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UNIT-III
3.1). Conventional and Non-conventional Energy Resources:
Conventional energy resources are traditional, finite sources like fossil fuels and nuclear power.
Non-conventional energy resources are sustainable, typically renewable options such as solar,
wind, and geothermal energy.

Conventional Energy Resources:

The conventional resources are often finite, emit pollutants, and have environmental concerns.
1. Fossil Fuels: These include coal, oil, and natural gas, which are derived from ancient
organic matter. They are widely used but emit greenhouse gases, contributing to climate
change.
2. Nuclear Energy: Generated by nuclear fission, it has low carbon emissions but poses
safety and waste disposal challenges.
3. Hydroelectric Power: Utilizes the energy of flowing water to generate electricity. It is a
clean source but requires dam construction, which can disrupt ecosystems.
4. Natural Gas: A relatively clean-burning fossil fuel, it is versatile and used in electricity
generation, heating, and industrial processes.
Non-Conventional Energy Resources:
The non-conventional resources are renewable, cleaner, and more sustainable.
1. Solar Power: Derived from sunlight through photovoltaic cells or solar thermal systems,
it's clean, renewable, and has minimal environmental impact.
2. Wind Energy: The kinetic energy of wind will be passing on wind turbines. It produces
the electricity without emissions.
3. Biomass: Organic materials like wood and crop residues will produce the sustainable
electrical energy.
4. Geothermal Energy: Heat from the Earth's interior, providing continuous, low-carbon
energy.
5. Tidal and Wave Energy: Harness the kinetic energy of tides and ocean waves will
generate the sustainable power.

3.2). Layout and Operation of Hydel Power:

A typical layout of a hydropower station includes the following components:
1. Reservoir: Stores water for power generation.
2. Dam: A massive barrier built across a river to create a reservoir.
3. Penstock: A pipeline that directs water flow from the reservoir to the turbines.
4. Tailrace: Discharged water flows back to the river.
5. Turbines: Water from the penstock drives turbines to generate mechanical energy.
6. Generator: Turbines spin generators to produce electricity.
7. Transformer: Increases voltage for efficient transmission.
8. Transmission Lines: High-voltage lines transmit electricity to substations
and consumers.
9. Power House: A structure housing turbines, generators, and control systems.
10. Control Room: Monitors and manages the power station's operations.
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Fig. 3.1. Layout of a hydropower station

The operation of Hydel power station:

1. In a hydropower station, water is released from a reservoir (created by a dam) to flow
through a penstock and turbine.
2. The kinetic energy from the flowing water causes the turbines to spin, which in turn,
drives generators to produce electricity.
3. The generated electricity is then sent to transformer to increase the voltage level for
efficient transmission over power lines.
4. The tailrace channel directs the discharged water back into the river.
5. The operation of the hydropower station is controlled and monitored from a central
control room, ensuring a consistent supply of clean and renewable energy to meet India's
power needs.

3.3). Layout and Operation of Solar Power Generation:

A solar power generation system is designed to harness energy from the sun and convert it into
electricity.
The layout of solar power generation include:
1. Solar Panels: Photovoltaic (PV) panels, often installed on rooftops or in open areas, are
composed of solar cells that absorb sunlight.
2. Inverters: These devices convert the DC electricity generated by the solar panels into
AC electricity.
3. Mounting Structures: Racks or mounts secure the solar panels in the proper orientation
to maximize sun exposure.
4. Electrical Wiring: Wiring connects the solar panels to the inverters and, ultimately, to
the building's electrical system or the grid.
5. Grid Connection (Optional): Solar power systems can be connected to the electrical
grid, allowing excess electricity to be fed back into the grid or drawn from it as needed.
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Fig. 3.2. Layout of Solar Power Generation

Operation:
1. Sunlight Absorption: Solar panels absorb sunlight, which causes the solar cells to
release electrons, generating DC electricity.
2. Inverter Conversion: The DC electricity flows to the inverter, where it is transformed
into AC electricity suitable for powering homes and businesses.
3. Electricity Consumption: The generated electricity is either consumed on-site or sent to
the grid, depending on the immediate demand and system configuration.
4. Net Metering (if connected to the grid): When the system produces more electricity
than is needed, excess power can be sold back to the grid, often credited to the owner's
account.
5. Monitoring: Monitoring and control systems track system performance and can provide
real-time data on energy production.
Overall, a solar power generation system provides clean and renewable energy, reducing reliance
on fossil fuels and helping mitigate environmental impacts. It is an increasingly popular choice
for sustainable electricity generation.
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Electrical Energy: Consumption & Bill Generation

The power rating of household appliances, including air conditioners, PCs, laptops, printers, and
more, is typically measured in watts (W) or kilowatts (kW). It indicates the rate at which the
appliance consumes electrical energy. A higher power rating signifies greater energy
consumption.

Electrical energy consumption is calculated in units. One unit of electrical energy consumption is
equal to the one kilowatt-hour (kWh). One kilowatt-hour is the amount of energy used when a
1,000-watt appliance operates for one hour.

To calculate electricity bill:

1. Calculate the number of hours each appliance operates and multiply it by its power rating
in kilowatts.
2. Sum up the usage of all appliances to get the total energy consumption in kilowatt-hours.
3. Multiply this by your electricity provider's rate per kilowatt-hour to determine the cost.
Example-1: If you run a 1 kW air conditioner for 5 hours a day and your rate is 6 Rupees per
kWh, your monthly cost = (1 kW * 5 hours/day) * 30 days * (6 Rupees per kWh) = 900 Rupees.

Example-2: The following table provides the usage of electrical appliances in one domestic
house. If unit cost of electrical energy is 6.50 Rupees then determine electricity bill for a month.

Power rating Usage

S. No. Electrical appliance
(watts) (hours per
day)
1 Fan 150 12
2 TV 100 8
3 Air Conditioner 1000 9
4 Washing Machine 1700 2
5 Laptop charging 75 10
6 Cell phone charging 20 4
7 Printer 400 2
8 PC 150 8
Solution:
Total number of watt-hours per day
= 150 ∗ 12 + 100 ∗ 8 + 1000 ∗ 9 + 1700 ∗ 2 + 75 ∗ 10 + 20 ∗ 4 + 400 ∗ 2 + 150 ∗ 8
=17830 watt-hours/day
Total number of watt-hours per
month
= 17830*30 = 534900 watt-hours/month
Total number of units of electrical energy consumption per month
= 534900/1000 = 534.9 units/month (1 unit = 1 kWh)
Total electricity bill per month = (Total number of units)*(Rupees per Unit)
= 534.9*6.50 = 3476.85 Rupees.
Note:
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Understanding power ratings and units is crucial for managing energy consumption and controlling
electricity costs in a domestic setting.
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Tariff:
 Electricity tariff is defined as the rate at which electrical energy is supplied to a consumer.
Maximum Demand:
Maximum demand is the highest level of electrical power consumption during a specific
period of time.
Various Types Of Electricity Tariff
1.Simple Tariff
2.Flat Rate Tariff
3.Block Rate Tariff
4.Two Part Tariff
5.Three Part Tariff

Two Part Tariff

In this tariff scheme, the total costs charged to the consumers consist of two components: fixed
charges and running charges.
It can be expressed as:
TotalCost=[A(kW)+B(kWh)]Rs.
Where, A = charge per kW of max demand (i.e. A is a constant which when multiplied with max
demand (kW) gives the total fixed costs.)
B = charge per kWh of energy consumed (i.e. B is a constant which when multiplied with
units consumed (kWh), gives total running charges.)

The fixed charges will depend upon maximum demand of the consumer and the running charge
will depend upon the energy (units) consumed.

The fixed charges are due to the interest and depreciation on the capital cost of building and
equipment, taxes and a part of operating cost which is independent of energy generated.

On the other hand, the running charges are due to the operating cost which varies with variation in
generated (or supplied) energy.

Advantages

 If a consumer does not consume any energy in a particular month, the supplier will get the
return equal to the fixed charges.
Disadvantages

 Even if a consumer does not use any electricity, he has to pay the fixed charges regularly.
 The maximum demand of the consumer is not determined. Hence, there is error of assessment
of max demand and hence conflict between the supplier and the consumer.
Application

 Generally applied to industrial consumers with appreciable max demand.

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FUSE & MCB

(A) FUSE:

Fig. 3.3. Fuse diagram

A fuse is a safety device that protects electrical circuits from overcurrent. It consists of a thin
wire (Lead, aluminum, silver, copper, and alloy wires).
Working Principle:
 The fuse generates the heat when the current passing through it (heat = I2Rt; where I
is the current, R is the resistance of fuse, and t is the time of operation of fuse).
 If the heat produced by the fuse is more than the set value then the fuse will be melt
and fuse breaks the circuit to prevent damage or fire.
Merits:
 Cost is less and simple operation.
 Fast response to overcurrent.
 Provides basic protection for electrical systems.

Demerits:
 One-time use; must be replaced after blowing.
 Limited accuracy.
 Can't be reset or adjusted.

(B)MCB (Miniature Circuit Breaker):

Fig. 3.4. MCB diagram

MCB is an electrical device used for circuit protection. It works on the principle of thermal-
magnetic protection. It has a bimetallic strip and a solenoid.
Working Principle:
 The bimetallic strip bends when excessive current flows through the load (thermal
protection).
 The solenoid trips the breaker in case of short circuits (magnetic protection).
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Merits:
 Fast Response
 Resettable
 Compact size saves space in electrical panels.
 More reliable than fuse.
Demerits:
 Limited Capacity
 Less sensitivity than fuse.
 Cost is high when compared to fuses.

3.6). Electric shock, Earthing, & Safety Precautions:

Electric shock:
An electric shock is a sudden, potentially harmful physiological response to the passage of an
electric current through the body, resulting in injury or discomfort.

Earthing and its types:

Earthing, also known as grounding, is a safety measure in electrical systems. It involves
connecting electrical equipment and structures to the Earth to prevent electric shock and
minimize damage during faults. There are two primary types of earthing:
 System Earthing: This connects one conductor of the electrical system to the
ground, ensuring the system's voltage stability and safety.
 Equipment Earthing: It involves connecting the non-current-carrying parts of electrical
equipment (like appliances and metal enclosures) to the ground, safeguarding against
electrical faults and providing a path for fault currents.
Both types of earthing are crucial for electrical safety and system functionality.

Safety precautions to prevent electric shock include:

 Insulation: Ensure all electrical wiring and equipment are properly insulated to prevent
exposure to live wires.
 GFCI Outlets: Install Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) in wet areas like
bathrooms and kitchens to cut off power in case of a fault.
 Proper Grounding: Ensure electrical system is correctly grounded to divert excess
current safely.
 Avoid Water: Keep electrical appliances away from water sources.
 Regular Inspections: Periodically inspect and maintain electrical systems, looking for
damaged cords or outlets.
 Qualified Professionals: Hire licensed electricians for installations and repairs.
 Safety Gear: Use appropriate safety gear when working with electricity, such as
insulated gloves and tools.
 Education: Educate yourself and family members about electrical safety.