Natural Resources

and Sustainable
Development
UNIT 1
ENERGY RESOURCES
• A source of energy is one that can provide adequate amount of energy in a usable form
over a long period of time.
• Energy consumption of a nation is usually considered as an index of its development.
This is because almost all the developmental activities are directly or indirectly
dependent upon energy. We find wide disparities in per capita energy use between the
developed and the developing nations.
• The first form of energy technology probably was the fire, which produced heat and the
early man used it for cooking and heating purposes.
• Wind and hydropower have also been in use for the last 10,000 years. The invention of
steam engines replaced the burning of wood by coal and coal was later replaced to a
great extent by oil.
• In 1970s due to Iranian revolution and Arab oil embargo the prices of oil shooted up.
This ultimately led to exploration and use of several alternate sources of energy.
Types of Energy Resources
(1)Renewable Resources 2) Non-renewable
• Which can be generated Resources
continuously in nature and • Which have accumulated in
are inexhaustible e.g. wood, nature over a long span of
solar energy, wind energy, time and cannot be quickly
tidal energy, hydropower, replenished when exhausted
biomass energy, bio-fuels, • e.g. coal, petroleum, natural
geo-thermal energy and gas and nuclear fuels like
hydrogen. uranium and thorium.
• They are also known as non- • They are also known as
conventional sources of conventional sources of
energy and they can be used energy.
again and again in an endless
manner.
NON RENEWABLE ENERGY
RESOURCES
• Non-Renewable Energy Sources
These are the fossil fuels like coal, petroleum, natural gas and nuclear
fuels. These were formed by the decomposition of the remains of
plants and animals buried under the earth millions of years ago. The
fuels are very precious because they have taken such a long time to be
formed and if we exhaust their reserves at such a fast rate as we have
been doing, ever since we discovered them, then very soon we will lose
these resources forever.
COAL
• Coal was formed 255-350 million years ago in the hot, damp regions of the earth during the
carboniferous age. The ancient plants along the banks of rivers and swamps were buried after death
into the soil and due to the heat and pressure gradually got converted into peat and coal over millions
of years of time.
• There are mainly three types of coal, namely anthracite (hard coal), bituminous (soft coal) and lignite
(brown coal). Anthracite coal has maximum carbon (90%) and calorific value (8700 kcal/kg.)
Bituminous, lignite and peat contain 80, 70 and 60% carbon, respectively. Coal is the most abundant
fossil fuel in the world.
• At the present rate of usage, the coal reserves are likely to last for about 200 years and if its use
increases by 2% per year, then it will last for another 65 years.
• India has about 5% of worlds coal and Indian coal is not very good in terms of heat capacity. Major coal
fields in India are Raniganj, Jharia, Bokaro, Singrauli, and Godavari valley. The coal states of India are
Jharkhand, Orissa, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. Anthracite coal
occurs only in J & K.
• When coal is burnt it produces carbon dioxide, which is a greenhouse gas responsible for causing
enhanced global warming. Coal also contains impurities like sulphur and therefore as it burns the
smoke contains toxic gases like oxides of sulphur and nitrogen.
 • Coal is a fossil fuel formed from the remains of ancient plants that
lived and died hundreds of millions of years ago, primarily during the
Carboniferous period (around 360 to 290 million years ago). It is a
combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock that has been
a critical energy source for centuries.

•Plant Material Accumulation: Coal forms from the accumulation of plant material, usually in swampy
environments. Over time, these plant remains were buried by layers of water and sediment, preventing
them from decomposing fully.
•Peat Formation: The first stage of coal formation is the creation of peat, a soft, spongy material that is
the precursor to coal. Peat is made up of partially decomposed plant material.
•Coalification Process: As peat is buried deeper under more sediments, it undergoes physical and
chemical changes due to increasing heat and pressure. This process, known as coalification, gradually
transforms peat into different types of coal through stages: lignite, sub-bituminous, bituminous, and
anthracite.
• Types of Coal
• Coal is classified into four main types based on the degree of coalification, carbon
content, and energy content:
• Lignite:
• Also known as "brown coal."
• Soft and has a low carbon content (about 25-35%) and high moisture content.
• It has the lowest energy density and is often used in electricity generation in power plants located
near the mining sites.
• Sub-Bituminous Coal:
• Transitional coal between lignite and bituminous. Contains more carbon (about 35-45%)
and less moisture than lignite.
• Commonly used for electricity generation due to its higher energy content.
• Bituminous Coal: The most abundant form of coal.
• Higher carbon content (about 45-86%) and lower moisture content.
• Used extensively in power generation, steel production (as coke), and industrial
processes.
• Anthracite: The hardest and highest grade of coal.
• Contains the highest carbon content (about 86-98%) and has the
highest energy density.
• Burns cleaner and produces less smoke, often used in residential
heating and metallurgical processes.
 Uses of Coal
• Electricity Generation: The primary use of coal is in the generation of
electricity. Coal-fired power plants burn coal to produce steam, which
drives turbines connected to generators.
• Steel Production: Coal is used in the steel industry to produce coke, a
vital component in the production of steel from iron ore.
• Industrial Uses: Coal is used in various industrial processes, including
the production of cement, chemicals, and other materials.
• Residential Heating: In some regions, coal is still used as a source of
heat for homes, particularly anthracite coal, which burns more cleanly.
• Chemical Production: Coal can be converted into synthetic fuels and
chemicals through processes like gasification and liquefaction.
• Global Distribution and Reserves
• Major Coal-Producing Countries: The top coal producers include
China, India, the United States, Australia, and Russia. These countries
have large coal reserves and extensive mining operations.
• The coal states of India are Jharkhand, Orissa, West Bengal, Madhya
Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. Anthracite coal occurs
only in J & K.
PETROLEUM
• It is the lifeline of global economy. There are 13 countries in the world having 67% of
the petroleum reserves which together form the OPEC (Organization of Petroleum
exporting countries). About 1/4th of the oil reserves are in Saudi Arabia.
• At the present rate of usage, the worlds crude oil reserves are estimated to get
exhausted in just 40 years. Some optimists, however, believe that there are some yet
undiscovered reserves. Even then the crude oil reserves will last for another 40 years
or so. Crude petroleum is a complex mixture of alkane hydrocarbons. Hence it has to
be purified and refined by the process of fractional distillation, during which process
different constituents separate out at different temperatures. We get a large variety
of products from this, namely, petroleum gas, kerosene, petrol, diesel, fuel oil,
lubricating oil, paraffin wax, asphalt, plastic etc.
• Petroleum is a cleaner fuel as compared to coal as it burns completely and leaves no
residue. It is also easier to transport and use. That is the reason why petroleum is
preferred amongst all the fossil fuels.
• Petroleum, often referred to as crude oil, is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons and
other organic compounds that has been a critical energy resource for over a century. It
is the primary source of energy for transportation, heating, electricity generation, and
is also a key raw material in the petrochemical industry.
• Formation of Petroleum
• Organic Matter Accumulation: Petroleum originates from the remains of tiny marine
organisms, such as plankton and algae, that settled on the ocean floor millions of years
ago. Over time, these organic materials mixed with sediments like sand, silt, and clay.
• Burial and Transformation: As more layers of sediments accumulated, the organic
matter was buried deeper, subjecting it to increasing heat and pressure. Over millions
of years, these conditions caused the organic material to undergo chemical changes,
converting it into liquid hydrocarbons, which eventually became petroleum.
• Migration and Trapping: The formed petroleum migrates through porous rocks until it
gets trapped by non-porous rock formations, creating reservoirs. These reservoirs are
the primary sources of extractable oil.
EXTRACTION AND REFINING
• Exploration: Geologists use various techniques, such as seismic surveys and
drilling test wells, to locate petroleum reserves. Once a potential site is
identified, exploratory drilling determines the size and viability of the oil
deposit.
• Drilling and Extraction: Wells are drilled into the Earth to reach the oil
reservoir. Once the oil is accessed, it is pumped to the surface. This process
can occur on land or offshore, with offshore drilling platforms used for
undersea deposits.
• Refining: Crude oil is not used directly; it must be refined to produce usable
products. In a refinery, crude oil is separated into different components
through a process called fractional distillation. The oil is heated, and its
various components are separated based on their boiling points, resulting in
products like gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, heating oil, and other petrochemicals.
Types of Petroleum Products
• Gasoline (Petrol): A light hydrocarbon used primarily as fuel for internal combustion
engines in cars, motorcycles, and small engines.
• Diesel: A heavier fuel used in trucks, buses, trains, ships, and some cars. Diesel engines
are more efficient and produce more torque than gasoline engines.
• Jet Fuel: Refined petroleum used to power jet engines in aircraft. It is similar to kerosene.
• Kerosene: Used for heating, lighting, and as a fuel for some types of jet engines.
• Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG): A mixture of propane and butane used for heating,
cooking, and as a fuel for vehicles.
• Asphalt: A heavy residue from the refining process used in road construction and roofing.
• Petrochemicals: The building blocks for a wide range of products including plastics,
fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, synthetic fibers, and detergents.
• Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG): The main component of petroleum is
butane, the other being propane and ethane. The petroleum gas is
easily converted to liquid form under pressure as LPG. It is odourless,
but the LPG in our domestic gas cylinders gives a foul smell. This is, in
fact, due to ethyl mercaptan, a foul smelling gas, added to LPG so that
any leakage of LPG from the cylinder can be detected instantaneously.
• Oil fields in India are located at Digboi (Assam), Gujarat Plains and
Bombay High, offshore areas in deltaic coasts of Gadavari, Krishna,
Kaveri and Mahanadi.
Uses of Petroleum
• Transportation: The majority of petroleum is used as fuel for various modes of
transportation, including cars, trucks, airplanes, ships, and trains.
• Heating: Petroleum products like heating oil and kerosene are used for heating
homes and buildings.
• Electricity Generation: Although less common than other sources, petroleum is
used in some power plants to generate electricity, especially in regions where
other resources are scarce.
• Industrial Processes: Petroleum is used as a fuel and as a raw material in various
industrial processes, including the production of chemicals, plastics, and synthetic
materials.
• Lubrication: Petroleum-based lubricants are used to reduce friction in machinery
and engines.
NATURAL GAS
• It is mainly composed of methane (95%) with small amounts of
propane and ethane. It is a fossil fuel. Natural gas deposits mostly
accompany oil deposits because it has been formed by decomposing
remains of dead animals and plants buried under the earth. Natural
gas is the cleanest fossil fuel. It can be easily transported through
pipelines. It has a high calorific value of about 50KJ/G and burns
without any smoke.
• Russia has maximum reserves (40%), followed by Iran (14%) and USA
(7%). Natural gas reserves are found in association with all the oil
fields in India. Some new gas fields have been found in Tripura,
Jaisalmer, Off-shore area of Mumbai and the Krishna Godavari Delta.
• What is Natural Gas?
• Natural gas is a mixture of hydrocarbons, primarily composed of
methane (CH₄), along with smaller amounts of other gases such as
ethane, propane, butane, and pentane. It is found deep beneath the
Earth's surface, often in association with oil reserves.
• Formation of Natural Gas
• Natural gas is formed over millions of years through the
decomposition of organic matter (such as plants and animals) buried
under layers of sediment and rock. The heat and pressure conditions
under the Earth’s surface gradually transform this organic matter into
natural gas.
• Extraction of Natural Gas
• Conventional Extraction: This involves drilling wells into natural gas
reservoirs, often found in porous rock formations. The gas is usually under
pressure and flows naturally to the surface, where it can be collected.
• Unconventional Extraction: This includes methods like hydraulic
fracturing (fracking), where high-pressure fluids are injected into shale
formations to release gas trapped within the rock.
• Processing and Transport
• Once extracted, natural gas is processed to remove impurities and
separate it into different components. The main product is methane,
which is then transported through pipelines to consumers. In regions
where pipelines are impractical, natural gas can be liquefied (LNG) for
easier transport via ships.
• Natural gas is used as a domestic and industrial fuel. It is used as a fuel in
thermal power plants for generating electricity. It is used as a source of
hydrogen gas in fertilizer industry and as a source of carbon in tyre industry.
• Compressed natural gas (CNG): natural gas compressed under pressure so
that more of it occupies lesser volume in your fuel tank.It is being used as an
alternative to petrol and diesel for transport of vehicles. Delhi has totally
switched over to CNG where buses and auto rickshaws run on this new fuel.
CNG use has greatly reduced vehicular pollution in the city.
• Synthetic natural gas (SNG): It is a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen.
It is a connecting link between a fossil fuel and substituted natural gas. Low
grade coal is initially transformed into synthetic gas by gasification followed by
catalytic conversion to methane.
• Uses of Natural Gas
• Natural gas has a wide range of applications, including:
• Electricity Generation: Natural gas is a major source of electricity
generation worldwide. Gas-fired power plants can be quickly ramped up or
down, providing flexibility to the grid. It is often used in combination with
renewable energy sources to balance supply.
• Heating: Natural gas is commonly used for residential and commercial
heating, particularly in colder climates.
• Industrial Uses: It serves as a fuel and feedstock in various industrial
processes, such as the production of fertilizers, chemicals, and hydrogen.
• Transportation: Compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas
(LNG) are used as cleaner alternatives to gasoline and diesel in vehicles,
particularly in fleets of buses and trucks.
• Environmental Impact
• Lower Emissions: Compared to coal and oil, natural gas combustion
produces significantly lower levels of carbon dioxide (CO₂), sulfur
dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), and particulates. This makes it a
cleaner fossil fuel option.
• Methane Leakage: However, methane, the primary component of
natural gas, is a potent greenhouse gas. Methane leakage during
extraction, processing, and transportation can significantly offset the
environmental benefits of natural gas. Controlling these leaks is a
major environmental challenge.
• Water Use and Contamination: Hydraulic fracturing, in particular,
requires large amounts of water and has raised concerns about water
contamination due to the chemicals used in the process.
NUCLEAR ENERGY
• Nuclear energy is known for its high destructive power as evidenced from
nuclear weapons. The nuclear energy can also be harnessed for providing
commercial energy. Nuclear energy can be generated by two types of reactions:
• (i) Nuclear Fission: It is the nuclear change in which nucleus of certain isotopes
with large mass numbers (uranium) are split into lighter nuclei on bombardment
by neutrons and a large amount of energy is released through a chain reaction
• (ii) Nuclear fusion: Here two isotopes of a light element are forced together at
extremely high temperatures (1 billion °C) until they fuse to form a heavier
nucleus releasing enormous energy in the process. It is difficult to initiate the
process but it releases more energy than nuclear fission. Two hydrogen-2
(Deuterium) atoms may fuse to form the nucleus of Helium at 1 billion °C and
release a huge amount of energy.
• Nuclear energy has tremendous potential but any leakage from the
reactor may cause devastating nuclear pollution. Disposal of the
nuclear waste is also a big problem.
• Nuclear power in India is still not very well developed. There are four
nuclear power stations with an installed capacity of 2005 MW.
• These are located at Tarapur (Maharashtra), Rana Pratap Sagar near
Kota (Rajasthan), Kalpakkam (Tamil Nadu) and Narora (U.P.).
RENEWABLE ENERGY
RESOURCES
80% of world energy is derived from fossil fuels which will soon get
exhausted and is also causing tremendous pollution.
Any energy alternative to fossil fuels is alternative sources of energy so
renewable energy resources are clean alternatives sources of energy.
16% of worlds energy comes from renewable energy resource.
SOLAR ENERGY
• Sun is the ultimate source of energy, directly or indirectly for all other
forms of energy.
• Traditionally, we have been using solar energy for drying clothes and
food-grains, preservation of eatables and for obtaining salt from sea-
water. Now we have several techniques for harnessing solar energy.
• Some important solar energy harvesting devices are:
• 1. Solar heat collectors: Passive solar heat collectors are natural
materials like stones, bricks etc. or material like glass which absorb heat
during the day time and release it slowly at night. These devices are
primarily used for active solar heating and allow for the heating of water
for personal use.
2. Solar cells: They are also known as photovoltaic cells
or PV cells. Solar cells are made of thin wafers of semi
conductor materials like silicon and gallium. When solar
radiations fall on them, a potential difference is produced
which causes flow of electrons and produces electricity.
• The potential difference produced by a single PV cell
of 4 cm2 size is about 0.4-0.5 volts and produces a
current of 60 milli amperes.
• A group of solar cells joined together in a definite
pattern form a solar panel which can harness a large
amount of solar energy and can produce electricity
enough to run street-light, irrigation water pump. Solar
cells are widely used in calculators, electronic watches,
street lighting, traffic signals, water pumps etc. They
are also used in artificial satellites for electricity
generation. Solar cells are used for running radio and
television also. They are more in use in remote areas
where conventional electricity supply is a problem.
• 3. Solar cooker: Solar cookers make use of solar heat by reflecting the
solar radiations using a mirror directly on to a glass sheet which
covers the black insulated box within which the raw food is kept. New
design of solar cooker is now available which involves a spherical
reflector (concave or parabolic reflector) instead of plane mirror that
has more heating effect and hence greater efficiency.
• The food cooked in solar cookers is more nutritious due to slow
heating. However it has the limitation that it cannot be used at night
or on cloudy days. Moreover, the direction of the cooker has to be
adjusted according to the direction of the sun rays.
4. Solar furnace: Here thousands of small plane mirrors are arranged in
concave reflectors, all of which collect the solar heat and produce as
high a temperature as 3000°C usually used for industry.
5. Solar power plant: Solar energy is harnessed on a large scale by
using concave reflectors which cause boiling of water to produce
steam. The steam turbine drives a generator to produce electricity. A
solar power plant (50 K Watt capacity) has been installed at
Gurgaon,Haryana.