Introduction to Renewable

Energy

1
Classification of Energy Resources
 Based on usability of Energy
◦ Primary sources: Embodied in nature.
◦ Intermediate sources: Obtained from primary sources by
transformation
◦ Secondary sources: Final form suitable for consumers
 Based on traditional use
◦ Conventional: Fossil fuels, hydro, nuclear
◦ Non-conventional: Solar, wind, geothermal
 Based on long-term availability
◦ Non-renewable
◦ Renewable
 Based on Commercial application
◦ Commercial
◦ Non-commercial
2
Classification of Energy Resources
 Based on origin
◦ Fossil fuels
◦ Nuclear
◦ Hydro
◦ Solar
◦ Wind
◦ Biomass
◦ Geothermal
◦ Tidal
◦ Ocean thermal
◦ Ocean wave
3
Environmental Impacts of Conventional Energy
 Fossil fuels
◦ Produce air pollution due to CO, CO2, NOx, SOX,
Particulate matter, unburnt hydrocarbon
◦ Air pollution causes respiratory problems
◦ CO2 causes Global warming due to Green House Effect
◦ Nuclear waste disposal
 Large Hydro
◦ Deforestation- Ecological imbalance
◦ Dislocation of wildlife and humans
 Nuclear fuels
◦ Safety issues
◦ Nuclear waste disposal issues
4
Non--conventional Energy
Non
 Merits
◦ Available in nature free of cost
◦ Little or no pollution
◦ Inexhaustible
◦ Low gestation period
 Demerits
◦ Energy is available in dilute form
◦ Cost of harnessing is high
◦ Uncertainty in availability
◦ Difficulty in transporting ( eg. Wave energy
5
Energy Scenario in India
 Total Installed capacity: 356 GW ( April 2019)
 Coal : 60%
 Large hydro: 14%
 Renewable(Mainly wind and solar): 16%
 Gas: 8%
 Nuclear and others: 2%

6
Environment and Social Implication
of Renewable sources
Solar Energy
 Large area requirement
 Disposal of solar photovoltaic modules
 Batteries used in solar photovoltaic systems are not
environment friendly
 Reflectors of solar thermal systems are harmful to eyesight
 Heat transfer liquids in solar thermal systems cause health
hazards

7
Environment and Social Implication
of Renewable sources
Wind Energy
 Noise pollution
 Harmful to birds
 Radio frequency interference

8
Environment and Social Implication
of Renewable sources
Biomass Energy
 Causes air pollution/ health hazards
 Large scale harvesting causes nutrient and water scarcity in
soil