CHAPTER - 4
ENERGY RESOURCES
v Energy refers to an
ability to do work. Energy cannot be created nor destroyed but it can be
changed from one place to another.
v Resources are something which is having utility, accessible and
plenty in nature, so that it can fulfill the endless desires or needs of the
human beings.
Characteristics or
features of Resources
1. It gives utility.
2. It is accessible.
3. It is adequate (plenty) in nature.
Q. “Resources are not but they become”. Explain the
statement.
ü Resources are not but they become, which means something
becomes resources when it is utilized by man, accessible to man and plenty in
nature.
Example:
Resources like trees are plenty in nature and is called ad resources because it
is useful in every minute of our life because it gives oxygen, fresh air, shelter,
used as firewood etc.
Q. Define Energy
Resources.
ü Anything that can be used as a source of energy is called
energy resources.
Based on its source and
utilization, resources are of TWO types:
1. Renewable Energy Resources.
2. Non-renewable Energy Resources.
Renewable Energy
Resources: Those energy resources which can be renewed or
replenished once it is used. They are also known as inexhaustible Energy Resources. Example: Solar energy, wind energy,
geothermal energy, hydroelectricity etc.
Non-renewable Energy
Resources: Those energy resources which once used cannot
be easily replenished. They are also known as exhaustible energy Resources. Example: Coal and Petroleum.
Q. Distinguish between
renewable and non-renewable energy resources.
Renewable Energy Resources
|
Non-renewable Energy Resources
|
ü It can be used time and again.
ü It is unlimited because it is replaced by nature.
ü It can be renewed by the nature.
ü It is not exhaustible by constant used.
|
ü It can be used only once.
ü It is limited because it is not replaced by nature.
ü It gets exhausted by constant used.
|
On the bases of nature,
resources are of TWO types:
1. Conventional Energy Resources.
2. Non-conventional Energy resources.
Q. How are conventional energy resources
different from non-conventional energy
resources?
Conventional Energy
Resources
|
Non-conventional
Energy Resources
|
ü They are used since ancient times.
ü Energy can be obtained by using traditional method.
ü Less initial cost but it becomes costly in the long
run.
ü They are difficult to use.
ü Example: Coal, petroleum, wood etc.
|
ü They were used only in recent times.
ü Energy can be obtained by scientific knowledge.
ü Initial cost is high but it becomes cheap in long run.
ü They are easy to use.
ü Example: Solar, wind, nuclear etc.
|
v CONVENTIONAL ENERGY
RESOURCES
1.
COAL
ü Coal is a hard solid black substance.
ü It is formed from the dead remains of plants, it contain
carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.
ü It is also called ‘Black
Gold’ because of its high
utility as a source of energy and as a raw material for a large number of
industries.
ü A coal has been described as the ‘Bridge into the Future’ because the world coal reserves are six
times the known reserves of oil.
Formation or Origin of
Coal
Coal is formed from the dead remains of plants and photo
plankton or phytoplankton. The plants and phytoplankton are buried below the
surface and they are preserved in the layers of sedimentary rocks. When plants
and phytoplankton’s are influence by high pressure and temperature within the
earth crust, they convert themselves into black solid substance known as coal.
Uses of Coal
1. It is used for domestic purposes (heating and lighting).
2. It is used in metallurgical industries as raw materials.
3. It is used for generating of electricity.
4. It is used for earthing.
Coal Mining in Bhutan
The S.D Eastern Bhutan Coal Company in Samdrup Jongkhar
is the only coal company in Bhutan and it produces 350 MT (Metric Tonnes) of
coal per day.
Varieties / Types of
Coal
On the basis of carbon contain, coal may be classified
into FOUR types:
1. Anthracite Coal – very hard, compact, jet black coal
which contains over 80% carbon.
2. Bituminous Coal – Dense, compact, brittle, black colour
which contains 60 to 80% carbon.
3. Lignite (Brown Coal) – Dark to black brown coal which
contains 60% carbon.
4. Peat – not very hard, compact and contains 50 to 60%
carbon.
2.
PETROLEUM
Petroleum literally means ‘Rock Oil’. Petroleum is non-renewable energy resource. It is
liquid, brown in colour when it is crude form and is yellowish and greenish
when it is purified.
It contain hydrocarbon. It is also called as ‘Liquid Gold’ because it is a liquid form
valuable and use by people all around the world.
Formation of Petroleum
Petroleum is formed from the dead remains of animals and
zoo planktons are buried below the surface and they are preserved in the layers
of sedimentary rocks. When animals and zoo plankton are influence by high
pressure and temperature within the earth crust, they convert themselves into
brown liquid known as petroleum.
Uses of Petroleum
1. It is used in automobiles.
2. It is used for making chemical fertilizers.
3. It is used for generating of electricity.
4. It is used for making cosmetic.
Varieties of Petroleum
1. Paraffin Base Oil – It contains lighter hydrocarbon. It
has very high commercial value.
2. Asphalt Base Oil – It contains heavier hydrocarbons and
has less commercial value.
3. Mixed Base Oil – It is the mixture of paraffin base oil
and asphalt base oil. It contains high percentage of napthene and
oils.
Q. “Petroleum is considered as a main stay of modern
civilization”. Explain.
“Petroleum is considered as a main stay of modern
civilization” because modern world is
the world of technology (machines) whatever we do is greatly influence by
petroleum.
Q. What are the
advantages of petroleum over other source of energy?
1. It can be transported through the underground pipe.
2. More Eco-friendly compared to coal.
3. It releases less smoke.
v NON-CONVENTIONAL ENERGY
RESOURCES
1.
SOLAR ENERGY
It refers to energy obtained from the solar radiation.
Solar energy can be trapped by using photovoltaic cell which can be converted
solar radiation into electricity. It is used from ancient times for drying meat
and vegetables and it is used for heat.
Uses of Solar Energy
1. It is used for heating and lighting.
2. It is used for solar cars and solar cookers.
3. It is used for calculator, watch etc.
4. It is used in battery charging unit.
5. It is used in radar.
Q. Write down the advantages and disadvantages
of solar energy.
Advantages of solar energy
|
Disadvantages of solar energy
|
ü It is pollution free.
ü It is renewable resources and plenty in nature.
ü A continuous supply can be ensured during sunny day.
|
ü An initial setting up cost is very expensive.
ü Energy cannot be trap during the cloudy day.
ü Scientific knowledge is required to set up and to use
the solar energy.
|
2.
NUCLEAR ENERGY
The energy
which is obtained from the radioactive chemicals such as radium, uranium and
thorium, by the process of nuclear fission is called nuclear energy.
Advantages of Nuclear Energy
|
Disadvantages of Nuclear Energy
|
ü Huge amount of energy is release or produce by using
little amount of chemicals.
ü Nuclear energy is used for generating electricity.
ü Nuclear energy is used for making atom bomb which provides
security to particular nation.
|
ü Nuclear waster is poisonous; it causes lots of diseases
living organism.
ü It is expensive.
ü Nuclear energy is used for atom bomb which is very
danger for the nations.
|
Q. “Nuclear power station
is located near nearby water bodies” Explain.
ü When the power station is producing energy with little
amount of radioactive chemicals in a huge quantity, it is very dangerous of
explosion of machines due to heat. So for that incident, huge amount of water
is required for cooling the machines.
3. WIND ENERGY
The energy which is harnessed from wind is known as wind
energy. Wind energy can be harnessed by using wind mills and pumps. It is used
for generation of electricity and for running wind mill.
Advantages of Wind
Energy
1. It is renewable source of energy.
2. It is a cheapest source of energy.
3. It is Eco-friendly and pollution free energy.
Disadvantages
1. It cannot be generated in an area of low / less wind.
2. It can be used only for domestic purpose since the power
production is low.
3. GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
The word
‘Geothermal’ has been derived from Greek word ‘Geo’ meaning earth and ‘Thermal’
which means temperature or heat. Thus, energy obtained from the hot springs and
geysers is called Geothermal Energy. It is a renewable energy resource.
Uses / Advantages of
Geothermal Energy.
1. It is used for generation of electricity.
2. It is used for heating and lighting purposes.
3. Such energy reduces dependence on fossils fuels.
4. They are unaffected by changing weather conditions.
Disadvantages
1. The construction of power plants affects the land
stability in the surrounding area.
2. It may cause pollution (air pollution).
Q. “Bhutan has lots of hot
spring yet, Bhutan is not able to produce Geothermal Energy”. Give FOUR reasons
to support this statement.
1.Hot springs in Bhutan are small in size.
2. They are located far away from the human settlements.
3. Bhutan lacks capital and scientific knowledge to set up
Geothermal Energy.
4. Bhutan has lots of hydro-power projects, so it is not
necessary for Bhutan to set up Geothermal Energy.
WATER RESOURCES
HYDRO-POWER PROJECTS IN
BHUTAN
Q. Define Hydro
electricity
The production of electricity with the help of water
force or energy is called hydro electricity.
Major Rivers in Bhutan
1. Amo Chhu (Torsa) - Phuentsholing
2. Wangchhu (Raidak) - Thimphu
3. Punatshang Chhu (Sankosh) - Punakha
4. Drangme Chhu (Manas) - Zhemgang
5. Bada Chhu (Nera Ame Ri) - Samdrup Jongkhar
River with Hydro
Projects
1. Amo chhu Hydro-power cooperation between Bhutan and India
started with signing of Jaldhaka agreement in the year 1961 and Jaldhaka power
station was commissioned in the year 1972.
2. Wang Chhu Hydro-power project was commissioned in the
year 1988. It generates 35 KW (Kilo Watt) of electricity.
Punatshang Chhu – Baso Chhu upper phase commissioned in
2002 which generates 24 MW of electricity.
- Baso Chhu lower phase
commissioned in 2005 which generates 40 MW of electricity.
3. Kuri Chhu HEP –
commissioned in 2002 which generates 45 MW of electricity.
History of Electricity
in Bhutan
ü 1966: Diesel motor was
used to produce electricity in Phuentsholing.
ü 1967: First mini hydro project was established in
Simtokha in Thimphu generating 360 KW of electricity.
ü 1768: The Dzongkhags like Samtse, Sarpang and Samdrup Jongkhar
were electrified by importing electricity from Assam and West
Bengal.
MAJOR POWER PROJECTS OF BHUTAN
v Existing Hydro-Electric
Power of Bhutan
Name of the HEP
|
Location / Rivers
|
Year of Establishment
|
Total Production
Capacity
|
Chukha HEP
|
Chukha / Wangchhu
|
1988
|
336 MW
|
Tala HEP
|
Chukha / Wangchhu
|
July 2006
|
1020 MW
|
Basa Chhu
Upper Phase
|
Wangdue / Punatshangchhu
|
2002
|
24 MW
|
Basa Chhu
Lower Phase
|
Wangdue / Punatshangchhu
|
2005
|
40 MW
|
Kurichhu
HEP
|
Mongar / Kuri Chhu
|
2002
|
45 MW
|
v Upcoming HEP of Bhutan
Name of HEP
|
Location / Rivers
|
Estimated Production Capacity
|
Puna
Tshangchhu I & II HEP
|
Wangdue / Punatshangchhu
|
1200 + 780
MW
|
Mangde
Chhu HEP
|
Trongsa / Mangdue Chhu
|
360 MW
|
Chamkhar
Chhu HEP
|
Bumthang / Chamkhar Chhu
|
670 MW
|
Kholong
Chhu HEP
|
Trashiyangtse / Kholong Chhu
|
680 MW
|
Khoma Chhu
HEP
|
Lhuentse / Khoma Chhu
|
322 MW
|
Daga Chhu
HEP
|
Dagana / Daga Chhu
|
150 MW
|
Sankosh
Multi-purpose Project
|
Tsirang / Sankosh
|
4060 MW
|
Kami Chhu
HEP (Upper Sankosh project)
|
Wangdue / Sankosh
|
800 MW
|
Conditions required for
the generation of Hydro-electricity.
A.
Geographical Factors
1. Fast flowing water.
2. Steep slope.
3. High volume of water.
4. Perennial flow of water.
5. Favorable climate conditions.
B.
Non-Geographical Factors
1.Skilled Labor force.
2. Technologies.
3. Transportation.
4. Budget (Money).
5. Market.
Market
of Hydroelectricity
“Water
is to us, what oil is to Arabs”- His Majesty the Druk
Gyelpo Jigme Singye Wangchuck. Explain
this statement.
This is true that the
hydropower project is the single largest earning revenue for Bhutan. This
statement says that, Bhutan is fortunate to have rich in water resources which
can be used for generation of hydro electricity. Bhutan utilizes only 105MW of
electricity in the country and rest is exported to India, which earns lots of
revenue to Bhutan. Likewise, crude oil is the main source of revenue for the
Arabs. They export oil to other countries and earned lots of revenue.
Advantages and
Disadvantages of Hydro-electricity
Advantages
|
Disadvantages
|
ü It will contribute to country’s GDP.
ü It is pollution free energy.
üIt provides lots of employment opportunities.
ü It makes work easier / easy to use.
ü It is a renewable source of energy.
|
ü Risky while constructing dam.
ü Deforestation.
ü It is very expensive to set up.
ü It leads to ecological imbalance.
ü It changes the downstream of river
|
Questions to check your
understanding
1. Give TWO hazards of nuclear energy.
2. “Inspite of large forest cover, Bhutan has
limited coal reserve”. Give reasons to support this statement.
3. Development of Hydro-power project leads to environmental
degradation” Explain.
4. Introduction of hydro-electricity in Bhutan has greatly
influenced the life of people” Justify.
5. What are the conditions necessary for the
formation of coal?
