Non-conventional energy sources for the future energy crises

The subject of non-conventional energy sources will be discussed in this post. Energy is the top priority throughout the world. This is mainly because nations rely primarily on fossil fuel energy sources, whose resources are depleted because of overuse. The other common source that has a safety risk is nuclear power. The quest for other sources of energy is evidently very progressive, in particular for non-conventional energy sources. These technologies offer the benefit of reducing air pollution and also reducing the impacts of global warming on mother earth.

Introduction to Non-conventional energy sources

The stock of fossil fuel is worldwide decreased, as a result of heavy consumption. As a consequence, the focus on non-conventional energy sources has shown promising outcomes. Non-conventional energy sources is now recognised as an alternative for conventional fossil fuel energy. Different sources can be used to produce energy in the non-conventional sector. Wind, solar, wave, water and more are would be included. However, the question is whether these technologies can meet the future energy demand. In order to obtain an answer to this response, detailed studies should be carried out.

Why is renewable energy beneficial to combating climate change?

According to a recent report published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), non-conventional energy sources can keep greenhouse gas levels below 450 parts per million (PPM) if all available technologies are used to their full potential. As far as climate change is concerned, this level is considered to be the safe level. If it drops below this level, the changes will be unpredictable and could result in disasters.

Conventional energy resources have their drawbacks.

The world’s current energy needs are primarily met by fossil fuels and nuclear power. Both have their own set of limitations. Fossil fuels are limited and contribute to pollution in the atmosphere. To a large extent, air pollution is caused by the amount of polluting gases emitted by motor vehicles and thermal plants. Nuclear power plant safety has yet to be proven.

Non-conventional energy sources: A report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

Non-conventional sources, unlike fossil fuels, are renewable. In most countries, electricity production from these sources has already begun and is progressing. According to the IPCC report, 140 GW out of the 300 GW of electricity produced in 2008–09 came from solar and wind sources. The main issue in switching to these sources of production is not the availability of sources, but the cost of production. According to the IPCC report, investment in non-conventional energy sources would be about $5 trillion (trillion = millions of million) dollars over the next decade, with the target of providing enough energy to maintain greenhouse gas emissions below 450 parts per million. During the next decade (2021– 2030), investment for the same number will be seven trillion dollars.

Agenda of the Weather and Climate change conference

The IPCC report will be discussed in depth at the following weather meeting, which is held in South Africa in December 2011. The conference’s overall aim was to re-energize the global alliance for sustainable growth, which was initiated at the Rio Earth Summit 20 years ago. A broad variety of issues relating to long-term sustainability were addressed. The study emphasises the need for a transition to this sustainable, non-conventional energy source, and the IPCC is requesting that every country make this transition. It also seeks to assist developed countries, whose inhabitants, totalling about 2000 million, are currently denied access to energy benefits.

According to projections, electricity generated from non-conventional sources would need to be increased by a factor of twenty by 2050, which would be more than that derived by nuclear sources. Wind and solar have been listed as the primary non-conventional energy sources for the future. The amount that could be extracted by other sources is much smaller. There are also resource constraints in the case of hydroelectric power generation.

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Prime Movers and Different Forms of Energy Resources

This article provides the fundamental details of the different types of prime movers used to produce mechanical energy in our daily lives. The different energy sources used by primary movers are also included.

• Introduction to Prime Mover
  • Prime Mover Definition
• Different Energy Sources Used by Prime Movers
  • Fuel Burning
  • Water from River
  • Atoms
  • Wind Energy
  • Solar Energy
• Types of Prime Movers
  • Thermal Prime Movers
    • Heat Engines
    • Nuclear
    • Geothermal
    • Biogas
    • Solar Energy
  • Non-Thermal Prime Movers
    • Hydraulic Turbines
    • Wind Power
    • Tidal Power

Introduction to Prime mover

In the early stages when no technological progress or inventions existed in the field of mechanical machinery development, humans must depend on their physical strength and animal in order to perform various works. Now it has been possible to satisfy various needs in daily life and work with the development of engines and a number of energy sources for generating power from the engines.

Prime mover definition:

‘Prime mover is a device that uses and converts the energy from natural sources into mechanical energy.’

Different energy sources used by prime movers:

Prime movers use the various energy sources. The following are the different sources:

Fuel burning:

This is a key energy source. It releases the heat energy if any fuel is consumed. The fuel energy is dependent on the fuel type being burned. Various fuels have different calorification values and are released by fuel on the basis of the heat. This heat energy is then transformed into mechanical energy.

Water from the River stream lines/ Ponds / Lakes:

Another useful and widespread energy source. The latent energy is present in water falling from a certain height. When it reaches the primary mover, this potential energy is translated into kinetic energy. The primary mover used here is the power-generating hydraulic turbine. The other use is to produce steam (i.e. Thermal power plant) in a boiler with streaming of water. Again the steam is used to produce mechanical power in steam turbines and steam engines.

Atoms:

In the recent years, atoms have been used as a rich fuel, and a good source of energy for the energy development. Heat energy is generated through atomic fission or fusion. The heat energy is transformed by turbochargers into mechanical work.

Wind Energy:

In recent days, this power source is commonly used, since it is easily available everywhere. It is a type of electricity produced as a green energy.

Solar energy:

The source of energy supply is free too, provided that it is captured and used properly to produce electricity. It is often classified as a clean green energy source.

Types of Prime mover:

Prime movers are categorised according to the energy sources used. The following is the classification:

1)Thermal prime movers:

These are the primary movers that produce power using thermal energy from the source. The following are given some thermal primary movers:

Heat engines:

These engines are used to produce mechanical power from different fuels such as petrol, gasoline, oil, coal etc.

Heat engines are two types:

-External combustion engines:

1) Reciprocating steam engines
2) Steam turbine
3) closed cycle gas turbine

-Internal combustion engines:

1) Reciprocating I.C. engines
2) Open cycle gas turbine

Nuclear:

This prime mover uses fission or fusion technology of the atoms to produce mechanical energy from the thermal energy. It is found mostly in nuclear plants. For this fission or the fusion process in a nuclear reactor, some radioactive elements such as uranium, thorium have been used.

Geothermal:

Heat energy is derived from certain depth of this kind of prime mover or the hot portion of the earth below the earth’s surface and then transformed into a mechanical power by the required engine.

Bio gas:

Biogas is primarily produced from garbage waste or any other waste used in a biomass plant to produce electricity through prime movers.

Solar energy:

Solar energy in the form of radiation or electromagnetic waves comes to the world. Using solar panels made of semiconductor material, this energy was trapped. This heat energy then becomes electricity.

2) Non-thermal prime movers:

Such primary movers don’t use the heat energy for mechanical power. The non-thermal primary movers are as follows:

Hydraulic turbines:

This type of primary mover uses stored water power to generate electricity.

Wind power:

Wind energy is converted into power by means of a wind turbine.

Tidal power:

The energy from the ocean tides is transformed to power by a tidal power turbine.

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