MODULE 1.

Overview of renewable energy sources

MODULE 2. Characterization of Biomass

MODULE 3. Thermochemical conversion Technology (TCCT)

MODULE 4. Biochemical conversion Technology-Biogas...

MODULE 5. Bio-fuels (BCCT)

MODULE 6. Solar Energy Conversion System (SECS)

MODULE 7. Hydro-Energy Conversion System (HECS)

MODULE 8. Wind Energy Conversion System (WECS)

MODULE 9. Ocean Energy Conversion System (OECS)

MODULE 10. Energy conservation in agriculture

LESSON 1. Classification of energy sources

Classification of energy sources

About 70% of India's energy generation capacity is from fossil fuels, with coal accounting for 40% of
India's total energy consumption followed by crude oil and natural gas at 24% and 6% respectively. India
is largely dependent on fossil fuel imports to meet its energy demands — by 2030, India's dependence
on energy imports is expected to exceed 53% of the country's total energy consumption. In 2009-10, the
country imported 159.26 million tonnes of crude oil which amount to 80% of its domestic crude oil
consumption and 31% of the country's total imports are oil imports. The growth of electricity generation
in India has been hindered by domestic coal shortages and as a consequence, India's coal imports for
electricity generation increased by 18% in 2010.

Due to rapid economic expansion, India has one of the world's fastest growing energy markets and is
expected to be the second-largest contributor to the increase in global energy demand by 2035,
accounting for 18% of the rise in global energy consumption. Given India's growing energy demands and
limited domestic fossil fuel reserves, the country has ambitious plans to expand its renewable and
nuclear power industries. India has the world's fifth largest wind power market and plans to add about
20GW of solar power capacity by 2022.India also envisages to increase the contribution of nuclear
power to overall electricity generation capacity from 4.2% to 9% within 25 years. The country has five
nuclear reactors under construction (third highest in the world) and plans to construct 18 additional
nuclear reactors (second highest in the world) by 2025.

Types of Energy

Basically energy can be classified into two types:

Potential Energy

Kinetic Energy

Potential Energy

Potential energy is stored energy and the energy of position (gravitational). It exists in various forms.

Kinetic Energy

Kinetic energy is energy in motion- the motion of waves, electrons, atoms, molecules and substances. It
exists in various forms.

Various Forms of Energy

Chemical Energy
Chemical energy is the energy stored in the bonds of atoms and molecules. Biomass, petroleum, natural
gas, propane and coal are examples of stored chemical energy.

Nuclear Energy

Nuclear energy is the energy stored in the nucleus of an atom - the energy that holds the nucleus
together. The nucleus of a uranium atom is an example of nuclear energy.

Stored Mechanical Energy

Stored mechanical energy is energy stored in objects by the application of a force. Compressed springs
and stretched rubber bands are examples of stored mechanical energy.

Gravitational Energy

Gravitational energy is the energy of place or position. Water in a reservoir behind a hydropower dam is
an example of gravitational energy. When the water is released to spin turbines, it becomes rotational
energy.

Radiant Energy

Radiant energy is electromagnetic energy that travels in transverse waves. Radiant energy includes
visible light, x-rays, gamma rays and radio waves. Solar energy is an example of radiant energy.

Thermal Energy

Thermal energy (or heat) is the internal energy in substances- the vibration and movement of atoms and
molecules within substances. Geothermal energy is an example of thermal energy.

Electrical Energy

Electrical energy is the movement of electrons. Lightning and electricity are examples of electrical
energy.

Motion

The movement of objects or substances from one place to another is motion. Wind and hydropower are
examples of motion.

Sound

Sound is the movement of energy through substances in longitudinal (compression/rarefaction) waves.

Light Energy

Light energy is a type of wave motion. That is, light is a form of energy caused by light waves. It enables
us to see, as objects are only visible when they reflect light into our eyes
Nuclear Energy

Nuclear energy is a controversial energy source. It is not a renewable energy source, but because it is a
technology not based on fossil fuels many people think nuclear power plants could play an important
role in reducing carbon emissions and battling climate change. However, many others feel the risk of
accidents and the issues of storing nuclear waste for thousands of years are too significant to warrant
the development of this energy source.

Classification of energy resources

The various sources of energy can be conveniently grouped as

Commercial primary energy resources:Non-renewable sources of energy or conventional sources of

energy are being accumulated in nature for a very long time and can’t be replaced if exhausted. Nature
gifted resources which are consumed can’t be replaced. Eg: coal, petroleum, natural gas, thermal power,
hydro power and nuclear power are the main conventional sources of energy.

Renewable sources of energy: Energy sources, which are continuously and freely produced in the nature
and are not exhaustible are known as the renewable sources of energy. Eg: solar energy, biomass and
wood energy, geo thermal energy, wind energy, tidal energy and ocean energy. But main attention has
to be directed to the following sources of renewable namely, a) solar photovoltaic, b) wind, and c)
hydrogen fuel cell.

New sources of energy: The new sources of energy are available for local exploitation. In many cases,
autonomous and small power plants can be built to avoid transmission losses. Most prominent new
sources of energy are tidal energy, ocean waves, OTEC, peat, tar sand, oil shales, coal tar, geo thermal
energy, draught animals, agricultural residues etc., The total energy production in India is 14559×1015
joules. 93% of India’s requirement of commercial energy is being met by fossil fuels, with coal
contributing 56%, and oil and natural gas contributing 37%. Waterpower and nuclear power contributing
only 7% of total energy production. Comparing the total energy production in India from commercial
sources with that of world, it is only 3.5% of total world production.