Energy: Alternative Sources English-1 Unit-4

Energy: Alternative Sources (Unit 4)

Energy is derived from the natural elements that are available in the world. They are converted and utilised for domestic, daily and industrial purposes. The conventional or traditional energy sources are fossil fuels. Combustion of these fossil fuels emits harmful gases and pollutes the environment. Also, these resources are depleting. Hence, we look for the alternative energy sources.

The alternative energy sources should cause no harm to environment. They shouldn't cause pollution. In short, the alternative energy sources are those that are freely available in nature, eco-friendly and renewable. The main reason to look for alternative sources of energy is to reduce pollution, to lessen the expenses and to save the depleting sources of energy.

The following are the alternative sources of energy:

Solar
Water
Wind
Bio
Geo thermal

Solar energy

The geographical location of India is an added advantage to use the solar light. The radiant light and heat from the sun is harnessed and converted to power. It can replace electricity, fuel and gas. This energy is endless, affordable and available for free. It emits no harmful gases and hence called the clean energy.

Major drawback is that we need vast areas of land to install solar panels. This land remains occupied for several years. Less energy is harnessed during cloudy days and nights.

Wind energy

The power of wind propels the blades of turbines. They cause rotation of magnets which generates electricity. Wind energy is widely used in Germany, Spain, UK and other European countries. Earlier, wind power was used to crush grains and to pump water. Now, it is being harnessed and is being used for a variety of purposes like domestic, farming, small and large scale.

Wind power is environment friendly. It causes no pollution. It is renewable and never runs out. The wind mills are easy to maintain. The major benefit of using wind power is that farming and grazing can still take place on land occupied by wind turbines.

The only drawback is that consistent wind is needed for continuous generation of power. Also, only a few windy parts of world can utilise this energy. In India, states like Tamilnadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Rajasthan are using this wind energy.

Water energy

Water is harnessed in dams and electricity is produced. Constant energy can be generated as per demand. Water used for hydal power can be reused. Water energy doesn't cause any pollution. No waste is produced during generation of power.

Bio energy

Biomass is converted into solid, liquid or gas form of energy. Bio fuel is the fuel produced from living organisms. Bio diesel produced from vegetable oils and animal fats can be used as fuel for vehicles. Eg: soya diesel.

Geothermal
Earth's internal heat is stored and used to generate electricity. These plants can be built easily. But improper drilling may release dangerous minerals and gases. Also, this energy is available only at areas near tectonic plate boundaries.

All these renewable resources replace conventional fuels. They are suitable to both large and small scale firms. Even remote and rural areas get benefitted from renewable resources.
There is a strong public support for usage of wind and solar energies. All these alternative energy sources are the best for developing countries. They have the ability to lift the poorest nations to new levels of prosperity.

Drawbacks of electricity (Page 67)

Advantages

·         Electricity is versatile. It can perform a range of tasks.

·         It is silent energy.

·         It is very fast, virtually the speed of light.

·         It is transformable. It can be used to produce other forms of energy such as radio waves and microwaves.

·         It can be stored for later use.

·         It can be used to produce magnetic fields.

·         It reduces combustion of biomass and its impact on environment.

Disadvantages

·         Electricity is dangerous. High voltage lines are a threat to plant, animals and people living near them. It may give shocks and may cause deaths too.

·         The magnetic fields are harmful and unhealthy.

·         Too much dependence on electricity makes people unable to work without it in times of emergency.

·         Electricians need years of training. Developing nations can't afford the cost.

Problems involved in producing and using electricity in India

·         Inadequate connectivity results in high demand of electricity.

·         Water disputes arise between states.

·         Generation of electricity reduces with less or no rainfall

·         Theft of power in villages and towns (for domestic and agricultural use; for lighting purpose during festivals and other occasions) leads to bankruptcy.

A device for rural India--Pedal power (page 68)

Here, we consider two alternative sources of energy--the peal power and the wind power. Of these two, pedal power is the best. The resource we need is the human muscles. The machinery needed is just pedals. This device is light in weight and is less expensive. No technical knowledge is necessary to construct it. Local construction is possible and maintenance is simple enough. The operator has to just stand on the pedals and start pedalling rhythmically to pump out water continuously. Pedal power can be used for domestic and agricultural purposes.

In case of wind power, the necessary resource wind is not available in all areas. It can be used for domestic, agricultural and large scale purposes. Though the maintenance is simple enough, construction needs some familiarity with machinery and technical knowledge.

Other alternative sources of energy (page 71)

There are other alternative energy sources which the world is looking at, to make optimal utilisation of all the natural and renewable resources. Intensive research is being carried out to discover viable alternative sources of energy to protect natural resources and environment. When consumption of natural resources is more than its availability, there is a need for an alternative source. Development is also a major factor in the adoption of an alternative energy source. Because, development involves technology which happens to use more and more resources. This excessive use causes depletion of natural resources which make us search for other alternative sources of energy.

1. Solar-powered car sets new world record

A team of Canadian students has proved that solar power can be effectively used instead of regular fuel to run a car. They ran a car (radiance) with solar panels for over 30 days and travelled 7,044 kilometers. They have demonstrated the power of renewable energy to people along their route. It is proved that solar power is less expensive when compared to fuel.

2. Iceland's economy

Iceland is going to become the world's first hydrogen-powered economy. The country's electricity is produced by geothermal energy and hydropower. They plan to run their vehicles with hydrogen fuel cells. It would reduce their annual oil bill to zero.

3. Offshore wind

The UK is one of the windiest countries in Europe. Two of world's most powerful wind turbines are to be raised off the UK coast. These twin turbines are the largest ever to be erected. They will be installed at a depth of 8 meters. This offshore wind would serve the UK's electricity needs three times over.

4. Seaweed power

Biomass fuel is a source of energy derived from living organisms, commonly plant residue. Marine Biomass is used to produce electricity and fuels. It has an added advantage of being grown in the ocean, freeing valuable agricultural land. Seaweed is farmed in China, Japan and Philippines for biomass every year.

5. Biogas plants

Animal dung is converted into biogas and nitrogen fertiliser. Animal dung can be supplemented by organic wastes, wild grass, water plants etc. Biogas can be used as a fuel for domestic cooking for running diesel engines.

6. Wave power from the west

The European researchers have invented a new device for harnessing the power of the waves. It is called the 'wave energy device’. It extends 14 meters below the surface of the sea. These turbines oscillate owing to the movement of waves.

Though we search for other alternative sources, we can't say that any one of these sources can be universally applied. Some countries have the benefit of solar energy while some countries have more wind power. Not all resources are available in all countries.  But, we can say that biomass is universally applicable. Because, any developed, developing or under developed nation will have the plant and animal kingdom and farming. So, the crop waste, plant and animal residues can be utilised.

Writing--Energy for India (page 76)

India has varied energy needs like electricity, fuel and gas. We need various energies to serve sectors like agriculture, education, health, automobile etc. The quest for sources of these energies is being done. There is a need to depend on renewable sources of energy like solar, wind, water, bio and geothermal. Of all these forms of energy, solar power is considered to be suitable for India.
India's geographical location makes it advantageous to use the solar power at length. Though wind energy has less maintenance, we can't find wind in every region and the blades may take the life of birds. Bio energy may cause some pollution to environment. Geo thermal is available in only a few places. Water energy is advantageous but electricity cannot be produced when there is less rainfall. After assessing the pros and cons of all the forms, we can confirm that solar power is the best of all.

Solar power is considered the cleanest form of energy. It is available for free and is unending. Both rural and urban areas get benefitted from this energy. It can replace all the energy needs of India as it can replace electricity, fuel and gas.

DRE Mini-grid plants in Bihar (page 78-80)

The DRE (Decentralised Renewable Energy) mini grids are the plants that are introduced by the state government of Bihar under SPRD programme. This SPRD (Smart Power for Rural Development) is started under the Smart Power India which aims at providing continued power to rural areas. Some entrepreneurs are given the opportunity to run these grids.
Raj Kumar Shah was one such person who was able to earn profits from a state of being into debts. Bihar has now 25 operational plants. They serve households, shops and commercial customers.
These grids are based on Solar, Biomass and Hybrid (solar+biomass) technology. They make use of vast lands of Bihar to cultivate biomass and to construct solar plants for energy generation. These grids focus on productive use, by creating an eco system that drives socio economic development.
These grids fulfill the efforts of state government towards rural electrification.