Paper : 12 Principles of Ecology Module : 38 Applied Ecology: Renewable and non-renewable resources Development Team Principal Investigator: Prof. Neeta Sehgal Department of Zoology, University of Delhi Co-Principal Investigator: Prof. D.K. Singh Department of Zoology, University of Delhi Paper Coordinator: Prof. D.K. Singh Department of Zoology, University of Delhi Content Writer: Dr Sudhida Gautam Parihar Hansraj College, University of Delhi Content Reviewer: Prof. K.S. Rao Department of Botany, University of Delhi 1 Principles of Ecology ZOOLOGY Applied Ecology: Renewable and non-renewable resources Description of Module Subject Name ZOOLOGY Paper Name Principles of Ecology: Zool 012 Module Name/Title Applied Ecology Module Id M38: Renewable and non-renewable resources Keywords renewable, non- renewable, resource, power generation, fossil fuel, global warming, climatic change, energy conservation, energy sustainability. Contents 1. Learning Outcomes 2. Introduction 3. Renewable and Non-Renewable Resources a) Renewable Resources: Types of Renewable Energy Resources i. Hydro Energy ii. Tidal and Wave Energy iii. Solar Energy iv. Wind Energy v. Geothermal Energy vi. Biofuel (biomass, biogas, wood etc) b) Non-Renewable Resources: Types of Non-Renewable Energy Resources i. Coal ii. Petroleum or Crude Oil iii. Gasoline or Natural Gas iv. Nuclear v. Tar Sands 4. Energy and Environment 5. Energy Conservation 2 Principles of Ecology ZOOLOGY Applied Ecology: Renewable and non-renewable resources 6. Energy Sustainability 7. Misconceptions about Energy Resources 8. Summary 1. Learning Outcomes To know various energy resources on our planet. Types of these resources i.e., renewable and non-renewable energy resources. Usage pattern of the resources and its effects which lead to climate change etc. To enumerate futuristic ways for energy conservation and energy sustainability. To realize that for sustainability of natural resources, our primary global energy resource profile must shift toward renewable resources. 2. Introduction Energy is one of the key components for both the renewable as well as the non-renewable resource. Technically, it is the ability to do work; but basically, it is the power we use for producing heat and light for transportation, electricity and for manufacturing all kinds of products. Sun is the ultimate/main source of energy to sustain life on earth. Plants utilize the sun’s energy and through the process of photosynthesis convert it into food/chemical energy, responsible for sustaining all the herbivores and carnivores on the planet earth. Wind energy, hydro energy and geo-thermal energy are the other forms of energy which are freely available to us. As a result these forms of energy are known as renewable energy resources. Non-renewable energy resources are present in a limited numbers and we extract from the mother earth to fulfill our energy requirements eg., fossil fuels (formed by the decomposition of living organism which takes a long time period of billion years). Coal, natural gas, nuclear energy all these forms of energy have limited availability and hence referred to as non-renewable resources of energy (Figure 1). There is an urgent need for understanding that we cannot overexploit these non- renewable energy reservoirs because once depleted, it will take another billion of years for them to form. (Figure 2) Conventional energy resource mainly comprises of fossil fuels, whereas natural resources are now being considered as an alternative energy sources towards sustainable energy source of the future world. Renewable resources fulfill only 13.8% of our world energy needs currently. 3 Principles of Ecology ZOOLOGY Applied Ecology: Renewable and non-renewable resources Figure 1: Types of renewable and non-renewable energy Source: Author and Departmental Artist Figure 2: World Energy Productions, 2001 Source: Author and Departmental Artist Table 1: Differences between renewable and non-renewable energy resources Renewable energy resources Non-renewable energy resources Renewable energy resources are infinite, in a Non- renewable energy resources are finite, way that they can be generated continuously, in a way because they cannot be generated 4 Principles of Ecology ZOOLOGY Applied Ecology: Renewable and non-renewable resources practically without decay of the source. without decay of the source. Their usage results in 3-4% of carbon dioxide Their usage releases greenhouse gases in the atmosphere resulting in 91-94% of carbon dioxide emission in the atmosphere Do not affect climatic conditions adversely Affect climatic conditions adversely and are the main reason for global warming They cause negligible or no pollution and They cause pollution releasing pollutants provide green energy such as sulphur and nitrogen oxide which can lead to acid rain They are initially expensive, but economical They are expensive should be used in long run. judiciously. Example: solar energy, hydropower, bio Example: coal, petrol, diesel, natural gas, tar fuels, wind energy, etc sands, etc. These energy resources are still not fully Their reserves are exhausting very fast. tapped. Their efficiency is not very high. They are high on efficiency. Energy output from these is unpredictable and Energy output is consistent and predictable inconsistent Renewable energy resources are often Non-renewable energy resources are not directly dependent on weather for its source directly dependent on the weather for its of power source of power It is difficult to generate large quantities of Traditional fossil fuel generators can produce electricity at one instance huge amounts of electricity Storage is difficult and unlikely here These resources can be easily stored. These are only being explored in developed These are used worldwide conveniently countries and to some extent in developing countries too mainly due to cost and technological factors. 5 Principles of Ecology ZOOLOGY Applied Ecology: Renewable and non-renewable resources Power output varies with time of the day Power generation is same irrespective of the time of the day 3. Renewable and Non-Renewable Energy We need energy for various works such as transportation (of anything in any form) and generating electricity (be it for our homes, offices, gadgets or appliances); the two most essential needs of modern world e.g., heating, lighting etc. The energy resources available to us are classified into 2 major type’s depending on its ability to renew itself within a given time period (whether the resource is exhaustable or not) (Table: 1) i.e. - a) Renewable energy or “Green Energy” is a form of energy which can replenish itself on a human timescale, such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, waves, and geothermal heat. These resources are naturally occurring in nature which are constantly and sustainably replenished naturally i.e., biological reproduction etc. Renewable resources are a part of Earth's natural environment and the largest components of its ecosphere. These resources being carbon neutral are safe and environmental friendly too as they do not produce carbon compounds such as greenhouse gases and other emissions associated with use of fossil fuels or non – renewable energy resources. These are infinite sources of energy, cleaner, offering a sustainable supply of energy; but are costly and involve a challenging daunting task for their replenishment from generation to generation. We need to use more these energy sources as the fossil fuels are running out as a very fast pace along with causing environmental pollution which is leading to severe climate change thereby endangering the survival of all life forms on earth. Various types of renewable energy resources are summarized below: i. Hydel/Hydro Energy: Stagnant water has a lot of stored potential energy which when flows gets converted into kinetic energy. Hydro electricity is produces by capturing the energy of flowing water and converting it into electricity. The most common type of hydroelectric power plant uses a dam on a river to store water in a reservoir. Hydro power is generated by using electricity generators to extract energy from moving water. It is essentially employed for agricultural purposes. One of the earliest river valley development schemes e.g.: Bhakra Nangal multipurpose dams (Figure 3). The project 6 Principles of Ecology ZOOLOGY Applied Ecology: Renewable and non-renewable resources helps in irrigation, hydroelectricity production and revenue generation through tourism to the state government. Figure 3: Bhakra Dam Source: http://www.pbrdp.gov.in/hidden/-/asset_publisher/ZmpSsLEFrdS7/content/bhakra-nangal- dam/6205745# ii. Tidal and Wave Energy: is a form of hydropower that converts the energy obtained from tides into useful forms of power, mainly electricity. Tides are formed in sea due to gravitational pull of the heavenly bodies as a result the sea water raises and falls. Daily cycles of rising and setting of the sun and moon are visibility apparent on the water surface due to its fluidity. This periodic rise and fall is known as tides whose energy is used to produce electricity (Figure 4). Not widely used, tidal power has potential for future electricity generation. Tides are more predictable than wind energy and solar power. Wave is the movement of surface water along with the wind. Wave power transports the wind energy through water surface; this energy is used for work e.g., electricity generation, water desalination, or the pumping of water. Wave energy converter (WEC) is a machine used