UNIT -1

Energy is the ability to do work or heat objects. It is scalar physical quantity, which means
it has magnitude, but no direction.

The SI unit of energy is the joule (J), where 1 J = 1‎kg⋅m2⋅s−2. Other units include the
kilowatt-hour (kW-h), British thermal unit (BTU), calorie (c), kilocalorie (C), electron-
volt (EV), erg, and foot-pound (ft-lb).

The law of conservation of energy is a physical law that states energy cannot be created
or destroyed but may be changed from one form to another.

FORMS OF ENERGY
Chemical Energy is the energy stored in the bonds of atoms and molecules. Biomass,
petroleum, natural gas, propane and coal are examples of stored chemical energy.

Nuclear Energy is the energy stored in the nucleus of an atom - the energy that holds the
nucleus together. The nucleus of a uranium atom is an example of nuclear energy. There are
two forms of nuclear reaction as follows:
Stored Mechanical Energy is energy stored in objects by the application of a force.
Compressed springs and stretched rubber bands are examples of stored mechanical energy

Gravitational Energy is the energy of place or position. Water in a reservoir behind a

hydropower dam is an example of gravitational energy. When the water is released to spin
turbines, it becomes rotational energy

Radiant Energy is electromagnetic energy that travels in transverse waves. Radiant energy
includes visible light, x-rays, gamma rays and radio waves. Solar energy is an example of
radiant energy.

Thermal Energy (or heat) is the internal energy in substances- the vibration and movement
of atoms and molecules within substances. Geothermal energy is an example of thermal
energy.

Electrical energy is the movement of electrons. Lightning and electricity are examples of
electrical energy.

Sound is the movement of energy through substances in longitudinal

(compression/rarefaction) waves.

Light energy is a type of wave motion. That is, light is a form of energy caused by light
waves. It enables us to see, as objects are only visible when they reflect light into our eyes

CLASSIFICATION OF ENERGY/ ENERGY SOURCES

x Primary energy sources- These are the sources which can be directly founds in nature
or stored in nature and can be extracted. Available in raw from which needs to be
processed first for utilization.
Example: Direct – Coal, Oil, nature gas, biomass, Stored-nuclear energy from radioactive
material, Thermal in earth interior.

Secondary energy sources- Secondary energy sources are derived from primary sources
in a from of either final fuel or energy supply. Involvement of technological processes in
this transformation in between causes drop in primary energy on the way to consumers.

Example: Steam energy from coal, Refined crude oil products such as
Gasoline,Petrol,Electricity.

x Renewable and Non- renewable energy

x Conventional and Non- conventional energy

 x Commercial and non -commercial energy:

ENERGY CRISES

Energy crises refer to the process of shortage of energy on account of ever increasing
demand in the global market. One of the major causes for these crises is the needs and
demands of the ever growing population for more energy resources. As compared to the
demand, the supply of energy is always less.

x Energy Crisis Causes

1. Over-consumption: The energy crisis is a result of many different strains on our

natural resources, not just one. There is a strain on fossil fuels such as oil, gas and
coal due to over-consumption – which then in turn can put a strain on our water and
oxygen resources by causing pollution.
2. Overpopulation: Another cause of the crisis has been the steady increase in the
world’s population and its demands for fuel and products. No matter what type of
food or products you choose to use – from fair trade and organic to those made from
petroleum products in a sweatshop – not one of them is made or transported without
a significant drain on our energy resources.
3. Poor Infrastructure: Aging infrastructure of power generating equipment is yet
another reason for energy shortage. Most of the energy producing firms keep on
using outdated equipment that restricts the production of energy. It is the
 responsibility of utilities to keep on upgrading the infrastructure and set a high
standard of performance.
4. Unexplored Renewable Energy Options: Renewable energy still remains unused
is most of the countries. Most of the energy comes from non-renewable sources like
coal. It still remains the top choice to produce energy. Unless we give renewable
energy a serious thought, the problem of energy crisis cannot be solved. Renewable
energy sources can reduce our dependance on fossil fuels and also helps to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions.
5. Delay in Commissioning of Power Plants: In few countries, there is a significant
delay in commissioning of new power plants that can fill the gap between demand
and supply of energy. The result is that old plants come under huge stress to meet
the daily demand for power. When supply doesn’t matches demand, it results in load
shedding and breakdown.
6. Wastage of Energy: In most parts of the world, people do not realize the importance
of conserving energy. It is only limited to books, internet, newspaper ads, lip service
and seminars. Unless we give it a serious thought, things are not going to change
anytime sooner. Simple things like switching off fans and lights when not in use,
using maximum daylight, walking instead of driving for short distances, using CFL
instead of traditional bulbs, proper insulation for leakage of energy can go a long way
in saving energy. Read here about 151 ways of saving energy.
7. Poor Distribution System: Frequent tripping and breakdown are result of a poor
distribution system.
8. Major Accidents and Natural Calamities: Major accidents like pipeline burst and
natural calamities like eruption of volcanoes, floods, earthquakes can also cause
interruptions to energy supplies. The huge gap between supply and demand of
energy can raise the price of essential items which can give rise to inflation.
9. Wars and Attacks: Wars between countries can also hamper supply of energy
specially if it happens in Middle East countries like Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, Kuwait,
UAE or Qatar. That’s what happened during 1990 Gulf war when price of oil reached
its peak causing global shortages and created major problem for energy consumers.
10. Miscellaneous Factors: Tax hikes, strikes, military coup, political events, severe hot
summers or cold winters can cause sudden increase in demand of energy and can
choke supply. A strike by unions in an oil producing firm can definitely cause an
energy crisis.

x 3 major energy crises since the industrial revolution

9 Energy crisis of 1973

The 1973 energy crisis was an oil shock that caused energy prices to skyrocket
and resulted in fuel shortages in the United States. The crisis was the result of Arab
oil-producing countries, known as the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting
Countries (OPEC), refusing to sell crude to the U.S. Arab oil-producing countries
launched the embargo in response to U.S. support of Israel during the 1973 Yom
Kippur War. OPEC lifted its embargo in March 1974, but it left economic damage
throughout the U.S. and around the world.

9 Energy crisis of 1990

 The 1990 oil price shock occurred in response to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait on
August 2, 1990, Saddam Hussein's second invasion of a fellow OPEC member.
Lasting only nine months, the price spike was less extreme and of shorter duration
than the previous oil crises of 1973–1974 and 1979–1980, but the spike still
contributed to the recession of the early 1990s in the United States. The average
monthly price of oil rose from $17 per barrel in July to $36 per barrel in October.[3] As
the U.S.-led coalition experienced military success against Iraqi forces, concerns
about long-term supply shortages eased and prices began to fall.

9 Energy crisis of 2005-2008

After the 1970s energy crisis, inflation had stabilized the price of oil to $25 per
barrel, which lasted to the 2000s when the prices shoot drastically, reaching highs
of $147 in July 2008. The energy crisis ended in December 2008, when the global
economy entered a recession reducing the oil prices from $147 to $32 per barrel.

x Effects
9 Environmental Effects
9 Increasing Price in Fuel Resources
9 Effect in Tourism Industry
9 Political Disturbances

x Possible solutions
9 Move Towards Renewable Resources
9 Buy Energy-Efficient Products
9 Lighting Controls-Turn Off unnecessary Lights.
9 Perform Energy Audit
9 Common Stand on Climate Change
9 Use smaller kitchen appliances.
9 Use lids on pots and pans to reduce cooking times.
9 Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs.
9 During the winter, remove window air conditioners.
9 Usage of reflective window film.

ALTERNATIVE SOURCES OF ENERGY/ENERGY ALTERNATIVES

Alternative sources of energy can be defined as the use of sources of energy other than
the traditional fossil fuels (such as oil, coal, and natural gas), which are shorter in supply
and which are considered harmful to the environment. It includes all renewable and nuclear
energy sources.

Many renewable sources of energy come under the category of alternative sources or
non-conventional sources of energy. For example, solar energy, wind energy, wave
energy, and geothermal energy.

1. Wind Energy
The kinetic energy of high-speed winds is used to generate electricity by wind-powered
generators. Windmills harness wind energy. A windmill consists of a tall pole on the top
of which a fan-like structure is attached. This fan-like structure is called a wind turbine.

The force of high-speed winds makes the blades of the fan attached to the windmill
rotate. The blades of the windmill are connected to the shaft of a generator, which also
rotates with the movement of blades. This makes the generator produce electricity. A
windmill is also used to lift water from a well. Wind energy is a renewable source of
energy.

2. Hydroelectric Energy
In a hydroelectric power plant, the potential of stored water in a reservoir is converted
into the kinetic energy of water. This kinetic energy of water is used to rotate the blades
of the turbine connected to a generator. The rotating turbine drives the generator’s
shaft, thereby converting the mechanical energy of the rotating shaft into electrical
energy. It is also a renewable source of energy.

3. Solar Energy

Sun is the primary source of heat and light on the earth. Solar energy can be harnessed
with the help of a solar cooker and solar cell.
A solar cell is usually made of silicon that directly converts sunlight into electricity.
A typical solar cell produces a voltage of 0.50.5 to 1V1V and can produce
about 0.7W0.7W of electricity. A solar panel consists of many solar cells. The electricity
requirements of many households in remote areas are fulfilled by using solar panels.
Street lights and traffic lights are also powered by solar energy. Solar cells are used in
calculators.

4. Geothermal Energy
The heat energy of the earth’s interiors is known as geothermal energy. This energy is
used to generate electricity. The trapped molten rocks in the region under the earth’s
surface called hot spots heats the underground water. The steam produced by the hot
water is allowed to rotate the blades of the turbines, which rotate the shafts of the
generators connected to them.

5. Nuclear Energy
Nuclear energy is the most reliable source of energy. The fission of one uranium atom
produces million times the energy produced by burning one atom of carbon from coal.
Nuclear energy is produced by splitting the nucleus of a heavy atom into lighter nuclei.
This process is called nuclear fission. It generates a large amount of energy that can be
used to rotate generator turbines to produce electrical energy. In nuclear fission, the
nucleus of uranium or plutonium is bombarded with low-energy neutrons.

6. Tidal Energy
Oceanic tides are the source of energy. Oceanic tides refer to the rise and fall of the
water level of an ocean relative to coastal lines. Tides result from the gravitational force
of the sun and moon on the earth. Energy can be harnessed from tides by constructing
a dam across a delta. Turbines of generators are attached at the openings of these
dams whose blades are rotated with the rise and fall in the ocean level, producing
electricity.

7. Wave Energy
The kinetic energy of oceanic waves is used to produce electricity. These waves are
caused by winds that blow across the sea. At a wave power station, chambers are
constructed that trap seawater. These chambers have an opening at the top from which
air is forced in and out when the water level rises or falls in the chamber. A generator
turbine is fixed at these openings, which rotate with air movement, and the generator
produces electricity.

Importance/Advantages of the alternate energy sources

1. The use of alternate energy sources results in little to no emissions, even when
considering the full life cycle of the technologies. Hence the accumulation of
greenhouse gases in the environment, hence air pollution can be considerably
reduced.
2. As resources like solar energy, and wind energy are naturally available in all tropical
areas, energy units can be locally built at a low cost, and also distribution costs will
be less. This creates local job opportunities and hence helps in community
development.
3. The sources can replace the use of polluting oil and gases in all energy sectors.
Hydrogen energy is a very promising source that can meet the needs of high-heat
intensive industrial processes in steel and chemical industries.
4. The sources can be easily used in buildings. For instance, solar thermal water
heaters, biomass boilers, heat pumps, and natural cooling create thermal comfort in
buildings.
5. In transportation, sustainable biofuels, and high-percentage bio-fuel blends promote
energy e iciency and conservation by reducing overall fuel demand.

Limitations of Renewable Sources of Energy

1. The initial installation of power plants is expensive. A large area of land is needed
to set up wind energy farms (about 22 hectares area is required to set a wind energy
farm for producing 1MW1MW power). It can only be set up in areas where the
minimum wind speed is about 15km/h.15km/h.
2. Many lands are submerged underwater while setting up a hydroelectric power
plant and building a dam. It drastically affects aquatic life and wildlife. Methane gas
is released when this submerged vegetation rots under anaerobic condition.
3. There are limited sites for setting up geothermal energy and tidal energy power
plants.
4. Nuclear power plants produce radioactive wastes and radiation that can be a
dangerous hazard if leaked accidentally.
5. The efficiency of renewable sources of energy like solar energy is low on a cloudy
day.