GE3451: ENVIRONEMNTAL SCIENCE AND SUSTAINABILITY

Unit -3

Renewable Sources of Energy

ENERGY MANAGEMENT AND CONSERVATION

Energy management

Definition

Energy management is planning and operation of energy production and energy

consumption units as well as energy distribution and storage.

 For the past decades, energy generation has been shifted to alternative
energy sources like renewable energy forms such as solar, wind and biomass
energy, etc., instead of the conventional fossil fuel sources.

 Apart from the growth in the energy sector, there has been an equivalent
increase in business and organizations, which has brought tremendous
competition in the market in terms of increasing environmental standards
and reducing global warming, carbon foot print and green house gas
emissions.

 Energy management introduced in an organization, can effectively manage

how much energy they produce and how to controls and monitor.

 A large amount of energy and money can be saved by employing energy

management principles.

 It can also help companies by not only improving productivity but also the
quality that they offer using energy efficiency techniques and better
materials and manufacturing processes.

 Objectives (or) Aims of energy management

 Resource conservation.

 Climate protection.
  Cost savings / minimize waste.

 Minimize environmental effects.

 The ultimate aim (or) objectives of this process is not only to save the cost
but also to achieve complete environmental sustainability.

Principles of energy management

 It controls the costs of the energy function and not Btu of energy.

 The second principle is to control energy functions as a product cost.

 The third principle is to control and meter only the main functions, which
accounts for only 20% functions which make up 80% of the costs.

 The last principle states that the major effort of an energy management
program should be put into installing controls and achieving results.

Steps involved in the process of energy management

 The following 5 steps are important in the process of energy management.

 Step 1: Collecting and analyzing continuous data.

 Step 2 : Identify optimizations in equipment schedules, set points and flow

rates to improve energy efficiency.

 Step 3: Calculate return on investment. Units of energy saved can be

metered and calculated just like units of energy delivered.

 Step4: Execute energy optimization solutions.

 Step 5 : Repeat step 2 to continue optimizing energy efficiency.

Energy conservation

Definition

Energy conservation is the practice of using less energy inorder to lower the
costs and reduce environmental impact.

 This can be achieved either by using

  energy more efficiently (using less energy for a constant service),

 by reducing the amount of service used (by driving less).

Objectives (or) Aim of energy conservation

 Energy conservation is the key element. The main objectives are

 to reduce overall energy demand,

 to lower energy cost,

 to reduce energy consumption,

 to lower the overall green house gas emission.

Principle (or) Law of conservation of energy

 The principle of energy of conservation states that energy can neither be

created nor destroyed but it can be transformed from one type to another.

 According to this the total energy of an isolated system remains constant.

Importance of energy conservation

 Energy conservation is very important because of the following reasons.

 It reduces our usage of non-renewable energy resources (like fossil fuels).

 It also helps you to save money on energy costs including utility bills and
other energy bills.

 It also cuts down on expanding development, where natural resource

extraction is impacting natural areas.

 When we conserve energy more efficiently, we directly reduce the amount

of green house gas emissions entering the earth’s atmosphere.

 It insists us to replace the energy, used, with an alternate energy source.

15 ways to conserve energy (or) conservation

 There are 15 ways to start conserving energy.

1. Adjust your day-to-day behaviors

Example

 Switch off lights (or) appliances when you do not need them.

2. Replace your light bulbs

 Traditional incandescent light bulbs consume more amount of electricity

and must be replaced by energy efficient alternatives like CFL and LED
bulbs.

3. Use smart power strips

 “Phantom loads” (or) the electricity used by electronics, when they are
turned off (or) stand by mode, are the major source of energy waste.

 Smart power strips, eliminate this problem, when they are not in use.

4. Install a programmable (or) smart thermostat

 It automatically turn-off (or) reduce heating and cooling during the time
when you are asleep (or) away.

5. Purchase energy efficient appliances

 These will consume less energy during use.

6. Reduce your water heating expenses

 Efficient water heaters can be 8% to 300% more energy efficient than a

conventional storage water heater.

7. Install energy efficient windows

 To prevent heat loss through your windows,

 you can replace single-pane windows with double-pane windows,

 gas filled windows with “low-e” coatings can be fixed.

8. Upgrade your HVAC system

 Most energy efficient way to upgrade your home’s HVAC system is
installing air source heat pump.

 In order to heat and cool your home a heat pump transfers heat from one
place to another.

9. Weatherize your home

 Air leaks into your home are windows, doors and vents.

 To prevent these leaks, care must be taken in such a way that no cracks (or)
opening between the walls and windows is present.

10. Insulate your home

 Insulation retains heat during the winter and keeping heat out of your home
during the summer.

 11. Wash your clothes in cold water.

 12. Replacing dirty air filters regularly can reduce energy consumption upto
15%.

 13. As microwave is more energy efficient, microwave oven can be used

instead of ordinary stove.

 14. Using natural light, like sun, we can reduce the energy consumption.

 15. Dress appropriately for the weather inside and outside.

NEW ENERGY SOURCES

Need

 Fossil fuels and nuclear energy are the important resources used to meet
most of our energy needs today.

 These are expected to be widely used in the near future.

 However, fossil and nuclear energy resources are non-renewable and will
someday be exhausted, while their continued use possess environmental
 risks related to air pollution, global climate change, land use and waste
disposal.

 These issues have stimulated the search for new energy sources for
producing and using energy.

Different types of new energy sources

 New energy sources (or) Renewable energy resources that are being
developed include

 Hydrogen energy.

 Ocean thermal energy conversion.

 Tidal and wave energy.

 Geothermal energy.

 Solar energy.

 Wind energy.

 Bio-mass energy.

 Artificial Intelligence (AI).

 Photovoltaics (PV).

 Distributed energy storage systems (DESS).

 Grid integration.

 Space technologies.

 Norwegian Crystals.

 Algal bio-fuels.

 Body heat.

 Dance flowers.

1. Hydrogen
  The fuel that has potential of being widely used in the future is hydrogen
gas ( H2).

 Like natural gas hydrogen can be burned to heat buildings, cook food and
produce electricity in power plants.

 Hydrogen possess high calorific value.

 It is non-polluting, because the combustion product is water.

2H2 + O2 −−−−−> 2H2O + 150 kJ

 H2 gas can be compressed in a fuel tank and used to power cars and buses.

Sources of hydrogen

 Plentiful hydrogen is available from water (H O). Water can be split into
gaseous H2 and O2 by an electrolysis process.

 Hydrogen can also be produced from natural gas and biomass resources.

 Ethanol reacts with high-temperature steam to produce hydrogen.

 Biomass is converted into sugar-rich feed stocks that can be fermented to

produce hydrogen.

 Microbes such as green algae, consume water in the presence of sun light
and produce hydrogen as a by-product.

Hydrogen fuel cell

 Hydrogen can be used in fuel cells.

 The electrons in hydrogen atoms generate electricity in the fuel cell. The
combination of H and O creates water and heat from the reaction.

 The heat may be used to produce electricity.

 At anode, hydrogen is split into protons and electrons.

 The electrons moves to cathode and generates electricity.

 Electrical power plants can be built using large banks of fuel cells, but
small groups of cells provide electricity for individual home and commercial
buildings.

Problem

 Difficulties in storing enough hydrogen for motor vehicles to

run long distances.

 Infrastructure to refuel these vehicles.

 Highly inflammable and explosive in nature.

 Safe handling is required.

Ocean thermal energy (OTE)

 There is often large temperature difference between the surface level and
deeper level of the tropical oceans.

 This temperature difference can be utilized to generate electricity.

 The energy available due to the difference in temperature of water is called
ocean thermal energy.

Condition

 The temperature difference should be of 20°C (or) more is required

between surface water and deeper water.

Significance of OTE

 OTE is continuous, renewable and pollution free.

 The use of cold deep water, as the chiller fluid in air-conditioning, has also
been proposed.

 Electric power generated by OTE can be used to produce hydrogen.

3. Tidal energy (or) Tital power

 Tidal energy is a renewable energy powered by the natural rise and fall of
ocean tides and currents.

Significance of tidal energy

 Tidal power plants do not require large areas of valuable lands as they are
on the bays (or) estuaries.

 As the sea water is inexhaustible, it is completely independent of the

uncertainty of precipitation (rainfall).

 It is pollution-free energy source, as it does not use any fuel and also does
not produce any wastes.

4. Geo thermal energy

 The heat produced deep in the Earth’s core is called Geothermal energy.

 The energy harnessed from the high temperature present inside the earth can
be used to produce electricity.

Significance of geothermal energy

 The power generation level is higher for geothermal than for solar and
wind energies.

 Geothermal power plants can be brought on line more quickly than most
other energy sources.

 GTE is effectively and efficiently used for direct uses such as hot water
bath, resorts, aquaculture, greenhouses.

5. Solar energy

 Solar energy is derived by capturing radiant energy from sunlight and

converting it into heat, electricity (or) hot water.

Significance of solar energy

 Solar cells are noise and pollution free.

 Solar water heaters, cookers, require neither fuel nor

 attention while cooking food.

 Solar cells can be used in remote and isolated areas, forests, hilly regions.

6. Wind energy

 Moving air is called wind. Energy recovered from the force of wind is
called wind energy.

 The energy possessed by wind is because of its high speed.

 The wind energy is harnessed by making use of wind mills.

Significance of wind energy

 The generation period of wind energy is low and power generation starts
from comissioning.

 It is recommended to broaden the nation’s energy options for new energy

sources.

 It is made available easily in many off-shore, on-shore and remote areas.

7. Bio Mass energy

 Biomass is the organic matter, produced by plants (or) animals, used as

sources of energy.

 Most of the biomass is burned directly for heating, cooling and industrial
purposes.

Examples Wood, crop residues, seeds, cattle dung, sewage, agricultural

wastes, etc.,

Significance of bio-mass energy

 The cost of obtaining bio-energy through bio-gas plant is less than the cost
of obtaining energy from fossil fuels.

 Biomass consumes more CO than is released during combustion of

biomass.

 It provides a stored form of energy and in many cases in a form suitable for
vehicle propulsion.

8. Artificial intelligence (AI) in the energy sector

 Artificial intelligence (AI) is used to forecast demand and manage the

distribution of resources, to ensure that power is available at the time and
place it’s needed with a minimum of waste.

 AI plays an essential role in the world’s transition to clean energy.

 Artificial intelligence is particularly important in the renewable energy

industry, where it often can’t be stored for long periods of time and has to be
used close to the time and location where it is generated.

9. Photo Voltaics (PV)

 Solar companies are integrating PV systems to minimize the need for

additional land usage.

 As a result, integrated PV, floatovoltaics and agrivoltaics are logical shift in

trends.
 Now thin film PV cells are being developed to make solar panels flexible,
cost-effective, light weight and environment friendly.

10. A distributed energy storage system (DESS)

 A distributed energy storage system (DESS) is a packaged solution that

stores energy for use at a later time.

 The system is provided with two main components.

 DC charged batteries and

 Bi-directional inverter.

 It’s major role is to prevent power fluctuation and power quality problems.

11. Grid integration

 Grid integration is the practice of developing efficient ways to deliver

variable renewable energy to the grid.

12. Space technologies

 Space-based energy technologies like

 harvesting hydrogen from the moon to power fuel cell on earth,

 orbiting solar rays that absorb around-the-clock direct sunlight and send the
energy back down to stations on the ground via radio (or) microwaves, are
being developed as the new energy technology.

13. Norwegion crystal

 Low carbon mono crystalline silicon ingots, is a type of crystal, used for
high performance photovoltaic devices.

 Gallium-doped ingots, that increases the lifetime of the solar cells.

 Through this, Norwegian crystals controls the carbon footprint of solar

panel components at ultra low levels.

14. Algal bio - fuels

 Algae is an alternative to liquid fossil fuels.

 It offers huge commercial potential.

 Like fossil fuel, algae fuel releases CO when burnt.

 But unlike fossil fuel, the CO released by algae fuel is removed from the
atmosphere via., photosynthesis as the algae (or) plant grew.

 The impact of algal bio-fuels on the atmosphere is much lower.

 Algal fuel production has a minimal impact on land and water resources.

 It can be produced using seawater (or) even grey waste water.

15. Body heat

 The body heat, liberated by humans in the crowded area like central station,
market place, is channelled through the station’s vent system.

 Then it is used to warm up water in underground tanks and pumped

through the heating system.

16. Dance floor

 The kinetic energy of the dance floor is converted to electricity that lights
up the dance floor itself.

 Pavegen, a london based company is demonstrating this with its

development of the energy harvesting “smart street”.

APPLICATIONS OF HYDROGEN ENERGY

 Hydrogen is a reagent, used in many industries, including chemicals, textile

fiber manufacturing, glass, electronics and metallurgy.

 It is also used as a fuel for rocket launchers.

 In electronics, hydrogen is used as a carrier gas, for the manufacture of

electronic components.

 Hydrogen is used in industries for many applications.

Example

 It combines with nitrogen to produce ammonia, a base for fertilizers.

 It is a good reagent for textile fibers like nylon, polyurethane foam.

 Hydrogen is used in metallurgy for heat treatment process to produce

mechanical parts (or) to alter their properties.

 Hydrogen is used during fuel refining to remove this sulphur via a process
of desulphurization.

 Atomic hydrogen welding (AHW) is a type of arc welding which utilizes a

hydrogen environment.

 A mixture of hydrogen and nitrogen is used to prevent oxidation in flat

glass production.

 As an efficient reducing and etching agent, hydrogen is used to create

semiconductors, LEDs, displays.

 Hydrogen gas is used as a therapeutic gas for a number of different

diseases.

11. Hydrogen fuel cell

 Hydrogen fuel cell uses hydrogen as a fuel in an electrochemical process

that combines H and O to produce electrical energy with water and heat
as the only by-product.

 Two main applications of fuel cells are,

(i) Stationary power sources.

 These are used to power office buildings, data centres, grocery stores and
off-grid telecommunication towers.

 It is used as a part of uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system, where

continuous uptime is critical.

(ii) Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCVs)

  The heat produced by the hydrogen fuel cell can be used for space and
water heating (or) industrial process.

 Hydrogen fuel cells power clean trucks, fork lifts, etc.,

 Hydrogen power is being considered for transportation applications

including hydrogen fuel cell buses.

 Hydrogen fuel cell trains have now appeared.

 Hydrogen offers versatile options for mobile power generation. Some of

the hydrogen fuel cells were developed by NASA to provide electricity for
rockets and shuttles in space.

 Hydrogen fuel cells have found a number of marine applications (used in

boats and submarines).

Advantages and disadvantages of hydrogen fuel cells Advantages

 Hydrogen is readily available.

 It does not produce harmful emissions.

 It is environmentally friendly.

 It can be used as fuel in rocket.

 It is energy efficient and more powerful than fossil fuels.

 It is renewable.

 It reduces carbon foot prints.

 Charging times is fast.

 It does not make noise and visual pollution.

 It can be used for long time.

Disadvantages

 It is expensive.
  It is difficult to store.

 It is highly inflammable.

 Infra-structure.

 Regulatory issues.

APPLICATIONS OF OCEAN ENERGY RESOURCES

 Tidal energy (or) tidal power is a form of ocean energy that is harnessed by
converting tide energy into useful forms of power.

 Tidal energy is obtained from the rise and fall of tides.

 Tidal barrages and dams are constructed across a narrow opening to the
sea.

 Water rushes into the dam when the sea level rises which moves the blade
of the turbines which helps in the generation of electricity.

 Below are some important applications of ocean energy.

1. Ocean waves

 Potential energy associated with ocean waves can be harnessed using

modular technologies.

2. Temperature gradients

 Difference in thermal energy between sea surface and deep water can be
harnessed by Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) process.

3. Salinity gradient

 At the mouth of rivers, where fresh water mixes with salt water, energy
associated with the salinity gradient can be harnessed using pressure
retarded reverse osmosis process and associated conversion technologies.

4. Ocean wave energy convertors

  These are the technology used to trap the mechanical energy of the wave to
convert it to electrical power.

5. Oscillating bodies

 Oscillating waves uses hydraulic motors (or) electrical generators as a

power take-off system.

6. Overtopping wave energy convertors

 The overtopping wave energy convertors (or) terminators, using the low
head hydraulic turbines, converts the potential energy formed by the height
of accumulated water over the wave surface to electrical power.

7. Ocean thermal energy (OTE)

 The temperature difference, between the surface level and deeper level of
the tropical oceans, can be utilized to generate electricity.

Advantages and disadvantages of ocean energy

Advantages (or) Benefits

 Ocean energy is cheaper and efficient.

 It is environment - friendly.

 The source of ocean energy is inexhaustible

 Operational and maintenance costs are low.

 Tidal energy sources can last for decades.

 It protects coastal floodings due to the stability of rock armor.

Disadvantages (or) limitations

 Construction of tidal power plant is expensive and requires

high capital investment.

 Maintenance and equipment repairing is a challenge.

 Negative influence on marine life forms.

  Storage capacity is required.

 Environnemental problems like habitat change arises.

3.5 APPLICATIONS OF TIDAL ENERGY CONVERSION

 Electricity can be generated from the tidal energy.

 Tidal energy is used in grining mills for the mechanical crushing of grains.

 Tidal energy is used to rotate a turbine.

 Tidal energy is used to store energy in a hydroelectric dam, acting as large

energy storage.

 Tidal barrages and reservoirs can be modified to store energy.

 Tidal barrages are capable of preventing damages to the coast during high
storms.

 Tidal barrages also help to create easy transport between the two arms of an
estuary (or) a bay.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages (or) Merits

 It is environment friendly.

 It is cheaper and efficient.

 Low operating and maintenance costs.

 The source of energy is inexhaustible.

 Protects coastal flooding.

 Tidal energy sources can last for decades.

 Power output is highly predictable.

Disadvantages
  Construction of tidal power plants is expensive and requires
high capital investment.

 Equipment repairing and maintenance is difficult.

 Environment problems, like habitat change, arises.

 Storage capacity is required.

 Negative influence on marine life forms.

 Location limited.

GEOTHERMAL POWER PLANT (GPP)

Definitions

1. Geothermal Power

 It is the electrical power generated from geothermal energy.

2. Geothermal Energy

 It is the heat produced deep in the earth’s core.

Origin

 Geothermal energy is the thermal energy found in the earth’s crust which
originates from the formation of the planet and from radioactive decay of
materials.

 The high temperature and pressure in earth’s interior cause some rock to
melt and solid mantle to behave plasmically.

 This results in parts of the mantle convecting upward since it is lighter than
the surrounding rock.

 Temperatures at the core mantle boundary can reach over 400°C.

Concept
  Geothermal technology extracts the heat found within the subsurface of the
earth, which can be used directly for heating and cooling (or) converting it to
electricity.

 The steam comes from the reservoirs of hot water, found a few miles (or)
more below the earth’s surface, rotates a turbine that activates a generator,
which produces electricity.

Power plants of GTE

 Geothermal power plant uses hydrothermal resources that have both water
(hydro) and heat (thermal).

 Geothermal power plants requires high temperature(300°F to 700°F)

hydrothermal resources that come from either dry steam wells (or) from hot
water wells.

 Generally we use these resources by drilling wells into the earth and then
piping steam (or) hot water to the surface.

 The hot water (or) steam rotates a turbine that generates electricity.

 The depth of the geothermal wells is as much as 2 miles.

Types of geothermal power plant

 There are three basic types of geothermal power plants.

1. Dry steam power plant

 It uses steam directly from a geothermal reservoir to drive generator’s

turbines.
 Fig. 3.2 Dry steam
power plant

2. Flash steam power plant

 It takes high-pressure hot water from deep inside the earth and converts it
into steam to drive generator’s turbine.

 When the steam cools, it condenses to water and is injected back into the
ground to be used again.

 Most geothermal power plants are flash steam plants.

3 Binary cycle power
plants
  It transfers the heat from geothermal hot water to another liquid.

 The heat causes the second liquid to convert it into steam, which is used to
drive a generator’s turbine.

Advantages and disadvantages of GTE

Advantages

 GTE is environmentally friendly.

 GTE is a source of renewable energy.

 It is the sustainable form of energy.

 The potential of GTE is huge.

 Energy generated from this resource is reliable.

 As GTE is natural, no fuel is required.

Disadvantages

 Location is restricted.

 As GTE does not release green house gases, there are many
other gases released into the atmosphere (cause side effects).

 May cause earthquakes.

 It is expensive resource.

 Management is required to maintain sustainability.

3.6.6 Applications of GTE

 GTE is used for space heating and cooling.

 GTE is used to generate electricity.

 It is also used for industrial process heat.

 It is used for desalination of geothermal water and heavy water production.

 It is also used in the extraction of minerals from geothermal fluids.

 Geothermal Heat Pumps (GHPs) are used to heat buildings in the winter
and cool them in summer.

 The direct use of GTE involves the use of heated water from the ground
without the need for any other sources.

Content Beyond Syllabus

1. Remote Sensing and GIS (Geographic Information Systems):

Utilizing satellite imagery and advanced GIS techniques for monitoring
and managing natural resources such as forests, water bodies, and land
use.
Integration of remote sensing data with machine learning algorithms for
improved resource management and decision-making.
2. Blockchain Technology:
Implementing blockchain for transparent and secure management of
natural resources, particularly in areas such as supply chain management,
carbon trading, and sustainable agriculture.
Using blockchain-based smart contracts for managing agreements related
to resource extraction, land tenure, and conservation efforts.
3. Big Data Analytics:
Applying big data analytics to process large volumes of environmental
data for insights into resource dynamics, climate change impacts, and
biodiversity conservation.
Employing predictive analytics to forecast trends in resource availability,
identify risks, and optimize resource management strategies.
4. Precision Agriculture:
Utilizing technologies such as GPS, drones, and sensors for precise
monitoring and management of agricultural resources, including water
usage, soil health, and crop yields.
Implementing AI-driven decision support systems to optimize farming
practices, reduce resource wastage, and enhance productivity.
5. Circular Economy Principles:
 Incorporating circular economy principles into resource management
strategies to minimize waste generation, promote resource reuse and
recycling, and optimize resource efficiency.
Exploring innovative business models such as product-as-a-service and
sharing platforms to enhance resource sustainability and resilience.
6. Climate-Smart Practices:
Integrating climate-smart agricultural practices, such as agroforestry,
conservation agriculture, and climate-resilient crop varieties, into natural
resource management plans to mitigate climate risks and enhance
adaptation.
Implementing nature-based solutions, such as reforestation, wetland
restoration, and green infrastructure, for climate change mitigation and
adaptation.
7. Community-Based Resource Management:
Empowering local communities through participatory approaches and co-
management arrangements for sustainable use and conservation of
natural resources.
Fostering collaborative governance frameworks that recognize
indigenous knowledge systems, customary rights, and community-led
initiatives in resource management.
8. Advanced Water Management Techniques:
Deploying innovative water management technologies such as
desalination, water recycling, and rainwater harvesting to address water
scarcity and quality challenges.
Integrating water-energy-food nexus approaches to optimize the use of
water resources while ensuring food security and energy sustainability.
9. Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering:
Leveraging biotechnology and genetic engineering for sustainable
resource management, including biofuel production, crop improvement,
and bioremediation of polluted environments.
Exploring genetic modification techniques to enhance the resilience of
agricultural crops to environmental stresses such as drought, pests, and
diseases.
10. Policy and Institutional Innovations:
Promoting policy innovations such as payments for ecosystem services,
carbon pricing mechanisms, and green finance initiatives to incentivize
sustainable resource management practices.
Strengthening institutional capacities and governance frameworks to
address complex challenges related to natural resource management,
including conflict resolution, regulatory enforcement, and stakeholder
engagement.