Alternate energy source

- What is alternate energy & why do we need alternate energy?

The term "alternative energy" generally refers to sources of energy like solar power, wind power, and
hydropower. These are non-polluting, renewable resources that represent an alternative to traditional fossil
fuel sources like coal, oil, and natural gas. The term "alternative energy" is more or less synonymous with terms
like "renewable energy" and "clean energy."

Alternative energy is considered "renewable" because the energy sources are not as limited as fossil fuels. Once
burned, fossil fuels take hundreds of millions of years to replenish. Sources like wind, hydro, and solar are
replenished every day. Although it is not fossil-fuel-based and it does not create air pollution, nuclear power is
not usually considered alternative energy because it generated large quantities of radioactive waste.

- Different sources of alternate energy

Widely used types of alternate energy sources used are:

1. Solar energy (energy obtained from sun)

2. Wind Energy (energy obtained from wind)
3. Hydro Energy (Energy obtained from water)
4. Nuclear Energy (energy generated by nuclear reactions)
5. Tidal Energy (energy generated by rise and fall of ocean tides and current)
6. Geothermal Energy (energy generated by harnessing the heat in earth’s core)
7. Biomass Energy (energy produced by products of living organisms)

- Renewable non-renewable resources

- Scope throughout India and world

The scope for improvement in India’s energy system is vast. Renewable energy currently makes up a negligible
share (0.36%) of total primary commercial energy supply while 96.9% of such supplies come from fossil fuels and
2.76% from hydro and nuclear resources. The non-commercial combustible biomass and wastes which
contributes to the extent of 24.5% of the total energy supplies are excluded in this balance.

Solar Energy
-Definition
Solar energy is defined as the transformation of energy that is present in the sun and is one of the renewable
energies. Once the sunlight passes through the earth’s atmosphere, most of it is in the form of visible light and
infrared radiation. Plants use it to convert into sugar and starches; this conversion process is known as
photosynthesis. Solar cell panels are used to convert this energy into electricity.

-Forms of Solar Energy

1. Passive solar energy refers to trapping the sun’s energy without using mechanical devices. Passive solar
design takes advantage of a building’s site, climate, and materials to minimize energy use. A well-designed
passive solar home first reduces heating and cooling loads through energy-efficiency strategies and then meets
those reduced loads in whole or part with solar energy.

2. Active solar energy is a system that uses mechanical or electrical equipment to improve the performance of
solar panels. These mechanisms are also used to process the energy obtained and obtain electrical or mechanical
energy. These elements can be fans to circulate hot air, water pumps, solar trackers, etc.
-Construction and working
A solar cell is basically a junction diode, although its construction it is little bit different from conventional p-n
junction diodes. A very thin layer of p-type semiconductor is grown on a relatively thicker n-type semiconductor.
We then apply a few finer electrodes on the top of the p-type semiconductor layer.
These electrodes do not obstruct light to reach the thin p-type layer. Just below the p-type layer there is a p-n
junction. We also provide a current collecting electrode at the bottom of the n-type layer. We encapsulate the
entire assembly by thin glass to protect the solar cell from any mechanical shock.

When light reaches the p-n junction, the light photons can easily enter in the junction, through very thin p-type
layer. The light energy, in the form of photons, supplies sufficient energy to the junction to create a number of
electron-hole pairs. The incident light breaks the thermal equilibrium condition of the junction. The free electrons
in the depletion region can quickly come to the n-type side of the junction.

-Solar energy projects in India

Bhadla Solar Park
 1. Bhadla Solar Park is the world’s largest solar park located in India which is spread over a total area of
14,000 acres in Bhadla, Phalodi tehsil, Jodhpur district, Rajasthan, India.
2. The region has been described as “almost unlivable” due its climate. Average temperatures in Bhadla
hover between 46 and 48 degrees Celsius. Hot winds and sand storms occur frequently. Bhadla is a
sandy, dry and arid region with an area of about 45 km2.
3. The Solar park has a total capacity of 2,245 MW.
4. When its full capacity is operational, the park will become the world’s largest fully commissioned PV
project, with investment rising to Rs 10,000 crore (US$1.3 billion).

Other major solar projects in India are Pavagada Solar Park in Karnataka; Kurnool Ultra Mega Solar Park, NP
Kunta ultra mega solar park, Kadapa ultra mega solar park in Andhra Pradesh; Kamuthi Solar power project in
Tamil Nadu; Charanka Solar Park in Gujurat; Rewa Ultra Mega solar park in Madhya Pradesh

Wind Energy
- What is it
Wind power or wind energy describes the processes by which the wind is used to generate mechanical
power or electricity.

- How does it work?

Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy in the wind to mechanical power.

- History of wind energy harvesting and development over the time

The main development of wind power took place in Denmark where a decentralized model for the country’s
electrification was constructed, it was not until 1941 that first turbine producing more than 1.25MW of
power was installed.

Scientist Palmer Cosslet Putnam (1910-1986) was the precursor for this turbine that was built in Castleton,
Vermont (USA) and worked for about 1000 hours the blades failed. 40 years passed before the world got to
see turbines with such power.

- Structure and working of a wind mill

Wind turbines operate on a simple principle. The energy in the wind turns two to three propeller like blades
around a rotor. The rotor is connected to the main shaft, which spins a generator to create electricity. Wind
direction determines the design of turbines. Upwind turbines face into the wind while downwind turbines face
away. Blades of a windmill lifts and rotates when wind is blown over them, causing the rotor to spin. Most
turbines have either two or three blades. Blades and hub together form the rotor, low speed shaft is turned as
about 30-60 rpm. Gear box connects the low speed shaft to the high speed shaft and increases the rotational
speeds from about 30-60 rpm to about 1000-1800 rpm. This is the rotational speed required by most generators
to produce electricity. High speed shaft drives the generator which produces 60 cycle AC electricity, it is usually
an off the shelf induction generator. Anemometer measures the wind speed and transmits wind speed data to
controller. Controller starts up the machine at wind speeds of about 8-16 mph and shuts off the machine at
about 55mph. Brakes stop the rotor mechanically, electrically or hydraulically in emergencies. The tower is made
from tubular steel, concrete or steel lattice. Supports the structure of the turbine. Because wind speed increases
with height, taller towers enable turbines to capture more energy and generate more electricity. Nacelle sits atop
the tower and contains the gearbox, low high speed shafts, generator, controller and brakes. Some nacelles are
large enough for a helicopter to land on

- Types of windmills (2 types with individual subtypes)

Two basic types of wind turbines:

1. Horizontal axis turbines

Horizontal axis wind turbines have blades like airplane propellors, and they
commonly have three blades. The largest horizontal-axis turbines are as tall as
20-storey buildings and have blades more than 100 feet long. Taller turbines
with longer blades generate more electricity. Nearly all of the wind turbines
currently in use are horizontal-axis turbines. Their components include
rotor/blades that catch the wind and spin, a gearbox to control the speed of
blades, a generator that converts mechanical energy to electricity, a cable that
carries electricity to the transmission line, and a computer system that controls
the direction of the blades. Horizontal windmills are of 4 types:
A. Post mill
B. Smock mill
C. Tower mill
D. Fan mill

2. Vertical axis turbines

Vertical axis turbines have blades attached to the top and
bottom of a vertical rotor. The most common type of
vertical axis turbines- the Darrius wind turbine, named after
French Engineer Georges Darrius who patented the design
in 1931. It looks like a giant, two bladed egg beater. Some
versions of the vertical axis turbines are in use today
because they do not perform as well as horizontal axis
turbines. There are 2 types of vertical axis windmill:
A. Savonius model
B. Darrieus model

- Advantages and limitations

- Wind energy projects in India
The Union government has set an ambitious target of achieving 175 GigaWatt (GW) of installed capacity from
renewable energy sources by 2022, which includes 100 GW of solar and 60 GW of wind power capacity. The
total renewable power installed capacity in the country stood at about 70 GW in the financial year 2017-18. It is
found by the National Institute for Wind Energy (based in Chennai) that western states have larger potential in
terms of a stable, steady, and speedy wind flow starting from Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka to Tamil Nadu
and Andhra Pradesh. There are 3 major wind energy projects in India namely Vankusawade Wind Park,
Jaisalmer Wind Park, and Muppandal Wind Farm which is the largest operational on shore wind farm in India.

Tidal energy
- What is it
Tidal energy is a form of renewable energy which is created by converting energy from tides into electricity using
colorful styles. tides are more predictable than the wind and thus the sun. Although tidal energy is renewable
energy, it has traditionally suffered from fairly high cost and limited vacuity of web spots with sufficiently high
tidal ranges or flow rapidity, therefore constricting its total vacuity.

- How does it work?

Tidal energy is generated from the Earth’s oceanic tides. These tidal swells are the forces that form due to
gravitational magnets wielded by elysian bodies. These forces produce corresponding movements or currents
within the world’s abysses.
Due to the strong magnet to the abysses, a bulge within the water position is made, causing a short-lived increase
in-water position. Now due to Earth’s gyration, this huge volume of ocean water meets the shallow water
conterminous to the oceanfront and creates a drift. This natural miracle is repetitious and takes place in an unerring
manner, due to the harmonious gyration of the moon’s route around the earth.
A tidal creator is needed to convert the energy of tidal overflows into electricity. The eventuality of a point for tidal
electricity generation is directly commensurable to lesser tidal variation and better tidal inflow rapidity. These
together can dramatically increase tidal energy generation.
- Structure and working of a turbine
During high tide, when the level of water in the sea is high, sea-water flows into the reservoir of the barrage and
turns the turbines. The turbines then turn the generator shaft to produce electricity.

During low tide, the sea-water stored in the barrage reservoir is allowed to flow out into the sea. This flowing
water also turns the turbines and generates electricity. Thus, as the sea-water flows in and out of the tidal
barrage during high and low tides, the turbines rotate continuously to generate electricity.

- Types of tidal turbines

3 types of tidal turbines:

1. Impulse turbine:
Impulse turbines are described as turbines in which high-
velocity jets of water or steam collide with the turbine
blades to rotate the turbine and generate energy. The
impulse turbine gets its name from the impulse force
generated by the water jet’s hitting blade.
 2. Reaction turbine:

Reaction turbines are the turbines that use the

pressure as well as the velocity of the moving water to
rotate. Reaction turbines are placed in the water
stream where the water enters the casing tangentially.
After rotating the blades the water axially leaves the
casing of the turbine. Francis and propeller turbines are
the types of reaction turbines.

3. Well turbine:

Wells turbine is an axial flow reaction turbine specifically

used for wave energy extraction with the help of
oscillating airflow. The turbine is made up of symmetric
airfoil type blades placed around a central hub and
rotates in one direction irrespective of the direction of the
airflow. It has a rotational speed limited by the blade tip
velocity approaching toward the speed of sound. The
turbine is coupled with the electrical generator and
operates with or without guide vanes.

-Uses
1. Tidal Electricity

The most important use of tidal energy is the generation of electricity, called Tidal Electricity. The electric
power generated from the tides is reliable as tides are predictable and uniform in nature.

2. Grain Mills

Tidal Energy has been in use for hundreds of years. Just like the Wind Mills, Tidal Energy was used for the
mechanical crushing of grains in grain mills. To crush grains. Here, the movement of the turbines powered
by tidal energy was used.

3. Energy Storage

Tidal Energy is also used to store energy in hydroelectric dams, which act as large energy storage. Tidal
Barrages and reservoirs can be modified to store energy.

4. Provide Protection to Coast During High Storms

Tidal Barrages are capable to prevent damage to the coast during high storms. They also serve to create
easy transport between the two arms of an estuary or a bay.

- Advantages and limitations

Advantages of Tidal Energy
 1. Renewable: Tidal energy is a renewable source of energy. It is generated by the combined effects of the
gravitational force of the moon and the sun and the rotation of the earth.

The power generation in tidal energy is possible due to the difference in the potential energies of the tides.
Different kinds of power generators like stream generators, tidal barrages, and dynamic tidal power (DTP)
use this.

2. Green: Tidal power is an environmentally friendly source of energy. It does not produce any harmful gas.
One of the major benefits of tidal energy is that it utilizes a very small space for energy production.

3. Predictable: Tidal currents or waves are highly predictable. High and low tide develops with the ocean as
per some renowned cycles. This makes it easier to develop a system with exact dimensions to produce energy, as
we already have knowledge of what kind of waves the equipment will be exposed to.

4. Effective at Low Speeds: It is possible to generate electric power at very low speeds because the density
of water is much more than that of air. Power can also be generated at a water speed of about 1 m/s.

Disadvantages of Tidal Energy

1. Environmental Challenges: Tidal energy has some adverse effects on marine life. The rotating blades of
the turbine are veritably dangerous. It can accidentally kill swimming ocean life, although systems like the
one in Strangford feature a security medium that turns off the turbine when marine creatures approach.

2. Tidal Turbines: In tidal turbines, the primary concern regarding tidal energy harnesses is the blade strike
and trap of marine organisms. As high-speed water increases the threat of marine lives being pushed near
or through these biases.

3. Tidal Shower: Making a shower may change the oceanfront within the bay or creek, affecting a large
ecosystem that depends on tidal apartments. Inhibiting the inflow of water in and out of the bay may beget
fresh turbidity and lower saltwater. It can end in the death of fish that act as a vital food source to catcalls
and mammals.

4. Tidal Lagoon: Generally, the threat associated with tidal lagoon is blade strike on fish trying to enter the
lagoon, the aural affair from turbines, and changes in sedimentation processes.

- Energy projects in India

The potential areas with low/medium tidal wave strength are in the Gulf of Khambat, Gulf of Kutch & southern
regions in Gujarat, Palk Bay- Mannar Channel in Tamil Nadu, and Hoogly river, South Haldia & Sunderbans in
West Bengal. Tidal energy is still in Research & Development (R&D) phase and has not been implemented on a
commercial scale in India.

Nuclear energy
- What is it & how does it work?
Nuclear Energy is the energy in the core of an atom. Nuclear Energy is discharged by nuclear reactions either by
fission or fusion. In nuclear fusion, atoms combine to form a larger atom. In nuclear fission, the division of atoms
takes place to form smaller atoms by releasing energy. Nuclear power plants produce energy using nuclear
fission. The Sun produces energy using the mechanism of nuclear fusion.

- Structure and working of a power plant

Basically, nuclear power plants work in the same way as coal and gas fired plants converting heat to electricity.
Whereas fossil fuel fired power plants run on energy media such as oil, lignite or hard coal, nuclear power plants
use the heat given off when atomic nuclei split. Nuclear fission inside the reactor pressure vessel generates heat,
which heats water until it evaporates, turning thermal energy into latent energy in steam. This team which is
under high pressure then drives the turbines, which turn the generators connected to them generating electrical
energy like a bicycle dynamo. Condensing the steam required to drive the turbines is done either by direct flow
or seawater cooling or via a cooling system using a cooling tower.

- Types of nuclear reactions and the scope and usage of each

1. Fusion- In a fusion reaction, two light nuclei merge to form a single heavier nucleus. The process releases
energy because the total mass of the resulting single nucleus is less than the mass of the two original nuclei.

2. Fission- Nuclear fission is a reaction in which the nucleus of an atom splits into two or more smaller nuclei. The
fission process often produces gamma photons, and releases a very large amount of energy even by the
energetic standards of radioactive decay.

3. Nuclear Decay- Nuclear decay occurs when the nucleus of an atom is unstable and spontaneously emits
energy in the form of radiation. The result is that the nucleus changes into the nucleus of one or more other
elements. These daughter nuclei have a lower mass and are more stable (lower in energy) than the parent
nucleus. Nuclear decay is also called radioactive decay, and it occurs in a series of sequential reactions until a
stable nucleus is reached.

- Types and structural difference of power plants

Two basic types of power plants:

1.Tower type

2.Swimming Pool type

- Advantages and limitations

- Nuclear accidents
Three major accidents in different parts of the world—at Three Mile Island in the United States in 1979; at
Chernobyl in what was, in 1986, the Ukraine Republic of the Soviet Union; and at Fukushima, Japan in 2011

- Energy projects in India (detailed)

Tarapur Atomic Power Plant-1 (TAPS-1) is the first and the oldest Nuclear Power Station in India. Presently, India
has 22 nuclear power reactors operating in 7 states, with an installed capacity of 6780-MegaWatt electric (MWe).
18 reactors are Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) and 4 are Light Water Reactors (LWRs). Nuclear
Power Corporation of India Limited -NPCIL based in Mumbai is a government-owned corporation of India that is
responsible for the generation of electricity through nuclear power. NPCIL is administered by the Department of
Atomic Energy, Government of India.

- Radioactive decay of nuclear material

Radioactive decay (also known as nuclear decay, radioactivity, radioactive disintegration, or nuclear
disintegration) is the process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by radiation. A material
containing unstable nuclei is considered radioactive. Three of the most common types of decay are alpha
decay (α-decay), beta decay (β-decay), and gamma decay (γ-decay), all of which involve emitting one or
more particles.