Energy Sources and Their Types

Energy

• Energy is the capacity of a physical system to perform work.
• Energy exists in various forms, including heat, kinetic energy, mechanical energy, light, potential energy, and electrical energy.

Sources of Energy

• Conventional Energy Sources: These are traditional energy sources, like coal and petroleum. They are finite and will eventually run out.
• Renewable Energy Sources: These are natural energy sources that are not limited and can be used again and again, including sunlight , wind, rain, tides, geothermal heat, and biomass.

Conventional Energy Sources: Natural Gas

• Natural gas in its purest form is primarily methane but also contains other substances like ethane, propane, butane, and carbon dioxide.
• After refining, it is colorless and odorless.
• It can be burned to release large amounts of energy.

Conventional Energy Sources: Coal

• Coal releases significant energy when burned due to the high density of hydrocarbons within its structure.
• Coal forms from dead plants subjected to immense pressure and heat over millions of years.
• Four grades of coal exist: lignite, subbituminous, bituminous, and anthracite.
• Bituminous coal is the most commonly mined due to its high energy-releasing capacity.

Conventional Energy Sources: Petroleum

• Petroleum forms from compressed animal and plant remains over millions of years.
• It is usually located deep underground and needs to be drilled for extraction.
• Petroleum is refined into various products, including gasoline, heavy fuel oil, and diesel fuel.

Advantages of Conventional Energy Sources

• Proven technologies
• Provide energy consistently, regardless of weather conditions
• Relatively low financial costs currently compared to alternative sources

Disadvantages of Conventional Energy Sources

• Nonrenewable resources, meaning they will eventually run out
• Release greenhouse gases (e.g., carbon dioxide), contributing to global warming
• Release other pollutants (e.g., sulfur and nitrogen oxides), leading to acid rain and posing health risks (e.g., mercury exposure).

Renewable Energy Sources

• Renewable energy is natural energy with an unlimited supply that can be used repeatedly.
• Examples include sunlight, wind, rain, tides, geothermal heat, and biomass. (naturally replenished)
• It is an alternative to fossil fuels and nuclear power and was commonly known as alternative energy.

Renewable Energy Sources: A List of Sources:

• Biomass
• Hydro
• Geothermal
• Solar
• Tidal
• Wave
• Wind
• Wood

Renewable Energy Sources: Renewable energy replaces conventional fuels in:

• Power generation
• Water/space heating
• Transport fuels
• Rural (off-grid) energy services

Renewable Energy Sources: Wind Energy

• Wind power utilizes airflows to run turbines.
• Modern turbines range from 600 kW to 5 MW in rated power.
• 1.5-3 MW turbines are most common for commercial use.
• Power output directly correlates with the cube of wind speed (i.e., increased wind speed results in a dramatic increase in power output).
• Favorable sites for wind farms include offshore and high-altitude locations where winds are stronger and more consistent.
• Typical capacity factors for wind farms are between 20% and 40%, with higher values in more favorable locations.

Renewable Energy Sources: Hydropower

• Energy can be harnessed from water (800 times denser than air).
• Even slow-flowing streams can yield considerable energy.
• Micro hydro systems typically generate up to 100kW and are often used in remote areas.
• Damless hydro systems utilize kinetic energy from rivers and oceans without dams.
• Ocean energy encompasses technologies like marine current power, ocean thermal energy conversion, and tidal power.

Renewable Energy Sources: Hydropower – Hydroelectric Power Generation

• Power transmission cables connect to transformers
• Power is generated in a power house
• Turbine is powered by flowing water
• Sluice gates control water flow
• Water stored in a dam creates a significant potential energy source.

Renewable Energy Sources: Solar Energy

• Derived from solar radiation.
• Photovoltaic and heat engines are used for electrical generation.
• Applications include space heating, cooling, lighting, hot water, cooking, and industrial process heat.

Renewable Energy Sources: Passive and Active Solar Technologies

• Characterized as either passive or active based on solar energy capture, conversion, and distribution methods.
• Active technologies use photovoltaic panels and solar thermal collectors.
• Passive techniques focus on building orientation, material selection, and space design to optimize natural air circulation.

Renewable Energy Sources: Biomass

• Renewable energy source derived from plant material (sunlight stored).
• Production methods include specifically growing plants for energy or using plant residues.
• Can be used to produce electricity.

Renewable Energy Sources: Tidal Energy

• Unlimited and inexhaustible source of energy.
• The Gulfs of Kutch in India are suited for utilizing tidal energy.
• Utilizes energy from high and low tides that enter into smaller creeks.
• Specific technical components for tidal energy include a removable cassette, gravity base, turbine, generator, and a duct.

Renewable Energy Sources: Biofuel

• Liquid biofuels include bioethanol (from sugar/starch crops) and biodiesel (from vegetable oils/animal fats).
• Bioethanol is produced through fermentation.
• Can be used as a fuel or additive in some cases.

Renewable Energy Sources: Geothermal Energy

• Tapping the heat of the Earth, either from deep within its crust or at shallower depths.
• Used for heat pumps in various locations.
• Power stations are expensive to build.
• Operating costs are low.
• Geothermal energy sources are found at active volcanic areas or shallower depths.
• There are three different types of geothermal power plants: dry steam, flash, and binary.

Advantages of Renewable Energy

• Continuous supply; can be replenished.
• Not depleting.
• Often non-polluting.
• Usually available locally.

Disadvantages of Renewable Energy

• Difficult to produce large quantities of electricity (high initial cost).
• Often need backing-up sources if weather dependent.
• Some sources are geographic dependent (e.g., location of solar resources).

This quiz explores the various forms of energy, distinguishing between conventional and renewable energy sources. It focuses on specific types like natural gas and coal, detailing their composition and energy capacities. Test your knowledge on energy and its classifications.