Chapitre 1
Chapitre 1
Specialty: Master 1 CE
From the inception of the industrial revolution, there has been a progressive
adoption of oil as a primary energy source. In recent decades, this surge has
Associated problem:
Depletion of finite energy resources.
Emission of carbon dioxide (CO2) through hydrocarbon combustion, contributing significantly to
global warming.
Air and water pollution leading to health problems, allergies, and more.
Potential disasters stemming from nuclear accidents.
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Substantial environmental hazards.
Crude oil and its derived products
Unrefined crude oil, in its natural state before undergoing the refining process,
contains not only carbon and hydrogen but also other elements. Sulfur is the
composition. Nitrogen and oxygen are also present, albeit in smaller amounts,
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Coal
Similar to crude oil, coal is classified as a fossil fuel. Its formation process
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Natural Gas
Deep underground, hydrocarbons created through pyrolysis can experience cracking
reactions, leading to their conversion into progressively lighter alkanes. This process
continues until they ultimately transform into methane (CH4), which is the simplest of
all alkanes and constitutes the primary component of natural gas, typically comprising
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Nuclear Energy
Nuclear energy harnesses the power of atomic reactions, primarily through nuclear fission.
In electricity generation, this process involves splitting atoms to release a significant amount of
energy, which is used to heat water and produce steam to drive turbines, ultimately
generating electricity.
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Traditional energy sources
Starting from the 19th century, in industrialized countries, there was a gradual shift away from
renewable energies in favor of other energy sources that were perceived as more promising.
However, in the years that followed, concerns related to atmospheric pollution, global
warming, the risks associated with nuclear power, and resource constraints have
development.
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Definition Renewable Energies
Sun, which powers the water cycle, tides, wind, and plant growth, and the
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Solar energy source
Solar resource assessment involves collecting data that describes variations in
solar radiation over time. This data is essential for accurately sizing and
The precision of solar resource knowledge depends on factors such as: the
time intervals (e.g., monthly, daily, or hourly), and the nature of data
The movement of air masses, driven by the interplay of solar radiation and
patterns. This air movement carries kinetic energy, influenced by air density
and wind speed. Data on wind characteristics is essential for assessing the wind
resource. Wind resources are widespread and can produce significant electricity
with current technology. The most potent winds typically found between
latitudes of 50° and 60° and over open seas. The actual electricity production
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from wind turbines depends on their specific attributes.
Hydraulic potential
When the water in geothermal reservoirs partially vaporizes, it turns into dry
power plants. However, such steam deposits are relatively uncommon. The most
Matsukawa in Japan.
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Regarding hot water reservoirs:
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Using fractured rocks:
The process involves harnessing heat from deep underground within naturally
fractured rock formations by injecting water:
Cold water is injected at a depth of around 5,000 meters through a well.
The water flows through fractures, heating up to over 200°C upon contact with
the hot rock.
The power plant pumps the water to the surface through a second well.
On the surface, a heat exchanger converts the hot water from the primary circuit
into steam in the secondary circuit.
The steam drives a turbine and an alternator to generate electricity.
The water is then returned to the underground rocks. 20
This technique is currently under development in Soultz-sous-Forêts, France.
Geothermal energy offers the advantage of not relying on atmospheric conditions
(such as sun, rain, or wind) compared to other renewable energy sources.
Geothermal deposits can have a lifespan of several decades.
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Solar Energy
The conversion of solar energy into electricity or heat through solar panels or
collectors is a vital process. The sun stands as the primary source of various
renewable energy forms accessible on Earth. There are two primary categories of
solar energy utilization
energy transformation.
b. Solar Thermal Energy:
Solar thermal energy is fundamentally distinct
from photovoltaic solar energy in that it
harnesses heat generated by infrared solar
radiation to warm water or air. In this context,
thermal sensors, utilizing entirely different
technology, come into play. These systems are
often referred to as "solar water heaters" or "hot
air collectors.
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c. Thermodynamic Solar Energy:
Another facet of solar energy is thermodynamic
solar energy, which operates on the principle of
focusing solar rays using curved mirrors. These
mirrors concentrate the solar energy onto a
central tower, where the heat is stored as
calories and subsequently converted into
mechanical energy. This mechanical energy can,
for example, be employed to power a steam
turbine
Solar Tower 25
2. Wind Energy:
Wind energy is the product of harnessing the wind power through devices such as
wind generators or windmills.
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3. Hydraulic Energy:
Hydraulic energy is generated by harnessing the energy of flowing water, typically
by using rivers to produce electricity.
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4. Geothermal Energy:
Geothermal energy involves the extraction of natural heat stored within the
Earth's crust. The majority of the Earth's heat emanates from the natural
radioactivity of the rocks composing the Earth's crust.
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6. Biomass:
Biomass represents energy stored in
an organic form through the process of
photosynthesis, which can be
harnessed through combustion,
including wood and other biofuels. It
qualifies as a renewable energy
source as long as the quantities
burned do not surpass the quantities
produced.
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7. Tidal Energy:
Tidal energy is generated by harnessing the energy of ocean tides, specifically
through the transformation of wave energy occurring during high and low
tides into electrical energy.
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