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Significance of the course:

Research into alternative energy sources began in earnest during the early to mid-20th century,
although interest dates back even further. Concerns over the environmental impact of fossil fuels and
the finite nature of coal and oil reserves initially drove the search for alternative energy sources.
Here’s a brief timeline:

1. Late 19th Century - Early 20th Century:

o Hydropower: One of the earliest forms of alternative energy. The first hydropower
plant was developed in the late 1800s (Niagara Falls, 1895).

o Solar Energy: The concept of solar energy began in the late 19th century, with solar
water heaters developed in the 1890s and the first solar cell in 1883 by Charles Fritts.

2. 1950s-1970s:

o Nuclear Energy: Research into nuclear power gained momentum after WWII,
leading to the first commercial nuclear power plant in the 1950s.

o Solar and Wind Energy: Interest in solar power and wind turbines grew, partly due
to space exploration (solar power for satellites).

3. 1970s - The Oil Crisis:

o The 1973 oil crisis spurred significant research into alternative energy, especially
renewable sources like solar, wind, and biofuels. Governments and scientists began
heavily investing in finding alternatives to fossil fuels to reduce dependency on oil.

4. 1980s-Present:

o Research into alternative energy sources, including wind, solar, geothermal,

bioenergy, and hydrogen fuel cells, gained more structured support, with
advancements in efficiency, storage, and integration into power grids.

The focus on renewable energy technologies intensifies today, driven by climate change and
sustainability goals.

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1. Introduction

Energy production and consumption are deeply intertwined with societal, economic, and
environmental aspects, creating a complex relationship that shapes modern life. Here's how energy
production correlates with these dimensions:

1. Society

• Quality of Life: Energy is essential for running industries, homes, healthcare systems,
transportation, and communication. Access to reliable and affordable energy improves living
standards, health, and education.

• Urbanization and Development: Societies with abundant energy resources tend to develop
faster. Energy availability encourages industrialization, infrastructure development, and
urban growth. However, low access to energy (energy poverty) in developing regions leads
to lower social mobility and development.

• Equity and Access: Energy's societal impact also includes the disparity between energy-rich
and energy-poor regions. Globally, over 700 million people lack access to electricity, creating
a divide in opportunities and development.

2. Economy

• Economic Growth: Energy is a key driver of economic activity. Economies that rely on
energy-intensive industries (like manufacturing) depend on stable energy supplies. A nation’s
economic growth correlates with energy consumption, particularly in industrial and
developing sectors.

• Energy as an Industry: The energy sector itself is a major contributor to the global economy.
Fossil fuels, renewables, and nuclear energy form multi-trillion-dollar industries, creating
jobs and contributing to national GDPs.

• Energy Prices and Market Volatility: Energy prices (oil, gas, electricity) influence
inflation, the cost of goods, transportation, and production. For example, fluctuations in oil
prices can affect global markets, making energy security a priority for many economies.

• Innovation and Investment: The transition to renewable energy has spurred economic
growth through investments in green technologies, job creation in clean energy sectors, and
innovation in sustainable practices.

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3. Environment

• Climate Change: Energy production, particularly from fossil fuels, is the largest contributor
to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, leading to global warming and climate change. The
burning of coal, oil, and natural gas releases carbon dioxide, methane, and other pollutants
that disrupt climate patterns.

• Resource Depletion: Fossil fuel extraction causes significant environmental degradation,

such as habitat destruction, water contamination, and air pollution. Non-renewable energy
resources are finite, and their continued extraction is unsustainable in the long term.

• Pollution and Health Impacts: Energy production from coal and oil results in air and water
pollution, affecting ecosystems and human health. Renewable energy sources like solar and
wind have lower environmental impacts, though they still require resources for production.

• Energy Transition and Sustainability: The global shift toward renewable energy aims to
reduce environmental harm by cutting GHG emissions and minimizing reliance on non-
renewable resources. This transition promotes a circular economy, reduces waste, and
supports environmental restoration.

Balancing the Three Dimensions

Governments, industries, and society must balance the need for energy with economic development
and environmental sustainability. The ideal energy system:

• Supports society by providing affordable, reliable energy that promotes quality of life and
equitable access.

• Drives economic growth without over-dependence on finite resources or contributing to

market instability.

• Protects the environment by transitioning to low-carbon, renewable energy sources and

promoting sustainable practices.

This balance is critical to addressing global challenges like climate change, resource scarcity, and
socioeconomic inequality.

India is the world's third-largest producer of electricity. In 2023–24, India generated 1,949 TWh
(Terawatt hour ) of electricity ( 1 Terawatt hour – 3.6 *1015 Joules)

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1.1 Energy can be classified into several types based on the following criteria:
• Primary and Secondary energy
• Commercial and Non-commercial energy
• Renewable and Non-Renewable energy
1.1.1 Primary and Secondary energy
Primary resources: Resources available in the nature in the raw form are called primary resources.
Fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas), uranium and hydropower are primary energy resources. These energy
resources cannot be used in raw form. Primary energy resources have to be located, extracted,
processed and converted into a suitable form before use.

Secondary resources: Secondary energy resources are obtained form primary energy resources by
processing. Processing helps in transformation of primary resources into the secondary or usable
energy form so that it can be utilized by consumers. Electricity, steam, hot water, petrol, diesel, LNG
and CNG are secondary energy resources.

Figure 1: Primary and Secondary Sources

1.1.2. Commercial and Non-Commercial Energy

Commercial Energy: The energy sources that are available in the market for a definite price are
known as commercial energy. By far the most important forms of commercial energy are electricity,
coal and refined petroleum products. Commercial energy forms the basis of industrial, agricultural,
transport and commercial development in the modern world. In the industrialized countries,
commercialized fuels are predominant source not only for economic production, but also for many
household tasks of general population. Examples: Electricity, lignite, coal, oil, natural gas etc.

Non-Commercial Energy: The energy sources that are not available in the commercial market for a
price are classified as non-commercial energy. Non-commercial energy sources include fuels such as
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firewood, cattle dung and agricultural wastes, which are traditionally gathered, and not bought at a
price used especially in rural households. These are also called traditional fuels. Non-commercial
energy is often ignored in energy accounting. Example: Firewood, agro waste in rural areas; solar
energy for water heating, electricity generation, for drying grain, fish and fruits; animal power for
transport, threshing, lifting water for irrigation, crushing sugarcane; wind energy for lifting water and
electricity generation.

1.1.3. Renewable and non-renewable energy resources

Renewable: Resources that can be renewed by nature repeatedly so that their supply is not adversely
affected by their consumption rate are called renewable resources.

Non-renewable: Resources that are available in a certain finite quantity and cannot be replenished
are called non-renewable.

Table 1: Renewable and non-renewable resources

Renewable resources Non-renewable resources

These are inexhaustible resources. These are exhaustible resources.
These are non-traditional in use. These are traditionally in use.
New methods are being developed to use these Widely used as energy resources
resources
Efforts are taken to make vast use of these Efforts are taken to conserve these resources
resources.
Hydel, solar, wind, tidal, and geothermal Fossil fuels, nuclear fuels, and natural gases
resources are renewable energy resources are non-renewable resources.

2. World’s Energy Reserves and Production

The world’s energy reserves and production are critical components in shaping global economies,
energy security, and environmental sustainability. Below is a breakdown of the world's energy
reserves, production, and trends in different energy sources.

1. Fossil Fuel Reserves and Production

Fossil fuels—coal, oil, and natural gas—remain the dominant energy sources globally, although their
reserves are finite, and their extraction and use raise environmental concerns.

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a. Oil

• Global Reserves: As of 2023, the world's proven oil reserves are approximately 1.7 trillion
barrels. The Middle East holds nearly 50% of these reserves, with Venezuela, Saudi Arabia,
Canada, and Iran being the largest individual holders.

• Global Production: In 2022, global oil production was around 95-100 million barrels per
day (bpd). The top producers are the U.S., Saudi Arabia, and Russia, collectively accounting
for about 40% of global output.

• Peak Oil Demand: Global oil demand is expected to peak by the mid-2030s, driven by
increasing efficiency and the growth of electric vehicles and renewable energy.

b. Natural Gas

• Global Reserves: Proven global natural gas reserves are estimated to be about 6,850 trillion
cubic feet (Tcf) as of 2023. Russia, Iran, and Qatar hold more than 50% of these reserves.

• Global Production: Global natural gas production in 2022 was around 4 trillion cubic meters
(about 141 trillion cubic feet), with the U.S. being the largest producer, followed by Russia
and Iran.

• Demand Growth: Natural gas demand is expected to grow, particularly in Asia and Europe,
as it is seen as a transitional fuel with lower emissions than coal or oil.

c. Coal

• Global Reserves: The world has approximately 1.07 trillion metric tons of coal reserves as
of 2022, with the U.S., Russia, China, and India holding the largest shares.

• Global Production: Global coal production was around 8 billion metric tons in 2022. China
alone accounts for nearly 50% of the world's coal production, followed by India and the U.S.

• Decline in Use: Coal is being phased out in many countries due to its high carbon emissions,
but it remains a major energy source in developing nations, especially for electricity
generation.

2. Nuclear Energy

Nuclear power provides a significant share of the world’s electricity but represents a smaller portion
of overall energy consumption.

• Global Capacity: As of 2022, there were about 440 operational nuclear reactors worldwide,
with a total capacity of approximately 400 gigawatts (GW). The U.S., France, and China have
the largest nuclear capacities.

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• Production: Nuclear energy supplied about 10% of the world's electricity in 2022, producing
around 2,600 terawatt-hours (TWh).

• Nuclear Reserves (Uranium): The world’s recoverable uranium resources are estimated to
be around 8 million metric tons, primarily concentrated in Kazakhstan, Canada, and Australia.

3. Renewable Energy

Renewables are the fastest-growing segment of the global energy mix, driven by concerns over
climate change, sustainability, and advancements in technology.

a. Hydropower

• Global Capacity: Hydropower accounts for the largest share of renewable energy
production, with a global installed capacity of around 1,360 GW as of 2022.

• Global Production: In 2022, hydropower produced about 4,300 TWh of electricity,

contributing to around 16% of global electricity generation.

b. Solar Energy

• Global Capacity: Solar power capacity has grown rapidly in recent years, reaching over
1,000 GW in 2023.

• Global Production: Solar energy generated around 1,100 TWh in 2022, accounting for
nearly 5% of global electricity generation.

• Growth: Solar energy is one of the fastest-growing energy sources, with global capacity
expected to more than double by 2030 due to falling costs and policy support.

c. Wind Energy

• Global Capacity: Global wind energy capacity reached approximately 840 GW in 2023.

• Global Production: Wind energy contributed around 7-8% of global electricity generation
in 2022, producing approximately 2,000 TWh.

• Offshore Wind Growth: Offshore wind is a growing sector, with over 50 GW installed
globally, mainly in Europe and China.

d. Biomass and Geothermal Energy

• Biomass: Biomass provides around 5% of global energy needs. It is used primarily for heat
and electricity production, with significant usage in developing countries.

• Geothermal: Geothermal energy accounts for less than 1% of global energy production, with
a global capacity of around 16 GW.

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4. Global Energy Production and Consumption Trends

• Total Energy Production: The world produced approximately 624 exajoules (EJ) of energy
in 2022. Fossil fuels (oil, coal, natural gas) still dominate global energy production,
accounting for about 80% of the total.

• Global Energy Consumption: Global energy consumption in 2022 was around 595 EJ, with
the industrial sector consuming the largest share, followed by transportation and buildings.

• Energy Transition: While fossil fuels remain dominant, the share of renewables in global
energy production is growing rapidly. Renewables (excluding hydro) now account for about
11% of global electricity production.

5. Carbon Emissions and Energy

• Emissions from Energy: Energy production is the largest source of greenhouse gas
emissions, with the burning of fossil fuels for electricity, heat, and transportation responsible
for about 73% of global CO2 emissions.

• Efforts to Reduce Emissions: Countries are working to reduce emissions by transitioning to

renewable energy sources, increasing energy efficiency, and adopting low-carbon
technologies like carbon capture and storage (CCS).

Table 2: Summary of Global Energy Reserves and Production (2023)

Energy Source Global Reserves Annual Production

Oil 1.7 trillion barrels 95-100 million bpd

Natural Gas 6,850 Tcf 4 trillion cubic meters
Coal 1.07 trillion metric tons 8 billion metric tons
Uranium (for nuclear) 8 million metric tons 2,600 TWh (nuclear)
Hydropower - 4,300 TWh
Solar - 1,100 TWh
Wind - 2,000 TWh

3. World’s Energy Reserves and Production

1. Fossil Fuel Reserves and Production

Fossil fuels, including coal, oil, and natural gas, dominate India's energy production, although
renewable energy is rapidly growing in importance.

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a. Coal

• Reserves: India has the world’s fourth-largest coal reserves, estimated at about 344 billion
metric tons as of 2023. Most of these reserves are located in states like Jharkhand, Odisha,
Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, and Madhya Pradesh.

• Production: India is the second-largest coal producer globally, with an annual production
of approximately 870 million metric tons (2022). Major coal-producing companies include
Coal India Limited (CIL), accounting for about 80% of the country's output.

• Consumption: Coal is India’s primary energy source, meeting about 55% of its energy
needs, particularly in electricity generation (about 70% of electricity comes from coal).

b. Oil

• Reserves: India’s proven oil reserves are modest, around 600 million metric tons as of 2022.
These reserves are concentrated in the western and northeastern regions, particularly in
Rajasthan, Gujarat, Assam, and offshore in the Mumbai High Basin.

• Production: India’s oil production is limited, producing around 600,000 barrels per day
(bpd), much lower than its demand. As a result, India imports more than 85% of its crude
oil needs, making it highly dependent on foreign sources.

• Consumption: India’s oil consumption in 2022 was about 5 million bpd, making it the third-
largest oil consumer in the world. The majority of imports come from the Middle East,
particularly Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

c. Natural Gas

• Reserves: India’s natural gas reserves are estimated at around 1.37 trillion cubic meters
(Tcm). Major reserves are located in the Krishna-Godavari Basin, Bombay High, and the
Cambay Basin.

• Production: India produced approximately 32 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas in
2022, which falls short of domestic demand.

• Consumption and Imports: India is a net importer of natural gas, importing around 50% of
its natural gas in the form of liquefied natural gas (LNG), primarily from Qatar, Australia,
and the U.S.

2. Nuclear Energy

India views nuclear power as an important component of its energy mix, though its share remains
small compared to other energy sources.

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• Reserves: India has significant uranium deposits, though they are not sufficient to fuel its
ambitious nuclear energy program entirely. India also seeks to develop thorium-based
reactors, as it holds 25% of the world’s thorium reserves, primarily found in the coastal
sands of Kerala.

• Nuclear Capacity: India has 22 nuclear reactors with a total installed capacity of about 6.8
GW (2022), contributing about 3% of the country’s electricity production. The country plans
to expand its nuclear capacity to 22.5 GW by 2031.

• Production: India generated 40 terawatt-hours (TWh) of nuclear electricity in 2022.

3. Renewable Energy

India has made significant strides in renewable energy, positioning itself as a global leader in solar,
wind, and other renewable sources.

a. Solar Energy

• Installed Capacity: India has one of the fastest-growing solar energy sectors in the world,
with a total installed capacity of 70 GW as of 2023.

• Production: Solar power accounted for about 7% of India’s electricity generation in 2022,
producing over 120 TWh.

• Ambitious Targets: India has set a target to achieve 280 GW of solar capacity by 2030, as
part of its broader goal of reaching 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030.

b. Wind Energy

• Installed Capacity: Wind energy is India’s largest renewable energy source, with an installed
capacity of approximately 43 GW as of 2023, primarily in the states of Tamil Nadu, Gujarat,
and Maharashtra.

• Production: Wind power contributed 5% of India’s total electricity generation in 2022,

producing around 70 TWh.

c. Hydropower

• Installed Capacity: India has an installed hydropower capacity of around 52 GW, making it
one of the largest producers of hydroelectricity globally.

• Production: Hydropower accounted for about 10% of India’s total electricity generation in
2022, with annual production of around 160 TWh.

d. Biomass and Waste-to-Energy

• Installed Capacity: India’s biomass and waste-to-energy installed capacity is around 10

GW.
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• Production: Biomass energy contributes approximately 2% of India’s electricity production,

mostly in rural and agricultural areas.

4. India's Energy Mix and Consumption

• Energy Consumption: India is the third-largest energy consumer in the world, with an
annual consumption of around 34 exajoules (EJ) in 2022. The demand is expected to double
by 2040 due to population growth and industrial expansion.

• Electricity Generation: India’s total installed power generation capacity is about 410 GW
(2023). Coal dominates with 55% of the capacity, followed by renewables (solar, wind,
hydropower, and biomass) contributing around 40%.

• Per Capita Energy Use: Despite its size and growth, India’s per capita energy consumption
is relatively low—about 800 kWh per year—compared to the global average of around 3,200
kWh.

5. Energy Challenges and Opportunities

a. Energy Security

• Import Dependency: India’s heavy reliance on oil and gas imports poses energy security
risks, particularly given geopolitical tensions and global market volatility. Diversifying
energy sources, especially expanding domestic renewable energy, is crucial to reduce this
dependence.

b. Rising Energy Demand

• India’s energy demand is projected to grow significantly due to rapid urbanization,

industrialization, and rising living standards. Meeting this demand sustainably is a key
challenge, especially with coal still being a major source of energy

c. Transition to Renewables

• India has committed to reducing its carbon emissions and increasing the share of non-fossil
fuel-based energy sources to 50% by 2030, as part of its Nationally Determined
Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. Achieving this will require massive
investments in renewable energy, grid infrastructure, and energy storage technologies.

d. Environmental Impact

• Coal Dependence: India’s heavy reliance on coal results in significant carbon emissions,
contributing to air pollution and climate change. Moving away from coal and toward cleaner
energy sources is a major focus of India’s energy transition.

6. India’s Policy and Renewable Energy Initiatives

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• National Solar Mission: Launched in 2010, this initiative aims to establish India as a global
leader in solar energy, with a goal of reaching 100 GW of solar capacity by 2022, which has
now been surpassed.

• International Solar Alliance (ISA): India leads the ISA, an alliance of over 120 countries
focused on promoting solar energy worldwide.

• Green Hydrogen Mission: India is also focusing on green hydrogen as a potential fuel of the
future, aiming to produce 5 million tons of green hydrogen annually by 2030.

• Electrification and Energy Access: India has achieved near-universal electrification, with
more than 99% of households now having access to electricity. However, ensuring reliable
and affordable energy for all remains a challenge.

Table 3: Summary of India's Energy Reserves and Production (2023)

Energy Source Reserves Annual Production

Coal 344 billion metric tons 870 million metric tons

Oil 600 million metric tons 600,000 barrels per day

Natural Gas 1.37 trillion cubic meters 32 billion cubic meters

Nuclear Thorium-rich; 25% of world 40 TWh of nuclear electricity

Solar - 120 TWh (70 GW capacity)

Wind - 70 TWh (43 GW capacity)

Hydropower - 160 h (52 GW capacity)

4. Energy Alternatives and Need

Energy is needed to sustain industrial growth and agricultural production. The existing energy
sources, such as coal, oil, uranium, etc., may not be adequate to meet the ever-increasing energy
demands. These conventional sources of energy are also depleting and may be exhausted at the end
of the century beginning of the next century. − Consequently, sincere and untiring efforts shall have
to be made by scientists and engineers to explore the possibilities of harnessing energy from several
non-conventional energy sources. − The various non-conventional energy sources are:

1. Solar energy

2. Wind energy

3. Energy from biomass and biogas

4. Ocean thermal energy conversion

5. Tidal energy
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6. Geothermal energy

7. Hydrogen energy

8. Fuel cells

9. Magneto-hydro-dynamic generator

10. Thermionic converter

11. Thermo-electric power

Hydel energy is the potential energy of water created by storing water at a higher level. A dam is
built across the river to store water at a higher level. When this stored water in the dam at the higher
level flows under pressure to the lower level, it can run the turbine to generate electrical power. A
hydroelectric power plant is shown in Figure 2. It consists of (i) reservoir, (ii) penstock to carry water
from reservoir to turbine, (iii) turbine to convert water energy into mechanical work, (iv) generator to
convert mechanical work into electrical energy, and (v) power transmission system.

Dam
Reservoir
Turbine Generator
Penstock

Tail water

Figure 2: A hydroelectrical power station.

Nuclear Energy : Nuclear energy is released when atoms of specific unstable material split in fission.
A small mass of nuclear fuel, such as uranium, can release enormous heat energy when it undergoes
fission. One kilogram of uranium-2S5 can give heat energy in the fission process, equal to the heat
obtained by burning 4000 tons of high-grade petroleum. The uranium can undergo a fission process
inside a nuclear reactor. Nuclear fission is a chain reaction, as shown in Figure.

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Figure: Fission process in the nuclear fuel.

Solar Energy : The sun is a continuous fusion reactor in which hydrogen combines to form helium
and liberates large amounts of heat. The sun's rays contain a large amount of energy in the form of
electromagnetic radiation due to the continuous nuclear fusion reaction taking place in the sun. The
energy is released at the rate of 7 × l020 MW. This heat energy contained in the sun's rays can be
utilized to generate electrical power. The sun's rays focus on solar collectors to heat butane water to
generate butane gas in the boiler. The butane gas from the boiler is taken under high pressure to
the butane turbine for mechanical work. A generator is coupled to the turbine to generate electrical
power as shown in Figure. The potential of power generation by solar energy can be in the
order of l.75 × l0ll MW. The mechanical devices which help to collect the solar radiations so as
to convert them into heat energy are called solar collectors.

Figure: The power generation by the solar cell.

Photovoltaic conversion is a direct electricity generation method in which sunlight is converted into
electricity using solar cells. The most common solar cells are manufactured from a highly refined
silicon material. A single solar cell can produce electric power of l W at the voltage of 0.5 V. Several
solar cells can be connected in series or parallel to produce power of required voltage and current.
Solar cells are an intermittent energy source generally used with batteries to store generated
electricity, providing a more economical power generation system.

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The advantages of solar energy are as follows:

(i) Solar energy is available freely in nature.

(ii) It is a renewable energy resource.

(iii) It does not pollute the environment.

(iv) It can be directly converted into electricity by employing photovoltaic cells.

The disadvantages of solar energy are as follows:

(i) It is available only during daytime and clear days.

(ii) Solar energy availability also depends on seasonal variations.

(iii) A large area is required to entrap appreciable solar energy to generate

economical electricity.

Wind Energy : The wind is induced in the atmosphere by uneven heating of the earth²s surface by
the sun. Wind energy is associated with moving large air masses from cold to hot regions. The motion
results from uneven atmosphere heating by the sun, thereby creating temperature, density, and
pressure differences. The wind energy can be used to run windmills, which will drive a generator to
produce electric power or run water pumps. The energy available in the wind is about l.5 × l07 MW.

A windmill is a device that converts the kinetic energy of the moving mass of air or wind into
mechanical work. The windmills can be classified depending on the orientation of the axis of rotation
as horizontal axis windmills, as shown in Figure a. Vertical axis windmills, as shown in Figure l.5b.
The windmills can also be classified based on the number of blades as a single bladed windmill,
double-bladed windmill, three-bladed windmill, and multibladed windmill as shown in Figure b.

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mechanical work. A generator is coupled to the turbine to generate electrical power as shown in
Figure The potential of power generation by solar energy can be in the order of l.75 × l0ll
MW. The mechanical devices that help to collect solar radiation so as to convert it into heat energy
are called solar collectors.

The blades of the windmills are generally made of composite materials such as fibre- reinforced
plastic because this material is less costly, easy to use for manufacturing and possesses high strength
to weight ratio.

Advantages of wind energy are as follows:

(i) It is freely and abundantly available in nature.

(ii) It is a renewable energy source.

(iii) It does not cause pollution to environment.

(iv) Windmills require minimal maintenance and operating cost.

Disadvantages of wind energy are as follows:

(i) It cannot produce steady and consistent power.

(ii) It can generate only low power.

Tidal Energy : Ocean waves and tides contain a large amount of both potential and kinetic energy
which can be utilised for power generation. A tide is the periodical rise and fall of sea water caused
principally by the interaction of the gravitational fields of the sun and the moon. The highest level of
tidal water is called flood or high tide and the lowest level is called low or ebb tide. The level
difference between the high and the low tide is called tidal range. The up and down movement of the
tide is used for filling and emptying the tidal basin of the plant. The typical tidal plant is shown in
Figure . The tidal basin is filled up during high tide and it is emptied out during low tide. The
flowing in and flowing out water between sea and tidal basin is used to run a turbine and generate
electricity.

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Figure: High and low tide and working of a tidal plant. (a)Low tide and water flows out from tidal
basin, thereby running turbine. (b) High tide and water flows in from sea to tidal basin, thereby
running turbine.

Advantages of tidal energy are as follows:

1. It is free from pollution.

2. It is superior to hydel energy as it does not depend on rains.

3. The tidal basin can also be used for fish farming.

4. It is best suited to meet peak power demands.

Disadvantages of tidal energy are as follows:

1. Tidal power plant is costly compared to thermal and 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 is a Greek word meaning the heat of the earth. The
temperature at earth²s core is on the order of 4000°C. The internal heat energy available at a
considerable depth below the earth's surface is called geothermal energy. It is the heat source in the
form of molten rock within the earth, which is called magma, and it has a temperature of about
S000°C.

A geothermal power plant is shown in Figure. The water is made to flow down through a
porous layer to magma heat source where the water is converted into steam by the heat available at
magma. The steam comes out through the vents of the earth surface. This steam is used to vapourise
certain low boiling refrigerant. This high pressure refrigerant steam is used to run the turbine. The
turbine runs a generator to produce electric power.

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Figure: Geothermal power plant.

Advantages of geothermal energy as follows:

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 and thermal power plant

The disadvantages of geothermal energy are as follows:

1. Components of the plants are liable to be corroded.

2. Gaseous effluent creates nuisance at the site for the workers.

3. Gaseous effluent also creates thermal pollution to the environment.

4. Groundwater is likely to be polluted from gaseous effluents.

Ocean Energy

The various types of energy resources which ocean can provide are as follows:

(i) The tides of the ocean can be used to generate electricity.

(ii) The wind produces large waves in the ocean having high kinetic energy which can be
converted into electric power.

(iii) The temperature gradient from the surface of ocean to the great depth inside the ocean can
be used to provide thermal energy to generate electricity.

The water at the ocean surface is around 25°C, while it is about 5°C at a depth of l00–200 m. Hence,
these is a temperature gradient of about 20°C between these two levels and this can be used for

Prof. Shabnam Siddiqui, Dept. of Chemical Engg., BMSCE Page |

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generation of electricity by Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC). A low boiling point liquid
such as ammonia, propane or freon can be vapourised into high pressure vapour using the heat of
warm water available at the ocean surface into a boiler as shown in Figure .

Figure: Ocean Temperature Energy Conversion (OTEC) plant

The advantages of OTEC are as follows:

1 Power generation is continuous throughout the year.

2 Energy is available from nature at no cost.

Disadvantages of OTEC are as follows:

1 It has a small temperature gradient which gives a small thermodynamic efficiency.

2 Capital cost is high due to necessity of heat exchanger, boiler and condenser

Prof. Shabnam Siddiqui, Dept. of Chemical Engg., BMSCE Page |

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