MODULE IV-SE

CONSERVATION AND FORMS OF ENERGY

● According to german physicists Helmholtz and joule energy can neither be created
nor be destroyed. It can only be converted from one form to another.
● There are different forms of energy as follows:
Kinetic energy: Electrical energy
Nuclear energy
Potential Energy
Heat energy
Chemical energy
Radiant energy
● Most of the energy we use is produced by burning fossil fuels,such as coal.
● Fossil fuels are running out because of over exploitation for various
development activities.
● Energy from fossil fuels are non renewable so we need to think of sustainable
energy sources or renewable sources of energy.
TWO SOURCES OF ENERGY RESOURCES
● RENEWABLE ENERGY
● NON RENEWABLE ENERGY
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
● Energy obtained from nature.
● Renewable energy is considered as any energy source that is available
naturally on a continuous basis or can be continually generated over a short
period of time.
● Renewable energy sources are derived directly from sun (such as
thermal,photochemical and photoelectric),indirectly from the sun(such as
wind,hydropower and photosynthetic energy stored in biomass) or from
natural phenomena such as geothermal and tidal energy.
● Such energy may be called as green or sustainable energy.
● The most common sources of energy are
1.Solar energy
2.Wind energy
3.Hydropower energy
4.Geothermal energy
5.Tidal energy
6.Biomass energy
NON RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
● It is defined as a source that is not replaced on a continuous basis or is
replaced only very slowly,but depend completely on natural resources.
● Fossil fuels are considered non-renewable because they are produced by the
decay of plants and animals that may take millions of years.
● Petroleum,coal,Natural gas,Uranium and Thorium are considered as non
renewable resources.
● Many environmental effects are associated with fuel consumption.
● Fossil fuel combustion releases large quantities of carbon dioxide into the
atmosphere contributing to global warming.
● Combustion of fossil releases oxides of nitrogen and sulphur into the air
which can accelerate the formation of photochemical smog or acid rain.
Comparing energy sources
SOLAR ENERGY
● It is most readily available and cheapest source of energy.
● It is also the most important of the non-conventional sources of energy
because it is non polluting and helps in reducing greenhouse effect.
● After dramatic increase in oil prices ,several countries began to formulate
extensive research and development programmes to exploit solar energy.
● When we dry clothes in sunlight,we use the energy of the sun.
● In the same way solar panels absorb the energy of the sun to provide heat for
cooking and for heating water.
● Such systems are now available in markets and used in households.
SOLAR ENERGY UTILIZATION AND CONVERSION
● A wide range of power technologies exist which can make use of the solar
energy reaching earth and convert them into different useful forms of energy.
● Solar energy utilization can be of two types

1.Direct solar power

2. Indirect solar power

Direct solar power
It involves only one step transformation in to usable form

Examples

1.sunlight hits photovoltaic cells generating electricity.

2.sunlight hits the dark absorber surface of a solar thermal collector and the
surface warms.The heat energy may be carried away by a fluid circuit.
INDIRECT SOLAR POWER
It involves more than one transformation to reach a usable form

Examples

1.Vegetation uses photosynthesis to convert solar energy to chemical

energy,which can later be burnt as fuel to generate electricity.

2.energy obtained from oil,coal originated as solar energy captured by vegetation

in the remote geological past and fossilized.Hence the term fossil fuel.
HOW DO SOLAR PANEL WORKS
● Solar panels collect clean renewable energy in the form of sunlight and convert
that light into electricity which can then be used to provide power for electrical
loads.
● Solar panels are comprised of several individual solar cells which are themselves
composed of layers of silicon, phosphorous (which provides the negative charge),
and boron (which provides the positive charge).
● Solar panels absorb the photons and in doing so initiate an electric current.
● The resulting energy generated from photons striking the surface of the solar
panel allows electrons to be knocked out of their atomic orbits and released into
the electric field generated by the solar cells which then pull these free electrons
into a directional current. This entire process is known as the Photovoltaic Effect.
● An average home has more than enough roof area for the necessary number of
solar panels to produce enough solar electricity to supply all of its power needs
excess electricity generated goes onto the main power grid, paying off in
electricity use at night.
●
● In a well-balanced grid-connected configuration, a solar array generates power during
the day that is then used in the home at night.
● Net metering programs allow solar generator owners to get paid if their system
produces more power than what is needed in the home.
● In off-grid solar applications, a battery bank, charge controller, and in most cases, an
inverter are necessary components.

->The solar array sends direct current (DC) electricity through the charge controller to
the battery bank.

->The power is then drawn from the battery bank to the inverter, which converts the DC
current into alternating current (AC) that can be used for non-DC appliances.
-> Assisted by an inverter, solar panel arrays can be sized to meet the most demanding
electrical load requirements. The AC current can be used to power loads in homes or
commercial buildings, recreational vehicles and boats, remote cabins, cottages, or homes,
remote traffic controls, telecommunications equipment, oil and gas flow monitoring
ADVANTAGES OF SOLAR ENERGY
1.Pollution free

2.sustainable energy source

3.facilities can operate with little maintenance .

4.Solar power is economical.

5.Solar power is viewed as a local resource.

DISADVANTAGES OF SOLAR ENERGY
● SOLAR power is practical only in certain areas with a favourable climate and
latitude.
● It is not available at night and is reduced when there is cloud cover.
● It must be converted into some other form of energy to be stored for times.
● Solar cell technologies produce DC power which must be converted to the AC
power when used in distribution grids.
APPLICATIONS OF SOLAR ENERGY
1.DOMESTIC LIGHTING
2.STREET LIGHTING
3.VILLAGE ELECTRIFICATION
4.WATER PUMPING
5.DESALINATION OF SALTY WATER
6.RAILWAY SIGNALS
7.POWER TO LIGHT HOUSES
8.SOLAR COOKER
9.SOLAR HEATER
SOLAR CELLS OR PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
● SOLAR CELLS OR PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS ARE SEMICONDUCTOR
DEVICES THAT CONVERT SUNLIGHT INTO DIRECT CURRENT
ELECTRICITY.
● AS LONG AS LIGHT IS SHINING ON THE SOLAR CELL IT GENERATES
ELECTRIC POWER.WHEN THE LIGHT STOPS ELECTRICITY STOPS.
WORKING OF A SOLAR CELL
● Semiconductors have the capacity to absorb light and collects carriers and
conducts the electrical current in specific direction.
● Solar cell is semiconductor diode that efficiently absorb and convert light
energy from sun into electrical energy.
●
FUEL CELLS
● A fuel cell is an electro chemical cell in which the chemical energy of the fuel
oxidant system is directly converted into electrical energy. It is an energy
conversion device or electricity generator.
● A fuel cell operates like a galvanic cell with exception that the reactants are
supplied from outside.
●
Hydro oxygen fuel cell
● Important example of fuel cell is hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell.
● Fuel cell is having two electrodes and an electrolyte.
● The two electrodes are made up of porous graphite filled with finely divided
platinum catalyst.
● The electrolyte used is potassium hydroxide solution.
● Hydrogen and oxygen gases are bubbled through the anode and cathode
compartments
● Hydrogen is oxidized at the anode whereas the oxygen gets reduced at the
cathode.
● Large number of these cells are stacked together in series to make a battery
called fuel cell battery.
●
Advantages of fuel cells
● The energy conversion efficiency is very high.
● They are used as power sources in space crafts.
● Noise and thermal pollution are very low.
● It saves fossil fuels.Sustainable source of energy.
● It is light ,compatible and simple to operate.
● The product of hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell is pure water.
● They are modular and the maintenance cost is very low.
● They can be stacked and connected in series to generate higher voltage.
●
Limitations of Fuel cells
● The cost of power from a fuel cell is high as a result of the cost of electrodes
and pure hydrogen gas.
● As the fuels used are gases they have to be stored in big tanks under high
pressure.
● Their initial cost is high.
WIND ENERGY
Wind energy is used for sailing,windmill,kites etc

● Scatters plants.
● Helps birds rest their wings during flight.
● Blows dead leaves from plants
● Pushes clouds across the sky
● Makes waves on sea and lakes.
● Wind was a major source of transportation,grinding grain and pumping water.
● Windmills and watermills were the largest power sources before the invention
of steam engine.
ADVANTAGES OF WIND ENERGY
● Renewable energy:- wind energy is a renewable energy which can be produced
again and again.
● Reduces fossil fuel consumption:-
● Less air and water Pollution.
● Initial Cost
The main cost is the installation of wind turbines.The land used to install turbines is
used for agriculture purposes.It is considered as a cheap,reliable,steady source of
energy for all nations.
● Creates more jobs:
It creates job for local community.from the installation of wind turbines to the
maintenance of the area where turbines are located.
DISADVANTAGES OF WIND ENERGY
● HIGHER INITIAL INVESTMENT
● GOOD WIND SITES ARE OFTEN LOCATED IN REMOTE AREAS.

Transmission lines must be built to bring the electricity from wind farm to the
city.

● WIND RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT MAY NOT BE THE PROFITABLE USE

OF THE LAND.
● TURBINES MAY CAUSE NOISE POLLUTION
● THE TURBINE BLADES MAY DAMAGE LOCAL WILD LIFE
GEOTHERMAL ENERGY

● Geothermal energy is the energy stored in the form of heat below the earth’s
surface.
● Its potential is limitless in human terms and its energy is comparable to the
sun.
● Geothermal heat and water have been used for thousands of years.
METHODS FOR UTILIZING GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
Geothermal energy can be utilized by two methods

1.Geothermal power plants.

2.Geothermal pumps.
1.HOt water is pumped from underground through a well under high pressure

2. When the water reaches the surface,the pressure is dropped,turning the water
to steam.

3.The steam spins a turbine which is connected to a generator that produces

electricity.

4.The cooled water is pumped back into the earth to begin the process again.
GEOTHERMAL POWER PLANTS
● Geothermal power plants use heat from deep inside the earth to generate
steam to make electricity.
● In geothermal power plant wells are drilled 1 or 2 miles deep into the earth to
pump steam or hot water to the surface.
GEOTHERMAL PUMPS
● Geothermal pumps tap in heat close to earth’s surface to heat water or
provide heat for building.
● Geothermal heat pumps can be used for cooling and warming houses .
● The system transfer heat by pumping water or refrigerant through pipes just
below the earth’s surface.
● During winter the water or refrigerant absorbs warmth from the earth and
pump brings this heat to the buildings above.
● In the summer,some heat pumps can run in reverse direction and help cool
buildings.
It works as follows.

1.Water or refrigerator moves through a loop of pipes.

2.When the weather is cold,the water or refrigerator heaters up as it travels

through the part of loop that is buried underground.

3.Once it gets back above ground,the warmed water or refrigerant transfers heat
in to building.

4.Water or refrigerator cools down after its heat is transferred.It is pumped back
underground where it heats up once more,starting the process again.
● On a hot day,the system can run reverse.The water or refrigerator cools the
building and then is pumped underground where extra heat is transferred to
the ground .
Advantages of Geothermal energy
● The utilization of geothermal energy eliminates emissions of co2,so2,NO and
other harmful wastes.
● It is renewable source of energy.
● It is non-polluting and environment friendly.
● There is no waste generation or by products.
● Geothermal energy can be used directly.
● Maintenance cost of geothermal power plant is comparatively low.
● Geothermal power plants don’t occupy too much space and thus help in
protecting the environment.
● Unlike solar energy it is not dependent on the weather conditions.
●
●
Disadvantages of Geothermal Energy
● The energy potential depends on the geothermal sites,only few sites have the
potential.
● The total generation potential is low.
● There is always a danger of volcano.
● Installation cost of steam power plant is very high.
● There is no guarantee that the amount of energy which is produced will justify
the capital expenditure and operating cost.
● It may release some harmful,Poisonous gases that can escape through holes
drilled during construction.
TIDAL ENERGY AND OCEAN POWER
● Tidal energy or tidal power is a form of hydro power that utilizes large amount
of energy within the oceans tides to generate electricity.
● Earth uses the gravitational forces of both the moon and sun everyday to
move vast quantities of water around the oceans and seas producing tides.

Different types of Tidal energy systems

Based on the tidal power generating method it can be classified in to

1.Tidal Barrage

2.Tidal Stream
TIDAL BARRAGE

● A tidal barrage is a dam-like structure used to capture the energy from masses of water moving in and
out of a bay or river due to tidal forces.
● This dam has a number of underwater tunnels cut into its width allowing sea water to flow through them
in a controllable way using “sluice gates”.
● Fixed within tunnels are huge water turbines generators that spin as the water rushes past them
generating tidal energy.
● Tidal barrage make use of the potential energy in the difference in height between high and low tides.
● Tidal barrages generate electricity using the differnce in the vertical height between the incoming high
tides and the outgoing low tides.
● As the tide ebbs and flows,sea water is allowed to flow in or out of the reservoir through a one way
underwater tunnel sytem.
● This flow of tidal water back and forth causes the water turbine generators located within tunnel to rotate
producing tidal energy with special generators used to produce electricity on both incoming and
outgoing tides.
DISADVANTAGES OF TIDAL BARRAGES
● It can generate electricity when the tide is actually flowing either in or out as
during high and low tide times.
ADVANTAGES OF TIDAL POWER
● Renewable energy
● Produce green and free energy.
● Low noise pollution
● High predictability as high and low tides can be predicted years in advance
● Tidal barrage provide protection against flooding and land damage.
DISADVANTAGES OF TIDAL ENERGY
● It is not a constant source of energy as it depends on the strength and flow of
tides.
● Tidal energy requires a suitable site,where the tides and tidal streams are
consistently strong.
● High power distribution costs to send the generated power from the
submerged devices to the land using underwater cables.
● Damage to fish and marine ecosystem as they get stuck in barrage or sucked
through the tidal turbine blades.It can accidently kill swimming sea life with
rotating blades.
●
SMALL HYDROPOWER PLANTS
● Water flowing through a dam turns a turbine which turns a generator.
COMPONENTS OF A CONVENTIONAL HYDROPOWER PLANT
1.DAM:- Holds back water creating large reservoir.
2.INTAKE:- Gates on the dam open and gravitational force pulls the water
through the penstock,a pipeline that leads to the turbine.Water builds up
pressure as it flows through the pipe.
3 TURBINE:- The water strikes and turns the large blades of a turbine,which
is attached to a generator above it through a shaft.The most common type of
turbines for hydropower plant is the Francis Turbine,which looks like a big disc
with curved blades.
4.Generators:-As the turbine blades turn,magnets inside the generator rotate the
copper coils,producing alternating current by moving electrons.
5.Transformer:-The transformer inside the powerhouse takes the AC and converts
it to high voltage current.
6.Power lines:-Out of every power plant come out transmission wires for onward
transmission.
7 Outflow-Used water is carried through pipelines and reenters the river down
stream.
ADVANTAGES OF SMALL HYDRO PLANTS
● Minimal environmental impact,because it uses river water and return it
unchanged.
● Little intervention in nature
● Flood control power plants and their facilities can contribute to flood control.
● Relatively short time from construction to operation.
● Competitive energy price.
● Predictable and reliable energy production.
●
Assignment No 2 & 3 submission date :-21/12/22
1.Explain the concept of Life cycle Assessment.(CO3)
2.Explain bio gas plant using a small sketch(CO4)

Assignment NO=3
1.Differentiate between sustainable and unsustainable cities
2 Write note on environmentally sustainable transport