5.3.3. Non-Conventional Sources of Energy

The growing consumption of energy has resulted in the country becoming increasingly dependent on fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas. Rising prices of oil and gas and their potential shortages have raised uncertainties about the security of energy supply in future, which in turn has serious repercussions on the growth of the national economy. Moreover, increasing use of fossil fuels also causes serious environmental problems. Hence, there is a pressing need to use renewable energy sources like solar energy, wind, tide, biomass and energy from waste material. These are called non-conventional energy sources.

This chunk introduces the concept of non-conventional energy sources. It highlights the dependency on fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas, which are finite and can cause environmental issues. It emphasizes the importance of transitioning to renewable sources such as solar, wind, tidal, biomass, and waste energy. These alternatives are necessary for sustainable energy security and economic growth.

Think of traditional energy sources like fossil fuels as a large cake that’s slowly being eaten. Eventually, the cake will run out, and if we don’t find other ways to ‘feed’ our energy needs, we will starve. Switching to renewable sources is like planting more trees to grow more cakes, allowing us to have a sustainable supply of energy without depleting resources.

It is obtained by altering the structure of atoms. When such an alteration is made, much energy is released in the form of heat and this is used to generate electric power. Uranium and Thorium, which are available in Jharkhand and the Aravalli ranges of Rajasthan are used for generating atomic or nuclear power. The Monazite sands of Kerala is also rich in Thorium.

This chunk explains nuclear energy, which is produced by changing the structure of atoms, a process called nuclear fission. When this happens, a significant amount of heat energy is released, which can be harnessed to generate electricity. It also mentions where the necessary materials, uranium and thorium, can be found in India, specifically in Jharkhand and Rajasthan, emphasizing the accessibility of these resources.

Think of nuclear energy like a tightly coiled spring. When the spring is released, it can 'uncoil' with a great force. Similarly, when atoms are altered, the energy that is tightly held within them is released explosively in a controlled manner to generate power.

India is a tropical country. It has enormous possibilities of tapping solar energy. Photovoltaic technology converts sunlight directly into electricity. Solar energy is fast becoming popular in rural and remote areas. Some big solar power plants are being established in different parts of India which will minimize the dependence of rural households on firewood and dung cakes, which in turn will contribute to environmental conservation and adequate supply of manure in agriculture.

This chunk discusses solar energy, a clean and renewable resource abundant in India due to its geographical location. Photovoltaic technology enables the conversion of sunlight into electricity, which is increasingly being adopted, especially in rural areas. By using solar energy instead of firewood or dung cakes for cooking and heating, households can reduce deforestation and maintain better soil quality for farming.

Imagine solar panels as modern-day leaves on a tree—just as leaves capture sunlight and convert it into energy for the tree, solar panels use sunlight to create electricity for our homes. By harnessing this energy, we can power our lives sustainably and reduce our reliance on polluting fuels.

India has great potential of wind power. The largest wind farm cluster is located in Tamil Nadu from Nagarcoil to Madurai. Apart from these, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Kerala, Maharashtra and Lakshadweep have important wind farms. Nagarcoil and Jaisalmer are well known for effective use of wind energy in the country.

This section elaborates on wind power, another non-conventional energy source. India benefits from strong winds, especially in Tamil Nadu, where large wind farms have been established. Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy of wind into electricity, providing a sustainable energy solution. It notes that other states also utilize wind energy, highlighting the country's diverse energy landscape.

Think of wind turbines as giant pinwheels. Just like you blow on a pinwheel to make it spin, the wind blows on these turbines' blades, causing them to rotate and generate electricity. This natural and abundant energy source can be harnessed to power homes and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

Shrubs, farm waste, animal and human waste are used to produce biogas for domestic consumption in rural areas. Decomposition of organic matter yields gas, which has higher thermal efficiency in comparison to kerosene, dung cake and charcoal. Biogas plants are set up at municipal, cooperative and individual levels. The plants using cattle dung are known as ‘Gobar gas plants’ in rural India. These provide twin benefits to the farmer in the form of energy and improved quality of manure.

Here, the focus is on biogas, an energy solution created from the decomposition of organic materials, including animal and human waste. Biogas is more efficient for heating than traditional fuels. Biogas plants can be established at various levels and allow farmers to utilize their waste effectively, generating energy while enhancing manure quality for agriculture.

Consider the biogas plant as a ‘magic box’ where waste materials go in, and clean energy comes out. Just like recycling helps the environment by repurposing items, biogas plants help by converting waste into valuable energy, benefiting both farmers and the planet.

Geothermal energy refers to the heat and electricity produced by using the heat from the interior of the Earth. Geothermal energy exists because the Earth grows progressively hotter with increasing depth. Where the geothermal gradient is high, high temperatures are found at shallow depths. Groundwater in such areas absorbs heat from the rocks and becomes hot. It is so hot that when it rises to the earth’s surface, it turns into steam. This steam is used to drive turbines and generate electricity. There are several hundred hot springs in India, which could be used to generate electricity. Two experimental projects have been set up in India to harness geothermal energy. One is located in the Parvati valley near Manikarn in Himachal Pradesh and the other is located in the Puga Valley, Ladakh.

In this chunk, geothermal energy is explained as energy harnessed from the Earth's internal heat, where temperature increases with depth. This heat heats groundwater to make steam, which is then used to generate electricity. India has sites, such as hot springs and experimental projects, to exploit this energy source, which is renewable, yet still in the early stages of use in the country.

Think of geothermal energy like a pot of boiling water. Just as heat from the burner turns water into steam to cook, geothermal energy uses the Earth's heat to create steam, which powers turbines to generate electricity. In areas where geothermal resources are accessible, it presents a clean, sustainable energy solution.

Oceanic tides can be used to generate electricity. Floodgate dams are built across inlets. During high tide, water flows into the inlet and gets trapped when the gate is closed. After the tide falls outside the floodgate, the water retained by the floodgate flows back to the sea via a pipe that carries it through a power-generating turbine. In India, the Gulf of Khambhat, the Gulf of Kuchchh in Gujarat on the western coast and Gangetic delta in Sunderban regions of West Bengal provide ideal conditions for utilizing tidal energy.

This section explains how tidal energy can be harnessed by using the natural movement of ocean tides. By constructing floodgate dams, water from high tides is captured and later released to drive turbines and produce electricity. Specific regions in India have been identified as suitable for tidal energy projects, indicating the potential for harnessing this energy resource.

Imagine the ocean tides like a giant pump. When the tide rises, it fills a container through a gate. When the tide goes back down, the water flows out through a pipe, creating pressure that turns a turbine to generate electricity. Just like waves at the beach can be fun to play with, they also hold the potential to power our homes in a clean and sustainable way.

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