RENEWABLE ENERGY POWER PLANTS

(BME654B)

By: Dr. Abhishek M R

Associate Professor
KSSEM
MODULE-1 Introduction Renewable Energy
and Solar radiation
Introduction :
Energy is one of the most important component of economic infrastructure.

 It is the basic input required to sustain economic growth. There is direct

relation between the level of economic development and per capita energy
consumption.
Energy demand in all over the world is increasing day by day. Major growth
in energy demand is projected in developing countries.
 Coal, Oil & gas are the three major primary sources of energy.
 Energy and its Sources
 Energy is defined as the ability or the capacity to
do work.
 Application/Usage of Energy: To produce
electricity from which we can cook food, light our
homes, make computers, televisions, move
different versions of automobiles and space ships.
 Classification: Renewable energy (Non –
Conventional) and Non- Renewable
(Conventional) energy resources
Renewable Energy sources (Non-Conventional)
 Energy resources that are produced continuously in nature and that will
not get exhausted eventually in future.
 It includes;
1. Solar Energy Heat energy radiated from the sun
2. Hydel Energy Energy obtained from water
3. Wind Energy Energy from the flow of wind
4. Geothermal Heat energy stored deep inside the
Energy earth
5. Tidal Energy Energy obtained from the tides in
oceans
6. Ocean thermal Heat energy obtained from the
Energy surface of water in oceans
7. Biomass Energy obtained from the organic
Energy matter of plants and animals
Non -Renewable Energy sources (Conventional)
 Energy resources that get exhausted eventually in future.
 It includes:
1) Fossil fuels (Coal, petroleum, coal gas and natural gas)
2) Nuclear fuels (Uranium)
Differences between Renewable and Non-renewable
Energy resources
Overview of global energy demand
• The global energy requirement increased steadily, which is due to factors
such as population growth, urbanization and industrialization. While the
countries are developing economically, their energy requirements rise and
leads to increased consumption of fossil fuels that are limited resources.

• This scenario not only raises concerns about energy security, but also has
significant environmental impacts, mainly due to greenhouse gas emissions
in connection with the combustion of fossil fuels.
coal, petroleum and electricity These are called commercial energy because they
have a price and consumer has to pay the price to purchase them
Overview of Global Energy Demand (2024)
Global energy demand continues to grow, driven by population
increases, economic development, and industrial expansion. 2. Energy Sources and Their Share
However, the nature of energy consumption is evolving due to •Fossil Fuels (~77% of global energy use)
technological advancements, environmental concerns, and • Oil (~31%): Still dominant in transport and
geopolitical shifts. Below is a snapshot of current trends in petrochemicals.
global energy demand: • Coal (~26%): Declining in Western nations
but remains a key fuel in Asia.
1. Global Energy Consumption Trends • Natural Gas (~23%): Growing due to its lower
•Growing Demand: The world’s energy consumption is emissions compared to coal.
projected to increase by around 1-2% annually, with emerging •Renewables (~15%)
economies (such as China, India, and parts of Africa) leading • Solar & Wind: Fastest-growing energy
demand growth. sources.
•Sectoral Breakdown: • Hydropower: Stable but geographically
• Industry (~40%) – Heavy users include manufacturing, limited.
steel, and chemical production. • Biomass & Geothermal: Niche but important
• Transport (~30%) – Increased electrification and in specific regions.
biofuels are impacting fossil fuel use. •Nuclear (~8%)
• Buildings (~30%) – Heating, cooling, and electricity • Rising interest, especially in energy security-
usage remain significant. conscious nations.
3. Key Drivers of Energy Demand
•Economic Growth: Industrialization and urbanization in Asia and Africa are boosting energy needs.
•Electrification: More industries and transport systems are shifting to electricity, increasing overall electricity
demand.
•Energy Efficiency: Advances in energy-efficient technologies are slowing demand growth in developed countries.
•Climate Policies: Global efforts to reduce carbon emissions are reshaping the energy mix, with increasing
investments in clean energy.

4. Future Outlook
•By 2050, global energy demand is expected to rise by ~50%, with a stronger shift toward renewables and nuclear
power.
•Fossil fuels will still be significant but may peak in demand before 2040.
•Electricity consumption will double due to digitalization, AI, and electrification of industries and transport.
 Coal
Coal is major source of energy, coal reserves in
India is one of the largest in the world . as on
April 1, 2014 , India had 301.56 billion meteric
tons of the resource. The production of coal
was 532.69 million meteric tons in 2010-2011.
The production of lignite was 37.73 million
meteric tons in 2010-11.
India ranked 3rd in world coal production . coal
deposits are mainly found in Orissa , Bihar ,
Bengal and madya Pradesh . it provides
employment to around 7 lakh workers
 Calorific Value 33000 kJ/kg
 Oil
In these days oil is considered as most important source of
energy in India and world . It is widely used in automobiles,
trains , planes and ships . In India it is found in Assam ,
Mumbai and Gujarat . The resources of oil are small in India.

India ranks 3rd in oil consumption with 195.5 million tons in

2015 after USA and china, India imported 195.1 million tons
crude oil and 23.3 millions tons refined petroleum products
 Electricity
 Electricity is the common and popular source of
energy it is used in in commercial and domestic
purposes.
 The utility electricity sector in India had an installed
capacity of 305.55 GW as of 3 August 2016.
Renewable power plants constituted 28% of total
installed capacity.
 The grass electricity generated by utilities is 1106
TWh and 166 TWh by captive power plant during
the 2014-15.
 India become the world third largest producer of
electricity in the year 2013 with 4.8% global share
in electricity generation surpassing japan and
Russia.
 Natural gas
 Natural Gas - It is another important source of conventional energy. It is used as
cooking gas in households (LPG) and as a raw material in fertilisers and petroleum
products. Nowadays, it is also used as a fuel (CNG) in cars and three-wheelers.
 INDIA AND GLOBAL ENERGY SCENARIO:
Energy demand in all over the world is increasing day by
day. Major growth in energy demand is projected in
developing countries.

 Coal, Oil & gas are the three major primary sources of
energy. World coal reserves are likely to last over 200 years.
Both oil & gas reserves likely to last 45-65 years.

The global energy production at the end of 2014 was

equivalent to 14000 Million Tonnes of Oil Equivalent
(MToE). Coal Accounted for 29% , Oil 31 %, Natural gas for
21% and other at 18% (including nuclear, hydro, biofuels
etc)
Need for Renewable energy
sources
 Firstly, conventional energy sources like fossil fuels are finite and

contribute significantly to environmental degradation through

pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

 Renewable sources, such as solar, wind, hydropower,

geothermal, and biomass, offer renewable and sustainable
alternatives that can help mitigate climate change and reduce
reliance on finite resources.
 Renewable energy sources provide greater energy security by diversifying the
energy mix and reducing dependence on imported fuels. They also offer
economic benefits by creating new industries, jobs, and investment opportunities
in the renewable energy sector.

 The use of renewable energy sources can improve energy access and
affordability, particularly in remote or underserved areas that may lack
traditional energy infrastructure.

 The non-conventional sources of energy are renewable i.e., they are

inexhaustible.

 The transition to renewable energies also offers economic advantages. It can

create jobs in the manufacture, installation and maintenance of renewable
energy systems and at the same time reduce the dependence on imported fuels
 Environmental Benefits of Renewable Energy
 Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Renewable
energy sources such as wind, solar and hydropower produce
little or no greenhouse gases during operation. This
significant reduction helps combat climate change and leads
to clean air and a healthier environment.

 Lower Air Pollution: Unlike fossil fuels, renewable energy

generates minimal air pollutants. This results in improved air
quality, which is crucial for public health by reducing respiratory
diseases and other health-related issues caused by air pollution .

 Conservation of Water Resources: Many technologies for

renewable energies, especially solar and wind, require significantly
less water than conventional energy sources such as coal or natural
gas. This preserves important water resources and protects aquatic
ecosystems.
 Biodiversity Preservation: By reducing dependency on fossil fuels and
the associated environmental degradation, renewable energy can help
protect ecosystems and biodiversity. Transitioning to cleaner energy
sources frees up land that would otherwise be dedicated to extractive
industries.

 Sustainable Resource Management: Renewable energy harnesses

naturally replenished resources (like sunlight, wind, and water),
promoting sustainable practices and reducing reliance on finite resources
which can lead to ecological degradation
 Environmental Challenges of Renewable Energy
 Land Use and Habitat Disruption: Large-scale renewable energy projects, such
as solar farms and wind turbines, require significant land space. This can lead
to habitat loss and fragmentation, negatively impacting local wildlife and
ecosystems

 Resource Extraction Impacts :The production of renewable energy technologies

relies on the extraction of raw materials, such as rare earth metals for solar
panels and batteries. Mining activities can cause environmental degradation,
pollution, and habitat destruction

 Intermittency Issues: Renewable energy sources are often intermittent (e.g.,

solar and wind power depend on weather conditions). This variability can
complicate energy supply, requiring development of energy storage solutions
and backup systems, which can have their own environmental footprints.
 Waste Management: The disposal and recycling of renewable energy technologies at the end of their life
cycle present challenges. Solar panels, wind turbine blades, and batteries can create waste management
issues if not properly handled
 Impact on Local Ecosystems: Infrastructure for renewable energy may affect local species, particularly in
sensitive areas. Offshore
 Conclusion
Developed countries are consuming more energy with energy demand
continues to grow strongly.

 Sources will dominate and energy system complexity will increase by

2050

 We need to develop our renewable energy resources more and more if we

want to enjoy peaceful and satisfactory life in todays energy hungry
world…
 Unit-2 Solar radiation
• Electromagnetic radiation emitted by the sun.
• Solar radiation is the energy emitted by the Sun, which is sent in all directions
through space as electromagnetic waves.
• It is also, directly and indirectly, responsible for common phenomena, such as
plant photosynthesis, keeping the planet at a temperature compatible with life
and wind formation, which is essential for generating wind power.
• The sun emits energy in the form of short-wave radiation, which
is weakened in the atmosphere by the presence of clouds and
absorbed by gas molecules or suspended particles.
• After passing through the atmosphere, solar radiation reaches the
oceanic and continental land surface and is reflected or absorbed.
Finally, the surface returns it to outer space in the form of long-
wave radiation.
 Basic principles
 Every location on Earth receives sunlight at least part of the year. The amount of solar
radiation that reaches any one spot on the Earth's surface varies according to
 Geographic location
 Time of day
 Season
 Local landscape
 Local weather.
 Because the Earth is round, the sun strikes the surface at different angles, ranging from
0° (just above the horizon) to 90° (directly overhead).
 When the sun's rays are vertical, the Earth's surface gets all the energy possible. The
more slanted the sun's rays are, the longer they travel through the atmosphere,
becoming more scattered and diffuse.
 When the sun is nearer the Earth, the Earth's surface receives a little more solar
energy.
 The 23.5° tilt in the Earth's axis of rotation is a more significant factor in
determining the amount of sunlight striking the Earth at a particular location.
 The rotation of the Earth is also responsible for hourly variations in sunlight. In the
early morning and late afternoon, the sun is low in the sky.
Types of solar radiations
Solar radiation that reaches the earth surface after passing through
the earth atmosphere is known as terrestrial solar radiation.
Hence terrestrial solar radiation is always less than the extra-
terrestrial radiation.
This reduction in intensity is due to
Atmospheric absorption
Scattering etc
 Spectral distribution of extra terrestrial
radiation

• It is defined as the rate at which energy is incident on a surface per

unit area of the earth surface. The incident energy per unit area on
a surface can be found by the integration over a spectral time,
usually an hour or a day
• The spectral distribution of extra-terrestrial radiation refers to the
wavelengths and intensities of radiation coming from sources
outside of Earth's atmosphere.
• extra-terrestrial radiation can provide valuable insights into the
composition and behaviour of celestial bodies, as well as help us
understand the physical processes occurring in the universe.
 Solar constant

 This measurement helps us understand the amount of energy Earth receives from the Sun. Understanding the solar
constant is crucial for various scientific fields, especially in climate studies, solar energy applications, and space
exploration
 By monitoring the solar constant, scientists can track variations in the Sun's output, which can have implications on
climate patterns and our understanding of solar dynamics.
 Solar radiation data
• Solar radiation data refers to information about the amount of sunlight reaching a

specific area on Earth. This data is important for various applications such as solar

energy production, climate studies and weather forecasting.

• Monitoring solar radiation can help optimize the performance of solar panels,

evaluate potential locations for solar power generation, and understand the impact of

sunlight on the environment.

• By collecting and analysing solar radiation data, scientists and engineers can

improve the efficiency and accuracy of solar energy systems, leading to a more

sustainable and reliable energy source.

• Intensity of solar radiation receive in India is 16700 29260 kJ/m 2/day (400-700

Langley)
 Question Bank
1. Explain the need for renewable energy resources
2. Compare Renewable and non renewable energy resources
3. Define Solar Constant, Insolation, extra terrestrial radiation, Global
Radiation, beam radiation and Diffuse Radiation
4. Write a note on benefits and environmental challenges of Renewable
energy resources
5. Justify the statement “Indian Economy Depends on Energy Resources”
6. Illustrate the radiation data collection with suitable graphs
7. Write a note on global energy demand
8. Explain the spectral distribution of solar radiation
9. List the advantages & disadvantages of renewable energy resources