Generation from Geothermal Energy

All geothermal plants work by producing steam to turn a turbine and generator.

 Dry Steam Power Plants

 Binary-Cycle Power Plants

Dry Steam Power Plants

 Dry steam power plants were the first type of geothermal plants.
 This type of geothermal power plant was named dry steam since steam is extracted from
the underground reservoirs in place of hot water.
 Geothermal steam of at least 150°C is extracted from the reservoirs through the production
wells and is sent directly to the turbine, which drives a generator to produce electricity.
 These plants only emit excess steam and minor amounts of gases.

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Binary-Cycle Power Plants

 The binary cycle power plant has one major advantage over flash steam and dry steam power
plants. The water-temperature can be as low as 57°C.
 It utilises a secondary working fluid, usually an organic fluid, that has a low boiling point
and high vapour pressure at low temperatures when compared to steam.
 The geothermal steam or hot water yields heat to the secondary fluid through heat
exchangers.
 As a result, the secondary fluid is heated and vapourised. The vapour drives the turbine.
 Then the vapour is cooled and condensed by cooling water and the cycle begins again.

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Advantages

 Geothermal energy does not cause any pollution.

 It is a clean source of energy and it has no harmful by- products.
 It is inexpensive, as no fuel is required to produce energy and hence, running cost of power
plant is less.
 It can be used to produce electricity 24 hours a day
 Geothermal power plants are generally small and have little effect on the natural landscape
or the nearby environment.
 It is renewable type of energy source

Disadvantages
 If harnessed incorrectly, it can sometimes produce pollutants.
 Improper drilling into the earth can release hazardous minerals and gases deep inside the
earth.
 High initial investment
 The regions that consist of geothermal plants often experience minor seismic activity
 Possibility of depletion of geothermal sources

Applications

 To generate electric power

 Geothermal heat pump

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Oil Shale

 Oil Shale is organic-rich sedimentary rocks that have contain kerogen (insoluble organic
matter in sedimentary rock. When subjected to intense heat, these shales yield oil.
 Oil shales range from brown to black in color.
 They are flammable and burn with a sooty flame.
 when oil shale subjected to pyrolysis - a treatment that consists of heating the rock to above
300 °C in the absence of oxygen. The liquid oil extracted from oil shale, once it is upgraded,
creates a type of synthetic crude oil that is commonly referred to as shale oil.
 Oil produced from oil shales has potential commercial value in some of the same markets
served by conventional crude oil, as it can be refined into products ranging from diesel fuel
to gasoline (petrol) to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Some of the solid by-products of oil
shale processing are unusable wastes, but others have commercial value. These include
sulfur, ammonia, alumina and soda ash.

Dept. of Mechanical Engg. Acharya Institute of Technology, Bengaluru-107 26

Renewable Energy Sources (BETCK205E)

Biomass

 Biomass is organic, meaning it is made of material that comes from living organisms, such
as plants and animals.
 The most common biomass materials used for energy are plants, wood, and waste.
 Biomass is a renewable energy source because its supplies are not limited. We can always
grow trees and crops, and waste will always exist.
 Biomass can be used for fuels and power production
 Biomass is an important source of energy accounting for about one third of the total fuel
used in our country and in about 40% of the rural households.
 The widespread use of biomass is for household cooking and heating. The types of biomass
used are agricultural waste, wood, charcoal or dried dung.

Bioenergy Technologies

Biofuels
Biofuels are transportation fuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel, created by converting biomass into
liquid fuels to meet transportation needs. Learn more about biofuels.
Biopower
Biopower technologies convert renewable biomass fuels into heat and electricity using one of three
processes: burning, bacterial decay, and conversion to gas/liquid fuel.
Bioproducts
In addition to electricity and fuels, biomass can also be converted into chemicals for making
plastics and other products that typically are made from petroleum.

Advantages of biomass

 Biomass is always and widely available as a renewable source of energy

 It is carbon neutral
 It reduces the overreliance of fossil fuels.
 Is less expensive than fossil fuels.
 Biomass production adds a revenue source for manufacturers.

Dept. of Mechanical Engg. Acharya Institute of Technology, Bengaluru-107 27

Renewable Energy Sources (BETCK205E)

Disadvantages of biomass
 Biomass energy is not as efficient as fossil fuels
 It is not entirely clean
 It can lead to deforestation.
 Biomass plants require a lot of space.

Internet of Energy (IOE)

 Internet of Energy (IoE) has emerged as a popular technology in the energy sector by
integrating different forms of energy.
 IoE uses Internet to collect, organize, optimize and manage the networks energy
information from different edge devices in order to develop a distributed smart energy
infrastructure. Sensors and communication technologies are used to collect data and to
predict demand and supply by consumers and suppliers respectively.
 Internet of Energy (IoE) is a technological term that refers to the upgrading and
automating of electricity infrastructures for energy producers and manufacturers.
 This allows energy production to move forward more efficiently and cleanly with the least
amount of waste.
 The term is derived from the increasingly prominent market for Internet of Things (IoT)
technology, which has helped develop the distributed energy systems that make up the
IoE.
 IoE is the use of Internet of Things (IoT) technology with a variety of different energy
systems.
 The Internet of Things refers to the idea of connecting devices to the internet. This includes
anything from smartphones, tablets, and television sets to major appliances, headphones,
and automobiles.

Dept. of Mechanical Engg. Acharya Institute of Technology, Bengaluru-107 28