Module-1 Renewable Energy Power Plants

Introduction
Any physical activity in this world, whether carried out by human beings or by nature, is caused due to flow
of energy in one form or the other. The word ‘energy’ itself is derived from the Greek word ‘en "in" plus ergon
"work." (energeia), which means ‘in-work’ or ‘work content’. The work output depends on the energy input.
Energy is one of the major inputs for the economic development of any country. Thus, with an increase in the
living standard of human beings, the energy consumption also accelerated.
A systemic study of various forms of energy & energy transformations is called Energy science.
While fossil fuels will be the main fuel for thermal power, there is a fear that they will get exhausted eventually
in the next century. Therefore, other systems based on non- conventional & renewable sources are being tried
by many countries. These are solar, wind, sea, geothermal & bio-mass.

Renewable and Non-renewable Energy Sources

Both renewable and non-renewable energy sources are classified depending on whether these sources on
their continuous use will be exhausted or not.

1. Renewable Energy sources – is defined as the energy resources which are produced continuously in
nature and are essentially inexhaustible at least in the time frame of human societies. i.e. these energy
sources replenish themselves naturally in a relatively short time.
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Module-1 Renewable Energy Power Plants
Examples: Solar energy, wind Energy, Hydel Energy, Ocean thermal Energy, Biomass
energy, geothermal energy etc.,

2. Non-renewable Energy sources - is defined as the energy resources which have been accumulated over
the ages and not quickly replenish able when they are exhausted.
Examples: Fossil fuels, Nuclear fuel and Heat Traps.
Note: these precious energy sources exist on the earth surface with their stored potential energy.

Comparison of renewable and non-renewable energy sources

Sl Renewable Energy sources Non-renewable Energy Sources

No
1 Renewable energy resources are Non-Renewable energy resources are
inexhaustible. Exhaustible.
2 Abundantly and freely available in nature. Not abundantly available
3 Are replenished naturally over useful period of Cannot be replenished over desired period
time at the same rate at which they are of time. Example: Fossil fuels
consumed. Example: Solar Energy
4 Environment friendly Not environment friendly and can produce
greenhouse gases that contribute to global
warming. Example: Coal burnt produces
CO2
5 High initial cost but low operating costs over High initial cost and maintenances cost
time.
6 Intermittently available. Example: Solar Continuously available.
energy is available in the day and not during
the night
7 Can be less efficient depending on the Generally more energy-dense and reliable.
technology and weather conditions.
8 Technology developments is at initial stage Advanced technology are available to
harness the nonrenewable energy source
9 Examples: Solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, Examples: Coal, oil, natural gas, nuclear
biomass. (uranium).

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Module-1 Renewable Energy Power Plants
Overview of Global Energy Demand
Energy is one of the major inputs for the economic development of any country. In case of the developing
countries, the energy sector assumes a critical importance in view of ever-increasing energy demand & it
requires huge investments to meet them.
• Coal, Oil and Natural gas are the three noteworthy essential primary sources of energy.
✓ The global coal reserve was estimated to be 10,00,000 million tons by end of 2024.
The USA had the largest share of the global reserve (23.3%) followed by Russia
(15.3%), China (13.3%). India was 4th in the list with 10.3%.
✓ The global oil reserve was estimated to be 1.55 trillion barrels by the end of 2024.
Venezuela and Saudi Arabia had the largest share of the reserve with almost 23%.
✓ The global gas reserve was estimated to be 206 trillion cubic meters by the end of
2024. The Russian Federation & Middle east countries had the largest share of the
reserve with almost 38 & 33Trillion cubic centimeter.
• Having these rich sources of energy provides a huge support towards the growth of a nation
and development of its citizens.
Note: World oil and gas reserves are estimated to be last 45 and 65 years respectively & Coal is
Probably to last over 200 years.
World Energy consumption is the total energy used by human civilization and majority of the world
energy consumption is harnessed from fossil fuels i.e. oil, coal and Natural gas.

• The above graph clearly demonstrates a significant increase in global energy demand /
Energy consumption from 1970 to 2010.
• Oil, coal, and natural gas (all fossil fuels) are the dominant sources of energy throughout
the period.
• Oil consistently remains the largest single source of energy. While hydro power, nuclear,
and other renewable sources show some growth and their contribution is significantly
smaller compared to fossil fuels.
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Module-1 Renewable Energy Power Plants
• The world is witnessing an unprecedented rise in electricity demand, driven by
industrialization, urbanization, and technological advancements.
• According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global electricity demand increased
by 4.3% in 2024 and is projected to continue growing at nearly 4% annually until 2027.
• This surge is fueled by the electrification of industries, increased air conditioning usage,
and the expansion of data centers worldwide.
• Despite of the fact that we have to be very much careful about using fossil fuels because it
has adverse effect on climate change and global warming, also we cannot depend on it
since it is not quickly replenished.

Fig: World energy consumption share of Energy sources

• From the above graph it is clear that world majorly depends on Non-renewable energy
resources and major contributors are coal, oil and natural gas.
• In 2024, oil, coal, and natural gas accounted for approximately 75% of total energy mix,
while renewables contributed about 10%, marking a gradual but significant shift towards
sustainable energy.
Example: Now, Iceland and Norway completely rely on renewable sources of energy.

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Module-1 Renewable Energy Power Plants
Sector-wise comparison of Global Energy Demand
Sector Description % Energy
consumption
Industrial • This sector encompasses manufacturing, construction, and 30%
mining.
• Significant energy consumer, using energy for processes
like heating, cooling, running machinery, and transporting
goods.
Transportation • This sector includes all forms of transportation, such as road 25%
vehicles, airplanes, ships, and trains.
• It relies heavily on fossil fuels, particularly oil, making it a
major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.
Residential • This sector covers energy used in households for heating, 20%
cooling, cooking, lighting, and appliances.
• Energy demand in this sector is influenced by population
growth, housing types, income levels, climate conditions,
Commercial • This sector includes energy used in commercial buildings 15%
like offices, shops, and restaurants.
Agriculture • This sector formers using electrical usage in terms of 10%
electrical pump for irrigation purpose.

Need for Renewable Energy

• The burning of fossil fuels produces CO2, CO and unburnt carbon acts as a particulate
matter in the air.
• Carbon monoxide is one of the main reason for Ozone layer depletion, this is alarming for
the environmental Health.

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Module-1 Renewable Energy Power Plants
• In 2024, coal was the highest emitter, contributing around 14.7 billion metric tons of CO2,
followed by oil and natural gas.
• Environment already shows some of the side effects, since we are facing monsoon
showering in many parts of India and glaciers in Antarctica have been melting year by year
i.e. 20% of the Greenland has been melted.
• The contribution of renewable energy is 19% world energy consumption and 22% in world
electricity production since renewable energy is replenished at a same rate of consumed
hence it grabbing the lot of attention.
• Moreover, it is a clean green energy which is not causing pollution like the fossil fuels.
• Renewable energy capacity has experienced remarkable growth, increasing from 1,230
GW in 2010 to approximately 4,000 GW in 2024.
• Solar and wind energy are expected to meet nearly 95% of new electricity demand through
2027.
• Some of the countries producing more power from renewable energies and leading
countries are listed below:
Countries Percentage production of Renewable
energy
Iceland 100%
Norway 98%
Brazil 86%
Austria 62%
NewZeland 60%
Sweden 54%

1. Fossil Fuels Are a Finite Resource – Due to ever increasing of fossil fuels their
availability rapidly declining.
2. Demand of energy increasing exponentially - due to rapid growth of industrialization &
population conventional sources not be sufficient in the long run. i.e. Most of the reserves
of oil & Natural gas are likely to be consumed in 50 to 100 years.
Example - Coal could be fully consumed by 2250AD.
3. Fossil Fuels Contribute to Climate Change – Petroleum fuels and nuclear fuels cause
pollution leading to degradation of the environment.
Example - Greenhouse gases set to double the existing level – this will increase global
warming problems.

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Module-1 Renewable Energy Power Plants
4. Large hydro resources affect wild life – cause deforestation and pose various social
problem.
5. Renewable Energy Is Generally Better for the Environment – in order to reduce
pollution – CO, NOx, Sox, CO2 etc.
6. Renewable Energy Is Democratic.

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES OF RENEWABLE ENERGY:

Benefits of Renewable Energy:
1. Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and
hydro produce little to no carbon dioxide (CO2), helping combat climate change.
2. Decreases Air and Water Pollution: Unlike fossil fuels, renewables do not release
harmful pollutants like sulphur dioxide (SO2) or nitrogen oxides (NOx), which cause acid
rain and respiratory issues
3. Preserves Natural Resources: Reduces dependence on Non-renewable resources like
coal, oil, and natural gas, conserving them for future generations
4. Promotes Energy Independence: Countries can produce their own energy, reducing
reliance on imported fuels and improving energy security
5. Supports Sustainable Development: Creates jobs in manufacturing, installation, and
maintenance, boosting local economies.
6. Renewable energy sources are environmentally friendly.
7. Renewable energy sources are inexhaustible.

Challenges of Renewable Energy:

1. Intermittency and Reliability Issues: Solar and wind energy depend on weather
conditions, requiring energy storage solutions like batteries.
2. High Initial Costs: Setting up solar panels, wind farms, and hydroelectric plants requires
significant investment, though long-term costs are lower.
3. Land and Habitat Impact: Large-scale renewable projects, like wind farms and
hydropower dams, may affect wildlife habitats and ecosystems.
4. Energy Storage and Infrastructure Needs: Efficient energy storage systems and updated
grids are needed to manage fluctuating power supply.
5. Material and Waste Concerns: Manufacturing solar panels and wind turbines requires rare minerals, and
disposal of old equipment poses environmental risks
6. Though available freely in nature, the cost of harnessing energy from Renewable energy is high.
7. Renewable energy sources are available in dilute forms of energy.
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Module-1 Renewable Energy Power Plants
Solar Radiation and its Measurement

Introduction
• Solar energy is a very large, inexhaustible source of energy. It can be received in
the form of radiation, can be converted directly or indirectly into other forms of
energy such as heat and electricity.
• Sun is an enormous fusion reactor which turns hydrogen into helium, It radiates
energy towards earth by its Surface temperature of about 60000C.
• The power from the Sun intercepted by the earth is approximately 1.8×1011MW
which is many thousands of times larger than the present consumption rate on the
earth of all commercial energy sources.
• Sunlight, is the total spectrum of the electromagnetic radiation given off by the Sun.
its recorded by using,
1. sunshine recorder
2. Pyranometer
3. Pyrheliometer.
• The World Meteorological Organization defines sunshine as direct irradiance from
the Sun measured on the ground of at least 1120 W/m2
/nm.
• Solar Radiation - Its radiant energy emitted by the sun from a nuclear fusion
reaction that creates electromagnetic energy.
• The spectrum of solar radiation is close to that of a black body with a temperature
of about 5800 K.

Definition of Solar radiation / Extra-terrestrial Radiation

Is the radiation which is incident outside the earth’s atmosphere. The extra-
terrestrial radiation is 1367 w/m2

Solar Radiation Spectrum – The solar spectrum covers wavelengths ranging from
gamma rays to radio waves.
• Solar energy reaching the top of the Earth ‘s atmosphere consists about 8% U.V
radiation, 46% of visible light, 46% Infrared radiation.
• Visible range – spans 400 to 700 nm. As the name suggests, it is this range that is
visible to the naked eye.

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Module-1 Renewable Energy Power Plants
• Infrared range that spans 700 nm to 1mm. It is largely responsible for the warmth
or heat that the sunlight carries.
It is also divided into three types on the basis of wavelength:
a. Infrared-A: 700 nm to 1400 nm
b. Infrared-B: 1400 nm to 3000 nm
c. Infrared-C: 3000 nm to 1 mm.
• Ultra-violet range that spans from 100-400 nm.

Solar Constant
• Sun is a large sphere; heat being generated by various kinds of fusion reactions
and its diameter is 1.39 *106km while that of the earth is 1.27 * 104km.
• The mean distance between the two is 1.50 * 108km, it subtends an angle of only 32
minutes at the earth’s surface. This is because very large distance.
• As viewed from the earth, the radiation coming from the sun appears to be it’s
essentially equivalent to that coming from black body surface at 5762 0k.

Definition
Solar Constant (Isc): It’s the rate at which solar energy received at the top of
the earth’s atmosphere on a unit area perpendicular to the rays of the sun at mean
distance of the earth and the sun.
• The solar constant includes all types of solar radiation, not just the visible light.

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Module-1 Renewable Energy Power Plants
• It is measured by satellite to be roughly 1366 W/m 2
• Earth is closest to the sun in the summer and furthest away in the winter. This
variation in distance produces a nearly sinusoidal variation in the intensity of solar
radiation I that reaches earth.

• The value on any day can be calculated from the equation.

Where n = day of the year

Solar Radiation Received at the Earth’s surface

Solar radiation received at the earth’s surface is in the attenuated form

because it is subjected to the mechanisms of absorption and scattering as it passes
through the earth’s atmosphere.

• Absorption occurs primarily because of the presence of ozone and water vapor in
the atmosphere and lesser extent due to other gases (like CO2, NO2, CO, O2 and
CH4) and particulate matter. It results in an increase in the internal energy of the
atmosphere.
• Scattering occurs due to all gaseous molecules as well as particulate matter in the
atmosphere. Scattered radiation is redistributed in all directions, some going back
to the space and some reaching the earth’s surface.

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Module-1 Renewable Energy Power Plants
1. Solar radiation received at the earth’s surface without change of direction i.e.,
in line with the sun is called Direct radiation or Beam radiation.
2. Solar radiation received at the earth’s surface from all parts of sky’s after
being scattering is called Diffuse radiation.
3. The sum of Beam radiation and Diffuse radiation is called as Total or
Global radiation.

I Global = I Direct + I Diffused.

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