ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

MODULE – TWO

NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

OVERVIEW OF ENERGY SYSTEMS

• Energy Systems Definition: Energy systems are networks that generate, convert, and distribute energy
to meet the demands of society. These systems include the infrastructure and processes involved in
energy production, storage, and consumption.
• Why Energy Systems Are Important:
• Power Supply: They are essential for powering homes, industries, transportation, healthcare, and
communications.
• Economic Growth: Energy is the backbone of industrialization and economic progress. Without
energy, manufacturing, commerce, and daily life would come to a halt.
• Sustainable Development: Transitioning to sustainable energy systems is vital to reduce carbon
emissions and limit environmental degradation, aligning with global goals like the United Nations’
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
 IMPORTANCE OF ENERGY SYSTEMS

• Enabling Development: Energy systems are crucial for technological advancements that drive
improvements in healthcare, education, and overall quality of life.
• Infrastructure and Growth: Energy systems support global infrastructure development, including
communication networks, transportation, and modern utilities like water supply.
• Sustainability: A focus on energy systems' evolution towards sustainability is essential. The shift
from fossil fuels to renewable energy is crucial for tackling global challenges such as climate change.
• India's Energy Mix & Power Sector Overview (niti.gov.in)
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 TYPES OF ENERGY SYSTEMS
• Conventional Energy:
• Fossil Fuels: Includes coal, oil, and natural gas. These are energy-dense sources that have been the
primary drivers of global economic growth but are non-renewable and environmentally harmful.
• Nuclear Power: Although nuclear energy is low in carbon emissions, it has significant safety
concerns, especially regarding waste management and the risks of accidents.
• Renewable Energy:
• Solar Power: Converts sunlight into electricity through solar panels.
• Wind Energy: Utilizes wind turbines to generate electricity.
• Hydropower: Harnesses the energy of flowing water to produce electricity.
• Geothermal Energy: Uses the Earth’s internal heat to generate electricity or heat buildings.
• Biomass: Organic materials such as wood and agricultural waste can be used to generate power or
heat.
 MERITS OF CONVENTIONAL ENERGY

• High Energy Density: Fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas contain high amounts of energy per unit, making
them highly efficient in generating electricity and powering industries.
• Reliable Supply: Conventional energy sources offer a steady and consistent power supply, making them a
dependable choice for powering cities, industries, and transport.
• Infrastructure Ready: Most of the world’s energy infrastructure—power plants, transmission lines,
refineries—are designed for fossil fuel energy, which makes it easier to maintain the status quo with
conventional sources.
• Economic Affordability (in the short term): These sources are often cheaper because the infrastructure is
already built, and the cost of production can be lower than newer technologies like renewable energy
 DEMERITS OF CONVENTIONAL ENERGY

• Environmental Degradation: Fossil fuel energy production leads to high levels of air and water
pollution, and land degradation (coal mining, oil drilling). It has been one of the leading causes of
climate change.
• Non-Renewable: Fossil fuels are finite resources that will eventually deplete, making them
unsustainable in the long term.
• Climate Change: Burning fossil fuels releases large quantities of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other
greenhouse gases, significantly contributing to global warming and environmental crises.
• Health Impacts: Air pollution from fossil fuel combustion is linked to respiratory diseases, heart
conditions, and premature deaths.
 MERITS OF RENEWABLE ENERGY

• Environmentally Friendly: Renewable energy systems produce little to no greenhouse gas emissions,
reducing their impact on climate change.
• Unlimited Resources: Renewable energy sources like the sun, wind, and water are inexhaustible,
unlike fossil fuels.
• Decentralized Energy Systems: Renewables can be developed in local settings, offering the potential
for community-level energy generation and less reliance on centralized grids.
• Energy Security: By tapping into local resources (sun, wind, etc.), countries can reduce their
dependence on energy imports, leading to greater energy independence.
 DEMERITS OF RENEWABLE ENERGY

• High Initial Costs: The setup costs for renewable energy technologies like wind farms, solar panels,
and geothermal plants can be significant, though these costs are decreasing over time.
• Intermittency Issues: Renewable energy sources such as solar and wind are not always available—
solar power is limited by daylight hours, and wind power depends on weather conditions.
• Energy Storage Challenges: Since renewable energy generation is intermittent, effective energy
storage solutions (like batteries) are required to store energy for periods when demand is high but
supply is low.
• Geographical Limitations: Not all regions have access to all types of renewable resources. For
example, solar power is more effective in sunny regions, and wind power works better in coastal or
mountainous areas.
 GLOBAL STATUS OF ENERGY SYSTEMS

• Energy Consumption Trends: Global energy consumption has been steadily rising, especially in
emerging economies. The demand for electricity has grown rapidly with industrialization and
urbanization.
• Energy Mix: The global energy mix remains dominated by fossil fuels (about 80%), with coal, oil, and
natural gas being the largest contributors to global energy consumption.
• Renewable Growth: Investment in renewable energy is on the rise, with solar and wind energy leading
the growth in renewables. Governments and private sectors are increasingly supporting renewable energy
projects.
• Global Goals: The transition towards cleaner energy systems is driven by global initiatives such as the
Paris Agreement, which aims for a carbon-neutral future by 2050.
 TRENDS IN ENERGY SYSTEMS

• Renewables Revolution: Increasing adoption of renewable energy systems as they become more cost-
effective and accessible.
• Energy Storage Innovations: Advances in battery technologies and energy storage solutions are key to
resolving intermittency issues for renewable sources.
• Electrification of Transport: Electric vehicles (EVs) are rapidly gaining market share, reducing
reliance on fossil fuels for transportation.
• Green Hydrogen: Hydrogen as a clean fuel is being explored, especially in industries and heavy
transportation sectors.
• Policy Shifts: Governments are implementing carbon pricing, emissions regulations, and incentives for
clean energy development, aiming to reduce the carbon footprint and encourage a transition towards
sustainable energy systems.
A thermal power plant works by converting heat energy into electrical energy. Here's a simplified process:
1.Fuel Combustion: Coal, gas, or oil is burned in a boiler to produce heat.
2.Steam Generation: The heat converts water in the boiler into high-pressure steam.
3.Turbine Rotation: The steam drives a turbine, which is connected to a generator.
4.Electricity Generation: As the turbine rotates, it turns the generator, producing electricity.
5.Cooling: The steam is then condensed back into water in a cooling system and reused.
This process repeats, providing continuous electricity generation.
 CONCLUSION

• Critical Role of Energy: Energy systems are pivotal to our economic development, infrastructure, and
societal progress.
• Path to Sustainability: The shift to renewable energy is not only an environmental necessity but also a
pathway to energy security and sustainable economic growth.
• Future Outlook: Innovation, international cooperation, and strong policies are essential to achieving a
cleaner, sustainable global energy future.
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