Non-Conventional Sources of Energy — Types, Advantages and India's Targets

Conventional Sources of Energy: Conventional energy sources are fossil fuels and other non-renewable sources that have been used for centuries. They include: • Coal: The largest source of electricity in India. Used in thermal power plants. Major reserves in Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, and Madhya Pradesh. • Petroleum (Crude Oil): Used as petrol, diesel, kerosene, LPG. Major fields: Assam, Gujarat, Mumbai High (offshore). • Natural Gas: Associated with petroleum deposits. Used for electricity generation, cooking, and industry. • Large Hydropower (traditional): Large dams and reservoirs — often classified separately from renewable energy due to environmental impact.

Limitations of Conventional Sources: • Non-renewable: Once depleted, they cannot be replenished on a human timescale. • Polluting: Burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide (CO₂), sulphur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen oxides, causing air pollution and climate change. • Finite Reserves: India imports about 85% of its crude oil needs, making energy security a concern. • Unequal Distribution: Reserves are concentrated in certain regions, creating economic disparities.

Non-Conventional Sources of Energy: Non-conventional (renewable) sources are those that are naturally and continuously replenished. They are: • Eco-friendly: Produce little or no greenhouse gas emissions during operation. • Inexhaustible: Sunlight, wind, and water flows are continuously available. • Decentralised: Can be set up in remote areas, reducing dependence on centralised power grids. • Lower running costs: After initial setup, fuel costs are negligible.

Limitation: Higher initial capital cost; some sources (solar, wind) are intermittent (not available 24/7).

1. Solar Energy: • Energy harnessed from sunlight using solar panels (photovoltaic cells) or solar thermal collectors. • India receives solar radiation for 250–300 days per year, making it one of the best countries for solar energy. • Applications: Solar power plants, rooftop solar panels, solar water heaters, solar cookers, solar street lights. • Key Projects: Bhadla Solar Park (Rajasthan) — one of the world's largest solar parks. • India's target under the National Solar Mission: 100 GW of solar power by 2022 (revised to 280 GW by 2030).

2. Wind Energy: • Energy generated by converting the kinetic energy of wind into electricity using wind turbines. • India is the 4th largest wind power producer in the world. • Best locations: Coastal areas, open plains, and mountain passes with high wind speeds. • Major wind energy states: Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh. • India's wind energy capacity exceeds 40 GW (2024).

3. Hydroelectric Energy (Small Hydro): • Electricity generated by the flow of water, typically through small-run-of-river projects. • Small hydro (up to 25 MW) is classified as renewable energy in India. • Potential: India has vast potential in the Himalayan rivers and North-East river systems. • Advantage: Can store energy (reservoir water) and supply power on demand.

4. Tidal Energy: • Energy generated from the rise and fall of ocean tides. • High potential areas in India: Gulf of Khambhat (Gujarat), Gulf of Kachchh, Sundarbans (West Bengal). • Advantage: Predictable and reliable — tides are determined by gravitational forces. • Still largely at experimental stage in India.

5. Geothermal Energy: • Energy extracted from heat within the Earth's crust. • Used for electricity generation and direct heating. • Potential locations in India: Puga Valley (Ladakh), Tattapani (Chhattisgarh), Manikaran (Himachal Pradesh). • Still at an early stage of development in India.

6. Biomass Energy: • Energy produced from organic materials — agricultural waste, crop residue, animal dung, municipal solid waste, wood. • Forms: Biogas (methane from dung/waste), Bioethanol (from sugarcane/corn), Biodiesel (from plant oils). • Biogas plants: Common in rural India; provide cooking gas and lighting using animal dung (mainly cow dung). • National Biogas and Manure Management Programme (NBMMP) promotes biogas in rural areas.

7. Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC): • Uses the temperature difference between warm surface water and cold deep ocean water to generate electricity. • India has potential along its long coastline, especially near the Lakshadweep Islands. • At experimental/pilot stage.

National Solar Mission (Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission — JNNSM): • Launched in 2010 as part of India's National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). • Original target: 20 GW of solar power by 2022. • Revised target (2015): 100 GW of solar power by 2022. • Objective: Make India a global leader in solar energy, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and combat climate change.

India's Broader Renewable Energy Targets (as of 2024): • 500 GW of non-fossil fuel based power capacity by 2030. • 50% of cumulative electricity from renewable sources by 2030. • Reduce carbon intensity of the economy by 45% by 2030 (compared to 2005 levels). • Net zero carbon emissions by 2070 (announced at COP26, Glasgow, 2021).

Key Government Initiatives: • PM-KUSUM Scheme: Solar pumps for farmers; solar plants on barren agricultural land. • Rooftop Solar Programme: Incentives for rooftop solar panels on homes and commercial buildings. • National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy (2018): Promotes combined wind and solar projects. • Green Hydrogen Mission: Using renewable energy to produce green hydrogen as a clean fuel.

India's Current Renewable Energy Status (2024): • India's total installed renewable energy capacity exceeds 150 GW. • India is the 3rd largest in renewable energy capacity globally (after China and the USA). • Solar energy capacity: Over 70 GW installed.

Advantages of Non-Conventional (Renewable) Energy:

1. Inexhaustible: Sunlight, wind, and water are continuously available and will not run out.
2. Eco-friendly: Generate electricity without burning fuel — no CO₂, SO₂, or particulate emissions during operation (except biomass).
3. Reduces Fossil Fuel Dependence: Reduces India's oil import bill (India imports ~85% of crude oil).
4. Decentralised Supply: Can be installed in remote villages, reducing the need for long transmission lines.
5. Low Operating Cost: After initial installation, fuel cost is zero (for solar, wind, hydro).
6. Employment Generation: The renewable energy sector creates jobs in manufacturing, installation, and maintenance.
7. Energy Security: Domestic renewable resources reduce vulnerability to global oil price fluctuations.

Disadvantages of Non-Conventional Energy:

1. High Initial Cost: Solar panels, wind turbines, and hydropower projects require significant upfront investment.
2. Intermittency: Solar energy depends on sunlight (not available at night or on cloudy days); wind energy requires adequate wind speed.
3. Energy Storage Challenge: Storing electricity from solar/wind for later use requires expensive batteries.
4. Land Requirement: Large solar parks and wind farms require significant land area.
5. Geographic Dependence: Solar energy is best in sunny regions; wind energy requires coastal or open plains areas; geothermal energy is location-specific.
6. Impact on Ecosystems: Large-scale hydropower projects can displace communities and alter river ecosystems.