Critically analyse the role and potential of unconventional renewable sources of energy with special reference to Indian scenario | Unconventional renewable sources of energy | Renewable energy source

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 Q. Critically analyse the role and potential of unconventional renewable sources of energy with special reference to Indian scenario. (R.GP.V., June 2009)

Ans. In India, where 88.53% of total energy production is from fossil fuels, there will be virtually no electricity if these resources get exhausted. As rainfall is not constant all over the places in India, therefore it is not a reliable source. Thus, there is a need to use non-conventional energy sources to meet the increasing demand of country.

Sun has the greatest potential of all non-conventional energy sources, if we can use only 5% of total solar radiation, it can fulfil total world's energy requirement for 50 times. In India where sun shines at maximum potential for more than 3/4 part of year, solar energy can be of great importance. As sun is expected to be radiate at this constant rate for a few billion years, it can be considered as inexhaustible source of energy. This solar energy can be used for thermal power generation, for space heating or cooling, for cooking food, solar photovoltaic cells, etc.

Winds which possesses kinetic energy due to virtue of their motion, are the potential source of energy. If we can utilise this energy, it can fulfil our energy requirement several times. In India where winds blow at a rate of 5 km/hr to 20 km/hr makes it costly to use wind mills to generate electricity. However coastal areas of Saurashtra, Western Rajasthan and some parts of central India has high speed of winds and can be used for power generation.

Gravitational force of heavenly bodies like sun and moon causes periodic rise and fall in sea water levels, which is known as tides. These tides can be used for power generation by constructing a dam across the mouth of the bay. The possible sites for tidal power plants in India are suggested at Gulf of Cambay, Gulf of Kutch in Gujrat and Sundarban area in West Bengal. However, no such plants has been constructed so far in our country.

Geothermal energy or heat of the earth is the thermal energy found within the rocks in earth's crust. Sources of this thermal energy are magnetic and radioactive decay processes occur within the interior of the earth. A 1 MW plant using hot steam has been installed by Geological Survey of India at Puga Valley in Ladakh. Geothermal energy taken from hot water, natural steam or dry rocks may be used for electric power generation, space heating, recreational sites, agricultural and industrial drying.

The organic matter produced by plants and their derivatives is called biomass. This biomass can be used for thermal energy generation. In India, where agriculture is still the main occupation of most of the villagers, biothermal energy is a very important source of energy. Further, it is eco-friendly and does not cause any pollution, and gives manure as a bio-product which can be used for agriculture.

Thus, in our country where fossil fuels are in limited supply and likely to be exhausted very soon, use of non-conventional energy sources for power generation and other purposes has a very good potential.