UNIT- V

Green Fuels Definition-benefits and challenges comparison of green fuels with conventional fossil
fuels with reference to environmental, economic and social impacts- public policies and market-
driven initiatives.
Biomass energy: Concept of biomass energy utilization, types of biomass energy, conversion
processes, Wind Energy, energy conversion technologies, their principles, equipment and suitability
in Indian context; tidal and geothermal energy.

Green fuels are sources of energy that have a much lower or negative carbon footprint during
production and use. These are the very foundations of clean energy fuel, from biofuels to green
hydrogen fuel. Green fuels play a vital role in mitigating climate change. They offer a hopeful
solution for decreasing worldwide carbon emissions and transitioning away from reliance on
fossil fuels. (https://www.herofutureenergies.com/blog/green-fuels/)

There are three types of green fuels: bio-based fuels, such as biogas or biomethane derived from
organic matter; green hydrogen, made from water electrolysis powered by renewable electricity;
and e-fuels, a class of synthetic fuels, such as synthetic ammonia (green hydrogen and nitrogen)
and e-methanol (green hydrogen and captured CO2).

Biofuels

Going deeper, we look at different types of green fuels which define our energy future. Each type
has its own advantages and potential uses that cumulatively contribute to sustainable
energy environments.

 Most Common: Biofuels are often used among the most accessible forms of green fuel
for vehicles and industrial applications.
 Sustainable options: A smart use of resources is seen with them produced from crop
remains alongside other biomass materials.
 Decreasing greenhouse gases: In comparison with fossil fuels they burn cleaner hence
lowering release of greenhouse gases as well as particulates considerably.
  Energy Independence: Countries can realise energy independence by producing biofuels
domestically to curtail their dependence on foreign oil stocks.

Hydrogen

This clean energy carrier is hydrogen fuel which is called green hydrogen when produced by
renewable energy.

 High Energy Efficiency: This is a chemical reaction that takes place in hydrogen fuel
cells to produce electricity, with only water as the end product.
 Versatility: Anything from vehicles to power stations can be powered with it.
 Storage Solutions: Hydrogen can be stored as backup for future use solving the problem
of excess power and intermittent supply of other renewables such as solar and wind.
 Zero-Emission Transportation: Particularly relevant in terms of zero-emission fuels for
heavy-duty long-haul transport, hydrogen shows great prospects at present scenario.
 Industrial Applications: In manufacturing sector, it makes processes sustainable,
whether refining or chemical production among others where beyond just its use in
energy as mentioned earlier, hydrogen has been used.

Advantages of Green Fuels

The benefits of transitioning to green fuels are vast and impactful, touching environmental,
economic, and societal levels.

 Environmental Benefits: Green fuels drastically reduce emissions contributing to air pollution
and climate change, helping protect our planet.
 Economic Benefits: Investing in green fuels supports sustainability and stimulates economic
growth through job creation and energy security.
Challenges and Solutions

Though there are obvious benefits, the way to a popular usage of eco-friendly fuels is not hurdle
free. This should be addressed for advancement.
  Technological Challenges: The efficiency issues and high production costs that are presently
posing as obstacles to the green fuels sector can be solved through technological breakthroughs.
 Policy and Regulatory Issues: It is vital to establish policies and regulations that support the
existence of a conducive environment for the growth of green fuels.
 Solutions and Innovations: Recent progress like improved formulations for green diesel fuel or
advancements in methods used to produce hydrogen fuel from renewable resources have
supported these claims towards a greener future.
 Infrastructure Development: Widespread adoption calls for establishment of necessary
infrastructure such as refilling plants, grids upgrading among others towards green fuel
provisions.
 Education and Awareness: The presence of discernible advantages as well as possibility in
Green Fuels will soon make them widely accepted in public domain including corporates.
 International Collaboration: Faster and more efficient adoption could however take place
through international cooperation on research, development, and policy related matters
concerning green fuel technologies.

Green fuels, or renewable energy sources, have many environmental, economic, and social
benefits over conventional fossil fuels:

Environmental

Green fuels are generally better for the environment than fossil fuels. They produce less air and
water pollution, and release fewer greenhouse gases and particulates. For example, biofuels are
fully biodegradable and burn cleaner than gasoline. Wind and solar energy are also clean sources
of energy that help address air pollution and health.

Economic

The global renewable energy market is expected to grow to $1,977.6 billion by 2030. The price
of solar photovoltaic energy has declined significantly since 2010.

Social

Green fuels can help countries become energy independent by reducing their dependence on
foreign oil.
Some public policies and market-driven initiatives to promote green fuels include:

Green Term Ahead Market (GTAM): Facilitates the sale of renewable energy power through
exchanges

National Green Hydrogen Mission: Aimed at reducing the consumption of imported fossil fuels

Ethanol blending target: The target of 20% ethanol blending in petrol was advanced from 2030
to 2025-26.

The Government of India has come out with guidelines for undertaking pilot projects for using
Green Hydrogen in the transport sector. The “Scheme Guidelines for implementation of Pilot
Projects for use of Green Hydrogen in the Transport Sector”, have been issued by the Ministry of
New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) on February 14, 2024, under the National Green Hydrogen
Mission.

Considering this, under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, along with other initiatives, the
MNRE will implement pilot projects for replacing fossil fuels in the transport sector with
Green Hydrogen and its derivatives. The scheme will support development of technologies for
use of Green Hydrogen as a fuel in Buses, Trucks and 4-wheelers, based on fuel cell-based
propulsion technology / internal combustion engine-based propulsion technology. The other
thrust area for the scheme is to support development of infrastructure such as hydrogen
refuelling stations. The scheme will also seek to support any other innovative use of hydrogen
for reducing carbon emissions in the transport sector, such as blending of methanol / ethanol
based on green hydrogen and other synthetic fuels derived from green hydrogen in automobile
fuels.

The National Green Hydrogen Mission was launched on 4th January 2023, with an outlay of Rs.
19,744 crores up to FY 2029-30. It will contribute to India’s goal to become Aatma Nirbhar
(self-reliant) through clean energy and serve as an inspiration for the global Clean Energy
Transition. The Mission will lead to significant decarbonization of the economy, reduced
dependence on fossil fuel imports, and enable India to assume technology and market leadership
in Green Hydrogen.
Biomass energy

Biomass has been in use since people first began burning wood to cook food and keep warm.
Wood is still the largest biomass energy resource today. Other sources include food crops, grassy
and woody plants, residues from agriculture or forestry, oil-rich algae, and the organic
component of municipal and industrial wastes. Even the fumes from landfills (which contain
methane, the main component in natural gas) can be used as a biomass energy source.

Biomass can be used for fuels, power production, and products that would otherwise be made
from fossil fuels.

Biomass resources that are available on a renewable basis and are used either directly as a fuel or
converted to another form or energy product are commonly referred to as “feedstocks.”

BIOMASS FEEDSTOCKS

Biomass feedstocks include dedicated energy crops, agricultural crop residues, forestry residues,
algae, wood processing residues, municipal waste, and wet waste (crop wastes, forest residues,
purpose-grown grasses, woody energy crops, algae, industrial wastes, sorted municipal solid
waste [MSW], urban wood waste, and food waste).

DEDICATED ENERGY CROPS

Dedicated energy crops are non-food crops that can be grown on marginal land (land not suitable for
traditional crops like corn and soybeans) specifically to provide biomass. These break down into two
general categories: herbaceous and woody. Herbaceous energy crops are perennial (plants that live for
more than 2 years) grasses that are harvested annually after taking 2 to 3 years to reach full productivity.
These include switchgrass, miscanthus, bamboo, sweet sorghum, tall fescue, kochia, wheatgrass, and
others. Short-rotation woody crops are fast-growing hardwood trees that are harvested within 5 to 8 years
of planting. These include hybrid poplar, hybrid willow, silver maple, eastern cottonwood, green ash,
black walnut, sweetgum, and sycamore. Many of these species can help improve water and soil quality,
improve wildlife habitat relative to annual crops, diversify sources of income, and improve overall farm
productivity.
AGRICULTURAL CROP RESIDUE
There are many opportunities to leverage agricultural resources on existing lands without interfering with
the production of food, feed, fiber, or forest products. Agricultural crop residues, which include the stalks
and leaves, are abundant, diverse, and widely distributed. Examples include corn stover (stalks, leaves,
husks, and cobs), wheat straw, oat straw, barley straw, sorghum stubble, and rice straw. The sale of these
residues to a local biorefinery also represents an opportunity for farmers to generate additional income.

FORESTRY RESIDUES
Forest biomass feedstocks fall into one of two categories: forest residues left after logging timber
(including limbs, tops, and culled trees and tree components that would be otherwise unmerchantable) or
whole-tree biomass harvested explicitly for biomass. Dead, diseased, poorly formed, and other
unmerchantable trees are often left in the woods following timber harvest. This woody debris can be
collected for use in bioenergy, while leaving enough behind to provide habitat and maintain proper
nutrient and hydrologic features. There are also opportunities to make use of excess biomass on millions
of acres of forests. Harvesting excessive woody biomass can reduce the risk of fire and pests, as well as
aid in forest restoration, productivity, vitality, and resilience. This biomass could be harvested for
bioenergy without negatively impacting the health and stability of forest ecological structure and
function.

ALGAE
Algae as feedstocks for bioenergy refers to a diverse group of highly productive organisms that include
microalgae, macroalgae (seaweed), and cyanobacteria (formerly called “blue-green algae”). Many use
sunlight and nutrients to create biomass, which contains key components—including lipids, proteins, and
carbohydrates— that can be converted and upgraded to a variety of biofuels and products. Depending on
the strain, algae can grow by using fresh, saline, or brackish water from surface water sources,
groundwater, or seawater. Additionally, they can grow in water from second-use sources, such as treated
industrial wastewater; municipal, agricultural, or aquaculture wastewater; or produced water generated
from oil and gas drilling operations.

WOOD PROCESSING RESIDUES

Wood processing yields byproducts and waste streams that are collectively called wood processing
residues and have significant energy potential. For example, the processing of wood for products or pulp
produces unused sawdust, bark, branches, and leaves/needles. These residues can then be converted into
biofuels or bioproducts. Because these residues are already collected at the point of processing, they can
be convenient and relatively inexpensive sources of biomass for energy.
SORTED MUNICIPAL WASTE
MSW resources include mixed commercial and residential garbage, such as yard trimmings, paper and
paperboard, plastics, rubber, leather, textiles, and food wastes. MSW for bioenergy also represents an
opportunity to reduce residential and commercial waste by diverting significant volumes from landfills to
the refinery.

WET WASTE
Wet waste feedstocks include commercial, institutional, and residential food wastes (particularly those
currently disposed of in landfills); organic-rich biosolids (i.e., treated sewage sludge from municipal
wastewater); manure slurries from concentrated livestock operations; organic wastes from industrial
operations; and biogas (the gaseous product of the decomposition of organic matter in the absence of
oxygen) derived from any of the above feedstock streams. Transforming these “waste streams” into
energy can help create additional revenue for rural economies and solve waste-disposal problems

https://www.energy.gov/eere/bioenergy/biomass-resources

Biomass sources for energy include:

 Wood and wood processing waste—firewood, wood pellets, and wood chips, lumber and
furniture mill sawdust and waste, and black liquor from pulp and paper mills
 Agricultural crops and waste materials—corn, soybeans, sugar cane, switchgrass, woody
plants, algae, and crop and food processing residues, mostly to produce biofuels
 Biogenic materials in municipal solid waste—paper products; cotton and wool products; and
food, yard, and wood wastes
 Animal manure and human sewage for producing biogas (renewable natural gas)

Biomass can be converted to energy in different ways

Biomass is converted to energy through various processes, including:

 Direct combustion (burning) to produce heat

 Thermochemical conversion to produce solid, gaseous, and liquid fuels
 Chemical conversion to produce liquid fuels
 Biological conversion to produce liquid and gaseous fuels
Direct combustion is the most common method for converting biomass to useful energy. All
biomass can be burned directly for heating buildings and water, for providing industrial process
heat, and for generating electricity in steam turbines.

Thermochemical conversion of biomass includes pyrolysis and gasification. Both processes are
thermal decomposition processes where biomass feedstock materials are heated in closed,
pressurized vessels called gassifiers at high temperatures. The processes mainly differ in the
temperatures and in the amount of oxygen present during conversion.

 Pyrolysis involves heating organic materials to between 800° F and 900° F (400° C and 500° C) in the
nearly complete absence of free oxygen. Biomass pyrolysis produces fuels such as charcoal, bio-
oil, renewable diesel, methane, and hydrogen.
 Hydro treating uses hydrogen to process bio-oil (produced by fast pyrolysis) under elevated
temperatures and pressures in the presence of a catalyst to produce renewable diesel, renewable
gasoline, and renewable jet fuel.
 Gasification involves heating organic materials to between 1,400° F and 1,700 F (800° C and 900° C)
in a vessel and injecting controlled amounts of free oxygen or steam into the vessel to produce a
carbon monoxide- and hydrogen-rich gas called synthesis gas or syngas. Syngas can be used as a fuel
for diesel engines, for heating, and for generating electricity in gas turbines. When the hydrogen is
separated from the syngas, the syngas and the hydrogen can be burned or used in fuel cells. The
syngas can be further processed to produce liquid fuels using the Fischer–Tropsch process.

A chemical conversion process known as transesterification is used for converting vegetable

oils, animal fats, and greases into fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) to produce biodiesel.

Biological conversion of biomass includes fermentation to make ethanol and anaerobic digestion
to produce biogas. Ethanol is used as a vehicle fuel. Biogas, also called biomethane or renewable
natural gas, is produced in anaerobic digesters at sewage treatment plants and at dairy and
livestock operations. Biogas also forms in and may be captured from solid waste landfills.
Properly treated renewable natural gas has the same uses as fossil fuel natural gas.

https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/biomass/
Thermal Gasification: Thermal gasification is a process which is able to convert carbonaceous
materials into an energy-rich gas. When it comes to gasification of waste fractions, it is often
agreed that this technology is not yet sufficiently developed in comparison to combustion.
However, this process could present many favorable characteristics such as an overall higher
efficiency, better quality of gaseous outputs and of solid residues and potentially lower facility
costs (Astrup T., 2011). Thus gasification, with proper future technology developments, could be
considered a valuable alternative to combustion of waste. Bio-chemical conversion Energy can
also be extracted from waste by utilizing bio-chemical processes. The energy content of the
primary source can be converted, through bio-decomposition of waste, into energy-rich fuels
which can be utilized for different purposes.

Bio-ethanol production: Bio-ethanol can be produced by treating a certain range of organic

fractions of waste. Different technologies exist; each of which involving separate stages for
hydrolysis (by enzymatic treatment), fermentation (by use of microorganisms) and distillation.
Other than bioethanol, it is possible to obtain hydrogen from the use of these technologies, which
is a very useful and promising energy carrier (Karakashev D. & Angelidaki I., 2011)

Dark fermentation and Photo-fermentation producing bio-hydrogen: Dark fermentation and

photo-fermentation are techniques that can convert organic substrates into hydrogen with the
absence or presence of light, respectively. This is possible because of the processing activity of
diverse groups of bacteria. These technologies can be interesting when it comes to researching
valuable options for waste water treatment (Angenent et al., 2004).

Biogas production from anaerobic digestion: Anaerobic digestion is a biological conversion

process which is carried out in the absence of an electron acceptor such as oxygen (Angelidaki I.
& Batstone D.J., 2011). The main products of this process are an effluent (or digest) residue and
an energy-rich biogas. The entire conversion chain can be broken down into several stages
(Figure 5), in which different groups of microorgan-isms drive the required chemical reactions.
The obtained biogas can be used either to generate power and heat or to produce biofuels. The
digest can also be utilized in many different ways depending on its composition. Several
technologies utilizing this process have been developed throughout the years but are still
considered to be immature and not economically competitive compared to other WtE
technologies.

Biogas production from landfills: Other than in an anaerobic digester, it is possible to extract
biogas directly from landfill sites, because of the natural decomposition of waste
(Tchobanoglous et al., 2002). In order to do so, it is necessary to construct appropriate collecting
systems for the produced biogas. Biogas in landfills is generally produced by means of complex
bio-chemical conversion processes, usually including different phases like Initial Adjustment,
Transition Phase, Acid Phase, Methane Fermentation and Maturation Phase (Zaman, 2009).

Microbial fuel cell: A microbial fuel cell is a device that is able to produce electricity by
converting the chemical energy content of organic matter. This is done through catalytic reaction
of microorganisms and bacteria that are present in nature. This technology could be used for
power generation in combination with a waste water treatment facility (Min B., Cheng S. &
Logan B.E., 2005).

World Energy Resources: Waste to Energy World Energy Council 2013

Wind energy

Wind Water Pumping by windmills is possibly one of man’s earliest inventions with wind
energy historically being used for a wide range of applications, ranging from grinding grain
to sawing wood, with many other applications as well.

Basically, there are two primary physical principles by which wind energy can be extracted
from the wind. This can be done either through drag or lift force or through a combination
of the two. The difference between lift and drag is illustrated by the difference between
using a Bermuda rig, the familiar triangular sail which deflects with wind and allows a
sailing boat to travel across the wind or slightly into the wind, and a spinnaker sail, which
fills like a parachute and pulls a sailing boat with the wind.

The drag forces provide the most obvious means of thrust, these forces are felt by an object
or a person exposed to the wind. On the contrary, the lift forces are the most efficient means
of thrust but being more subtle than drag forces the former forces are not so well understood.
These are the basic features characterizing drag and lift force.

 Drag force is in the air flow’s direction whereas lift force is perpendicular to the
direction of airflow.
 Whenever lift force is generated, it causes a certain amount of drag to be developed.
 Generally, lift devices are more efficient than drag devices. This should have helped
you understand the principle of wind energy conversion.

Types of Wind Energy?

The wind is theoretically a form of solar energy because it is created by the uneven heating
of the atmosphere by the sun, the imperfections of the planet’s surface, and the rotation of the
earth. The kinetic energy of the airflows around the planet is harnessed by wind turbines,
which are then converted into electricity. In a nutshell, wind turbines use the rotation of the
blades to generate electricity by turning a generator. The blades of a wind turbine are turned
by the wind, which in turn spins a shaft attached to a generator.
Depending on the location of the wind turbines, there are currently two distinct types of wind
energy.

1. Onshore wind energy: By capturing the wind in land-based wind farms, onshore wind
energy is responsible for generating electricity. As a means to this purpose, we set up wind
turbines that can convert the kinetic energy of the wind into usable power that is then fed into
the grid.

2. Offshore wind energy: This type of wind energy is obtained by using the force of the
wind that is produced on the high seas. Here the wind energy reaches a more constant and
higher speed than on land. This happens because the high seas have the absence of barriers.
Megastructures are installed in order to make the most out of this resource. These structures
are seated on the seabed and are also equipped with the latest technological innovations.

Wind energy is a very popular form of renewable energy and it’s used in many sectors.
These are some uses of wind energy-

 Wind Power Generation: Creating electricity is a common application of wind

power. A wind turbine is used to convert the wind’s kinetic energy into usable
electricity. The wind turns the blades of the turbine, which spins a generator, which in
turn generates power.
 Transportation: Wind power can also be put to use in the transportation
sector. Wind power has been used for sailing by civilizations for thousands of years.
Sailing may have existed in its modern form as early as 5000 BC, according to the
available evidence. In modern times, we have witnessed both little and huge ships that
can sail using only the power of the wind.
 Producing Food: The harvesting of crops has long made use of wind energy.
Windmills were commonly employed to grind grain into flour before the advent of
modern industrial milling machinery.
  Pumping water: In addition to the previously mentioned applications, a wind pump
can also be used to pump water using only wind energy. Although they resemble
classic windmills, modern wind pumps are used to move water rather than grain.
 Sports or wind sports: Wind sports are a fun way to put wind power to work. Some
sports that harness the power of the wind are: Windsurfing is a type of sailing in
which a mast and sail are mounted to a surfboard, which the sailor stands on to steer.
Sailing is a more conventional application of wind power, and it is employed in
competitive sports where individuals or teams race against one another.

Principle of wind energy electricity generation

 It is defined as the system in which the kinetic energy of the wind is converted to
mechanical energy which in turn is used to generate electrical energy. The machines
which are used to convert the kinetic energy of the wind into mechanical energy
usually consist of sails, vanes or blades radiating from the hub or the central axis. The
axis can be horizontal in most of the cases or vertical in some cases. When the wind
hits the blade it rotates around the axis and the motion of the blades can be put to
useful work .The devices which are used in wind conversion system are known as
wind turbines because they convert the kinetic energy of the wind into the rotational
energy and the device used for this is known as rotor. These wind turbines are
connected to electrical generator to the required electrical energy and the connection
of these two devices is known as aero generator. A transmission system is usually
used to increase the speed of the rotor with the help of gear system.
 One single wind turbine may not be able to produce the desired level of electricity.
Hence, numbers wind turbines are connected together to obtain the desired output.
This assembly of wind turbines together is called a wind farm. We must choose the
place for constructing a wind farm where the wind speed is sufficient to move the
blade of the turbine. When the wind blows through the blades of a turbine, the turbine
rotates to run a generator to produce electricity. This electricity flows down through
 the cable attached to the turbine tower. This cable is also interconnected with cables
from other wind turbines in the wind farm.
 Hence, electricity from all wind turbines comes to a common node from where it is
taken for further ends. After all, this electricity is used directly for domestic or
industrial load or is drawn by any grid to fulfill the requirement of electricity.

Advantages of Wind Energy?

The advantages of wind energy are as follows:

 Wind energy is a green source of power: The process begins with a wind turbine
that is turned by the wind. The structure’s kinetic energy from the wind spins a
generator to produce power. All but the lightest winds can be converted into
electricity by today’s wind turbines. Wind power doesn’t contribute to global
warming because it doesn’t release any greenhouse gases throughout the electricity
generation process.
 Wind is a sustainable source of electricity: Wind power also has the added benefit
of being a sustainable source of energy. It is generated by the wind, a renewable
resource that is never depleted. It comes from a non-depletable source and has zero
carbon emissions. Wind power is analogous to solar power in some respects.
 Wind energy has cheap running costs: Unlike some other energy sources, the cost
of fuel for generating electricity from wind is zero. Maintenance is the only
significant ongoing expense once the wind turbine has been installed. The wind is a
clean, renewable, and cost-effective solution as the globe decarbonizes electricity
generation in the future.

Disadvantages of Wind Energy?

The disadvantages of wind energy are as follows:

 Wind turbines pose a threat to various forms of animals: When it comes to

wildlife, wind turbines may be devastating. Bats and birds are smacked by them, and
their sonar systems can’t find their way around turbines. While migratory birds and
 species with low reproductive rates are particularly vulnerable, scientists are
exploring novel solutions to mitigate the threat to these animals.
 Wind turbines can produce a roaring sound: Mechanical noise from the generators
inside the turbines is added to the aerodynamic noise from the blades cutting through
the air. Although the noise may have an effect on the wildlife, it usually won’t be
noticeable until you’re right there.
 Location is a limiting factor for wind power: Wind energy is not a universal
solution. The investment only makes sense in locations with strong and consistent
wind. Wind doesn’t always blow, even in the best possible locations, such as at the
shore, on top of a hill, or in a wide-open field. Intermittency describes how energy
production drops off or ceases altogether when wind speeds drop or die down.

https://energytheory.com/basic-principle-of-wind-energy-conversion/

Stand-Alone WECS
Stand-alone systems (systems not connected to the utility grid) require batteries to store excess
power generated for use when the wind is calm. They also need a charge controller to keep the
batteries from overcharging. Deep-cycle batteries, such as those used for golf carts, can
discharge and recharge 80% of their capacity hundreds of times, which makes them a good
option for remote renewable energy systems. Automotive batteries are shallow-cycle batteries
and should not be used in renewable energy systems because of their short life in deep-cycling
operations.

Hybrid wind energy systems can provide reliable off-grid power for homes, farms, or even entire
communities (for example: a co-housing project) that are far from the nearest utility lines.
According to many renewable energy experts, a "hybrid" system that combines wind and
photovoltaic (PV) technologies offers several advantages over either single system.

Environmental Benefits and Problems of Wind Energy

Environmental Impacts of Wind Energy

Operation of wind power has zero emissions of harmful substances. It does not add to global
warming, the “fuel” is free, and is quite evenly distributed around the world. But, as with other
sources of energy, wind power does have an environmental impact. The impact on wildlife is likely
low compared to other forms of human and industrial activity. However, negative impacts on certain
populations of sensitive species are possible, and efforts to mitigate these effects should be
considered in the planning phase. Wind energy, like any other industrial activity, may cause impacts
on the environment which should be analyzed and mitigated.
Environmental Benefits
Wind energy do not cause water or air emissions, and do not produce any kind of hazardous waste as
well. Moreover, wind power does not make use of natural resources like oil, gas or cause and
therefore will not cause damage to the environment through resource transportation and extraction
and also do not need consequent amounts of water during operation.
Wind energy is not only a favorable electricity generation technology that reduces emissions (of
other pollutants as well as CO2, SO2 and NOx), it also avoids significant amounts of external costs of
conventional fossil fuel-based electricity generation.
More and more use of wind energy should be made in order to prevent the problem of global
warming.
Wind energy plants are considered a green power technology because it has only minor impacts on
the environment. Wind energy plants produce no air pollutants or greenhouse gases.
Wind energy is an ideal renewable energy because:
• It is a pollution-free, infinitely sustainable form of energy
• It doesn't require fuel
• It doesn't create greenhouse gases
• It doesn't produce toxic or radioactive waste.

Environmental Problems
Any means of energy production impacts the environment in some way, and wind energy is no
different. Like every other energy technology, wind power plants do have some effects on the
environment. Wind turbines cause virtually no emissions during their operation and very little
during their manufacture, installation, maintenance and removal. Compared to the environmental
impact of traditional energy sources, the environmental impact of wind power is relatively minor.
Tidal and Geothermal energy

Tides are a regular phenomenon. They can be predicted over months and years in advance. This
is why the energy from this massive movement of water can be harnessed and converted into a
usable form of energy.
The gravitational forces of the sun and the moon combined with the rotation of the earth result in
an alternate rise and fall of the sea levels. In one particular place, it usually occurs twice on a
lunar day. The rise of the sea level is called the high tide, whereas the fall is called the low tide.
When the earth and moon’s gravitational field is in a straight line, the influences of these two
fields become very strong and cause millions of gallons of water to flow towards the shore
resulting in the high tide condition. Likewise, when the moon and earth’s gravitational fields are
perpendicular to each other, the influences of these fields become weak, causing the water to
flow away from the shore resulting in a low tide condition.

https://byjus.com/physics/tidal-energy/

Tidal Energy Generator

The energy obtained from the rise and fall of tides is called tidal energy.
Tidal barrages or dams are constructed across a narrow opening to the sea. Water rushes into the
dam when the sea level rises. This moves the blades of the turbines which are attached at the
opening of the dam. This results in the generation of electricity.

The world's first tidal power station was constructed in 2007 at Strangford Lough in Northern
Ireland. The turbines are placed in a narrow strait between the Strangford Lough inlet and the
Irish Sea. The tide can move at 4 meters (13 feet) per second across the strait.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Tidal Energy

Some advantages of tidal energy are:
Environment-friendly
A highly predictable energy source
High energy density
Operational and maintenance costs are low
An inexhaustible source of energy
Some of the disadvantages of tidal energy are:
High tidal power plant construction costs
Negative influence on marine life forms
Location limits
The variable intensity of sea waves
Although not widely used, tidal energy has the potential for future electricity generation. Among
other sources of renewable energy, tidal energy has suffered due to the relatively high cost and
limited availability of sites for construction. However, due to the recent technological
developments indicating that the economic and environmental costs can be brought down to
competitive levels, there seems to be a bright future for tidal energy generation.

Dynamic tidal power (DTP) is one of the newest proposals to harness the power of tides.
Using DTP, enormous dams (as long as 50 kilometers (31 miles)) would extend straight
from the shore into the open ocean.
The first was located in La Rance, France. The largest facility is the Sihwa Lake Tidal Power
Station in South Korea. China, France, England, Canada, and Russia have much
more potential to use this type of energy.

Tidal Energy Generators

There are currently three different ways to get tidal energy:
1. tidal streams,
2. barrages, and
3. tidal lagoons.

For most tidal energy generators, turbines are placed in tidal streams. A tidal stream is a fast-
flowing body of water created by tides. A turbine is a machine that takes energy from a flow
of fluid. That fluid can be air (wind) or liquid (water). Because water is much more dense than
air, tidal energy is more powerful than wind energy.
Barrage
Another type of tidal energy generator uses a large dam called a barrage. With a barrage, water
can spill over the top or through turbines in the dam because the dam is low. Barrages can
be constructed across tidal rivers, bays, and estuaries.

Turbines inside the barrage harness the power of tides the same way a river dam harnesses the
power of a river. The barrage gates are open as the tide rises. At high tide, the barrage gates
close, creating a pool, or tidal lagoon. The water is then released through the barrage's turbines,
creating energy at a rate that can be controlled by engineers.

Tidal Lagoon
The final type of tidal energy generator involves the construction of tidal lagoons. A tidal
lagoon is a body of ocean water that is partly enclosed by a natural or manmade barrier. Tidal
lagoons might also be estuaries and have freshwater emptying into them.
https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/tidal-energy/
Geothermal Energy - Non Conventional Source of Energy
Geothermal energy is the thermal energy generated and stored inside the Earth’s crust. The
Earth’s centre remains at the same temperature as the Sun, which is nearly constant due to the
continuous process of nuclear fusion. Due to such high temperature and pressure, some rocks
melt, resulting in the mantle’s upward motion (as they become lighter with the heat). These
molten rocks formed in the Earth’s crust are pushed upward where they get trapped in certain
regions called ‘hot spots.’ When underground water comes in contact with the hot spot, steam is
generated. Sometimes this hot water-formed region finds outlets at the surface. When this hot
water gushes out of one of these outlets, it is called hot springs.

About 2,900 kilometers (1,800 miles) below Earth’s crust, or surface, is the hottest part of our
planet: the core. A small portion of the core’s heat comes from the friction and gravitational
pull formed when Earth was created more than four billion years ago. However, the vast majority
of Earth’s heat is constantly generated by the decay of radioactive isotopes, such as potassium-40
and thorium-232.
https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/geothermal-energy/
It is the energy that is generated from the heat within the Earth. Hot rocks in the earth’s core emit
heat which generates steam and pressure and thus comes out of the earth’s surface. This steam is
used to run turbines and produce electricity.

Harnessing the Geothermal Energy

To harness geothermal energy, a hydrothermal convection system is used. In this process, a hole
is drilled deep under the earth, through which a pipe is inserted. The steam trapped in the rocks is
routed through this pipe to the earth’s surface. This steam is then used to turn the blades of a
turbine of an electric generator. In another method, the steam is used to heat water from an
external source which is then used to rotate the turbine.

Dry-Steam Power Plants

Dry-steam power plants take advantage of natural underground sources of steam. The steam is
piped directly to a power plant, where it is used to fuel turbines and generate electricity.
Dry steam is the oldest type of power plant to generate electricity using geothermal energy. The
first dry-steam power plant was constructed in Larderello, Italy, in 1911. Today, the dry-steam
power plants at Larderello continue to supply electricity to more than a million residents of the
area.

Flash-Steam Power Plant

Flash-steam power plants use naturally occurring sources of underground hot water and steam.
Water that is hotter than 182° C (360° F) is pumped into a low-pressure area. Some of the water
“flashes,” or evaporates rapidly into steam, and is funneled out to power a turbine and
generate electricity. Any remaining water can be flashed in a separate tank to extract more
energy.
Flash-steam power plants are the most common type of geothermal power plants. The
volcanically active island nation of Iceland supplies nearly all its electrical needs through a series
of flash-steam geothermal power plants. The steam and excess warm water produced by the
flash-steam process heat icy sidewalks and parking lots in the frigid Arctic winter.

Binary Cycle Power Plants

Binary cycle power plants use a unique process to conserve water and generate heat. Water is
heated underground to about 107°-182° C (225°-360° F). The hot water is contained in a pipe,
which cycles above ground. The hot water heats a liquid organic compound that has a lower
boiling point than water. The organic liquid creates steam, which flows through a turbine and
powers a generator to create electricity. The only emission in this process is steam. The water in
the pipe is recycled back to the ground, to be reheated by Earth and provide heat for the organic
compound again.

Applications of Geothermal Energy

Generation of electricity: Geothermal power plants are usually installed within a two-mile
radius of the geothermal reserve. The steam from these reserves is either directly used to rotate
the turbines of an electrical generator or is used to heat water which then produces steam for the
process.
Farming: In cold countries, geothermal energy is used to heat greenhouses or to heat water that
is used for irrigation.
Industry: Geothermal energy is used in industries for the purpose of food dehydration, milk
pasteurizing, gold mining, etc.
Heating: Geothermal energy is used to heat buildings through district heating systems in which
hot water through springs is directly transported to the buildings through pipelines.

Advantages of Geothermal Energy

Renewable resource: Geothermal energy is free and abundant. The constant flow of heat from
the Earth makes this resource inexhaustible and limitless to an estimated time span of 4 billion
years.
Green energy: Geothermal energy is non-polluting and environment-friendly as no harmful
gases are evolved with the use of geothermal energy, unlike the use of fossil fuels. Also, no
residue or by-product is generated.
Generation of employment: Geothermal power plants are highly sophisticated and involve
large-scale research before installation. This generates employment for skilled and unskilled
labourers at a very large scale at each stage of production and management.
Can be used directly: In cold countries, geothermal energy is used directly for the melting of ice
on the roads, heating houses in winters, greenhouses, public baths, etc. Although the initial cost
of installation is very high, the cost for maintenance and repair is negligible.

Disadvantages of Geothermal Energy

Transportation and transmission: Unlike fossil fuels, geothermal energy cannot be transported
easily. Once the tapped energy is harnessed, it can only be used efficiently in nearby areas. Also,
with the transmission, there are chances of the emission of toxic gases getting released into the
atmosphere.
High installation cost: The installation of geothermal power plants to get steam from deep under
the Earth requires a huge investment in terms of material and human resources.
Intensive research required: Before setting up a plant, extensive research is required, as the
sites can run out of steam over time due to a drop in the temperature due to excessive or irregular
supply of inlet water.
Limited to particular regions: The source of geothermal energy is available in limited regions,
some of which are highly inaccessible, such as high-rise mountains and rocky terrains, which
renders the process economically infeasible in many of the cases.
Impact on the environment: Geothermal sites are present deep under the earth, so the process
of drilling may result in the release of highly toxic gases into the environment near these sites,
which sometimes prove fatal to the workforce involved in the process.

Geothermal Powers
Since 2015 the three countries with the greatest capacity for geothermal energy use have
included the United States, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Turkey and Kenya have been steadily
building geothermal energy capacity as well.