Lecture - 5 Non Conventional Energy Sources

Summary of Non-Conventional Energy Sources

The lecture discusses various non-conventional energy sources, focusing on their principles, applications, and efficiencies compared to conventional sources. The key topics covered include:

• Magneto Hydrodynamic (MHD) Generation:
  • MHD is a method of generating electric power using ionized gases in a strong magnetic field.
  • The process involves:
    • Combustion of fuel (coal, oil, or natural gas) to produce hot gases at around 2500°C.
    • These gases pass through a magnetic field, generating electricity directly.
  • Advantages include higher efficiency (up to 50%) compared to conventional thermal power plants (typically around 30-40%).
  • Challenges include economic feasibility, with limited practical implementations worldwide.
• Gas Turbines:
  • Involves the combustion of fuel to produce hot gases that drive a turbine connected to a generator.
  • Efficiency is lower (around 30%) compared to thermal power plants.
  • Gas Turbines are preferred for their quick start-up capabilities, making them suitable for meeting peak loads.
• Geothermal Power Plants:
  • Utilizes heat from the Earth to generate power.
  • The process involves pumping water into the ground, where it is heated and turned into steam, which then drives a turbine.
  • Examples include geothermal power stations in India (e.g., Ladakh).
  • Geothermal Energy is significant in countries like New Zealand, where it contributes to 8% of power generation.
• Wind Power:
  • One of the oldest energy sources, reliant on the kinetic energy of wind to generate electricity.
  • Wind Energy is clean and non-polluting, with no greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Challenges include variability and dependence on wind speed.
  • Wind turbines can be classified into horizontal and vertical axis types, with most being horizontal.
  • India has significant potential for Wind Energy, particularly in states like Tamil Nadu and Gujarat.
• Renewable Energy Sources:
  • Emphasizes the importance of renewable energy for sustainable development.
  • Renewable energy is becoming more economically viable as technology advances and costs decrease.
  • Highlights the need for sustainable practices to protect the environment.

Key Concepts and Methodologies

• MHD Generation:
  • Combustion of fuel → Hot gases → Ionization → Magnetic field → Electricity generation.
• Gas Turbines:
  • Compressed air + fuel combustion → Hot gases → Turbine → Electricity generation.
• Geothermal Energy:
  • Water pumped underground → Heated → Steam → Turbine → Electricity generation.
• Wind Energy:
  • Wind kinetic energy → Turbine → Electricity generation.

Featured Researchers/Sources

• Former Soviet Union (USSR) for MHD technology.
• BHEL (Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited) for MHD power plant in India.
• Various countries for geothermal and Wind Energy research (e.g., New Zealand, Japan, Italy).
• IIT Delhi's Center for Energy Studies for Wind Energy projects and research.