India is a vast country. Many types of energy sources are found here. For the convenience of study, these tools are divided into two categories, which are as follows-
- Traditional Energy Resources
- Non-Traditional Energy Resources
(1) Traditional Energy Resources
The following are the conventional sources of energy:
1. Coal, 2. Mineral oil or petroleum, 3. Electricity, 4. Nuclear power.
(1) Coal- Coal has been the primary source of energy. Most of the energy requirement in the country is met by generating electricity from coal. According to the 1980 report of the Working Group set up to suggest energy policy, the available coal reserves in the country are expected to last for about 90 years after 2000 and the annual production of coal has been estimated to be 400 million tonnes. In view of this, for optimum utilization of coal reserves, there is a need for scientific method of mining and proper development for its conservation. The production of coal is being increased to meet the increasing demand in the consumer sector. Presently, the production of coal is completely under the public sector. The reserve of coal is 8570 million tonnes. Of this, coking coal is only 20% and primary coking coal which can be used for metallurgical purposes is 6% of the total reserve and 27% of coking coal. Medium grade coal is 73%.
(2) Mineral oil or petroleum- The use of petroleum as a means of energy and power has increased in the years of economic planning. In 1950-51 the total oil production was 2.5 lakh tonnes and the utilization was 31 lakh tonnes. Presently oil is being imported to meet the domestic use. At present level up to 75% self-sufficiency in oil production has been achieved. To meet the growing demand for mineral oils, it is necessary to increase domestic production and reduce its use. A huge amount of foreign exchange has to be spent on the import of oil. There is also a foreign exchange crisis in the country. Efforts are being made to increase production to reduce the import expenditure of petroleum.
(3) Electricity is the most convenient and useful source of electrical energy. It has an important place in both industry and agriculture. The quantum of electricity usage is an indicator of the availability and rate of development in the country. At the end of 1989-90, 55.6% of the total production was used for industry, 18.7% for agriculture, 13.3% for domestic use, 6.1% for commercial, 2.5% for railways and 3.2% for other uses. Hydropower, coal, diesel and nuclear power are the main sources of electricity generation. The importance of the generation of hydropower is increasing.
(4) Nuclear power- Atomic energy is more useful than other means of power and energy. The cost of nuclear power is low as compared to other sources and nuclear power plants can be set up anywhere. The credit for the development of nuclear energy in India goes to Bhabha. The Atomic Energy Commission was established in 1984. The Bhabha Atomic Research Center was started in Bombay in 1957, which is the largest scientific establishment in the country. At present there are five nuclear power power stations. It is being produced by Tarapur Atomic Power Station Rajasthan, Madras, Narora and Kakapur Gujarat Atomic Power Stations. All the elements of development of nuclear energy are present in India. Here uranium monazite, beryllium and other essential substances are found in sufficient quantity.
(2) Non-Conventional Energy Sources
In view of the increasing energy demand and the limitation of conventional energy resources in our country, the sources of non-conventional energy are being developed. These new energy sources are also called renewable sources of energy because they are renewable and they can never be exhausted.
To end the crisis of power and energy in the country, its non-conventional sources are being developed. The Department of Non-conventional Energy Sources was established in the Ministry of Power on 6 September 1982. Presently there are 100 system builders working in the country for re-usable sources. Non-conventional sources of energy are being used by organizations and individuals to heat water, biogas plants, energy, wind energy and energy generated from biomass and chemical sources. The following are the main sources of non-conventional energy.
- BioGas
- Solar Energy
- Wind Power
- Energy From Urban Waste
- Geothermal Energy
1. Biogas- Biogas is an important source of energy-reusable sources. Through its development, a simple and efficient system will be developed along with cutting of trees, development of health facilities, reduction in eye diseases of rural women and cooking. 1.80 lakh biogas plants have been constructed by the department.
2. Solar Energy- Solar energy is such a re-usable energy that does not pose the problem of environmental pollution. Solar energy utilization is also relatively simple and common method is solar heat conversion. Solar heat can be used for cooking, water heating, water degrading, room heating, crop exploitation, refrigeration, etc. Solar power is being developed to reduce the demand for mineral fuels.
3. Wind Energy- Wind energy can be used to extract water and generate power. Power generation from wind energy, improvement of windmills to pump water and development of medium based wind powered generators are being done.
4. Energy from Urban Garbage- The waste generated in urban areas can be used for electricity generation and for improving the urban environment. One such agreement was signed for the city of Delhi in 1994 with a Danish company. Similar plants are being set up in Bombay, Tamil Nadu and Punjab. Similar plants have also been arranged to check Ganga pollution.
5. Geothermal Energy - Scientists are constantly trying to use the very high temperature present in the womb of the land as a source of energy. Efforts are being made in this direction in India also. It has been known from a study that there are 340 places in the country from where geothermal energy can be obtained and used. Right now it is a very expensive system and is only at the experimental stage.
Post a Comment