Environmental Science

Types of resources

Conventional Energy sources: Firewood, fossil fuel, - sources,

types, energy potential, advantages and disadvantages. Energy conservation and utilization for sustainable
development.
New and renewable energy sources solar, Hydel, wind, tidal,
geo-thermal, bio-fuels. Role of environmental organization - Govt and NGOs

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Background
Energy, the lifeblood of our civilization, fuels everything from your late-night
study sessions to the global economy. But where does this energy come from,
and how do we get it?

Energy isn't just about keeping the lights on – it's the fundamental driver of
human progress. From the dawn of civilization, when fire provided warmth,
protection, and a way to cook food, to the modern marvels of electricity,
transportation, and communication, energy has been the engine of our
advancement. But unlike other resources, energy isn't something we can simply
"use up" and forget about. It's a constant flow, a transformation from one form
to another. We utilize various sources, each with its own advantages and
drawbacks, to meet our ever-growing demand.

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 Premise

Energy as the Engine of Progress: The historical significance of

energy in human development. Fire revolutionized early societies,
while electricity fueled the Industrial Revolution.
Energy as a Flow: Energy transformation. We don't "consume"
energy; we convert it from one form (e.g., sunlight) to another (e.g.,
electricity) to perform useful work.
Diversity of Energy Sources: Various energy sources, each with its
own set of characteristics. (Solar, Coal, Fossils,

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Historical data
The Age of Fire (1 Million Years Ago - 10,000 BCE)
Early humans likely discovered fire by accident, perhaps from lightning strikes
or volcanic eruptions.
Fire revolutionized human life. It provided warmth for survival in cold climates,
protection from predators, a way to cook food (improving nutrition and
digestion), and a tool for crafting implements.
Early humans probably learned to control fire by feeding it fuel and creating
hearths.

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Historical data
The Dawn of Agriculture (10,000 BCE - 4,000 BCE)

The shift to agriculture marked a transition from solely relying on fire to

utilizing the energy stored in plants and animals.

Humans harnessed the energy from cultivated crops and domesticated animals
for sustenance and labour. Animal power supplemented human muscle for tasks
like ploughing fields.

This period saw the development of agricultural tools like plows, which
increased efficiency and the energy extracted from the land

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Historical data
The Age of Wind and Water (4,000 BCE - 18th Century AD)

As civilizations developed, they harnessed the power of wind and water. The
first windmills appeared in Mesopotamia around 4,000 BCE, while waterwheels
for grinding grain emerged in ancient Egypt.

Windmills pumped water, ground grain, and even powered early sawmills.
Waterwheels were used for irrigation, milling flour, and powering various
industrial processes.

Over time, waterwheels became more sophisticated, with multiple wheels and
improved gearing systems. Windmills also saw modifications, with designs like
the Dutch windmill becoming more efficient in capturing wind energy.

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Historical data
The Industrial Revolution and Fossil Fuels (18th Century AD - Present)

The discovery of vast coal deposits and the invention of the steam engine in the
18th century ushered in a new era. Oil and natural gas were later discovered and
exploited.

Fossil fuels revolutionized virtually every aspect of life. They powered factories,
locomotives, steamships, and eventually internal combustion engines for cars
and airplanes.

The Industrial Revolution saw rapid advancements in how fossil fuels were
extracted, refined, and utilized. Steam engines became more efficient, and the
invention of the internal combustion engine further changed energy use.

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Historical data
The Atomic Age and the Quest for Clean Energy (20th Century AD -
Present)

The 20th century witnessed the splitting of the atom, leading to the
development of nuclear power. While initially seen as a clean alternative,
concerns about safety and waste disposal emerged.

Nuclear power plants provide a significant portion of the world's electricity, but
their use is controversial due to safety and environmental concerns.

Modern nuclear reactors incorporate safety features, but the issue of nuclear
waste disposal remains a challenge.

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 Where does it come from?

Photosynthesis: Plants capture sunlight and convert it into chemical energy,

forming the base of the food chain (and the fuel for your brain!).

Fossil Fuels: Millions of years ago, buried organic matter like plants and animals
decomposed under pressure and heat, giving rise to coal, oil, and natural gas.

Hydropower & Wind: Solar energy drives the water cycle, creating hydropower
potential. Uneven heating of the Earth's surface by the sun generates wind, a
valuable renewable resource.

Geothermal energy taps into the Earth's core's heat, while nuclear energy is
derived from splitting atoms, a process independent of the sun.

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Types of resources
Conventional Resources: These are well-established sources
historically used for energy and materials.
They are often:
Exhaustible: Finite in supply and cannot be replenished on a
human timescale. Examples include fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural
gas) and some minerals.
Non-renewable: Cannot be readily replaced once depleted. Their
use raises concerns about resource depletion and energy security,
particularly for developing nations.

As the rate of consumption is much greater than the rate of formation, these Global Carbon Budget (2023); Population based on various sources (2023)
sources of energy have been depleted and do not replenish.
In 2009, the world used 11,164 million tones of oil and nearly 90% of
which was from fossil sources
Three-quarters of global greenhouse gas emissions result from the burning of
fossil fuels for energy.
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 Highlights of conventional resources

Human greenhouse gas Global emissions have Current climate policies

emissions have increased increased rapidly over the will reduce emissions, but
the global average last 50 years & have not yet not enough to keep
temperatures peaked temperature rise below 2°C

There are large Many countries have

differences in emissions reduced their CO₂
across the world emissions

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Types of resources
Non-conventional Resources: These are gaining traction due to
their potential for sustainability. The SOURCE of the energy is
ancient – harnessing technology keeps evolving, closer to clean
energy.
They can be:
Renewable: Naturally replenished at a rate comparable to human
consumption. Examples include solar, wind, geothermal, and
hydro power.
Inexhaustible: Available in vast quantities and unlikely to be
depleted by human activity within reasonable timeframes. These
resources offer a path towards a more sustainable future. Energy Institute - Statistical Review of World Energy (2023)

Approximately one-seventh of the world's primary energy is now sourced from

renewable technologies.
Globally, almost one-third of our electricity comes from renewables

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Impact of technology on energy utilization
The interplay between technology and energy resource utilization
is a complex and fascinating. While technological advancements
offer solutions for a more sustainable future, they also introduce
new challenges.
Energy-efficient appliances, electric vehicles, and renewable energy
technologies can decrease the demand for fossil fuels. Similarly,
advancements in agricultural technology can lead to higher crop
yields with less water and fertilizer usage

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Conventional Energy sources: Firewood, fossil fuel
The energy sources that once exhausted, do not replenish
themselves within a specific period are called conventional or non-
renewable energy sources like coal, gas, and oil. For a long time,
these energy sources have been used extensively to meet the
energy demands. As the rate of consumption is much greater than
the rate of formation, these sources of energy have been depleted
and do not replenish. Conventional sources of energy emit
hazardous emissions that not only damage the earth’s atmosphere
also deteriorate the health conditions of the livings

At low-income levels, households rely mostly on solid traditional

fuel sources such as crop waste, dung, and firewood. As incomes
rise, this energy mix tends to transition towards charcoal and coal. Relationship between fuel type and income
Only at higher income levels do households shift from harmful
solid fuels to cleaner non-solid fuels such as ethanol and natural
gas. Electricity is only available for households at a high-income
level.

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Conventional Energy sources: Firewood

Globally, 2.8 billion people, often the world’s poorest and

most marginalized, burn biomass to meet their daily
household energy needs. Inefficiently burning traditional
solid biomass – firewood, coal, agricultural residue, and
dung –for cooking and heating has substantial negative
impacts on public health and the environment. Exposure
to household air pollution (HAP) from the incomplete
combustion of biomass is one of the greatest global
environmental health risks, estimated to account for 2.3
Access to clean fuels for cooking vs. GDP per capita
million premature deaths each year.
I n 2 0 1 1 , a b o u t h a l f o f I n d i a ’s h o u s e h o l d s
used firewood as their primary cooking fuel

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Conventional Energy sources: Firewood

• About 1.3 million people-mostly women and children die prematurely

every year because of exposure to indoor air pollution from biomass.

• The environmental impacts of energy use are not really new. Wood
burning has contributed to the deforestation of numerous regions of
the world.

• 84 per cent of households that use traditional solid fuels in India

• Only 60% of the world has access to clean cooking fuels

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New policies in the energy sector: Firewood

The Government of India announced a new investment policy for

different sectors in 1991 for facilitating the inflow of foreign
capital and to encourage entrepreneurs to invest in India.
Death rates from indoor air pollution have seen an impressive
decline, while improvements in outdoor pollution have been much
more modest.
In the Hydrocarbon Vision-2025, finalized in 2000, it is proposed
that 45 per cent of the total energy needs of the country will be
IHME, Global Burden of Disease (2024)
met through hydrocarbons by the year 2025, compared with the
existing contribution of 42 per cent
The mixture of oil and gas will change from the existing 35 per
cent and 7 per cent to 25 per cent and 20 per cent, respectively,
which will facilitate better energy efficiency, lower pollution, and
easier availability of LPG for cooking.

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Conventional Energy sources: Fossil fuel

The Industrial Revolution unlocked a whole new energy

resource: fossil fuels. Fossil energy has been a fundamental
driver of the technological, social, economic, and
development progress that has followed. Fossil fuels (coal,
oil, gas) have, and continue to, play a dominant role in
global energy systems.
Global fossil fuel consumption
Energy Institute - Statistical Review of World Energy (2024); Smil (2017)
But the types of fuel we rely on have also shifted from
solely coal towards a combination with oil and gas. Today, Fossil fuel consumption has increased significantly over the past half-
century, around eight-fold since 1950 and roughly doubling since 1980.
coal consumption is falling in many parts of the world. But
oil and gas are still growing quickly.

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Conventional Energy sources: Fossil fuel
Electricity is one component of total energy consumption – the
other two being transport and heating.
Globally, fossil fuels account for a much smaller share of
electricity production than the energy system as a whole.
This interactive map shows the share of electricity that comes
from fossil fuels (coal, oil, and gas summed together) across the
world. Oil accounts for only a small share of electricity production
– most come from coal and gas. The share from coal and gas Global fossil fuel consumption
Energy Institute - Statistical Review of World Energy (2024)
individually can be found in the sections below.
Fossil fuel consumption per capita is measured as the average
consumption of energy from coal, oil and gas

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Conventional Energy sources: Fossil fuel
COAL

Coal is formed from the remains of plants and vegetation in

swamp areas and peat bogs that got buried deep under the earth’s
crust. This process of conversion of vegetable matter to peat to
anthracite is known as coalification.

Coal has aided the expansion of electricity generation and

industry, and remains the largest single fuel in the energy mix. The Energy Institute - Statistical Review of World Energy (2024); The Shift Data Portal (2019)
Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted India’s energy use; an updated
assessment shows an estimated fall of about 5% in the country’s
energy demand in 2020 due to lockdowns and related restrictions,
with coal and oil use suffering the biggest falls. Coal is primarily
used to generate electricity and, in 2020, supplied 19% of U.S.
energy consumption. Coal's share has been steadily decreasing as
the costs of natural gas and renewable energy have dropped,
making coal less competitive.

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Conventional Energy sources: Fossil fuel
OIL

Oil constitutes about one-third of U.S. energy consumption. The

majority of the world’s oil is pumped out of underground
reservoirs, but can also be sourced from deposits in shale and tar
sands. Once extracted, crude oil is processed in refineries to create
Energy Institute - Statistical Review of World Energy (2024)
fuel oil, gasoline, liquefied petroleum gas, and non-fuel products
such as pesticides, fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, and plastics. The
transportation sector accounts for most oil consumption.

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Conventional Energy sources: Fossil fuel
GAS

India is the world’s fourth largest buyer of LNG, after Japan,

South Korea, and China, with international purchases expected to
rise to support increasing demand for natural gas and the Indian
government’s promotion of a cleaner environment. Half of
India’s supply of natural gas comes from domestic production
while the other half comes from imported LNG. Industry experts
expect that rising demand will prompt a mix of 30 percent
Energy Institute - Statistical Review of World Energy (2024)
domestic and 70 percent imported LNG by 2025.

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Reserves vs. resources
Reserves vs. resources: when does a resource become a
reserve?

The terms “reserves” and “resources” are often used

interchangeably. However, there is an important distinction between
the two. The chart explains this distinction visually.

Every reserve is indeed a resource, but not every resource is a

reserve. Two requirements determine whether a mineral resource
becomes a reserve. The first is the degree of certainty that it exists:
the planet likely has many mineral resources that we have not yet
discovered. So to be defined as a reserve, we must have either a
proven, probable, or possible understanding of its existence.

The second criterion relates to the economic feasibility of being

able to access and extract the mineral resource. To be defined as a
reserve, it must be economically and technologically viable to
recover. If the economics are subeconomic (i.e. would result in a
net loss) or marginal, a mineral resource is not defined as a reserve.

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New and renewable energy sources
Renewable Energy Source is the primary energy (e.g., earth thermal
energy, energy from sun, wind, biomass, river flow, tides, waves) available
for extraction of (and conversion into) Renewable Energy Products.

The main difference with fossil fuels or solid minerals is that, during the
lifetime of the project, the Renewable Energy Source is being
replenished. Renewable energy is energy from sources that are naturally
replenishing but flow-limited; renewable resources are virtually
inexhaustible in duration but limited in the amount of energy that is
available per unit of time.
Energy Institute - Statistical Review of World Energy (2024)
India stands 4th globally in Renewable Energy Installed Capacity
(including Large Hydro), 4th in Wind Power capacity & 4th in Solar
Power capacity. India is the 3rd largest market in the world for new solar
photovoltaics (PV) capacity
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 New and renewable energy sources
SOLAR

Solar energy-based applications have benefited millions of Indians by meeting

their cooking, lighting and other energy needs in an environment-friendly
manner. India has spearheaded the International Solar Alliance (ISA) which is
an action oriented, member-driven, collaborative platform for increased
deployment of solar energy technologies. India is the 3rd largest market in the
world for new solar photovoltaics (PV) capacity. Solar photovoltaic (PV)
devices, or solar cells, convert sunlight directly into electricity. Small PV cells
can power calculators, watches, and other small electronic devices. Larger solar
cells are grouped in PV panels, and PV panels are connected in arrays that can
produce electricity for an entire house. Some PV power plants have large
arrays that cover many acres to produce electricity for thousands of homes.

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New and renewable energy sources
HYDEL
Hydroelectric power, is one of the oldest and largest sources of renewable
energy, which uses the natural flow of moving water to generate electricity.
Hydroelectric power, is a renewable source of energy that generates power by
using a dam or diversion structure to alter the natural flow of a river or other
body of water.

Ember (2024); Energy Institute - Statistical Review of World Energy (2024)

Hydropower relies on the endless, constantly recharging system of the water
cycle to produce electricity, using a fuel—water—that is not reduced or
eliminated in the process. There are three types of hydropower facilities:
impoundment, diversion, and pumped storage. Some hydropower plants use
dams and some do not. Although not all dams were built for hydropower,
they have proven useful for pumping tons of renewable energy to the grid.
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Size of plants

Hydropower facilities range in size from large power plants, which supply many
consumers with electricity, to small and even ‘micro’ plants, which are operated by
individuals for their own energy needs or to sell power to utilities. Large
Hydropower: Although definitions vary, DOE defines large hydropower plants as
facilities that have a capacity of more than 30 megawatts (MW). Small
Hydropower: Although definitions vary, DOE defines small hydropower plants as
projects that generate between 100 kilowatts and 10 MW. Micro Hydropower: A
micro hydropower plant has a capacity of up to 100 kilowatts. A small or micro
hydroelectric power system can produce enough electricity for a single home,
farm, ranch, or village.

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New and renewable energy sources
WIND

Wind generation at scale – compared to hydropower, for example – is a

relatively modern renewable energy source but is growing quickly in many
countries across the world.

Work on wind energy started in India during the 1960s when the National
Aeronautical Laboratory (NAL) developed windmills, primarily for supplying
irrigation water. Especially in the Southern, Western and North Western
regions. The wind energy sector in India is led by the indigenous wind energy Ember (2024); Energy Institute - Statistical Review of World Energy (2024)

industry and is making steady progress.

The expansion of the wind industry has resulted in a strong ecosystem,

project operation capability and a generation base of about 10,000 megawatt
per annum. The country currently has the 4th largest wind installed capacity
in the world with a total installed capacity of 35.6 GW (as on 31 March
2019), and generated around 52.66 billion units during 2017-18

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Types of plant

The basic wind energy conversion device is the wind turbine. Although various
designs and configurations exist, these turbines are generally grouped into two
types:
1. Vertical-axis wind turbines, in which the axis of rotation is vertical with
respect to the ground (and roughly perpendicular to the wind stream)
2. Horizontal-axis turbines, in which the axis of rotation is horizontal with
respect to the ground (and roughly parallel to the wind stream
International Renewable Energy Agency (2023)

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TIDAL

This is another form of hydro energy that uses twice-daily tidal currents to
drive turbine generators. Although tidal flow unlike some other hydro energy
sources isn’t constant, it is highly predictable and can therefore compensate
for the periods when the tide current is low. Find out more by visiting our
marine energy page. As a renewable energy resource, hydro power is one of
the most commercially developed. By building a dam or barrier, a large
reservoir can be used to create a controlled flow of water that will drive a
turbine, generating electricity. This energy source can often be more reliable
than solar or wind power (especially if it's tidal rather than river) and also
allows electricity to be stored for use when demand reaches a peak

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 Tidal Energy Advantages Tidal Energy Disadvantages

- Tidal energy output is predictable and steady - Tidal power plant construction is currently more
because of gravitational forces. As technology expensive because of the large capital needs.
develops, tidal energy will become more accessible - Environmental issues are fish entering the lagoon and
and effective. being struck by blades, noise from the turbines, altered
- It guards against coastal flooding because of its sedimentation processes, and altered habitat.
stability under varied design situations. Tidal lagoons - On the other hand, each of these effects is specific and
have the capacity to absorb storm surges and waves does not have an impact on the entire estuary or bay.
once every 500 years. - Repairing and maintaining equipment can be
- Compared to other renewable energy sources, tidal challenging. Tidal energy storage capability must be
power equipment and facilities can last far longer created because strong tides typically only occur for 10
and be more affordable hours every day

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GEOTHERMAL

Geothermal resources are reservoirs of hot water that exist or are human
made at varying temperatures and depths below the Earth's surface. Wells,
ranging from a few feet to several miles deep, can be drilled into underground
reservoirs to tap steam and very hot water that can be brought to the surface
for use in a variety of applications, including electricity generation, direct use,
and heating and cooling.

Steam is used to generate electricity in geothermal power plants. The steam is

produced by hot water reservoirs a few miles or more beneath the earth's
surface. The steam spins a turbine, which turns a generator, which generates
electricity. Dry steam, flash steam, and binary cycle geothermal power plants
are the three types of geothermal power plants

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How it works
Steam is used to generate electricity in geothermal power plants.
The steam is produced by hot water reservoirs a few miles or more beneath the earth's
surface.
The steam spins a turbine, which turns a generator, which generates electricity.
Dry steam, flash steam, and binary cycle geothermal power plants are the three types of
geothermal power plants.

Dry Steam Plants which use geothermal steam

directly. Dry steam power plants use very hot
(>235 °C) steam from the geothermal reservoir.

Flash Steam Plants which use high pressure hot water to Binary Cycle Plants use moderate-temperature water (107 to
produce steam. Flash steam power plants use hot water 182 ºC) from the geothermal reservoir. Hot geothermal fluids
(>182 ºC) from the geothermal reservoir. When the water is are passed through one side of a heat exchanger to heat a
pumped to the generator, it is released from the pressure of working fluid in a separate adjacent pipe. The working fluid,
the deep reservoir. The sudden drop in pressure causes some usually an organic compound with a low boiling point such as
of the water to vaporize to steam, which spins a turbine to Iso-butane or Iso-pentane, is vaporized and passed through a
generate electricity turbine to generate electricity.

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 Geothermal Energy Advantages Geothermal Energy Disadvantages

- People have been using this source of energy for - Not available in all areas: Geothermal hot spots are
bathing, heating homes, and preparing food since dispersed and located in far-flung areas from areas in
ancient times, and it is now also used for direct need of energy.
heating of homes and offices - Pollution with H2S: Large amounts of H2S, also known
- Geothermal energy, as a renewable source of energy, as "rotten eggs" gas, can be released, and inhaling too
has aided in the reduction of global warming and much of it can be fatal
pollution. - The use of geothermal energy results in some water
- This lowers the cost of geothermal energy and pollution (similar to mining)
makes it more accessible.

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BIO FUELS

Biofuels are combustible materials that are produced over short spans of
time from biomass, rather than over millions of years such as fossil fuels. The
main advantage of biofuels over conventional fossil fuels is that the world is
unlikely to deplete its sources of biofuels, as they are renewable.

Unlike other renewable energy sources, biomass can be converted directly

into liquid fuels, called "biofuels," to help meet transportation fuel needs. The
two most common types of biofuels in use today are ethanol and biodiesel,
both of which represent the first generation of biofuel technology.

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What are biofuels
The most common biofuels now are bio-alcohols such as ethanol, propanol, and butanol (a substitute for
petrol/gasoline); biodiesel (a substitute for diesel); and bio-oils (substitutes for kerosene). Biofuels are also divided into
three categories depending on their origin and production technologies:

First generation (1G) biofuels are produced from consumable food items containing starch (rice and wheat) and sugar
(beets and sugarcane) for bio-alcohols, or vegetable oils for biodiesel. However, the yields of 1G biofuels are low and
can have negative impacts on food security.
Second generation (2G) biofuels are mainly obtained from non-food feedstocks such as forest/industry/agricultural
wastes and waste or used vegetable oils. However, as of now, commercial scale 2G biofuel production is very limited.
Third generation (3G) biofuels, known as ‘algae fuel or oilage’, are derived from algae in the form of both, biodiesel
and bio-alcohols. Although the yield of 3G biofuels is approximately 10 times higher than 2G biofuels, producing
adequate algal biomass and scaling up extraction techniques are as yet unresolved challenges.

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Energy conservation and utilisation for sustainable development
Energy conservation and utilization are critical components of
sustainable development.
As global energy demand surges, coupled with the pressing need
to mitigate climate change, efficient energy management has
become imperative. This field delves into strategies to optimize
energy use, reduce waste, and transition to cleaner energy sources

Life Cycle Assessment:

Energy Efficiency: Improving Renewable Energy: Energy Auditing: Assessing Evaluating the
the ratio of output to energy Harnessing energy from
input in systems, devices, or energy consumption to environmental impact of a
sustainable sources identify waste and savings product or process from
processes.
cradle to grave.

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Examples and Case Studies
Energy Efficiency:
Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS): Implementing
intelligent control systems to optimize heating, ventilation, and air
conditioning (HVAC) systems, lighting, and other energy-consuming
equipment in buildings.

Industrial Process Optimization: Improving energy efficiency in

manufacturing processes through heat recovery, waste heat
utilization, and advanced control systems.

Transportation Electrification: Promoting electric vehicles and

public transportation to reduce fossil fuel consumption

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Case study Challenges and Opportunities

Infrastructure development: Investing in grid infrastructure to

Denmark: A leader in wind energy, with a high
accommodate renewable energy integration.
penetration of wind power in its electricity mix
Technological advancements: Continuous research and
Germany: Successful implementation of feed-in tariffs
development for energy storage and efficiency.
for renewable energy, leading to significant growth in
Policy framework: Creating supportive policies and regulations to
solar and wind installations.
promote energy conservation and renewables.
India: Rapid expansion of solar energy, with initiatives
Public awareness: Educating the public about energy efficiency
like the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission
and sustainable practices.

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