08-16-2017, 08:54 PM
APPLICATION OF NON-CONVENTIONAL & RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
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Concept of Renewable Energy
Renewable energy sources also called non-conventional energy, are sources that are continuously replenished by natural processes. For example, solar energy, wind energy, bio-energy - bio-fuels grown sustain ably), hydropower etc., are some of the examples of renewable energy sources
A renewable energy system converts the energy found in sunlight, wind, falling-water, sea-waves, geothermal heat, or biomass into a form, we can use such as heat or electricity. Most of the renewable energy comes either directly or indirectly from sun and wind and can never be exhausted, and therefore they are called renewable.
However, most of the world's energy sources are derived from conventional sources-fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gases. These fuels are often termed non-renewable energy sources. Although, the available quantity of these fuels are extremely large, they are nevertheless finite and so will in principle run out at some time in the future
Solar Energy
Solar energy is the most readily available and free source of energy since prehistoric times. It is estimated that solar energy equivalent to over 15,000 times the world's annual commercial energy consumption reaches the earth every year.
Solar Thermal Energy Application
In solar thermal route, solar energy can be converted into thermal energy with the help of solar collectors and receivers known as solar thermal devices. The Solar-Thermal devices can be classified into three categories: Low-Grade Heating Devices - up to the temperature of 100 C. Medium-Grade Heating Devices -up to the temperature of 100 -300 C High-Grade Heating Devices -above temperature of 300 C
Solar Cooker
Solar cooker is a device, which uses solar energy for cooking, and thus saving fossil fuels, fuel wood and electrical energy to a large extent. However, it can only supplement the cooking fuel, and not replace it totally. It is a simple cooking unit, ideal for domestic cooking during most of the year except during the monsoon season, cloudy days and winter months
Solar Electricity Generation
Solar Photovoltaic (PV): Photovoltaic is the technical term for solar electric. Photo means "light" and voltaic means "electric". PV cells are usually made of silicon, an element that naturally releases electrons when exposed to light. Amount of electrons released from silicon cells depend upon intensity of light incident on it. The silicon cell is covered with a grid of metal that directs the electrons to flow in a path to create an electric current.