Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Energy resources

Source: The major energy resources are fuel wood, fossil fuels such as coal, petroleum and natural gas, sunlight, hydroelectric and wind power, tidal, geothermal and nuclear energy.
Energy Requirement: During ancient time the daily per capita need for energy was just 2,000-4,000 kilo calories. In  the agricultural stage, the muscular energy of domestic animals was used for work and the per capita energy consumption gradually increased. In nineteenth century,
at the industrial stage of human civilization, the use of fossil fuel started andthe per capita energy requirement increased to 70,000 kilo calories per day.Today humans need energy for agriculture, industry, transport, communication,comfort and defence. The per head energy consumption varies from country to country
Depletion of fossil fuels
Today the world’s energy resources have reached in crisis. Major part of world’s human population uses fossil fuels like coal, petroleum and natural gas.The fossil fuel resources are being rapidly depleted and these resources may last only another few centuries. The critical dwindling stocks of fuels has led to the search of alternate sources of energy.
Sources  alternative sources of fuel are solar energy, hydro-electric energy, geothermal
energy, wind power, tidal energy, energy from garbage, dung energy andnuclear energy. They are generally called renewable or  non- conventional sourcesof energy.
1. Solar Energy is an inexhaustible and pollution free source of energy. Solar equipments
have been developed to harness sun-rays to heat water, cook meals, light our
houses and run certain machines.
2. Nuclear Energy is generated by fusion of the atoms of certain elements such as Uranium -
235. The processes results in the release of enormous amount of energy. Fission
of 1 amu (atomic mass unit) of Uranium – 235 can generate energy equivalent to
that obtainable from burning of 15 metric tons of coal or about 14 barrels of crude
oil. In our country atomic power stations have been set up in Tarapur (Bombay),
Narora (Uttar Pradesh), Kota (Rajasthan) and Kalpakkam (Tamil Nadu).
3. Wind Power has been used for centuries to run the wind-mills for grinding grains and
pump water in certain areas. But the wind does not blow with required intensity
all the year round and in all areas. Therefore, wind power can be used only in
certain areas and on certain days.
4. Cattle dung is widely used as fuel in rural areas of our country. This deprivesour fields of valuable organic manure. Now cattle dung is used in Biogas orGobar Gas Plant to produce an odourless, low pressure gas. This gas can be used for cooking and heating. The residue is used as manure.
5.Energy from garbageThe main garbage of houses contains waste paper, plastics and several othermaterials. It can be used to produce electricity.

6. Tidal Energyof the sea can be used to generate electricity.
7. Geo-thermal Energy the heated water comes to the earth’s surface as hot springs. It can be used for heating water and building and for generating electricity.
8. Hydro-electric Energy is the  the kinetic energy of water falling from height. A number
of power stations have been established on many rivers in our country.
Conservation of Energy
The present critical energy position demands an organized effort at all levels from grass root  individual to international action. A considerable amount of energy can be
saved by reducing wastage of energy and using energy efficient devices. Following important  measures can help in this effort:
1. Development of tools for the use of solar energy in appliances and transport vehicles
2. Development of efficient and smokeless Chulhas or wood stoves without energy waste.
3. Development of non-conventional energy sources and less dependence on fossil fuels.
4. Planned programme for increasing fuel wood, trees and shrubs under the control and maintenance of local communities especially in developing countries.
5. Effective use of agricultural ,household and animal wastes to obtain biogas and manure.
6. Improvement of motor engine and pump designs to increase fuel efficiency.
7. Introductions of effective techniques to trap wind and tidal energy.

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