Renewable Resources of Energy & the Environment

This is a rather basic set of slides suitable for an introduction to a more rigorous course on Energy Resources and Environmental Conservation (EREC) along with similar courses. This is also suitable for a high school lecture.

It covers:

- Overview and Need
- Wind
- Hydro Power

This was actually made as a favour for a junior teacher at my undergraduate college.

1. Renewable Resources of Energy & the Environment Rohit Goswami B.Tech HBTI Kanpur
2. Overview EFFICIENCY ⊷ Money is the prime mover of the industrial age ⊷ Growth demands continually increasing efficiency ⊷ Sustainability has been intimately linked to high expenses ⊷ Inefficient utilization, sustainable or not, is unfeasible SUSTAINABILITY ⊷ Scarcity of resources necessitates sustainable growth ⊷ Renewable sources are the way forward for such growth ⊷ Environmentally sound practices are based on renewability ⊷ Resource depletion cannot be measured in cost [$] These topics are not truly distinct, and will be treated holistically as and where applicable. Current research is interdisciplinary to bridge conceptual misunderstandings between sustainability and efficiency. 2
3. Need For Conservation • Energy resources are exhaustable • Energy demands rise exponentially • Traditional energy  Not sustainable • Greener sources  Sustainable growth • Green efficiency << Fossil fuel efficiency
4. “ I think the cost of energy will come down when we make this transition to renewable energy. - Al Gore 4
5. Efficiency 5
6. Proponents ⊷ Loss in present terms is offset by future growth ⊷ Energy efficiency safeguards against policy changes ⊷ Resource preservation helps public image Traditional Industrial Outlook Dissidents ⊷ Energy efficiency is of secondary concern ⊷ Profit maximization is better achieved by loopholes in legislation ⊷ Public image is pointless in face of cheap goods 6
7. Present Perspective ⊷ Newer technology development focuses on sustainable growth ⊷ Unethical profit maximization brings public mistrust and sanctions Renewable resources will generate larger profits 7
8. 8 Projected Energy Potential [EJ/yr] (2050)
9. Want big impact? Use big image. 9 Range of Energy Costs [2010-2015] Compared to non-renewable technology.
10. Energy Types 10
11. Want big impact? Use big image. 11
12. Wind Energy 12
13. Wind ⊷ Caused by uneven heating of the atmosphere by the sun ⊷ Flow patterns depend on geography and topology ⊷ At the equator, low pressure due to maximal heating ⊷ Rises from the equator and moves south to higher layers of the atmosphere ⊷ At the poles cooling causes high pressure ⊷ Undergoes deflection (Coriolis Force) 13
14. Historical Usage ⊷ Wind propelled boats (5000 BC) ⊷ Wind mills for grinding (18th Century) ⊷ Water pumping (19th Century) ⊷ Wind farms for electricity (20th Century) 14
15. Wind  Energy ⊷ Kinetic energy is harvested by wind turbines (Fig.) ⊷ Wind is used to rotate a shaft for the conversion of kinetic to mechanical energy ⊷ The shaft rotation may be put in an alternating magnetic field for electricity generation 15
16. Advantages ⊷ May be placed onshore or offshore ⊷ Have no diurnal or nocturnal cycles ⊷ Produce electrical and mechanical energy Summary Disadvantages ⊷ These are typically seasonal ⊷ Placement is crucial ⊷ Continuous use needs exotic geographical features 16
17. Hydro Power 17
18. Water ⊷ Considered to be renewable as due to the continuous replenishment of the water cycle ⊷ Solar energy drives evaporation ⊷ Evaporated water condenses in the upper atmosphere ⊷ Condenses and returns to the surface as precipitation (rain) 18
19. Historical Usage ⊷ Milling by Greeks (100 BC) ⊷ Modern hydropower turbines (18th Century) ⊷ Direct current generation (~1880) ⊷ Alternating current generation 19
20. Water Energy 20 Converts water’s kinetic energy to mechanical or electrical energy.
21. Advantages ⊷ Hydroelectricity accounts for 18.6% of the world electricity ⊷ Lowest operating cost out of all major electrical power generating systems Summary Disadvantages ⊷ Large distruption to the environment ⊷ Significant thermal power wastage ⊷ Diversion of water bodies ⊷ Huge capital investment 21
22. Conclusions Fossil Fuels Nothing presented here diminishes the need or the utility of fossil fuel recovery and exploitation, however as a finite resource, they are to be phased out. Wind Energy Wind power is one of the oldest and most mature and robust forms of renewable energy. Recent advances in terraforming has reinvigorated the field. Bio-energy Of huge importance in rural and agricultural zones. Agrarian societies like India must seek innovation in this resource to ensure future energy sufficiency. 22 Solar Energy More important close to the equators and arid zones. The Indian subcontinent is especially irradiated. Nanotechnology shows huge Nuclear Power Though both highly efficient and essentially infinite, present technology contrains it to expensive heavier metals and saftely is still an issue. Hydroelectricity Leading generator of electricity providing more than 97% of all electricity generated by renewable sources. Environmental concerns shackle this.
23. References 1. Ellabban, O., Abu-Rub, H., & Blaabjerg, F. (2014). Renewable energy resources: Current status, future prospects and their enabling technology. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 39, 748-764. 2. REN21, 2017 Rohit [RG, AG] Notes Paris, REN21 Secretariat Read more at: http://www.ren21.net/future-of- renewables/global-futures-report/# 3. Ghosh, T. K., & Prelas, M. A. (2011). Energy resources and systems: volume 2: renewable resources (Vol. 2). Springer Science & Business Media. 23
24. 24 Thanks! ANY QUESTIONS? You can find me at ⊷ rohit[dot]goswami[at]yahoo[do t]com