Introduction to Sustainable

Engineering (22ETC25G)

Dr. GAUTAM S NAIR

Assistant Professor
Department of Civil Engineering, NMIT
 UNIT -5- (8L+0T+0P)

Energy Sources: Basic concepts - conventional and non-conventional, solar

energy, fuel cells, wind energy, small hydro plants, biofuels, energy derived

from oceans, geothermal energy

 ENERGY SOURCES

 All of us take food for survival and growth of our body

 Vehicles like motorcycles, tractors, buses, trucks, ships and airplanes require fuel for their running

 Even for cooking food we require fuel. Do you know what is important which we get from the food or from the fuel?
It is the energy

 From the time you wake up to the time you go to sleep at night, energy plays an important role in your life

 Energy is important in everyone’s life, whether you notice it or not

 Without sufficient energy people face difficulties doing their day to day work

 All forms of energy including solar energy, light energy, mechanical energy, nuclear energy, and the energy
of our body are important to us

 The energy of your body enables you to talk, to move and to walk. Is it possible to do any task without energy?

 The basic question is: from where do we get all the energy we need?

 In this lesson, we will learn about different sources of energy, their importance and limitations
 ENERGY SOURCES – Introduction

 Energy is defined as the ability to do work. We require energy for all types of activities

 When we say a body has energy, it means that it is capable of doing work

 Countless examples where energy is used to do work:

 An engine uses energy of its fuel to move a car along

 A battery stores the energy needed to switch on the radio or tape recorder

 The heavy flow of water can break the banks of rivers as it also has energy in it

 Similarly the wind also carries enough energy to shake trees

 ENERGY SOURCES – Importance of Energy in our Life

 Energy plays a very important role in our lives, providing comfort, increasing
productivity and allowing us to live the way we want to

 Since the beginning of mankind, we have made use of wood, water, and fossil fuels as a
means of heating and making machines work

 Almost for all types of activities, we rely on one or another form of energy

 Amount of energy used by a society is an indicator of its economic growth and

development

 Without energy even our body would be unable to perform basic functions like
respiratory, circulatory, or digestive functions to name a few

 Plants would also be unable to complete the process of photosynthesis

 Almost all the machines used for the production and manufacture of different types of
items would be unable to operate without the use of a source of electrical energy
 ENERGY SOURCES – Importance of Energy in our Life

 Almost everything we see around us, the clothes we wear, the food we eat, the houses
we live in, the paper we write on, the vehicles we drive, all need energy to be created or
transformed from some natural resource to the final product

 Nowadays, the electrical energy has become so important that almost in all walks of
life electricity is required

 Various Forms of Energy

 In our daily life we use different forms of energy such as heat energy, light energy, mechanical
energy, electrical energy, chemical energy, and sound energy

 The most common forms of energy are heat, light and electricity

 We use all these forms of energies for different types of work/activity

 As per requirement, one form of energy can be converted into another form of energy by using
specific types of devices or processes
 ENERGY SOURCES – Different Sources of Energy

 Anything out of which usable energy can be extracted is a source of energy

 There is a variety of sources that provide us energy for different purposes

 You must be familiar with coal, petrol, diesel kerosene and natural gas

 Similarly you must have also heard about hydroelectric power, wind mills, solar panels,
biomass etc.

 Some of the energy sources can be replenished in a short period of time. Such
energy sources are referred to as “renewable” energy sources

 The energy sources that we are using up and cannot be generated in a short period
of time are called non-renewable energy sources

 Hence, all the sources of energy can be divided into two categories: renewable sources and
non-renewable sources of energy
 ENERGY SOURCES – Non-renewable energy sources

 Radioactive elements like natural uranium are also non-renewable

 When the atoms of uranium are split into two or more parts, a very large amount of energy is
released which can be used to generate electrical energy

 Fossil fuels – Conventional source of energy

 Fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and natural gas, are important non-renewable sources of energy.

 Since the beginning of mankind, we have been using fossil fuels to generate heat, light and electricity
for various purposes. These are the primary sources for generating electrical energy in the world today

 Over 85% of our energy demands are met by the combustion of fossil fuels. Carbon is the main
constituent of these fossil fuels

 Fossil fuels are excellent sources of energy for our transportation needs

 Approx. 1.9 billion tons of coal is burnt in a year to generate electricity in the world

 A large amount of chemical energy is stored in the fossil fuels. This stored chemical energy is
converted into various other forms of energy such as heat, light and mechanical energy
 ENERGY SOURCES – Non-renewable energy sources

 Fossil fuels – Conventional source of energy

 How are these fossil fuels formed? Millions of years ago, the remains of dead plants and animals
were buried under the ground. Over the years by the action of heat from the Earth’s core and
pressure from rock and soil, these buried and decomposed organic materials have been
converted into fossil fuels

 Coal:

 Coal is formed in a way similar to the other fossil fuels, though it goes through a different
process called “coalification”

 Coal is made of decomposed plant matter in conditions of high temperature and pressure, though
it takes a relatively shorter amount of time to form

 Coal is not a uniform substance either; its composition varies from deposit to deposit

 This variation depends on the types of original plant matter, and the extent to

which the plant matter decomposed.

 There are different types of coal such as peat, lignite, sub-bituminous and bituminous
 ENERGY SOURCES – Non-renewable energy sources

 Fossil fuels – Conventional source of energy

 Coal:

 The first kind of coal is peat which is merely a mass of dead and

decomposing plant matter

 Peat has been used as fuel in the past, as an alternative to wood

 Next, the peat becomes lignite, a brownish rock that contains recognizable plant
matter and has a relatively low calorific value

 Lignite is basically the halfway point from peat to coal

 The next phase is sub-bituminous which is a shade of dull black with very little
visible plant matter. This type of coal has a less than ideal calorific value

 Bituminous coal is the best quality of coal. It is jet black, very dense and brittle.
This type of coal has high calorific value
 ENERGY SOURCES – Non-renewable energy sources

 Fossil fuels – Conventional source of energy

 Generation of electrical energy from coal:

 Done by means of coal power plants

 These power plants first burn the coal in large furnaces creating

tremendous amounts of heat

 This heat is used to boil water in boilers so as to convert it into steam

 The steam expands, causing pressure to increase in the boiler

 A steam turbine is placed at the exit of the boiler so that the moving steam rotates the turbine

 In this process the energy from the moving steam gets converted into mechanical energy

 The rotating turbine spins a magnet inside a power generator

 In this way the electricity is generated and so generated electricity is then sent to the national
power grid from where it is distributed in different areas
 ENERGY SOURCES – Non-renewable energy sources

 Fossil fuels – Conventional source of energy

 Natural Gas:

 Natural gas is another major source of energy

 Oil and gas fields have been found everywhere except in Antarctica

 These fields always contain some gas, but this natural gas (methane) does not take
nearly as long to form

 Natural gas is also found in independent deposits within the ground as well as from
others sources too

 Methane is a common gas found in swamps and is also the byproduct of animals’ digestive
system

 Although natural gas is a fossil fuel, it is cleaner burning than gasoline, but does

produce CO2, the main greenhouse gas. Like petrol and diesel, natural gas is also a

finite source, though available in larger quantities than the former.

 ENERGY SOURCES – Non-renewable energy sources

 Advantages of energy from fossil fuels:

 Generation of energy from the fossil fuels technology-wise is easy and relatively
cost effective

 Fossil fuels have a very high calorific value

 Fossil fuels can generate huge amounts of electricity in just a single location.

 Transportation of fossil fuels like oil and gas to the power stations can be made
through the use of pipelines, making it an easy task

 Power plants that utilize gas are very efficient

 Construction of power plants that work on fossil fuels is relatively easy

technology-wise and they can be constructed in almost any location
 ENERGY SOURCES – Non-renewable energy sources

 Disadvantages of energy from fossil fuels:

 Pollution is a major disadvantage of using fossil fuels as source of energy. During the process
of combustion of fossil fuels a lot of toxic gases (and fly-ash in case of coal) are generated
which cause pollution of the atmosphere. These gases include carbon dioxide, which traps
the Sun’s heat and may be causing global warming. Besides carbon dioxide, coal also
gives off sulfur dioxide which may cause acid rain

 The supply of fossil fuels is limited and cannot be replenished. The rate at which they are
being consumed, their reservoirs are sure to run out soon.

 Extraction of fossil fuels including coal has resulted in the destruction of wide areas of
land and has endangered the environmental balance in some areas

 Mining of fossil fuels including coal is difficult and rated as one of the most dangerous
jobs. Many a times, it endangers the lives of miners

 Use of natural gas can cause unpleasant smell in the area

 ENERGY SOURCES – Non-renewable energy sources

 Energy from the Atom – Nuclear Energy:

 The atoms of a few elements such as radium and uranium act as natural source of
energy

 In fact atoms of these elements spontaneously undergo changes in which the nucleus
of the atom disintegrates

 How do we get energy from the atom? A large amount of energy is stored in the nucleus of every
atom. The energy stored in the nuclei of atoms can be released by breaking a heavy nucleus such
as uranium into two lighter nuclei. The splitting of the nucleus of an

atom into fragments that are roughly equal in mass with the release of energy is

called nuclear fission

 ENERGY SOURCES – Non-renewable energy sources

 Energy from the Atom – Nuclear Energy:

 When a free neutron strikes a Uranium (235) nucleus at a correct speed, it gets absorbed

 A Uranium (235) nucleus on absorbing a neutron becomes highly unstable and splits into
nuclei of smaller atoms releasing huge amount of energy in the process

 During this process, a few neutrons are also released

 These neutrons split other nuclei of the Uranium (235)

 The reaction continues rapidly and is known as the chain reaction

 In this process a large amount of energy is released

 This energy is used for boiling water till it becomes steam

 Steam so generated is used to drive a turbine which helps in generating electrical

energy
 ENERGY SOURCES – Non-renewable energy sources

 Energy from the Atom – Nuclear Energy:

 The fission reaction is carried out in a controlled and regulated manner in nuclear reactors
(Else, they would explode like bombs with an uncontrolled chain reaction)

 In order to control the fission reaction, some of the neutrons released by the reaction are absorbed
by the control rods made of boron / cadmium

 Uses of nuclear energy:

 Energy produced in a nuclear reactor can be harnessed to produce electricity

 Nuclear energy is also being used to power submarines and ship. Vessels driven by
nuclear energy can sail for long periods without having to refuel

 Radioisotopes obtained as by-products in nuclear reactions are used in medicine,

agriculture and research
 ENERGY SOURCES – Non-renewable energy sources

 Energy from the Atom – Nuclear Energy:

 Hazards of nuclear energy:

 On one side nuclear energy seems to be an alternative to fossil fuels, on the

other, it can also be hazardous

 Nuclear radiations and the radioactive wastes are two major hazards that
accompany production of nuclear energy

 In the process of producing nuclear energy, harmful nuclear radiations may

get accidentally leaked/released which can penetrate human bodies and cause
irreparable damage to cells

 For preventing this from happening, nuclear reactors are covered with a thick
shell of radiation absorbent material such as lead

 However, accidental releases of these extremely harmful radiations into the

 ENERGY SOURCES – Non-renewable energy sources

 Energy from the Atom – Nuclear Energy:

 Hazards of nuclear energy:

 The immediate devastation caused by such accidents through the release of

harmful nuclear radiations was huge and its full extent is yet to be assessed

 Another hazard relate to the problems involving disposal of harmful radiant

wastes mainly spent fuels produced in the fission process

 During nuclear reactions, a number of harmful substances capable of

emitting nuclear radiations are generated. These substances are called
nuclear wastes

 Presently, most of the nuclear waste generated in nuclear power plants is

simply being stored underground in strong lead containers. We have not
yet been able to discover safer and more satisfactory methods of
disposing the nuclear wastes
 ENERGY SOURCES – Non-renewable energy sources

 Energy from the Atom – Nuclear Energy:

 Major advantages of using nuclear energy over fossil fuels:

 Unlike fossil fuels, the nuclear fuel used in nuclear power stations, do not
burn. Hence no waste gases are produced

 Small amounts fuel materials, yield huge amount of energy

 What will happen when the reserves of these non-renewable sources of

energy get completely exhausted? We also need to pay attention to the
damaging effects of fossil fuels on the environment

 The solution, surely, must lie in switching to alternative sources of

energy and environment-friendly natural fuels
 ENERGY SOURCES – Renewable energy sources

 Several alternative and renewable sources of energy which are not only environment friendly
but also be available in abundance

 Water, wind, sunlight, geothermal, sea waves, hydrogen and biomass are some such
possible sources of energy

 In addition to the renewability, there are other reasons why we should look to
switching over to such sources. Such as:

 To reduce pollutants, greenhouse gases and toxins that are by-products of non-renewable
sources of energy

 Use of alternative energy sources can help preserve the delicate ecological balance of the
earth, and help conserve the non-renewable energy sources like fossil fuels

 Renewable sources are inexhaustible

 Fortunately, there are many means of harnessing renewable sources of energy

which have less damaging effects on our environment
 ENERGY SOURCES – Renewable energy sources

 Sun – The Ultimate Source of Energy

 The sun has been providing us heat and light for billions of years and it is expected

that it will continue to do so for billions of years to come

 All plants get their energy from the sun and all animals get their energy mainly from the plants.
Therefore, it may be concluded that sun is a source of energy for animals

 The sun in fact is the ultimate source of energy for all living beings

 It is said that the fossil fuels, bio-fuels and natural gas are in effect “bottled” solar energy (It refers to
the process by which these energy sources are formed over millions of years through natural processes
that involve capturing and storing solar energy). Similarly, the wind and rivers which provide
renewable energy are also the result of solar energy

 Sun is one of the most powerful renewable sources of energy for the future. As long as the sun exists,
we will continue to get its energy. About 30% of the incoming solar radiation is absorbed by the upper
atmospheres, the rest is absorbed by the land, sea and clouds
 ENERGY SOURCES – Renewable energy sources

 Sun – The Ultimate Source of Energy

 Solar energy is used commonly for heating, cooking, production of electricity,

and even in the desalination of seawater

 With the help of solar cells, solar energy is converted into electricity

 One of the most common uses of the sun’s energy has been for water heating
systems

 It is also used to provide power to the vehicles, generate electricity, lighting

streets, cooking etc.

 On a small scale, solar energy is being used to heat up water for daily use in
our homes and also the swimming pools. On a larger scale, solar energy
could be used to run cars, power plants, and spaceships etc.
 ENERGY SOURCES – Renewable energy sources

 Sun – The Ultimate Source of Energy

 Advantages of using solar energy:

 Use of solar energy causes no environmental pollution, because no chemical waste

or toxic gases get released while using solar energy

 Solar energy can be used for practical purposes such as heating and lighting

 The sun is an ever lasting source of energy which is freely available

 Can be converted into electrical energy and put to many uses

 Limitations of using solar energy:

 Solar power plants can not produce energy if the sun is not shining. For example,
during night time and cloudy days it is not possible to produce energy from the sun

 Establishment of solar power stations can be very expensive

 The solar panels need to be regularly maintained and cleaned to continue

 ENERGY SOURCES – Renewable energy sources

 Wind Energy

 Wind power is another alternative energy source that could be used without
producing by-products that are harmful to nature

 Like solar power, harnessing the wind is highly dependent on weather and
location

 However, it is one of the oldest and cleanest forms of energy and the most
developed of the renewable energy sources

 There is the potential for a large amount of energy to be produced from

windmill

 You must have seen a phirki. It is also called a wind-vane. What happens
when you blow air on the blades of phirki? It starts rotating. Using phirki,
you can easily experience that wind provides energy
 ENERGY SOURCES – Renewable energy sources

 Wind Energy

 Advantages:

 Wind energy is free of cost and reliable

 Wind power is clean and produces no environmental pollution

 In wind power generation no harmful by-products are left over as in case of

burning of fossil fuels

 Since wind is a renewable source of energy, we never run out of it

 Farming and grazing can still take place on land occupied by wind turbines which
can help in the production of bio fuels. When used inland, the land beneath the
windmill can still be used for farming purposes

 Wind farms can be built off-shore

 In some cases wind farms can even be tourist attractions

 ENERGY SOURCES – Renewable energy sources

 Wind Energy

 Limitations:

 Wind power is not available all the time, at all the places and has to be
used while being produced, as it cannot be stored

 Persistent wind and consistent wind speeds are needed for continuous
power generation. If wind speed decreases, the turbine lingers and less
electricity is generated

 The wind farms, whether onshore or off shores are unsightly, noisy and
generate a lot of opposition. Large wind farms can have a negative effect
on the scenery

 They are hazards for wildlife, especially birds who commonly fly into
their blades
 ENERGY SOURCES – Renewable energy sources

 Wind Energy

 Different parts of our country, which are windy most of the time, have windmills to
pump water and generate electricity

 These wind mills are big wind-wanes in which wind energy is used

 Working of windmill:

 A windmill is basically a mechanical arrangement to convert wind energy into another form
of energy

 The blades of the windmill rotate in a vertical plane which is kept perpendicular to the wind

 As wind flow crosses the blades of the windmill, the blades start rotating

 The rotation of blades makes the turbine rotate

 The turbine is attached with an electrical generator which converts mechanical

energy of the turbine into electrical energy

 ENERGY SOURCES – Renewable energy sources

 Wind Energy

 Working of windmill:

 The blades are angled into the wind, so as to rotate in a way which maximize the
generation of electricity

 In older windmills, wind energy was used to run machinery to do physical work, like
crushing grain or pumping water. Wind towers are usually built together on wind
farms

 Now, electrical currents are harnessed via large scale wind farms that are used by
national electrical grids, as well as small individual turbines used for providing
electricity to isolated locations or individual homes

 The wind speed is vital in the production of electricity, and the optimum speed is
approximately 25 km/h and this causes the blades to rotate
 ENERGY SOURCES – Renewable energy sources

 Hydroelectric Energy

 The flowing water and water stored in huge dams is also a very
important source of energy which is known as hydroelectric energy

 But, over-development and unrestricted harnessing of water power can have a

devastating effect on the local environment and habitation areas
 ENERGY SOURCES – Renewable energy sources

 Hydroelectric Energy

 Generation of hydroelectricity:

 Hydroelectric energy is produced by the natural flow or fall of water

 By channeling water that is flowing downhill, the force of the water can be used to
turn turbines and via a generator, produce electricity

 Hydroelectricity comes from the damming of rivers and utilizing the potential energy
stored in water

 When the water stored behind a dam is released, its

potential/kinetic energy is transferred onto turbine blades

and used to generate electricity

 ENERGY SOURCES – Renewable energy sources

 Hydroelectric Energy

 Generation of hydroelectricity:

 Though the initial cost of setting up of hydroelectric power system is high, it

has relatively low maintenance costs and provides relatively inexpensive
power

 The power output of the hydroelectric source is determined by the difference in

height between the source and the outflow. This height difference is known as the
head and the greater the head, the larger the output

 For this purpose, very big dams are made on the rivers and other water flows
 ENERGY SOURCES – Renewable energy sources

 Hydroelectric Energy

 Advantages of hydroelectric power:

 It is a source of renewable energy in the form of hydroelectric power

 It is cost effective and is competitively productive against non renewable

sources

 Electricity can be generated constantly, because there are no external

factors, which affect the availability of water

 Hydroelectric power produces no waste or pollution since no chemicals

are involved

 Water used for hydro power can be reused for other purposes/like
irrigation etc.
 ENERGY SOURCES – Renewable energy sources

 Hydroelectric Energy

 Limitations of hydroelectric power:

 The hydroelectric power plants cannot be sited at a place of our choice.

There must be a strong current or considerable height to make the production
worthwhile, as the capital cost of setting up production is relatively quite
high

 Dams can be very expensive to build

 There needs to be a sufficient, and continuously

strong water current, or water head, to produce

energy
 ENERGY SOURCES – Renewable energy sources

 Geothermal Energy

 Geothermal energy is obtained from the internal heat of the earth

 In fact it is one of the oldest types of natural sources of heat. It dates back
to Roman times, when the heat from the earth was used instead of fire, to
heat rooms and/or warm water for baths

 Presently it is being used as a source for producing electricity,

mainly in regions of tectonic plate movement

 Now the basic question is how do we get geothermal energy? You must

have heard about the volcanoes found around the world. These volcanic

features are called geothermal hotspots

 ENERGY SOURCES – Renewable energy sources

 Geothermal Energy

 Basically a hotspot is an area of reduced thickness in the mantle which expects excess
internal heat from the interior of the earth to the outer crust

 These hotspots are well known for their unique effects seen on the earth’s surface,
such as the volcanic islands, the mineral deposits and geysers (or hot springs)

 The heat from these geothermal hotspots is altered in the form of steam which is used
to run a steam turbine that can generate electricity
 ENERGY SOURCES – Renewable energy sources

 Geothermal Energy

 Advantages:

 Geothermal energy is used for heating homes and for generating electricity without
producing any harmful emissions

 Unlike most power stations, a geothermal power plant does not create any pollution

 Harnessed correctly, it leads to no harmful by-products

 Geothermal power plants have very low running costs because they require energy to run
a water pump (which is provided by the power plant itself). Moreover, there are no costs
for purchasing, transporting, or cleaning up of fuels

 Geothermal power plants are an excellent source of clean, and inexpensive renewable
energy

 Geothermal energy 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 near environment
 ENERGY SOURCES – Renewable energy sources

 Geothermal Energy

 Limitations:

 If harnessed incorrectly, geothermal energy can produce pollutants

 Improper drilling into the earth can release hazardous minerals and gases

 Geothermal power plant sites are prone to running out of steam in the long
run
 ENERGY SOURCES – Renewable energy sources

 Energy from Biomass

 Biomass is organic material made from plants and animals

 It includes garbage, industrial waste, crop residue, manure, wood, sewage and dead parts of living
objects

 It also contains stored energy from the sun. Therefore, biomass is also a very good source
of energy

 Do you know how biomass contains sun’s energy?

 The plants absorb sun’s energy in a process called photosynthesis

 The chemical energy in plants gets passed on to animals and people who eat them

 On burning the biomass, the chemical energy stored in it is converted into heat energy

 The thermal energy released from biomass can be used to provide heat to industries and homes,
and also to produce steam for generating electricity
 ENERGY SOURCES – Renewable energy sources

 Energy from Biomass

 But burning biomass is not the only way to release its energy

 Biomass can be converted to other useable forms of energy, such as biogas or methane,
ethanol and biodiesel

 You know that methane is the main ingredient of natural gas as well

 The smelly stuff like rotting garbage, and agricultural and human wastes release
methane gas - also called “landfill gas” or “biogas”

 Like LPG, the biogas is also used for cooking and lighting
 ENERGY SOURCES – Renewable energy sources

 Energy from Biomass

 Biofuel including biogas and bio-diesel is another important fuel produced from
left-over food products like vegetable oils and animal fats

 Biofuel is made mainly in two ways:

 The first is when large amounts of crops high in sugar or starch content are grown, and
then fermented with yeast to produce ethyl alcohol or ethanol

 Plants like corn, soybeans, rapeseed, wheat, sugar cane and sugar beet are used to produce
ethanol

 Ethanol can be used as an alternative fuel in petrol engines, but it is very corrosive and so can
be harmful to engine parts and components

 The other option is that it can be mixed with petrol to produce a more bio-friendly fuel which
can be used in engines
 ENERGY SOURCES – Renewable energy sources

 Energy from Biomass

 In the second method, plants high in vegetable oils are grown and then the vegetable
oil is processed to produce bio-diesel

 Thus biomass can be used as a source of energy in the following three ways:

 by burning dry biomass directly to produce heat, or generate steam

 by decomposition of biomass in the absence of oxygen to produce methane gas

 by producing bio-diesel from the plants high in vegetable oils

 ENERGY SOURCES – Renewable energy sources

 Energy from Biomass

 Advantages:

 Biomass is an inexhaustible energy source because we can always grow

more trees and crops, and waste will always exist

 When direct combustion of biomass is not used to generate energy, there is

hardly any environmental impact

 Biodiesel and other fuels produced by biomass are viable and a clean source
of energy

 Biomass is easily available throughout the world

 The residue from biomass plants can be used as manure

 ENERGY SOURCES – Renewable energy sources

 Energy from Biomass

 Limitations:

 The bio-fuel or ethanol produced from biomass is not as energy efficient as

petrol

 If the biomass is directly burnt, it may contribute to global warming and

increase emissions causing environmental pollution

 The main ingredient of biofuel i.e. methane is harmful to the environment

 Biomass is a relatively expensive source for generating energy, both in

terms of producing the biomass and converting it to ethanol
 ENERGY SOURCES – Renewable energy sources

 Ocean – A Source of Energy

 Ocean is also a powerful source of renewable energy

 The energy of the ocean can be harnessed in three basic ways: using wave power,
using tidal power, and using ocean water temperature variations

 Tides are defined as the surge and plunge of sea level induced by the gravitational pull of the
moon and the sun on the Earth. These tides are influenced by a range of factors such as the
sun and moon alignment, the pattern of the coastline and changes in the depth of water.
Hence, tidal energy is renewable energy powered by nature. Its intensity is affected by the
location and position of the Earth. It includes both kinetic and potential energy

 Wave energy is defined as energy restrained from oceanic waves. Waves developed as an
outcome of wind are usually referred to as wind waves and they occur effectively on water
surfaces as there are no landmasses to withstand the power of the wind. Its intensity is
influenced by wind strength. It includes only kinetic energy. It is a steady source of energy
 ENERGY SOURCES – Renewable energy sources

 Ocean – A Source of Energy

 Using ocean wave power to generate energy:

 Different types of waves are continuously generated in the ocean.

 The back-and-forth or up-and-down movement of waves can be captured to harness the wave
power by using it to force air in and out of a chamber to drive a piston or spin a turbine that
can power a generator

 In fact, kinetic energy exists in the moving waves of the ocean. That energy can be
used to power a turbine as shown in Fig. It can be seen that when the wave rises into a
chamber, it forces the air out of the chamber

 The moving air spins a turbine which can turn a generator

 When the wave goes down, air flows through the turbine and back into the

chamber through doors that are normally closed

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 Ocean – A Source of Energy

 Using ocean wave power to generate energy:

 This is only one type of wave-energy system. Others actually use the up and down
motion of the wave to power a piston that moves up and down inside a cylinder. That piston
can also turn a generator

 Presently in some cases the wave power is being used in small lighthouses and warning
buoys
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 Ocean – A Source of Energy

 Using tidal power of ocean to generate energy:

 The tidal energy of ocean can also be harnessed by trapping water at high tide and then
capturing its energy as it rushes out and drops to low tide

 When tides come into the shore, they can be trapped in reservoirs behind dams

 And when the tide drops, the water behind the dam can be let out just like in a regular
hydroelectric power plant

 Presently, the power of the tides is being harnessed to produce electricity in Canada and
France
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 Ocean – A Source of Energy

 Using ocean water temperature variations to generate energy:

 If you go swimming in the ocean and dive deep below the surface, you will notice that the
water gets colder the deeper you go

 It is warmer on the surface because sunlight warms the water. But below the surface,
the ocean gets very cold. That is why scuba divers wear wet suits when they dive
down deep. Their wet suits trap their body heat to keep them warm

 This temperature difference between deep and surface waters in the ocean is also
used to extract energy from the flow of heat between the two

 The process is called “ocean thermal energy conversion” (OTEC)

 Power plants can be built that use this difference in temperature to generate energy

 Presently, it is being used in Japan and in Hawaii in demonstration projects

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 Ocean – A Source of Energy

 Advantages and disadvantages of using ocean energy:

 The energy potential of an ocean, particularly tidal basins, is large

 The ocean energy is preferable to that of wind because tides are constant and
predictable and that water’s natural density requires fewer turbines than are needed
to produce the same amount of wind power

 However, tidal energy systems can have environmental impacts on tidal basins because of
reduced tidal flow and silt build up
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 Hydrogen – A Future Source of Energy

 Hydrogen could be a very environmentally friendly source of energy in the future

 In the long-term, hydrogen is likely to reduce dependence on conventional

sources of energy such as petrol, diesel and coal etc.

 In addition to it, the use of hydrogen as source of energy will help in reducing
the emission of greenhouse gases and other pollutants

 When hydrogen is burned, the only emission it makes is water vapor, so a key

advantage of hydrogen is that when burned, carbon dioxide (CO 2) is not

produced

 Thus, we can say that hydrogen does not pollute the air
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 Hydrogen – A Future Source of Energy

 Hydrogen has the potential to run a fuel-cell engine with greater efficiency over
an internal combustion engine

 The same amount of hydrogen will take a fuel-cell car at least twice as far as a car
running on gasoline

 Though, the hydrogen fuel cell has proved to be a viable source of energy for
vehicles, but there are serious questions on its production, storage and
distribution

 There are also questions on its efficiency, in so far as it takes more energy to
manufacture it than what it produces

 Besides, it costs a considerable amount of money to run a hydrogen vehicle

because it takes a large amount of energy to liquefy the fuel
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 Fuel Cells

 A fuel cell is a tiny device that has two electrodes namely, a cathode and an
anode. These electrodes result in an electrochemical reaction inside the cell

 However, a fuel cell needs to have two important components to perform this
reaction. These are:

 An oxidizing agent

 Supply of fuel or an electrolyte

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 Fuel Cells

 When these two are cut off, the cell will stop generating electric power

 The electrolyte is very important because it supports the movements of ions, to

and from the electrodes

 Process:

 A fuel cell generates electricity via a chemical reaction by simply completing an

electric circuit. The entire process is completed in a few steps which are as follows:

 At the anode, hydrogen atoms are introduced. These atoms are known to carry a
positive electric charge. However, these atoms are stripped of their electrons at this stage

 These negatively charged electrons move and create a current through the wires

 At the cathode, oxygen atoms are introduced. These atoms combine with the leftover
electrons of the hydrogen atoms
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 Fuel Cells - Process:

 It can combine with it after it passes through the anode or at this stage itself. It
all depends on the type of cell

 Different reactions that take place involve:

At cathode: O2 + 2 H2O + 4 e-  4 OH-

At anode: 2 H2 + 4 OH-  4 H2O + 4 e-

Net result of these two reactions: 2 H2 + O2  2 H2O

 Sometimes, the reaction can be too slow and in such a situation a catalyst is used

 Usually, platinum or palladium is used to expedite the reaction

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 Fuel Cells - Types:

 1. PEM or Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells:

 Also known as “Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells”

 They have an operating temperature of 50-100 °C while conducting protons

 These cells consist of electrodes, bipolar plates (They uniformly distribute fuel gas and air, conduct
electrical current from cell to cell, remove heat from the active area, and prevent leakage of gases and
coolant), a polymer membrane, and a catalyst

 2. Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cells:

 It contain phosphoric acid as their electrolyte

 The operating temperature of these fuel cells is typically between 150-200 °C while they carry
the positively charged hydrogen ions

 It is the non-conductive nature of this electrolyte that forces the electrons to pass through the
cathode by completing an external circuit. However, the acidic nature corrodes the electrodes
and oxidizes during the process
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 Fuel Cells - Types:

 3. Solid Acid Fuel Cells:

 They work on either Cesium Hydrogen Sulfate, CsHSO 4, or Cesium Dihydrogen

Phosphate, CsH2PO4

 The molecular structure of the solid acid material works in a specific order at a
lower temperature. However, at a high temperature, conductivity can increase
significantly due to the phase transition

 Imagine you have a special material called a "solid acid." At low temperatures, the molecules in this material are
arranged in a specific order, kind of like neat rows of books on a shelf. This orderly arrangement makes it difficult
for electricity to flow through the material, so it doesn't conduct electricity well.

 However, when you heat up this material to a high temperature, something interesting happens. The molecules
start to move around a lot, like kids playing and running around. As they move, the neat rows of molecules break
apart, and a phase transition occurs, which is like changing from a calm day to a super exciting party!

 During this phase transition, the material becomes less organized, and this change actually allows electricity to
move more freely through the material. It's like creating lots of pathways for the electricity to travel, and this makes
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 Fuel Cells - Types:

 4. Alkaline Fuel Cells:

 They use an aqueous alkaline solution. This solution helps to saturate the permeable
milieu and helps in separating the electrodes (Here, "permeable milieu" refers to a
surrounding environment that allows liquids to pass through it)

 These cells operate at a temperature of 90 °C and are very efficient in producing

heat and water apart from electric power

 5. Solid Oxide Fuel Cells:

 They come with a solid oxide or a ceramic electrolyte like the Yttria-stabilized
Zirconia

 These low-cost cells are also very efficient. However, it operates at a very high
temperature. The standard operating temperature of these cells can be 600 °C and
1000 °C at the two extremes of the temperature scale
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 Fuel Cells - Types:

 6. Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells:

 They are powered by natural gas or biogas and use Lithium Potassium Carbonate
salt as its electrolyte. It turns liquid at high temperatures to help the carbonate ions
move

 These cells also have a very high operating temperature of more than 650 °C.
However, the electrolyte corrodes the anode and cathode of the cells for its high
operating temperature
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 Fuel Cells - Applications:

 Fuel cell technology is very useful and has a wide and varied range of
applications. A few of them include but are not limited to:

 Electric and eco-friendly vehicles

 Spaceships and space expeditions

 Electronic devices

 Military applications

 The byproducts of the fuel cells, in the form of heat and water,

are also very useful

 Also, in remote areas, fuel cells are used as a primary electrical source or as a backup.
It can also be used to power up cell phones, other appliances, and even households
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 Fuel Cells - Applications:

 Transportation: Fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) offer an alternative to internal combustion

engines, providing zero-emission transportation with longer driving ranges compared
to battery electric vehicles

 Stationary Power Generation: Fuel cells can be used to provide electricity and heat
for residential, commercial, and industrial applications, acting as efficient and clean
power sources

 Portable and Backup Power: Fuel cells are used in portable devices like laptops and
mobile phones, as well as backup power systems for critical infrastructure

and remote locations

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 Fuel Cells - Advantages:

 These are more efficient in comparison to any regular combustion engine since they do
not undergo a double conversion process

 These cells save wasteful emissions of greenhouse gases. It not only conserves energy but
creates heat and water as its byproducts

 These cells are consistent and more stable, reliable, and convenient to use because the
parts in them or around them need minimal or no movement

 The working process involves atom separation and is very clean, ergonomic, and is very
useful for preserving natural resources

 These cells are very easy to combine with other technologies such as solar panels and
turbines

 Most importantly, fuel cells can be manufactured or designed in different sizes, ranging
from very small to very large, to suit various applications and energy needs. Depending on
the need, these cells can generate electric power from a few watts to several megawatts
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 Fuel Cells – Challenges and limitations:

 Hydrogen Infrastructure: The widespread adoption of fuel cells is hindered by the limited
infrastructure for hydrogen production, distribution, and storage. Overcoming this challenge
requires significant investment and development of hydrogen infrastructure

 Cost: The cost of fuel cells, particularly those based on precious metals such as platinum,
remains relatively high. Research efforts focus on reducing costs through the use of alternative
catalyst materials and manufacturing improvements

 Durability and Lifespan: Fuel cells need to demonstrate long-term durability and reliability to
be competitive with other energy technologies. Enhancements in materials and cell design are
being pursued to address this challenge

 Fuel cell technology continues to advance, with ongoing research and

development efforts focusing on improving efficiency, durability, and reducing
costs to enable broader adoption in various sectors of the economy