Energy and the Environment

Energy
• Definition: Scientists define energy as the ability to do work. Modern
civilization is possible because people have learned how to change energy
from one form to another and then use it to do work. It powers everything
from our daily activities to large-scale industrial processes.

• Importance: Energy is essential in our lives, powering homes,

transportation, industries, and technology.
Types of Energy Sources
• Renewable Resources
The resources which cannot be exhausted even after continuous
utilisation are termed renewable resources. Examples of renewable
resources are the sun, wind, and tidal energy.
• Non-renewable Resources
The resources which cannot be immediately replaced once they are
depleted are called non-renewable resources. Examples of non-
renewable resources include fossil fuels, such as coal, petroleum,
natural gas and rare minerals typically found in meteorites.
 Coal as Non-Renewable Power Resource
•
Coal
Elements & Types
Elements contained in Coal Types of Coal
Coal
Physical Characteristics & Uses
What are the Physical characteristics of coal?

1. Black color & metallic luster. It contains between. ...

slowly, with a pale blue flame & very little smoke.

2. Bituminous coal contains between.

69% & 86% carbon by weight. Sub-bituminous coal
contains less carbon, more.

3. Water & is a less efficient source of heat. Lignite coal,

or brown coal, is a very soft coal that.

Facts about The Coal

• It takes about 1 million years to form. Now you understand why it is classified as a non-renewable energy
source.
• There are 2 methods of coal extraction: surface and underground. The surface is cheaper and safer.
• China is the largest coal-producing country in the world, with production of 3,942 M tonnes, a 2.5% growth.
• It was an integral part of trade during the Roman Empire.
How Coal is Formed
Transporting coal to power generation
companies
 Why use imported Coal?
• Imported coal is used in coal fire power plants and the cement industry, about
50% each.
• The main argument for not using local coal is its quality, mostly lignite with
more moisture content.
• However, it is also a fact that lignite quality produced in Pakistani fields is
better than coal produced and used for electricity generation in India.
• The second primary concern is the expense of transporting Thar coal to the
power plants, e.g., Sahiwal and Port Qasim due to the absence of a railway
connection with the Thar coal site.
• Pakistan is seeking to expand the share of domestic coal in the electricity fuel
mix. The objective is to save foreign exchange on import-base electricity
generation, which stands at about 30% as of June 30, 2022. The government
has developed policies and frameworks to enhance the local share.
 Coal Environmental Loss
• Despite being the cheapest fossil fuel, coal is the most environmentally
detrimental energy source and is considered a significant contributor to
climate change.
• The Paris Agreement calls for eliminating coal use in the power sector by
2050. Nevertheless, its use is increasing globally
• Pakistan’s power sector contribution to global power sector emissions is
hardly 0.4% compared to over 38% by China, 11% by the US, 9% by India, and
6% by Russia in 2021.
• Still, as per the Global Climate Index 2021, Pakistan is the 8th most vulnerable
country to climate change. The technology used in coal-fired power plants is
vital from an environmental perspective.
• Indeed, the environment is of concern for Pakistan, as it is already among the
world's most vulnerable countries. The only thing that needs to be done is to
focus on the most efficient technologies
 Economic Gains of Coal Based Power Plant
• They can respond to rapidly changing loads without difficulty
• Fuel used is cheaper
• Cheaper in production cost in comparison with that of diesel power stations.
Disadvantages of Coal Based Power Plant
• Maintenance and operating costs are high
• A large quantity of water is required
• Great difficulty experienced in coal handling
• Presence of troubles due to smoke and heat in the plant
• Unavailability of good quality coal
• Maximum of heat energy lost
 Crude Oil (Petroleum)
• Also known as “Black Gold”
• Extracted from the earth and
refined into products such as
gasoline, jet fuel, and other
petroleum products.
• Composed of hydrocarbon
deposits and other organic
materials
• Formed from the remains of
animals and plants that lived
millions of years ago.
 Crude Oil (Petroleum)

Many economists view crude oil as the single most important

commodity in the world, as it is currently the primary source of
energy production.
Types of Oil (Petroleum)
 Oil Found in Anticline Oil trap
• Petroleum trap,
underground rock formation that
blocks the movement
of petroleum and causes it to
accumulate in a reservoir that can be
exploited.
• The most common type of structural
trap is formed by an anticline, a
structure with a concave (as viewed
from below) roof caused by the local
deformation of the reservoir rock and
the impermeable cap rock.
 Crude Oil (Petroleum)

Thermal Electricity

Source of Power

Uses For Heating

As lubricant for
Crude Oil
Machines
Petrol for Cars and Air
Crafts
As Motor Fuel
Diesel – for buses, rail
engines and trucks
 Crude Oil (Petroleum)
Paraffin

Wax

Plastics

Synthetic rubber

By Products of Detergents
Crude Oil Insecticides
Uses
Pharmaceutical products

Chemical Products
Bitumen for Road
Surfacing
Furnace Oil
Petroleum (oil) Value Chain
Oil Drilling
Oil Refinery
• An oil refinery is an industrial plant that transforms, or refines crude
oil into various usable petroleum products such as diesel, gasoline,
and heating oils like kerosene.
 Production of Oil
• Still many potential oilfields are not yet explored due to following
things:
 Lack of Technology

 Weak Institutional Framework

Sectorial Consumption of Oil and and Oil Products

 Natural Gas - Composition
• Natural Gas is a combination of multiple
hydrocarbon gases and other components.
• It can be in various compositions when it forms.
• Mostly natural gas can be found next to oil
reservoirs. Countries in the Middle East possess
more than 40% of the world’s natural gas
reserves.
 How is natural gas formed?
• Naturally, it took hundreds of millions of years while
the Earth’s heat, the pressure, and the movement of
the layers decomposed plants and animals, turning
them into petroleum, oil, and natural gas.
• Natural gas examples
• Conventional natural gas: Conventional gas is
accessible because it is trapped under a permeable
layer of rock. In most cases, it occurs together with oil
reservoir deposits and sometimes it floats on top of the
oil, forming a layer on it.
• Unconventional natural gas: Unconventional gas hiding
deep below (4500 meters or more) the surface, making
extraction difficult. Economically, it is not always viable
to extract unconventional gas types, because it is not
cost-effective. Yet, new technologies are developing
every day to make natural gas extraction easier. Thus,
today’s unconventional natural gas types will become
conventional in the future.
• Deep Natural Gas types belong to the
unconventional category. These are hard to extract for
different reasons.
 Solar Power
• Solar Energy is energy (light or heat) that comes from the sun
• Energy from the Sun is referred to as solar energy.
• Green technology % because it does not emit greenhouse gases.
• It is important because 80% of total energy consumption comes from
resources like Petroleum, Coal and natural gas which are non-renewable.
• Those resources can deplete and finish over time unlike Solar energy
resource.
About half of the incoming solar energy reaches
Earth

6% Reflected by atmosphere

20% Reflected by clouds

4% Reflected by
Earth’s surface
16% Absorbed by atmosphere

3% Absorbed by
clouds

~51% reaches Earth’s Surface

• Solar energy is measured as power per unit area

(Watt/m2)
 Types of Solar Power
There are various types of solar energy that is being used for generating
power however 2 main types are:
1) Solar Thermal (for heating) – Also known as Solar Furnaces
2) Solar Photovoltaic (PVC) Electricity – commonly used these days
 1. Solar Thermal Furnaces
• These furnaces concentrate the sun’s radiation at
a focal point in such a way that the temperatures
rise to 3600-4000 °C.
• They can supply heat energy, and thermal power
plants can transform that heat into electricity.
They are also used for heating water, food
cooking and material heating.
• These furnaces can also be used in combination
with water turbines for electricity generation.
Such power plants usually acquire temperatures
between 300-1000 °C.
• Steam from the boiling of water reaches the
steam turbine and makes it rotate while passing
through the blades thereby generating electricity.
 2. Solar Photovoltaic (PVC)
• Photovoltaic (PV) cells, which convert light directly into
electricity.
• The most common technology uses thin layers of silicon
semiconductor materials, connected in series in a
photovoltaic panel or module
• The direct current (DC) electricity the solar PV panels
produce needs to be converted to alternating current (AC)
for grid-connected applications.
• A solar inverter performs this trick, enabling any energy
generation in excess of local demand to be exported to
the grid and used elsewhere. .
• It can provide power to locations without a connection to
the electricity grid.
• As costs have fallen and efficiencies of PV materials have
risen, governments provided generous support that has
seen the levels of solar deployment to rise.
• Solar PV has now reached a point where without subsidy
it can compete with the retail cost of electricity in
developed economies, and with wholesale electricity in
sunny climates.
 2. Solar Photovoltaic (PVC)
• As costs have fallen and efficiencies of PV materials have risen, governments
provided generous support that has seen the levels of solar deployment to rise.
• In Pakistan the cost of electricity generated by other sources like petroleum
and coal has risen so much, so use of PVC solar panels has become very
common as it is mostly cost effective with one time investment.
• Many companies are now making and selling PVC components along with the
whole system including modules, batteries, regulators, and invertors
 What’s the difference between solar PV panels
and solar thermal panels?
• Solar PV is based on the photovoltaic effect, by which a photon (the basic unit
of light) impacts a semi-conductor surface like silicon and generates the release
of an electron.
• Solar thermal is less sophisticated and simply the direct heating of water (or
other fluids) by sunlight.
• For domestic use, solar thermal panels are also installed on a roof facing the
sun, heating water stored in a hot water cylinder and so providing hot water
and heating.
• On a larger scale, solar thermal can also be used in power stations.
 Use of Solar Energy
 Rural Electrification
 Water Heating
 Pumping water from wells and for cooking purpose Telephone, Refrigeration
for medicines in hospitals
 Wind Power
• Wind Power is the conversion of wind
energy which is actually Kinetic energy into
any useful form of energy which in this
case in mechanical energy.
• Large-scale wind farms are connected to
the electric power transmission network;
• Smaller facilities are used to provide
electricity to isolated locations.
• Wind energy, as an alternative to fossil
fuels, is plentiful, renewable.
 Technology behind Wind Power
• Wind turbines, like aircraft propeller
blades, turn in the moving air and power
an electric generator that supplies an
electric current.
• Instead of using electricity to make wind,
like a fan, wind turbines use wind to make
electricity.
• The wind turns the blades, which spin a
shaft, which connects to a generator and
makes electricity.
 Turbine Components
• Blade or rotor, which converts the
energy in the wind to rotational
shaft energy;

• A drive train, usually including a

gearbox and a generator;

• A tower that supports the rotor

and drive train;

• And other equipment, including

controls, electrical cables, ground
support equipment, and
interconnection equipment.
Jhimpir Wind Farm in Pakistan
 Advantages / Disadvantages of Wind Power
Advantages
• The wind is free and with modern technology it can be captured efficiently.
• Tall but takes small plot of land to built
• Can be used for pumping water and agricultural areas
• Can be used in remote areas not connected to the Grid

Disadvantages
• The strength of the wind is not constant and it varies from zero to storm force.
• Wind turbines are noisy. Each one can generate the same level of noise as a family car
travelling at 70 mph.
• Many people see large wind turbines as unsightly structures and not pleasant or
interesting to look at.
• When wind turbines are being manufactured some pollution is produced. Therefore
wind power does produce some pollution.
• Large wind farms are needed to provide entire communities with enough electricity
 Power
Resources

Non-
Renewable
Renewable
Uses of Best Renewable
Resources
 Geo-Thermal Power
Composition:

 Geo means Surface

 Thermal means heat

 Holes are drilled to pump out hot water

 Geo-Thermal Power
Electricity Generation Mechanism:
 Geo-Thermal Power
Advantages / Uses: Disadvantages / Problems:

 Renewable source of Energy  Power Station High cost of

construction

 Pollution Free
 Power Station High cost of
Maintenance
 Sustainable Energy
 Limitation of availability in Volcanic
Erupted areas only

 Volcanic Eruptions and Earthquake

Threats
 Geo-Thermal Power
• Potential in Pakistan

 Geothermal Exploitation Requirements:

o Identify Geothermal Sites
o Estimating volume and cost of the resource
o Heat Content Determination

 Geothermal Power Resource can help solving Pakistan’s energy problem

 Though it has high potential

 But due to limitations, potential not yet utilized

Geothermal Power Stations in different parts of World

Geothermal Power station Geothermal Power station

Located in Iceland Located in California
 Wave Power
• Movement of Waves create energy
• Ocean Waves move up and down
• Power produced by compressing air to drive a
turbine
• Wave power is typically produced by
floating turbine platforms or buoys that rise
and fall with the waves
• Greatest potential – Area with high winds
 Wave Power – Electricity Generation
• As the waves rise and fall, the air in the
column is forced to move, creating a
strong air flow that can power
turbines.
 How energy sources are used?
• Most important use of energy is electricity generation.
• Process of Electromagnetic induction (power source turns the coil
made of conducting material to rotate, close to magnet causing
electricity to generate.
 How energy sources are used?
•Fossil Fuels (Coal, Oil, Natural Gas):
• Burned in power plants to produce steam that drives turbines, generating electricity.
• Used directly for heating, transportation (fuel for cars, planes), and industrial processes.
•Nuclear Energy:
• Nuclear fission of uranium atoms releases heat, which produces steam to drive turbines for electricity.
•Solar Energy:
• Solar panels convert sunlight directly into electricity through photovoltaic cells.
• Solar thermal systems use sunlight to heat water or air for domestic use.
•Wind Energy:
• Wind turbines convert kinetic energy from wind into mechanical energy, which is then converted into
electricity.
•Hydroelectric Power:
• Flowing water spins turbines connected to generators, producing electricity.
•Biomass:
• Organic materials are burned or processed to produce heat or biofuels for electricity, heating, or
transportation
 Factors Influencing the Use of Different
Energy Sources
1. Economic Factors

• Cost of Production: Some energy sources like coal and natural gas are
cheaper to produce compared to renewables, influencing their
widespread use.
• Infrastructure Investment: High initial costs for renewable energy
installations (solar panels, wind farms) can be a barrier.
• Energy Subsidies and Taxes: Government policies, subsidies, or taxes can
make certain energy sources more economically viable.
• Resource Availability: Local availability of resources (e.g., coal in coal-rich
regions) reduces transportation costs, making them more economical.
 Factors Influencing the Use of Different
Energy Sources
2. Social Factors

• Public Health and Safety: Concerns about air pollution, radiation (nuclear),
and safety risks (oil spills) influence public acceptance of energy sources.
• Job Creation: Energy sectors vary in job opportunities; renewables like solar
and wind create jobs in new industries, while fossil fuels sustain traditional
industries.
• Energy Accessibility: The availability of energy sources affects communities
differently; remote or rural areas may have better access to certain sources like
biomass or small-scale solar.
• Cultural Acceptance: Societal attitudes toward nuclear power, fossil fuels, or
renewables impact their adoption.
 Factors Influencing the Use of Different
Energy Sources
3. Environmental Factors
•Carbon Emissions: Fossil fuels release significant greenhouse gases,
contributing to climate change, while renewables have lower carbon footprints.
•Resource Depletion: Non-renewable sources (coal, oil, gas) are finite, leading
to environmental degradation from extraction activities.
•Pollution and Ecosystem Impact: Energy sources impact ecosystems
differently; oil spills, mining, and waste disposal (nuclear) can have severe
environmental consequences.
•Land and Water Use: Hydroelectric dams, biomass, and wind farms can affect
land use and water resources, altering local ecosystems
 The Demand for Energy: Perspectives and
Influencing Factors
1. Industrial Demand for Energy
• Heavy Industry Usage: Industries such as manufacturing, mining, and
construction are highly energy-intensive, requiring large amounts of
electricity, coal, and natural gas.
• Production Growth: Increased production to meet global consumer
demand pushes energy consumption higher, especially in developing
economies.
• Automation and Technology: Advanced machinery and automation
increase productivity but also elevate energy usage in industrial
processes.
• Energy Efficiency Investments: Some industries are adopting energy-
efficient technologies to reduce costs and carbon footprints, influencing
energy demand patterns.
 The Demand for Energy: Perspectives and
Influencing Factors
2. Domestic Demand for Energy

• Rising Standard of Living: As incomes rise, households use more energy

for heating, cooling, lighting, and running appliances
• Population Growth: More households mean greater total energy
consumption for basic needs such as cooking, water heating, and home
electronics.
• Shift to Smart Homes: The adoption of smart devices and home
automation increases electricity demand, although some technologies
aim to enhance energy efficiency
• Seasonal Variations: Energy use spikes in winter (heating) and summer
(cooling), with climate change exacerbating extreme weather conditions
 The Demand for Energy: Perspectives and
Influencing Factors
3. Transportation Demand for Energy

• Vehicle Dependence: The growing number of personal vehicles, especially

in urban areas, drives high demand for petrol, diesel, and increasingly,
electricity for EVs.
• Global Trade and Shipping: The transport of goods by trucks, ships, and
planes relies heavily on fossil fuels, contributing significantly to energy
consumption
• Public Transport Systems: Buses, trains, and trams consume large
amounts of energy, with a shift toward electrification and green transport
initiatives in some regions.
• Electrification of Transport: The rise of electric vehicles (EVs) is changing
the energy landscape, shifting demand from oil to electricity and
increasing the need for charging infrastructure.
 The Demand for Energy: Perspectives and
Influencing Factors
4. Economic and Climate Factors Influencing Demand
• Economic Growth: Expanding economies drive higher energy consumption across all
sectors as businesses and consumers spend more.
• Energy Prices: Fluctuations in the cost of oil, gas, and electricity impact how much
energy industries and households consume.
• Climate Change and Regulations: Policies aimed at reducing carbon emissions
influence energy choices, promoting renewable sources and efficiency measures.
• Environmental Impact: Growing awareness of climate change drives a shift towards
greener energy alternatives, yet the transition requires significant investment.
Energy demand from industrial, domestic, and transport sectors is shaped by
economic activities and climate factors, highlighting the need for sustainable energy
management.
 Conservation and Management of Energy
Sources
 What is Energy Conservation?
• Reducing energy use through efficient practices and technologies.
• Aims to extend the availability of energy resources and reduce environmental impacts.

2. Why Conserve Energy?

• Population Rise: Increase in population cause greater demand for industrialization
requiring more supplies of non-renewable energy resources that cause damage to our
environment.
• Environmental Benefits: Reduces greenhouse gas emissions, air and water pollution.
• Economic Savings: Lowers energy bills for consumers and operational costs for
businesses.
• Resource Management: Extends the life of non-renewable resources (coal, oil, natural
gas).
 Conservation and Management of Energy
Sources
 Strategies for Effective Energy Use
Reduce Consumption while Improving Energy Efficiency:

• Use energy-efficient appliances (LED lighting, energy star-rated devices).

• Upgrade building insulation and windows to reduce heating and cooling
needs.
• Switch off lights, electronics, and appliances when not in use. Unplug devices to
prevent "phantom" energy consumption.
• Scrappage scheme by companies to replace old appliances with new more
energy efficient appliances at discounted rate.

Promoting Sustainable Transportation:

• Encourage the use of public transport, cycling, walking, and electric vehicles.
• Implement carpooling and efficient driving practices.
 Conservation and Management of Energy
Sources
 Strategies for Effective Energy Use
 Adopting Renewable Energy:
• Invest in solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal energy systems.
• Encourage community and government support for renewable projects.
 Energy from Waste
• Utilize waste-to-energy plants to generate electricity and heat from municipal solid
waste (MSW).
•Capture methane from organic waste (e.g., food waste, agricultural residues) and use
it as a renewable energy source.
• Enhance recycling programs to reduce waste and support waste-to-energy
processes.
 Education and Behavioral Changes:
• Simple actions like turning off lights, unplugging devices, and reducing water
heating.
• Promote awareness and education on energy conservation practices.
 Developing New Resources
 Reasons for developing new Energy Resources
• Ensures a stable and sufficient supply to match increasing global energy needs.
• Use different type of energy sources to lessen dependence on conventional non-renewable
resources.
 Fracking
A method of extracting oil and natural gas from deep underground by injecting high-pressure fluid to
fracture rock formations.
• Its benefits include:
o Increased Natural Gas Supply
o Economic Growth
o Low Energy Prices
• Challenges in this process includes:
o Potential risks of groundwater contamination, induced seismic activity (earthquakes), and
methane emissions.
o Large volumes of water required for the fracking process can strain local water resources.
o Public health risks as there are concerns about air quality and health effects for communities
near fracking sites.
 Oil Pollution
 There is a reason why oil demand is still high despite its
environmental concerns:
• Easy to store and transport
• Easier to extract
• Create various products from it
• Produce less pollution in comparison to coal

 Still its huge impact in terms of pollution.

 Oil pollution is a significant environmental hazard with far-reaching impacts
on ecosystems, economies, and human health, necessitating stringent
measures for prevention and management.
 Causes of Oil Spills
 Accidents Involving Oil Tankers and Ships

 Offshore Oil Drilling and Production

 Transportation-Related Spills

Natural occurrences where crude oil leaks slowly from the ocean floor due to
geological activity; less impactful than human-caused spills but still contributes
to overall marine oil pollution.
 Impact of Oil Pollution
 Environmental Impacts:
• Marine and Coastal Ecosystems: Oil spills contaminate oceans, seas, and
coastlines, damaging habitats such as coral reefs, mangroves, and wetlands.
• Wildlife Harm: Oil coats marine animals, birds, and plants, leading to poisoning,
impaired mobility, hypothermia, and death. It disrupts food chains and
reproductive cycles.
• Water Quality Degradation: Oil pollutants decrease water quality by introducing
toxic substances that persist for long periods, affecting aquatic life and human
health.
• Soil Contamination: Oil spills on land can seep into the soil, harming plant life and
causing long-term damage to ecosystems.
 Impact of Oil Pollution
 Environmental Impacts:
• Marine and Coastal Ecosystems: Oil spills contaminate oceans, seas, and
coastlines, damaging habitats such as coral reefs, mangroves, and wetlands.
• Wildlife Harm: Oil coats marine animals, birds, and plants, leading to poisoning,
impaired mobility, hypothermia, and death. It disrupts food chains and
reproductive cycles.
• Water Quality Degradation: Oil pollutants decrease water quality by introducing
toxic substances that persist for long periods, affecting aquatic life and human
health.
• Soil Contamination: Oil spills on land can seep into the soil, harming plant life and
causing long-term damage to ecosystems.
 Impact of Oil Pollution
How does oil impact marine ecosystem?
• Crude oil coats the bodies of marine animals (fish, birds, mammals) and plants, impairing their
ability to move, breathe, and regulate body temperature.
o
o Birds: Oil-coated feathers lose their insulating properties, causing hypothermia, drowning, and loss of
flight ability.
o Marine Mammals: Oil damages the fur of seals and otters, reducing buoyancy and insulation, leading to
hypothermia and death.

• Oil contains toxic compounds (e.g., polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons - PAHs) that are ingested or
absorbed by marine organisms, leading to poisoining, bioaccumulation, and development defects.

• Oil Pollution destroys habitat of marine life in following ways:

o Damage to coral reefs
o Impact on Mangroves and Coastal Vegetation
o Oil disrupts delicate wetland ecosystems, which serve as breeding and feeding grounds for many species,
reducing biodiversity.
 Impact of Oil Pollution
 Economic Impacts:
• Fishing and Tourism: Oil pollution affects fisheries and aquaculture by
contaminating seafood, leading to economic losses and health risks. It also
impacts coastal tourism by polluting beaches and coastal waters.
• Clean-up Costs: High costs associated with oil spill clean-up operations, which
can take years or decades to complete. These costs include labor, technology,
and long-term environmental restoration.
• Damage to Infrastructure: Oil pollution can corrode and damage coastal
infrastructure, including docks, pipelines, and vessels, leading to increased
maintenance and replacement costs.
 Management of Oil Pollution
 MARPOL
• Full Form - Marine Pollution
• International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships
• Established By: International Maritime Organization (IMO)
• Purpose: To minimize marine pollution by ships through regulations that cover
various types of pollutants.
• Regulations on oil discharge
• Inspection and monitoring
• Penalties for non-compliance
 Management of Oil Pollution
 Tanker Design Innovations
•Double Hull Construction
o Enhanced protection against ruptures
(break or split)
o Reduces the risk of spills

•Oil Water Separator Systems

o Efficient separation of oil from water
o Reduces potential discharge

•Integrated Monitoring Systems

•Real-time spill detection
•Automated response systems
 Management of Oil Pollution
Minimizing impact of oil spills
• Use of Floating Booms

• Detergent Sprays

• Skimmers