Introduction to

Non-conventional (Renewable)
Energy Sources

ANUPAMA SAWANT
 Conventional sources of energy (Non-renewable Sources of Energy)
When we cannot reuse a sources of energy after using it once known as conventional sources of energy
also called “non-renewable energy resources”. It includes coal, petroleum, natural gas and nuclear energy.
Advantages of Conventional Sources of Energy
1. The efficiency of the energy sources is high. e.g. from 1gm of uranium, we get 1 MW of energy
and from 1-tonne coal, we get 2460 kWh of energy.
2. The production expenses are low.
3. The raw materials of conventional Sources of Energy are easy to transport. Raw materials such as
coal, petroleum, and natural gas can be transported easily through trains or ships from one place
to another.
4. Generally it doesn’t need any specific place for installation. The government can easily set up a
conventional plant according to their requirements. Such as if the government wants to install a
thermal plant in Uttarakhand or in Jammu they can easily install it.
5. It can generate energy instantaneously
Disadvantages (Limitations) of Conventional Sources of Energy

1. They are the main reason for the pollution. Because it releases carbon monoxide from polluters
into the atmosphere. According to The International Energy Agency, in 2018, India emitted 2,299
million tonnes of carbon monoxide. This report also said that India’s per capita emissions were
about 40% of the global average and contributed 7% to the global carbon dioxide burden.
2. They discharge harmful chemicals and greenhouse gases into the air, which can harm the
environment and human health.
3. Generating radioactive waste. e.g. Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster which happened in 2011.
4. High startup cost. According to the government estimate, the cost may be about 50 to 70 crores
INR for setting up a 10 MW thermal power unit. Whereas to set up a nuclear power plant, it is
required ₹60,000 crores.
5. 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
6. They have low energy security due to geopolitical issues and global fuel prices
Sources of Energy Consumption in India

Contribution of the Sources of Contribution (In

Conventional Energy Percentage)

Coal 48%

Petroleum 26%

Natural Gas 7%

Fuelwood 1%

Electricity 4%

Non Conventional energy 14%

Total 100%
Non-conventional energy sources (Renewable energy sources)

● Non-Conventional energy sources (Renewable energy sources), are sources that are
continuously replenished by natural processes. For example, solar energy, wind energy, bio-
energy (biofuels grown sustainably), hydropower, Geothermal energy Wave and tidal energy,
etc.
● In 1973, the oil crisis encouraged a focus on non – conventional sources
● A renewable energy system converts the energy found in sunlight, wind, falling-water,
seawaves, 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.
● 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.
● Renewable energy sources are essentially flows of energy, whereas the fossil and nuclear fuels
are, in essence, stocks of energy.
Advantages of Non-conventional Energy sources

● They are non-polluting with Low environmental damage: Non-conventional sources produce
minimal air and water pollution compared to fossil fuels, contributing to improved environmental
quality.
● Available in abundant: Unlike fossil fuels, non-conventional sources are naturally replenished,
ensuring long-term sustainability.
● Freely available: Many non-conventional sources like solar and wind are accessible across various
geographical regions
● Low harnessing costs: With technological advancements, the cost of harnessing non-conventional
energy sources is continuously decreasing.
● Decentralized power generation: Smaller scale installations can provide energy directly to local
communities, reducing transmission losses
● Energy security:
Reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels can enhance energy security for nations.
 Hydro Energy

● The potential energy of falling water, captured and converted to

mechanical energy by waterwheels, powered the start of the industrial
revolution.
● Wherever sufficient head, or change in elevation, could be found, rivers
and streams were dammed and mills were built.
● Water under pressure flows through a turbine causing it to spin. The
Turbine is connected to a generator, which produces electricity (see
Figure).
● In order to produce enough electricity, a hydroelectric system
requires a location with the following features:
Change in elevation or head: 20 feet @ 100 gal/min = 200 Watts.
OR 100 feet head @ 20 gal/min gives the same output.
Hydro Energy (Hydropower Plant)
 Hydro Energy

How do Hydropower Plants Work?

● Three things are required to generate hydroelectricity: moving water, a turbine, and a
generator.
● Hydropower plants use the kinetic energy of moving water to generate electricity.
● They are, in theory, factories that turn the energy of falling water into a flow of electrons, or
electricity.
● In most cases, a dam is built across a river to raise the water level and provide the necessary fall
to produce a driving force.
● The falling water is then directed to a lower-level turbine wheel.
● A turbine wheel attached to a generator is turned by the flowing water.
● A rotor is attached to the generator, which is rotated by the turbine. The rotor of the generator
produces electricity as it rotates.
● The generated electricity is then stepped up in voltage and delivered across transmission lines
via the hydroelectric power station transformers.
● After serving its purpose, the used water is diverted out of the power plant and into the river's
main channel, continuing the power generation cycle.
 Hydro Energy (Advantages)

1. Hydropower is clean and renewable: Unlike traditional fossil fuel energy sources, using water to
generate electricity doesn’t release harmful pollutants into the air or water. Additionally, hydroelectric
plants don’t use up water as they operate, making hydropower a completely renewable electricity
source.
2. Hydropower pairs well with other renewables: Hydropower plants can be a stable source of
supporting energy for more intermittent energy sources like wind and solar. Wind power and solar
energy rely on the natural availability of wind and sunlight at times of low wind or at night when the
sun isn’t shining, Hydropower provides electricity when solar and wind can’t, making them more
economical and practical sources of electricity.
3. Certain hydroelectric plant designs meet peak demand: Many renewable energy sources (including
wind and solar) can’t be used to generate electricity 24/7, however, both storage hydropower and
pumped storage hydropower facilities have the ability to generate electricity on -demand.
4. Hydropower is inexpensive in the long run: While there are high upfront costs associated with
hydropower, it is one of the most inexpensive forms of renewable energy over time. Once the
necessary infrastructure is constructed, there is less maintenance required for upkeep than other
forms of energy
5. Hydropower is produced domestically: e.g. US.There is no need to rely on importing items from
other countries.
6. Hydropower can be used for irrigation: Hydropower facilities also have the important benefit of
being able to provide a source for irrigation for crops in surrounding areas.
Hydro Energy (Disadvantages)

1. Hydropower plants can adversely affect surrounding environments: Hydropower

systems interrupt the natural flow of a river system. This leads to disrupted animal
migration paths, issues with water quality, and human or wildlife displacement.
2. Building hydropower facilities is expensive up-front: Many hydropower plants are
large infrastructure projects that involve building dams, reservoirs, and power-
generating turbines requiring a significant monetary investment. Suitable places for
reservoirs are becoming rarer over time and therefore large-scale hydropower plant
construction costs may continue to rise.
3. Hydropower facilities rely on local hydrology: Because most hydropower
generation relies on river water, droughts that cause lower water flow impact
hydroelectric generation capacity. Month to month and year to year, the amount of
water available for hydropower systems can vary, thus electricity production at a
hydroelectric facility can also vary.
 Hydro Energy

Advantages of Hydropower Disadvantages of Hydropower

Renewable energy source Some adverse environmental impact

Pairs well with other renewables Expensive up-front

Can meet peak electricity demand Lack of available reservoirs

Is inexpensive in the long run Facilities rely on local hydrology

Produced domestically

Can be used for irrigation

Impact of Hydropower energy on Environment

Hydropower generators do not directly emit air pollutants. However, dams, reservoirs, and the
operation of hydroelectric generators can affect the environment.

1. A dam that creates a reservoir (or a dam that diverts water to a run-of-river hydropower
plant) may obstruct fish migration. Many species of fish, such as salmon and shad, swim up rivers
and streams from the sea to reproduce in their spawning grounds in the beds of rivers and streams. Dams
can block their way.
2. Hydropower turbines kill and injure some of the fish that pass through the turbine.
3. A dam and reservoir can also change natural water temperatures, water chemistry, river
flow characteristics, and silt loads.
Impact of Hydropower energy on Environment (contd…)

4. All of these changes can affect the ecology and the physical characteristics of the river.

5. These changes may have negative effects on native plants and on animals in and around
the river.

6. Reservoirs may cover important natural areas, agricultural land, or archeological sites. A
reservoir and the operation of the dam may also result in the relocation of people.

The physical impacts of a dam and reservoir, the operation of the dam, and the use of the
water can change the environment over a much larger area than the area a reservoir
covers.
Wind Energy
Wind energy is basically harnessing of wind power to produce electricity.
● The kinetic energy of the wind is converted to electrical energy.
● 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, sailing ships - have
been used for centuries.
● Now wind power is harnessed to generate electricity in a larger scale with
better technology.
 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.)
Types of turbines 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
Wind Energy generation

● Wind electric generator (WEG) converts kinetic energy available in wind to electrical energy by
using rotor, gearbox and generator.
● There are a large number of manufacturers for wind electric generators in India who have foreign
collaboration with different manufacturers of Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, USA,
Austria, Sweden, Spain, and U.K. etc.
● At present, WEGs of rating ranging from 225 kW to 1000 kW are being installed in our country.
● Evaluating Wind Mill Performance Wind turbines are rated at a certain wind speed and annual
energy output.
● Annual Energy Output = Power x Time.
● Example: For a 100 kW turbine producing 20 kW at an average wind speed of 25 km/h, the
calculation would be: 100 kW x 0.20 (CF) = 20 kW x 8760 hours = 175,200 kWh
● The Capacity Factor (CF) is simply the wind turbine's actual energy output for the year divided by
the energy output if the machine operated at its rated power output for the entire year. A
reasonable capacity factor would be 0.25 to 0.30 and a very good capacity factor would be around
0.40. It is important to select a site with good capacity factor, as economic viability of wind power
projects is extremely sensitive to the capacity factor.
Wind Potential

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. The
following table represents a guideline of different wind speeds and their potential in
producing electricity.

Average Wind Speed km/h (mph) Suitability

Up to 15 (9.5) No good

18 (11.25) Poor

22 (13.75) Moderate

25 (15.5) Good

29 (18) Excellent
 Wind Potential

● A wind generator will produce lesser power in summer than in winter at the same wind speed
as air has lower density in summer than in winter.
● Similarly, a wind generator will produce lesser power in higher altitudes - as air pressure as
well as density is lower -than at lower altitudes.
● The wind speed is the most important factor influencing the amount of energy a wind turbine
can produce. Increasing wind velocity increases the amount of air passing the rotor, which
increases the output of the wind system.
● In order for a wind system to be effective, a relatively consistent wind flow is required.
● Obstructions such as trees or hills can interfere with the wind supply to the rotors. To avoid
this, rotors are placed on top of towers to take advantage of the strong winds available high
above the ground.
● The towers are generally placed 100 metres away from the nearest obstacle. The middle of
the rotor is placed 10 metres above any obstacle that is within 100 metres.
Wind Energy - Impact on environment

The development of wind power

will cause land use change and
modify landscape settings, which
will impact upon the living space,
biological system and regional
earth surface system, including
noise pollution, bird and bat
fatalities, GHGs and surface
climate. Understanding these
impacts will enable better
mitigation and the creation of
more effective renewable energy
policies.

● GHG = Greenhouse Gases

Wind Energy - Impact on environment