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Energy Resources: Indian Scenario

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An Assignment on

ALOK KUMAR CHANDRAKAR

M. Phil Environment & Sustainable Development
Central University of Gujarat, Sec. 30, Gandhinagar

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 Energy Resources: Indian Scenario
1. Introduction

Energy can be defined in a number of ways. In the broad sense, energy means the
capacity of something – a person, an animal, or a physical system (machine) – to do work and
produce change. It can be used to describe someone doing energetic things such as running,
talking, and acting in a lively and vigorous way. It is used in science to do describe the part of
the market where energy itself is harnessed and sold to consumers.

Today, energy is the primary input for almost all economic activities and has become
vital for improvement in the quality of life. Infact, the whole infrastructure rests upon energy.
The energy consumption of a nation now-a-days is usually considered as an index of its
development. About 24 percent of energy consumed globally, is used for transportation, 40
percent for industries, 30 percent for domestic and commercial purposes and the rest 6 percent
for other uses including agriculture.

There is a wide disparity in energy consumption in developed and industrialized countries

and developing countries. About 2 billion people, one third of global population living in
developing countries, lack access to adequate energy supplies. Three billion people depend upon
fuel wood, coal, charcoal, dung and kerosene etc. for cooking and heating. On the other hand,
industrialized nations, with only 25 percent of global population, account for 70 percent of the
commercial energy consumption. India, with 16 percent of world’s population, accounts for just
3 percent of the total energy consumption. For a 100 units consumed by an American citizen for
transportation, a Japanese consumes 30 units and an Indian consumes only 2 units. The case is
more or less similar with other developmental activities.

India is an agriculture country. Majority of its population lives in village and uses wood,
agricultural wastes, livestock dung etc. as energy source. In urban areas, in industries,
transportation, telecommunication, domestic establishment etc., the energy consumed is derived
from oil, coal, natural gas, hydroelectricity or nuclear power. The industries claim a large share
(about 38.5 percent) of the total energy followed by transportation (about 31.2 percent), domestic
establishment (about 13.7 percent) and the rest in agriculture. Share of various energy sources in
the commercial consumption of energy in India mostly comes from the coal (about 56 percent)
and petroleum (about 32 percent). The other sources are hydroelectric, nuclear power, natural gas
etc.

Economic growth, increasing prosperity and urbanization, rise in per capita consumption,
and spread of energy access are the key factors that would be responsible for substantially
increasing the total demand for electricity. Thus there is an emerging energy supply-demand
imbalance. According to Central Electricity Authority (CEA) report, the anticipated energy and
peaking shortage in the country was estimated to be 10.3 percent and 12.9 percent, respectively,
in 2011 and 2012.
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 The modern civilization is much dependent on energy availability but the energy
resources, mainly oil, coal, natural gas and hydroelectric power are becoming scarce and costlier.
The prices of oil, the most common source of energy, are going very high. To cope with ever
increasing demand, efforts are being made to develop new approaches in conventional and non-
conventional energy sources and new measures of energy conservation.

2. Energy Resources

Like other natural resources, energy resources are also renewable as well as non-renewable.

A) Renewable Energy Resources:

Renewable energy resources are mostly biomass-based and are available in unlimited
amount in nature since these can be renewed (i.e. regenerated in natural process) over relatively
short period of time. Renewable energy sources are inexhaustible, i.e. they can be replaced after
we use them and can produce energy again and again. These include, firewood (or fuelwood)
obtained from forest, petroplants, plant biomass (as agricultural wastes like bagasse), animal
dung, solar energy, wind energy, water energy (hydro-electrical, ocean wave and tidal energy),
and geothermal energy etc. These can reproduce themselves in nature and can be harvested
continuously through a sustained proper planning and management.

B) Non-renewable (Exhaustible) Energy Resources:

Non-renewable energy resources are available in limited amount and develop over a
longer period of time. As a result of unlimited use, they are likely to be exhausted one day. These
include various fossil fuels including petroleum products, coal and natural gas and nuclear
energy. Nuclear energy is mainly obtained from the nuclear fission of the uranium and thorium.
The global resources of fossil fuel and uranium and thorium are limited and will be eventually be
depleted. Moreover, use of fossil fuels for energy has negative environmental consequences,
such as air pollution, global warming, acid rains and oil spills. Thus, it has been become essential
to minimize the use of fossil fuels and to replace them with renewable resources.

Energy sources are also classified as Conventional and Non-conventional sources.

A) Conventional Sources of Energy

 The sources of energy which have been in use for a long time, e.g., coal, petroleum,
natural gas and water power.
 They are exhaust able except water.
 They cause pollution when used, as they emit smoke and ash.
 They are very expensive to be maintained, stored and transmitted as they are carried over
long distance through transmission grid and lines.

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 B) Non-Conventional Sources of Energy

 The resources which are yet in the process of development over the past few years. It
includes solar, wind, tidal, biogas, and biomass, geothermal.
 They are inexhaustible.
 They are generally pollution free.
 Less expensive due to local use and easy to maintain.

Energy Sources

Conventional Sources Non-Conventional Sources

Coal Solar energy

Oil and Natural Gas Wind energy
Thermal power Ocean (Tidal) energy (Water)
Firewood (Fuelwood) Wave energy (Water)
Hydropower Geothermal energy
Nuclear (Nuke) energy Bioenergy (Biomass)

Keeping in view, the growing energy needs, use of non-conventional energy sources,
over conventional should be promoted. A brief account of the various conventional and non-
conventional sources of energy with special reference to Indian scenario is presented as follow.

3. Conventional sources of energy

The conventional sources of energy are generally non-renewable sources of energy,

which are being used since a long time. These sources of energy are being used extensively in
such a way that their known reserves have been depleted to a great extent. At the same time it is
becoming increasingly difficult to discover and exploit their new deposits. It is envisaged at
known deposits of petroleum in our country will get exhausted by the few decades and coal
reserves are expected to last for another hundred years.

Along with the coal, petroleum and natural gas, electricity is conventional source of
energy, which is playing a barometer of a nation's economic well-being. Availability of abundant
electricity means unrestricted growth of industries, transport and agriculture. Depending upon
raw material used, various types of electricity are hydroelectricity, thermal electricity (steam,
gas, oil) and nuclear electricity.

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3.1 Coal
Coal is one of the most important sources of energy and is being used for various
proposes such as heating of housed, as fuel for boilers and steam engines and for generation of
electricity by thermal plants.
Coal has also become a precious source of production of chemical of industrial
importance coal is and will continue to be the mainstay of power generation in India. It
constitutes about 70% of total commercial energy consumed in the country.
Coal was formed around 255-350 million years ago, during the Carboniferous age, in hot
damp regions of the earth. The plants and animals that occurred during this period, along the
banks of rivers and swamps, got buried alive or after their death into the soil and due to heat
accompanied by pressures gradually got converted into peat and coal over a millions of years of
period. Partially decomposed vegetation deeply buried in sedimentary environments slowly
transformed into solid, brittle, carbonaceous rocks commonly known as coal.

The coal is mainly of three types: anthracite (hard coal), bituminous (soft coal) and
lignite (brown coal). There properties are discussed in Table -1.

Table - 1: Types of Coal

Type of coal %C %O Volatiles % % Moisture Calorific Values

(Carbon) (Oxygen)
Lignite 60-70 16-18 45 35 5000-6000
Sub-bituminous 75-83 14-15 40 17 6100-6500
Bituminous 78-90 9-10 20 06 6600-7500
Anthracite 92-98 2-3 05 01 7500-8100

The coal is the most abundant fossil fuel with a total recoverable resource of about 6000
billion tones in the world. With present rate of consumption, the coal reserves are likely to last
during next 200 years and if the use rate increase by 2 percent per year, then it will last within
next 65 years.

China is the leading producer of coal followed by USA. In India, coal occurs in rock
sequences mainly of two geological ages, namely, Gondwana, little over 200 million years age
and in Tertiary deposits which were found at a much later geological epoch (about 55 million
years) ago. The major resources are located in central and eastern parts of the country. In India,
the major coal fields are Raniganj, Jharia, Bokaro, Singrauli, Panch-Kanham (Tawa valley),
Talchar, Chanda- Wardha and Godavari valley in states of Jharkhand, Orissa, West Bengal,
Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. The proven coal reserves of the country as
on January 1, 2005 is 247,847 million tones, the highest proven amount being 35417 million
tones in Jharkhand. About 65 % of coal produced in India is used to produce electricity and rest
in industries and for other purposes.

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 On burning, coal produces heat which is converted into various forms of energy by
different technologies. At the same time it produces several air pollutants including carbon
dioxide which is a green house gas and causes global warming. Beside, there are many problems
with coal use. It has to be mined from underground or from the surface. Underground mines
besides being dangerous, cause several damages to the environment and lung diseases in the
miners. In addition, coal releases huge amount of radioactive particles into the atmosphere which
are harmful to human beings.

3.2 Oil and Natural Gas

a) Crude oil or Petroleum

It is believed that petroleum has been formed over a period of

millions of years through conservation of remains of plants, animals and
microorganism, living in sea, in hydrocarbon by heat, pressure and
catalytic action. Fig. 1 – Crude Oil

Petroleum is a clear fuel as compared to coal as it burns completely and leaves no

residue. It is also easier to transport and use. Petroleum is largely used in transportation,
operating water lifting engines, generators etc.

Crude oil or petroleum, the lifeline of global economy, is contained mainly in 11

countries forming OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries). About 70 percent
of the global petroleum reserves occur in these countries. Of these, Saudi Arabia alone has one
fourth of the oil reserves. OPEC was formed in 1960 with the purpose of jointly regulating the
production and control of the price of the exported oil. Currently it has country member namely
Algeria, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Quatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE and
Vanezuela. OPEC discussions have a major impact on world oil price which largely depends
upon political factors, global demand and the production politics of the organization.

In India, crude oil was first recovered from Makum in North East Assam. Later, drilling
for crude oil was done at Digboi, Dibrugarh, Narharkatiya and Surma valley in the north east.
The oil field also lies around Bay of Cambay, Gujarat. The most important achievement was the
exploration of oil in Bombay High on the continental shelf of Maharashtra, located at a distance
of 167 km north-west of Mumbai. Recently oil has been located on the off-shore area of the
deltaic coasts of Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery and Mahanadi. Oil prospects in India are not so
high as coal. But the demands are very high and the country has to import oil from OPEC
countries at higher rates.

Indian oil reserves are about 4.45 billion tones out of which about 1257 million tones are
recoverable. Since 483 million tones have been extracted, the recoverable balance is now about
774 million tones which shall last within next 25 years with the condition that crude oil
production rate of about 30 million tones per year is maintained.

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b) Natural Gas

Natural gas, a fossil fuel gift from nature, is composed of methane (96 %) with small
amounts of propane and ethane. Natural gas deposits often accompany oil deposits or may occur
independently. It is the cleanest source of energy among fossil fuels. Natural gas can easily be
transported through pipelines. It has a high calorific value and burns without any smoke. Natural
gas can be used as a source of energy for domestic or industrial use. It can be used for power
generation and as a raw material for petrochemical industries and fertilizer plants. It results as a
byproduct during crude oil refining and from fractional distillation plants. About 40 percent of
total natural gas is found in Kazakhistan, Russia.

India has a huge reserve of natural gas of which a large amount flares up due to lack of
adequate storage, compression and transportation facilities as a result about 17 million cubic
meters of gas a day is wasted or burnt. Now the gas is distributed from Bombay High to
Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Utter Pradesh by a 1730 km pipeline, the Hazira-
Vijapur-Jagdishpur pipeline. A similar pipeline is proposed for South India to feed the natural
gas of Bombay High and the gas imported from West Asia to southern states. A gas grid is also
proposed for Assam.

LPG: Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), widely used as a domestic fuel for cooking, has
its main content as odourless butane to which other gases like propane and ethyl mercaptan are
added to give fowl smell to identify leakage. It is obtained by converting petroleum into liquid
from under pressure.

CNG: Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) is used as an alternative to petrol and diesel for
transport of vehicles. CNG is a cleaner fuel than diesal, used currently in many cities and long
distance transport across the country. It contains mostly methane, compressed to 80 atmosphere.
It is an ideal cleanest burning alternative fuel.

3.3 Thermal Power

Thermal power plants use coal, petroleum and natural gas to produce thermal electricity.
These fossil fuels are exhaustible and polluting. Electricity is the most convenient and versatile
form of energy. This is in great demand in industry, agriculture, transport and domestic sectors.

In thermal power plant, fossil fuel is blown into the combustion chamber of a boiler
where it is burnt at high temperature (Fig. ). The hot gases and heat energy produced converts
water – in tubes lining the boiler – into steam. The high pressure steam is passed into a turbine
containing thousands of propeller-like blades. The steam pushes these blades causing the turbine
shaft to rotate at high speed. A generator is mounted at one end of the turbine shaft and consists
of carefully wound wire coils. Electricity is generated when these are rapidly rotated in a strong
magnetic field. After passing through the turbine, the steam is condensed and returned to the
boiler to be heated once again.

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 Fig. 2 - Thermal power plant

The electricity generated is transformed into the higher voltages (up to 400,000 volts)
used for economic, efficient transmission via power line grids. When it nears the point of
consumption, such as our homes, the electricity is transformed down to the safer 100-250 voltage
systems used in the domestic market. Both, big and small power stations are scattered all over
the country. Electricity produced by them is fed into regional grids. It is proposed to have a
single national grid.

Improvements continue to be made in conventional thermal power station design and new
combustion technologies are being developed. These allow more electricity to be produced from
less coal - known as improving the thermal efficiency of the power station. Efficiency gains in
electricity generation from coal-fired power stations will play a crucial part in reducing
CO2 emissions at a global level.

3.4 Firewood (Fuel wood)

Firewood (biomass) is a used as energy source since historical

time. It is widely used for cooking and heating. In our country more than
fifty per cent of the energy used by villagers comes from fire wood. It
may be seen that nearly 70 % of the firewood demand pertains to the rural
areas. Only 50 Mt. of the fuel wood may become available from natural
resources. According to a report, for next 15 years or so the average fuel
wood contribution from natural forest would be 0.75 t/ha/yr and the rest is
to be met from the plantations. Whole of the required plantations is to be
non-agricultural land, degraded forest land, culturable waste land,
barren/inculturable land, permanent pasture and grazing lands.

Fig. 3 - A woman carrying firewood in North East India

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3.5 Hydro-Power

Water-energy is most conventional renewable source of energy. Energy is obtained from

water flow, water falling from a height. Hilly and highland areas are suitable for this purpose,
where there is continuous flow of water in large amounts falling from high slopes. Dams are
constructed over rivers. Rain water or river water stored in dams is made to fall from heights.
The falling water flows through pipes inside the dam over turbine blades placed at the bottom of
the dam. The moving blades then turn the generator to produce electricity. This is called hydro
electricity. The water discharged after the generation of electricity is used for irrigation.

Fig. 4 - Hydroelectric Power

Hydro-power is a clean, non-polluting source of energy. It can be transmitted to long

distance through wires and cables. But, this form of energy can not be stored for future. Thus
markets are to be fixed before generation of this form of energy. One fourth of the world’s
electricity is produced by hydro-power. Norway, Switzerland, Canada, Sweden and New
Zealand harnessed their water resources for water energy. In South America, about 75 % of the
total electricity consumption comes from water. Japan, USA and former USSR are the leading
countries in production of hydro-power.

In India the generation of hydro-electric power was emphasized from the First Five Year
Plan when a number of multipurpose river valley projects such as Bhakra Nangal project on river
Sutlej, Bokaro in Panchet and Talaiya in Damodar Valley and Hirakund, Rihand, Nagarjuna
Sagar, Kosi, koyana were launched to generate hydroelectric power, apart from their use for
irrigation and other purposes. A number of such projects including construction of large dams as
Tehri Dam on Bhagirathi river in Uttarakhand, Sardar Sarovar in Gujarat, and Narmada Valley
Project (NVP) are also under different stages of development. India has immense amount of
hydro-electric potential estimated at 84,000 MW. It ranks fifth in terms of exploitable hydro-
potential on global scenario.

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 Hydroelectricity produces no primary waste or pollution. But, construction of dams leads
to several environmental problems, such as submergence of plant and animal habitats and
displacement of local inhabitants including tribals.

3.6 Nuclear (Nuke) Energy

Nuclear energy can be generated by nuclear fission in which nucleus of certain isotopes
with large mass number is splitted in to lighter nuclei on bombardment of neutrons in order to
release a huge amount of energy through a chain reaction or by nuclear fusion in which two
isotopes of light elements are forced to form a heavier nucleus releasing enormous energy in the
process. The heat energy produced as a result of either of the process is used to produce steam
which runs electric turbine and generates electricity (Fig. ). The process of nuclear fusion is
difficult to initiate but releases more energy then nuclear fission.

Fig. 5 - Nuclear power reactor generating electricity

Nuclear energy has a tremendous potential but any leakage from the nuclear reactor may
cause devastating nuclear pollution including world’s most hazardous Chernobyl disaster.
Disposal of nuclear waste is also a troublesome process. Uranium, a rare element, is the primary
source of nuclear energy although thorium can also be converted into uranium isotopes and used
as a fuel. Today nuclear energy accounts for about 6 percent of total commercial energy.

There are over 300 atomic power plants, operating in the world. The maximum are in
USA (83), followed by USSR (40), UK (35), France (34), Japan (25), F.R. Germany (15) and
Canada (13).

In India first nuclear power station was raised at Tarapore, near Mumbai in 1969. The
nuclear power is still not well developed as there are only five nuclear plants, namely, Narora
(UP), Rawatbhata (Rajasthan), Kakrapur, Tarapur (Maharashtra) and Kalpakkam (TamilNadu).
At present country produces 2250 MW (2.6 % of the country’s total installed power generation
capacity) from these nuclear power generation plants. By 2050, it is expected to rise to 25
percent. In India uranium deposits are found in Gaya and Singhbhum districts of Bihar, Udaipur
and Jaipur district of Rajasthan, Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh, and Palghat district of Kerla.
Reserves of thorium are found in Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh and coastal parts of India.

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 4. Non-Conventional Sources of Energy

The increasing use of fossil fuels is leading to its shortage. It is estimated that if the
present rate of consumption continues, the reserves of these fuel will get exhausted. Moreover,
their use also causes environmental pollution. Therefore, there is need for using non-
conventional sources such as solar, wind, tides, geothermal heat, and biomass including farm and
animal waste as well as human excreta. All these sources are renewable or inexhaustible and do
not cause environmental pollution. More over, they do not require heavy expenditure. They are
capable of solving the twin problems of energy supply in decentralized manner and helping in
sustaining cleaner environment.

4.1 Solar Energy

Sun is the source of all energy on the earth. It is most abundant, inexhaustible and
universal source of energy. All other sources of energy draw their strength from the sun. Solar
energy can be used directly or indirectly for human welfare. The direct solar energy is the radiant
energy, whereas the indirect solar energy obtained from the materials such as biomass, in which
sun’s radient energy has been incorporated by the plants.

On global scale, 15 days of solar energy is roughly equivalent to the energy stored in all
known reserves of fossil fuels on the earth. The continuous input of the energy from the sun is
1,67,000 times greater than the current consumption. As such, now many countries are in effort
to harness the solar energy for domestic, commercial or industrial purposes. Solar energy can be
used for direct heating. Alternatively, the heat can be converted into the electricity- the thermal
electric generation. Photovoltaic cells-the solar cells or solar batteries convert direct solar energy
into electricity.

Fig. 6 - Solar energy

India is blessed with plenty of solar energy because most parts of the country receive
bright sunshine throughout the year except a brief monsoon period. India has developed
technology to use solar energy for cooking, water heating, water dissimilation, space heating,
crop drying etc. The grid-connected capacity in the country now stands at 481.48 MW, while the total
solar energy potential has been estimated at 50,000 MW.

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4.2 Wind Energy

Wind power is harnessed by setting up a windmill which is used for

pumping water, grinding grain and generating electricity. Harvesting wind
energy is possible only in the areas that receive fairly continuous wind such as
islands, costal areas and mountain passes. Areas with constantly high speed
preferably above 20 km per hour are well-suited for harnessing wind energy.
When gigantic fans, raised on tall towers, are rotated by the wind, rotate wind
turbines. These turbines cause the rotation of magnets, which creates
electricity.

Wind power is a renewable energy source, which has no waste by

products, and causes no pollution. But it is quite ‘unpredictable’. When wind
speed is low, less electricity is generated. Fig. 7 - Wind energy
The gross wind power potential of India is estimated to be about 20,000 MW. India
occupies the fifth position, after Germany, USA, Denmark and Spain, in wind power generation
adding 2483 MW to the power sector. Gujarat is the first state in the country to start using wind
power. Wind mills are used in Rajasthan to draw subsoil water for irrigation. Recently two wind
farms of 10 MW each have been established in Tamil Nadu and Gujarat with international
cooperation from Denmark.

4.3 Ocean Energy

The ocean forms a vital source of energy. Ocean energy is obtained in various forms such
as ocean tidal and wave energy, ocean thermal energy conversion etc.

a) Tidal energy:

Sea water keeps on rising and falling alternatively twice a day under the influence of
gravitational pull of moon and sun. This phenomenon is known as tides. Tides are a source of
clean and renewable source of energy. But the energy generation may have serious
environmental impacts like water salinity and sediment movement.

Tidal power or tidal energy is a form of hydropower that converts the energy of tides into
electricity. A water turbine is placed in a tidal current, which turns an electrical generator, or a
gas compressor that stores the energy until needed.

It is estimated that India possesses 8000-9000 MW of tidal energy potential. The most
potent sites to produce tidal energy include the Gulf of Cambay (7000 MW approx.) and Gulf of
Kuchchh (1200 MW approx.) on the west coast, and the Ganges Delta in the Sunderbans in West
Bengal (less than 100 MW).

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 Fig. 8 - Tidal energy

b) Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC):

The sun warms the oceans at the surface and wave motion mixes the warm water
downward to depth of about 100 meters and this mix layer is separated from the deep cold water
formed at a high latitudes, by a thermocline. This boundary is sometimes marked by an abrupt
change in temperature, more often the change being gradual. Thus, the resulting temperature
distribution consists of two layers separated by an interface with temperature differences
between them ranging from 10 ºC to 30 ºC. The higher values are found in equatorial waters.
And these two enormous reservoirs in some oceanic regions provide the heat source and heat
sink required to operate the heat engine. The engine using this energy is referred to as OTEC
which makes use of the difference in temperature between the two layers of the sea to harness
energy which in turn is used to drive turbines for generating electricity.

Fig. 9 - Closed cycle OTEC system

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 The concept of OTEC was first demonstrated in 1979 when a small plant mounted on a
barge off Hawai, USA produced 50 KW gross power. India possesses a huge potential of OTEC
which could be of the order of about 500,000 MW, about 150 percent of the present total
installed power generation capacity of the country. Some of the best global OTEC sites are
situated off the Indian mainland and near the islands of Lakshadweep, Andaman and Nicobar.

4.4 Wave energy

Wave power systems convert the motion of the wave into usable mechanical energy,
which in turn, can be used to generate electricity. These systems can be floating or fixed to the
seabed offshore, or may be constructed at edge on a suitable shoreline.

The incessant motion of the sea surface in the form of water waves caused by wind
constitutes a source of energy. About 1.5 % of the incoming energy from sun is converted to
wind energy. Part of this is transferred to the sea surface resulting in the generation of waves.
This then is carried to coastal lines where it is dissipated as the waves break. Extract of energy
from waves is more efficient than direct collection of power from wind, since the wave energy is
concentrated through the interaction of the wind and the free ocean surface.

For india whose coastal line extends to about 6000 km in length the annual wave energy
potential is estimated to be about 60000 MW approximately (between 5MW to 15 MW per
meter). India has initiated the wave energy project near Trivendrum in Kerla as an indigenous
effort. It was expected that on the completion, the project would be able to derive an energy
output of 4.45 lakh units per year. The project resulted in a strict reality in 1991 when it started
generation of electricity to be fed to the grid of Kerla State Electricity Board. It is estimated that
wave energy potential along the Indian coast is.

4.5 Geo-Thermal Energy

Heat energy obtained from the earth is called geothermal energy. The temperature in the
interior of the earth rises steadily as we go deeper. Some times this heat energy may surface itself
in the form of hot springs. Geothermal energy in the form of hot springs has been used for
cooking, heating and bathing for several years. This heat energy can be used to generate power.
The natural heat from the interior of the earth can be converted into energy. This natural heat
comes from the fission of radioactive material present in the rocks in the interior of the earth.

The idea of harnessing geothermal energy, utilizes dry steam, was developed in Italy as
early as in 1904. Natural internal heat of the earth was harnessed by geo-hydro-thermal
conversion, hot igneous and geo-pressured systems. Heated groundwater flowing upwards as hot
water stream and hot springs- nature’s geysers, can be used to turn turbines and generates
electricity.

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 Fig. 10 - Geo-thermal energy

USA has the world’s largest geothermal power plants followed by New Zealand, Iceland,
Philippines and Central America. In India, geothermal plants are located in Manikaran in
Himachal Pradesh and Puga Valley in Ladakh. Assessment of geothermal energy potential of
selected sites in Jammu and Kashmir, Himanchal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand and
Chhattisgarh is being undertaken. Some more field investigations, including deep drilling at
potential geothermal sites, would be required before these sites can be taken up for development
for geopower generation.

Fig. 11- Geothermal Energy in Manikaran

4.6 Energy from Biomass

Biomass generally refers to the organic matter generated by plants through

photosynthesis, wherein solar energy combines with CO2 and moisture to form carbohydrates
and oxygen. Materials having combustible organic matter are referred to as biomass. Biomass
contains C, H and O which are oxygenated hydrocarbons. It generally contains a high level of
moisture and volatile matter but has a low bulk density and calorific value. Biomass refers to all

14
plant material and animal excreta when considered as an energy source. Some important kinds of
biomass are inferior wood, urban waste, bagasse, farm animal and human waste. Coal is the end
product of a sequence of biological and geological processes that biomass undergoes.

Biomass energy is the utilization of energy stored in organic matter. It is humanity’s

oldest external source of energy, dating back to prehistoric man’s first use of fire. And biomass
is still an important part of the world’s energy system; the use of traditional biomass—charcoal,
firewood, and animal dung—in developing countries accounts for almost 10% of the world’s
primary energy supply.

Biomass is an attractive energy source for a number of reasons:

 Biomass is a renewable energy source generated through natural processes and as a

byproduct of human activity.
 It is also more evenly distributed over the earth's surface than fossil fuel energy sources,
and may be harnessed using more cost effective technologies.
 It provides us the opportunity to be more energy self-sufficient and helps to reduce
climate change.

It helps farmers, ranchers and foresters better manage waste material, providing rural job
opportunities and stimulating new economic opportunities.

Bioenergy can be utilized in varied appications:

 Biomass can be combusted to produce heat (large plants or localized biomass boilers),
electricity, or used in combined heat and power (CHP) plants.
 Biomass can also be used in combination with fossil fuels (co-firing) to improve
efficiency and reduce the build up of combustion residues.
 Biomass has potential to replace petroleum as a source for transportation fuels.

Biomass is also used in conjunction with fossil fuels for electricity generation in “waste-
to-energy” projects. These are niche applications, which depend on the biomass having no other
commercial value and being in close proximity to the application.

Organic waste such as dead plant and animal material, animal dung and kitchen waste
can be converted into a gaseous fuel called biogas. The organic waste is decomposed by bacteria
in biogas digesters to emit biogas which is essentially a mixture of methane and carbon dioxide.
Biogas is an excellent fuel for cooking and lighting and produces huge amount of organic
manure each year. Energy is everywhere but we can see that harnessing this energy is both
difficult as well as costly. Each one of us can make a difference by not wasting energy. Energy
saved is energy generated. Act now and make brighter energy future.

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 Fig. 12 – Biogas Production

Biomass is highly diverse in nature and classified on the basis of site of origin (Table-2),
as follows:

Table 2 - Sources of biomass

Field and plantation Industrial biomass Forest Urban waste Aquatic biomass
biomass biomass biomass
Agricultural crop residues- Agro-industrial processed Timber Municipal solid Microalgae
Cobs, stalks, Straw, Cane biomass and their wastes: wastes blooms
thrashes and etc Husk Log residues
Edible matters from crops- Oil cake Sewage sludges Sea weeds (E.g.
Environmentally spoiled Sugar bagasses Forest floor Kelp)
grains, pulses, fruits, nuts, Sugar molasses, debris Kitchen and
spices, seeds and lint etc Whey Hides and skin canteen wastes Fresh water weeds
Dedicated energy crops- wastes Animal (E.g. Water
Bamboo, Prosopis, Fruit and pulp debris carcass Hyacinth)
Casuarinas, Willow and Saw dust
poplar etc Wood pulp and paper Dead fishes
Plantation debris-Leaves, shavings
stubbles, barks and trunks etc Fermented microbial mass
Livestock wastes from fields, etc
slaughter houses and animal
husbandries etc

India is the 7th largest country in the world spanning 328 Million hectares and amply
bestowed with renewable sources of energy. It has been estimated that India produces about 450
million tonnes of biomass per year, of which about 200 million tonnes is surplus. Biomass tops
the list in providing 32% of all the primary energy use in the country.

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 5. Comparison of various Energy Sources

A very brief summary of advantages and disadvantages of different types of energy sources are
discussed in Table - 2.

Table - 2: Advantages and disadvantages of various energy sources

S. Energy Source Type of energy Advantages Disadvantages

No. source
1 Coal Conventional  Extensively available  Polluting source
Non-renewable  Efficient Conversion to  Bulky to transport
electricity
2 Oil and Conventional  Easier to transport  Depletion of oxygen due
Natural Gas Non-renewable (tankers) to oil spillage and gas
 Basis of petrochemical leakage
industry  Pollutants released causes
 Easier to transport acid rain
(Pipelines)  Exploration of new fuel is
 Cleaner than oil and coal not easy
 Cheaper than oil
3 Fire wood Conventional  Easy access  Collection is time
Non-renewable  Provides energy to a large consuming
number of people  Polluting
 Promoting green house
effect
 Deforestation
4 Hydro-power Conventional  Non-polluting  Displacement of local
Renewable  Promotes irrigation and community
fishing  Inundates low
 Cheap  Expensive to setup
5 Nuclear energy Conventional  Emits large amount of  Generates radioactive
Non-renewable energy waste
 Expensive
6 Solar energy Non-conventional  Inexhaustible  Expensive
Renewable  Non-polluting  Diffused source, so gets
wasted
7 Wind energy Non-conventional  Non- polluting  Noise pollution
Renewable  Low cost production of  Wind mills costly to setup
electricity once setup  Disturbs radio and T.V.
 Safe and clean reception
 Harmful to birds
8 Tidal energy Non-conventional  Non-polluting  Destroys wildlife habitat
Renewable  Inexhaustible  Difficult to harness
9 Geothermal Non-conventional  Clean eco-friendly and  Located far away from
energy Renewable always available cities and so costly to
transport the electricity
10 Bio gas Non-conventional  Low cost  Causes green house effect
Renewable  Easy to operate
 Make use of bio waste

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 6. Conclusion

Developing renewable energy can help India increase its energy security, reduce adverse
impacts on the local environment, lower its carbon intensity, contribute to a more balanced
regional development, and realize its aspirations for leadership in high-technology industries.
According to a report, India is the third most favoured destination globally, for investments in
the renewable energy sector. The report also says that the country will be a major source of new
entrants into the sector, after the US and China. The Indian renewable energy market has become
increasingly dynamic in recent years as a result of strong natural resources, greater
accommodation to international investments and a variety of government incentives. Solar and
wind energy will be the major areas to witness overseas investments and acquisitions in the near
future.

With all the attractive characteristics and potential stated above, India presents a
significant market opportunity for renewable energy firms worldwide. However, these firms will
need external guidance and assistance on several strategic and operational aspects before they are
in a position to effectively tap into this opportunity.

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References

 NCRET Books.
 The potential of India’s Renewable energy 2012 report by Gyan Research and Analytics Pvt. Ltd.
 Energy Resources and India’s Security 2009 Report by Teri , The Energy and Resource Institute.
 Overview of Renewable Energy Potential of India, 2006, Global Energy Network Institute
(GENI). www.geni.org
 India Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources (MNES) http://mnes.nic.in/
 The President of India www.presidentofindia.nic.in
 The Energy & Resources Institute (TERI) http://www.teriin.org/
 Trade Team Canada Environment (TTC Environment)
http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/inenva.nsf/en/h_eg02268e.html
 U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), http://mospi.nic.in/mospi_energy_stat.htm
 Global Energy Network Institute (GENI) www.geni.org
 Canada India Business, http://canadaindiabusiness.ca/gol/cib/cib.nsf/en/ci00109.html
 Zenith Energy, http://www.zenithenergy.com/index.HTM
 Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), http://www.greenbusinesscentre.com/renenegy.asp
 Centre for Wind Energy Technology www.cwet.tn.nic.in
 http://www.eai.in

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