People, Development and Environment - Chapter 4: Natural and Energy Resources
Natural resources are materials or substances that occur in nature and can be used for economic gain or human benefit with minimal modifications. These resources are essential for various purposes including commercial and industrial use, aesthetic value, scientific interest, and cultural significance. Examples of natural resources include sunlight, atmosphere, water, land, minerals, vegetation, and wildlife.
Natural resources are an integral part of Earth's natural heritage and are often protected in nature reserves to preserve biodiversity and geodiversity. These resources can be classified in several ways:
Resources that can be replenished naturally over time, such as sunlight, wind, and biomass.
Resources that cannot be replenished once they are depleted, such as fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas), minerals, and metals.
The allocation and extraction of natural resources are often central to economic and political conflicts. Scarcity and overconsumption can lead to confrontations within and between countries. Resource extraction has also been linked to human rights violations and significant environmental damage.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and other international agendas emphasize the need for sustainable resource extraction. Efforts are being made to develop economic models that reduce reliance on resource extraction. These models, such as the circular economy, focus on reuse, recycling, and the sustainable management of renewable resources. The goal is to create a balance between resource use and environmental conservation, ensuring that natural resources are available for future generations.
In summary, natural resources are vital for human survival and economic development. However, their management requires careful consideration to avoid depletion and environmental degradation, ensuring sustainability for future generations.
Water, being about 800 times denser than air, can generate substantial amounts of energy even from a slow-flowing stream or moderate sea swell. Water can generate electricity with a conversion efficiency of about 90%, the highest rate among renewable energy sources. There are various forms of water energy:
Historically, hydroelectric power has been generated by constructing large dams and reservoirs. Examples include the Three Gorges Dam in China and the Itaipu Dam built by Brazil and Paraguay.
These installations typically produce up to 50 MW of power and are often used on small rivers or as low-impact developments on larger rivers. China leads the world in hydroelectricity production with more than 45,000 small hydro installations.
These plants derive energy from rivers without creating large reservoirs. Water is conveyed along the side of the river valley using channels, pipes, or tunnels until it is high above the valley floor, then allowed to fall through a penstock to drive a turbine. These plants can still produce large amounts of electricity, such as the Chief Joseph Dam on the Columbia River in the United States. However, many run-of-the-river plants are micro or pico hydro plants.
Hydropower is highly flexible and can complement wind and solar power. As of 2021, the global renewable hydropower capacity was 1,360 GW. However, only a third of the world's estimated hydroelectric potential of 14,000 TWh/year has been developed.
New hydropower projects often face opposition from local communities due to their large impact, including the relocation of communities and flooding of wildlife habitats and farming land. High costs and long lead times due to the permission process, including environmental and risk assessments, and the lack of environmental and social acceptance, are primary challenges for new developments.
It is popular to repower old dams to increase their efficiency and capacity and improve their responsiveness on the grid. For example, existing dams like the Russell Dam, built in 1985, may be updated with "pump back" facilities for pumped-storage, useful for peak loads or to support intermittent wind and solar power.
Dispatchable power (power that can be turned on or off as needed) is more valuable than variable renewable energy (VRE) sources like wind and solar. Countries with large hydroelectric developments, such as Canada and Norway, are investing billions to expand their grids to trade with neighboring countries that have limited hydro resources.
Water energy, through various forms of hydropower, plays a crucial role in renewable energy production. While large-scale projects have been the traditional focus, small and run-of-the-river systems offer significant potential with lower environmental impacts. Addressing challenges such as community opposition, high costs, and long lead times is essential for the continued expansion and optimization of hydropower.
India is ranked 5th globally for installed hydroelectric power capacity. As of 31 March 2020:
The hydroelectric power plants at Darjeeling (1898) and Shivanasamudra (1902) were among the first in Asia, marking India's early involvement in global hydroelectric power development. India also imports surplus hydroelectric power from Bhutan.
In the fiscal year 2019–20:
However, in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024:
The decline in hydroelectric power generation highlights the vulnerabilities and challenges posed by erratic weather patterns. This has led to a diminished role for hydroelectric power in India's energy mix and increased reliance on coal.
Wind power is the use of wind energy to generate useful work. Historically, it was utilized by sails, windmills, and windpumps. Today, wind power is primarily used to generate electricity using wind turbines, which are generally grouped into wind farms and connected to the electrical grid.
Wind Farms are large concentrations of wind generators producing electricity. Asked in Exam
Wind Farms are often installed in rows, create noise pollution, can be installed on land or offshore, and contribute electricity to the power grid. Asked in Exam
Wind energy does not have a high energy density compared to other sources of energy like fossil fuels.
In 2022, wind power supplied over 2000 TWh of electricity, accounting for over 7% of global electricity and about 2% of world energy. With approximately 100 GW added during 2021, global installed wind power capacity exceeded 800 GW. As of now, China is the leading country in wind energy-based electricity production. Asked in Exam
Wind power is a sustainable and renewable energy source with a much smaller environmental impact compared to burning fossil fuels. However, there are inherent challenges:
Intermittency: Wind energy is an intermittent source of energy. Asked in Exam Wind speed variability affects energy production, requiring energy storage or other dispatchable generation sources to ensure a reliable electricity supply.
These have a greater visual impact on the landscape compared to most other power stations per unit of energy produced.
These have less visual impact and higher capacity factors but are generally more expensive. Offshore wind power currently accounts for about 10% of new installations.
Regions in the higher northern and southern latitudes have the highest potential for wind power. Coastlines are considered as high potential areas for wind energy generation. Asked in Exam
Additionally, ocean water can be utilized as a coolant during wind energy production. Asked in Exam
Wind power is one of the lowest-cost electricity sources per unit of energy produced. In many locations, new onshore wind farms are cheaper than new coal or gas plants. Wind power generation is often higher at night and in winter when solar power output is low, making wind and solar power combinations suitable for many countries.
Wind power offers a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels with significantly lower environmental impacts. However, specific environmental concerns exist for different energy sources:
Thermal Energy is associated with the emission of greenhouse gases. Asked in Exam
Hydroelectric power leads to a loss of riparian vegetation. Asked in Exam
Photovoltaic energy involves the production of toxic wastes. Asked in Exam
Wind Energy is hazardous for birds and bats. Asked in Exam
Converts wind kinetic energy into mechanical power.
Uses sails on a rotating shaft to tap wind energy.
Generates electricity from wind farms in water. Higher wind speeds at sea increase power output.
Wind speed variability affects energy production.
Wind power plays a crucial role in the transition to renewable energy, offering a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. Despite challenges such as intermittency and higher costs for offshore installations, wind power remains a cost-effective and environmentally friendly energy source.
Wind energy is a crucial renewable energy source in India, contributing significantly to the country's energy mix. India is home to some of the largest operational onshore wind farms, playing a vital role in meeting the country's renewable energy goals.
| Wind Power Plant | Megawatt (MW) | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Muppandal wind farm | 1500 | Tamil Nadu, Kanyakumari |
| Jaisalmer Wind Park | 1064 | Rajasthan, Jaisalmer |
| Brahmanvel wind farm | 528 | Maharashtra, Dhule |
| Dhalgaon wind farm | 278 | Maharashtra, Sangli |
| Vankusawade Wind Park | 259 | Maharashtra, Satara District |
| Vaspet | 144 | Maharashtra, Vaspet |
| Tuljapur | 126 | Maharashtra, Osmanabad |
| Beluguppa Wind Park | 100.8 | Andhra Pradesh, Beluguppa |
| Mamatkheda Wind Park | 100.5 | Madhya Pradesh, Mamatkheda |
| Anantapur Wind Park | 100 | Andhra Pradesh, Nimbagallu |
Muppandal Wind Farm: Developed by Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency, it is the largest operational onshore wind farm in India.
Jaisalmer Wind Park: Located in Rajasthan, developed by Suzlon Energy, it is the second-largest operational onshore wind farm in India.
Vankusawade Wind Park: Located in Maharashtra's Satara District, it is a significant wind farm on a high mountain plateau.
India has an estimated wind power potential of 148,700 MW. Western states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh have stable and strong wind flow, making them ideal for wind energy projects.
National Wind Power Policy: Framework for developing wind energy.
National Offshore Wind Energy Policy: Launched in October 2015 to develop offshore wind energy.
Solar-Wind Hybrid Policy: Issued in May 2018 to promote large grid-connected wind-solar hybrid systems for optimal resource utilization and grid stability.
India's Muppandal wind farm and Jaisalmer Wind Park are among the top 10 largest wind power plants in the world.
| Wind Power Plant | Megawatt (MW) | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Gansu | 7,965 | China |
| Alta | 1,548 | United States of America (USA) |
| Muppandal wind farm | 1,500 | Tamil Nadu, Kanyakumari |
| Jaisalmer Wind Park | 1,064 | Rajasthan, Jaisalmer |
| Los Vientos Wind Farm | 912 | United States of America (USA) |
| Shepherds Flat | 845 | United States of America (USA) |
| Meadow Lake Wind Farm | 801 | United States of America (USA) |
| Roscoe | 782 | United States of America (USA) |
| Horse Hollow | 736 | United States of America (USA) |
| Tehachapi Pass Wind Farm | 705 | United States of America (USA) |
Wind energy is a vital part of India's renewable energy strategy. With substantial potential and supportive policies, India aims to expand its wind energy capacity, contributing to global efforts in combating climate change and promoting sustainable development.