Fossil fuels and nuclear energy, there limitation, need for renewable energy, non-conventional energy sources. An overview of developments in Offshore Wind Energy, Tidal Energy, Wave energy systems, Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion, solar energy, biomass, biochemical conversion, biogas generation, geothermal energy tidal energy, Hydroelectricity.

1. Fossil fuels and Alternate Sources
of energy
By- Saurav Kapoor

2. Fossil fuels:
Fossil fuel is a general term for buried
combustible geologic deposits of organic
materials, formed from decayed plants and
animals that have been converted to
crude oil, coal, natural gas, or heavy oils
by exposure to heat and pressure in the
earth's crust over hundreds of millions of
years.

3. Nuclear energy:
Nuclear energy is energy in the nucleus
(core) of an atom. Atoms are tiny particles
that make up every object in the universe.
There is enormous energy in the bonds that
hold atoms together. Nuclear energy can be
used to make electricity. But first the energy
must be released. It can be released from
atoms in two ways: nuclear fusion and nuclear
fission. In nuclear fusion, energy is released
when atoms are combined or fused together
to form a larger atom.

4. Limitation of Fossil fuel and Nuclear Energy:
Disadvantages of using fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are nonrenewable energy
resources. Their supply is limited and they will eventually run out. ... Fossil fuels
release carbon dioxide when they burn, which adds to the greenhouse effect and
increases global warming.
Like fossil fuels, nuclear fuels are nonrenewable energy resources. And if there
is an accident, large amounts of radioactive material could be released into the
environment. In addition, nuclear waste remains radioactive and is hazardous to
health for thousands of years.

5. Why Renewable Energy?
Fossil fuels are non-renewable, that is,
they draw on finite resources that will
eventually dwindle, becoming too
expensive or too environmentally
damaging to retrieve. In contrast, the
many types of renewable energy
resources-such as wind and solar
energy-are constantly replenished and
will never run out.

6. Also, this helps to reduce climate
change. By using renewable energy
sources like solar energy, we also
reduce our dependence on fossil fuel
gas and oil reserves, which are
becoming more expensive and
difficult to find. It also reduces our
dependence on imported fossil fuels,
improving our energy security.

8. What is Non-conventional energy source?
Energy generated by using wind, tides,
solar, geothermal heat, and biomass
including farm and animal waste as
well as human excreta is known as
non-conventional energy. All these
sources are renewable or inexhaustible
and do not cause environmental
pollution.

9. Importance of non-conventional sources of energy:
1. The non-conventional sources of energy are abundant in nature.
According to energy experts the non-conventional energy potential of
India is estimated at about 95,000 MW.
2. These are renewable resources. The non-conventional sources of
energy can be renewed with minimum effort and money.
3. Non-conventional sources of energy are pollution-free and eco-
friendly

10. Solar energy
Sun is the source of all energy on the earth.
It is most abundant, inexhaustible and
universal source of energy. AH other sources
of energy draw their strength from the sun.
India is blessed with plenty of solar energy
because most parts of the country receive
bright sunshine throughout the year except a
brief monsoon period. India has developed
technology to use solar energy for cooking,
water heating, water dissimilation, space
heating, crop drying etc.

11. Tidal Energy
Sea water keeps on rising and falling
alternatively twice a day under the
influence of gravitational pull of moon
and sun.
This phenomenon is known as tides. It
is estimated that India possesses 8000-
9000 MW of tidal energy potential. The
Gulf of Kachchh is best suited for tidal
energy.

12. Wind energy
Wind power is harnessed by setting up a
windmill which is used for pumping water,
grinding grain and generating electricity.
The gross wind power potential of India is
estimated to be about 20,000 MW, wind power
projects of 970 MW capacities were installed till
March. 1998. Areas with constantly high speed
preferably above 20 km per hour are well-suited
for harnessing wind energy.

13. Hydroelectricity
Hydroelectricity or hydroelectric
power is the electricity obtained by
harnessing the power of water
flowing down from a high level. It is a
timeless and renewable resource.
Huge generators convert the
potential energy of falling or fast
moving water into electrical energy.

14. Geothermal energy
Geothermal energy is the heat
from the Earth. It's clean and
sustainable.
Resources of geothermal
energy range from the shallow
ground to hot water and hot
rock found a few miles beneath
the Earth's surface, and down
even deeper to the extremely
high temperatures of molten
rock called magma.

15. Biomass and biochemical conversion.
Biomass refers to all plant material and animal
excreta when considered as an energy source. Some
important kinds of biomass are inferior wood,
urban waste, bagasse, farm animal and human
waste.
Biochemical Conversion of Biomass. Biochemical
conversion of biomass involves use of bacteria,
microorganisms and enzymes to break down biomass
into gaseous or liquid fuels, such as biogas or
bioethanol. The most popular biochemical technologies
are anaerobic digestion (or biomethanation) and
fermentation.

16. Wave energy systems