Non-Conventional Energy Sources

Non-conventional energy sources are the renewable alternatives to fossil fuels. Unlike coal, petroleum, natural gas, and nuclear energy — which all depend on exhaustible raw materials — these sources are sustainable, more equitably distributed across regions, and far more environment-friendly. The initial cost of setting up these systems is high, but once that is taken care of, they provide sustained, eco-friendly, and cheaper energy in the long run.

Nuclear Energy

Nuclear energy has emerged as a viable source in recent times. The two key minerals used for generating nuclear power are uranium and thorium.

• Uranium deposits occur in the Dharwar rocks. Geographically, uranium ores are found in several locations along the Singhbhum Copper belt. Other occurrences include:

  • Udaipur, Alwar, and Jhunjhunu districts of Rajasthan
  • Durg district of Chhattisgarh
  • Bhandara district of Maharashtra
  • Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh

• Thorium is mainly obtained from monazite and ilmenite present in the beach sands along the coast of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The world’s richest monazite deposits occur in:

  • Palakkad and Kollam districts of Kerala
  • Near Vishakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh
  • Mahanadi river delta in Odisha

The Atomic Energy Commission was established in 1948, but real progress came only after the Atomic Energy Institute was set up at Trombay in 1954. This institute was renamed the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre in 1967.

The important nuclear power projects in India are:

• Tarapur (Maharashtra)
• Rawatbhata near Kota (Rajasthan)
• Kalpakkam (Tamil Nadu)
• Narora (Uttar Pradesh)
• Kaiga (Karnataka)
• Kakarapara (Gujarat)

Solar Energy

Sun rays can be tapped using photovoltaic cells and converted into energy, known as solar energy. The two effective processes for this are photovoltaics and solar thermal technology.

Solar thermal technology has several advantages over non-renewable sources: it is cost-competitive, environment-friendly, and easy to construct. Solar energy is 7 per cent more effective than coal- or oil-based plants and 10 per cent more effective than nuclear plants. It is commonly used in appliances like heaters, crop dryers, and cookers.

The western part of India, particularly Gujarat and Rajasthan, has the greatest potential for developing solar energy.

Wind Energy

Wind energy is absolutely pollution-free and inexhaustible. The mechanism is simple: the kinetic energy of wind is converted into electrical energy through turbines.

Permanent wind systems like the trade winds and westerlies, as well as seasonal winds like the monsoon, have been used as sources of energy. Local winds and land-sea breezes can also be used to produce electricity.

India has already started generating wind energy. Favourable conditions exist in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.

Tidal and Wave Energy

Ocean currents are a storehouse of infinite energy. Since the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, persistent efforts have been made to harness energy from ceaseless tidal waves and ocean currents.

Large tidal waves occur along the west coast of India, giving the country great potential for tidal energy development. However, these resources have not yet been utilised.

Geothermal Energy

When magma from the earth’s interior comes out on the surface, tremendous heat is released. This heat energy can be tapped and converted into electrical energy. Additionally, hot water that gushes out through geyser wells is also used to generate thermal energy. This is known as geothermal energy.

It is now considered a key alternative energy source. Hot springs and geysers have been used since the medieval period. In India, a geothermal energy plant has been commissioned at Manikaran in Himachal Pradesh. …