Discussion: Alternative Energy Sources

IAS Mains General Studies Sample Answers

Alternative Energy SourcesThe rapid increase in the demand of energy has caused worry about its supply. The main sources of energy are conventional sources. They are non-renewable and exhaustible sources. By the year 2030-35 if any alternative sources of energy do not substitute or supplement them, sources of energy like Petroleum and Natural gas are under threat of vanishing. Therefore we should concentrate on alternative and non-conventional and renewable energy sources. Main alternative source of energy are as follows:

Due to over decreasing sources and very limited stock of petroleum products, the alternative source of alternative fuels is being developed and used as well in transport sector.
Some of the alternative fuels available are as follows:

  • Compressed Natural Gas (CNG): It is a mix of hydrocarbon found under-ground in which there is 80% to 90% methyl gas. It produces very low pollution in comparison to petrol and diesel this is the most important benefit of CNG.

  • Gasohol: It is another alternative fuel in which petrol is mixed in the alcohol obtained from sugarcane juice. Increasing loss in petroleum in India and pollution can be checked by using Gasohol.

  • Bio-diesel: It is ultra low Sculpture diesel, which is also an alternative fuel produces even low pollution comparing to CNG.

  • Hydrogen fuels.

  • Solar batteries.

Main characteristics of alternative fuels:

  • Alternative fuels are not available readymade.

  • It requires technological up gradation.

  • These fuels are generally modern in their use.

  • These fuels have not gained much importance in use that of yet.

Advantages of alternative fuels:

  • These are generally renewable and non-exhaustible.

  • They are available domestically and don’t require to depend on imports.

  • These fuels are less expensive comparatively.

  • These fuels produce less pollution.

  • Bio-diesel will give an economically viable option to farmers.

  • Hydrogen has the largest calorie value.

Disadvantages of alternative fuels:

  • Technological up gradation is required for this.

  • Huge investment is required to change today’s petrol and diesel running vehicles to adopt such technologies.

  • Cultivation of Jethropa and other types of biodiesel will require land which is very necessary for food crops cultivation.

  • Hydrogen is explosive and problem of storage is there also.

Solar, wind, tidal, geothermal etc. are gradually been adapted and adopted as alternative source of energy are being developed and the cost are adequately reduces as well. These energy sources have the advantage of generally producing energy in a non-polluting form and they are renewable by nature also. Luckily India has vast potential to harness solar and wind energy. North-west part and Eastern and Western coastal areas of India have great potential of wind energy. India has also wide potential of solar energy due to its vast sunny territory. Many rivers provide facilities for development of hydel-energy.
In the recent times Bio-diesel has opened a promising prospect. To develop technologies to convert different non-edible vegetable oils to bio-diesel several. R & D projects have been started up in the country. Jethropa plants have also been used as bio-diesel.

The government has set up an expert committee on Integrated Energy Policy headed by Kirit Parikh. The committee suggests to realization of full potential of hydro energy and fast growth of nuclear energy, missions on solar technologies for thermal and photovoltaic and bio-fuel as well as bio-gas developments. Thus, it can be said that India is technologically developing on this front to utilize its optimum resources of alternative energy.

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