UNIT-1

ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT

ENERGY:
Energy is defined by physicists as the capacity to do work. Energy is
found on our planet in a variety of forms, some of which are immediately useful to
do work, while others require a process of transformation. The sun is the primary
energy source in our lives. Besides, water, fossil fuels such as coal, petroleum
products, water, nuclear power plants are sources of energy.

ENVIRONMENT
The phrase ‘environment’ is extracted from this french language word
‘environment ~ which means to ‘surround, enclose, and encircle’. Environment
identifies an aggregate of conditions or atmosphere in which lifestyle beings such
as humans, animals, and plants live or survive and non-living things exist.

Most living beings including man and their environment are mutually reactive,
affecting the other person in a range of ways. That is generally equated with nature
where physical components of the entire world earth such as earth, air, water, etc.
support and affect life in the biosphere.

Environment represents the physical components of the earth, where man is an

important factor impacting the environment.

Environmental surroundings comprise interacting systems of physical,

neurological, and cultural elements, which are interlinked individually as well as
collectively in various ways.

Environment can be defined as a sum total of all the living and

non-living elements and their effects that influence human life. While all living or
biotic elements are animals, plants, forests, fisheries, and birds, non-living or
abiotic elements include water, land, sunlight, rocks, and air.
ENERGY DEMAND
Energy demand is the term used to describe the consumption of
energy by human activity. It drives the whole energy system, influencing the total
amount of energy used; the location of, and types of fuel used in the energy supply
system; and the characteristics of the end use technologies that consume energy.

A good understanding of energy demand of different sectors is an

important component for energy planning and policy of a country. Energy demand
depends on different socioeconomic factors such as population, urbanization,
industrialization, net capital income and development of technologies, etc. Before
forecasting of future energy demand, the policymakers need a complete knowledge
about the growth and pattern of energy demand of different sectors, which required
energy demand analysis. In this chapter, the energy demand calculation methods of
different sectors are acquainted. This chapter begins with the discussion of several
sorts of energy demands and their nature, followed by classification of different
energy demand sectors. Major three energy demand sectors such as (i) building
(residential and commercial) sector, (ii) industrial sector, and (iii) transportation
sector are discussed in details. Finally, procedures of energy demand calculation of
different components of each sector have been described with the mathematical
expressions.

ENERGY RESOURCES:
Energy is the capacity to do work which is required for evolution of life
forms on earth as well as for life processes . Also energy resources are termed as
something that can produce heat, move objects, power life or produce electricity.
Energy is stored in matter which is termed as fuel . With the increasing population
and evolution as well as technological advancement human energy consumption
has grown steadily . In today's society, humans consume as much as about 110
times as early humans because early humans had modest energy requirements,
which mostly included food and fuel for fires to cook and keep warm .

There are two types of Energy resources : Non-renewable and renewable. A

Non-renewable resource is that natural substance which cannot be replenished
with the speed at which it is consumed, such as fossil fuels and nuclear material,
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Although wood is the largest source of biomass energy, agricultural waste,
sugarcane wastes, and other farm byproducts are also used to produce energy.

Hydropower:
Energy produced from water is called hydropower. Hydroelectric
power stations both big and small are set up to produce electricity in many parts of
the world. Hydropower is produced in 150 countries, with the Asia-Pacific region
generating 32 percent of global hydropower in 2010. In 2015, hydropower
generated 16.6% of the world’s total electricity and 70% of all renewable
electricity.

Tidal and Wave Power:

The earth’s surface is 70% water. By warming the water, the sun
creates ocean currents and the wind that produces waves. It is estimated that the
solar energy absorbed by the tropical oceans in a week could equal the entire oil
reserves of the world – 1 trillion barrels of oil.

Geothermal Energy
It is the energy stored within the earth (“geo” for earth and “thermal”
for heat). Geothermal energy starts with hot, molten rock (called magma) deep
inside the earth which surfaces at some parts of the earth’s crust. The heat rising
from the magma warms the underground pools of water known as geothermal
reservoirs. If there is an opening, hot underground water comes to the surface and
forms hot springs, or it may boil to form geysers. With modern technology, wells
are drilled deep down the surface of the earth to tap into geothermal reservoirs.
This is called direct use of geothermal energy, and it provides a steady stream of
hot water that is pumped to the earth’s surface.

NON-RENEWABLE ENERGY RESOURCES

There are four major types of nonrenewable resources: oil, natural
gas, coal, and nuclear energy. Oil, natural gas, and coal are collectively called
fossil fuels. Fossil fuels were formed within the Earth from dead plants and
animals over millions of years—hence the name “fossil” fuels. They are found in
underground layers of rock and sediment. Pressure and heat worked together to
transform the plant and animal remains into crude oil (also known as petroleum),
coal, and natural gas.

The plants and animals that became fossil fuels lived in a time called
Carboniferous Period, around 300 to 360 million years ago. The energy in the plant
and animal remains originally came from the sun; through the process of
photosynthesis, solar energy is stored in plant tissues, which animals then
consume, adding the energy to their own bodies. When fossil fuels are burned, this
trapped energy is released.

Crude oil is a liquid fuel fossil fuel that is used mostly to produce gasoline and
diesel fuel for vehicles, and for the manufacturing of plastics. It is found in rocks
below Earth’s surface and is pumped out through wells.

Natural gas is widely used for cooking and for heating homes. It consists mostly
of methane and is found near oil deposits below Earth’s surface. Natural gas can be
pumped out through the same wells used for extracting crude oil.

Coal is a solid fossil fuel that is used for heating homes and generating power
plants. It is found in fossilized swamps that have been buried beneath layers of
sediment. Since coal is solid, it cannot be extracted in the same manner as crude oil
or natural gas; it must be dug up from the ground.

Nuclear energy comes from radioactive elements, mainly uranium, which is

extracted from mined ore and then refined into fuel.

Unfortunately, human society is—for the time being—dependent on nonrenewable

resources as its primary source of energy. Approximately 80 percent of the total
amount of energy used globally each year comes from fossil fuels. We depend on
fossil fuels because they are energy-rich and relatively cheap to process. But a
major problem with fossil fuels, aside from their being in limited supply, is that
burning them releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Rising levels of
heat-trapping carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is the main cause of global
warming.
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 Nuclear fission and nuclear fusion
● Nuclear fission, which occurs in nuclear power stations, is the process in which
large nuclei like uranium split into smaller ones, releasing an enormous quantity
of energy.

● Nuclear fusion, which occurs in the Sun, is the process in which two small
nuclei combine to form a larger one, again releasing a huge amount of energy.
When hydrogen atoms within stars combine to form helium the process is called
fusion

Generation Of Electricity using Renewable energy resources

The most popular renewable energy sources currently are:

1. Solar energy
2. Wind energy
3. Hydro energy
4. Tidal energy
5. Geothermal energy
6. Biomass energy

How these types of renewable energy work

1) Solar energy
 Sunlight is one of our planet’s most abundant and freely available energy
resources. The amount of solar energy that reaches the earth’s surface in one hour is
more than the planet’s total energy requirements for a whole year. Although it sounds
like a perfect renewable energy source, the amount of solar energy we can use varies
according to the time of day and the season of the year as well as geographical
location. In the UK, solar energy is an increasingly popular way to supplement your
energy usage.

2) Wind energy

Wind is a plentiful source of clean energy. Wind farms are an increasingly

familiar sight in the UK with wind power making an ever-increasing contribution to
the National Grid. To harness electricity from wind energy, turbines are used to drive
generators which then feed electricity into the National Grid. Although domestic or
‘off-grid’ generation systems are available, not every property is suitable for a
domestic wind turbine. Find out more about wind energy on our wind power page.
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4) Tidal energy

This is another form of hydro energy that uses twice-daily tidal currents to
drive turbine generators. Although tidal flow unlike some other hydro energy sources
isn’t constant, it is highly predictable and can therefore compensate for the periods
when the tide current is low. Find out more by visiting our marine energy page.
5) Geothermal energy
By harnessing the natural heat below the earth’s surface, geothermal energy can
be used to heat homes directly or to generate electricity. Although it harnesses a
power directly below our feet, geothermal energy is of negligible importance in the
UK compared to countries such as Iceland, where geothermal heat is much more
freely available.
6) Biomass Energy

This is the conversion of solid fuel made from plant materials into electricity.
Although fundamentally, biomass involves burning organic materials to produce
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sequestered carbon from the earth and releasing it into the atmosphere, Earth’s
carbon budget is out of balance. This contributes to temperatures rising faster than
organisms can adapt.
Coal: Coal is a black or brownish rock. We burn coal to create energy. Coal is
ranked depending on how much “carbonization” it has gone through. Carbonization
is the process that ancient organisms undergo to become coal. About 3 meters (10
feet) of solid vegetation crushed together into .3 meter (1 foot) of coal! Peat is the
lowest rank of coal. It has gone through the least amount of carbonization. It is an
important fuel in areas of the world including Scotland, Ireland, and Finland.
Anthracite is the highest rank of coal. Anthracite forms in regions of the world
where there have been giant movements of the earth, such as the formation of
mountain ranges. The Appalachian Mountains, in the eastern part of the United
States, are rich in anthracite. We mine coal out of the ground so we can burn it for
energy.
There are two ways that we can mine coal: underground mining and surface
mining. Underground mining is used when the coal is located below the surface of
the Earth, sometimes 300 meters (1,000 feet) deep—that’s deeper than most of the
Great Lakes! Miners take an elevator down a mineshaft. They operate heavy
machinery that cuts the coal out of the Earth and brings it above ground. This can be
dangerous work because cutting coal can release dangerous gases.
The gases can cause explosions or make it hard for miners to breathe. Surface
mining is used when the coal is located very near the surface of the earth. To get to
the coal, companies must first clear the area. They take away the trees and soil. The
coal can then be cut out of the ground more easily. Entire habitats are destroyed
during this process. About half the electricity in the United States comes from coal.
It gives power to our lights, refrigerators, dishwashers, and most other things we
plug in. When coal is burned, it leaves “byproducts” that are also valuable. We use
the byproducts to make cement, plastics, roads, and many other things.
Advantages and Disadvantages Coal is a reliable source of energy. We can
rely on it day and night, summer and winter, sunshine or rain, to provide fuel and
electricity. Using coal is also harmful. Mining is one of the most dangerous jobs in
the world. Coal miners are exposed to toxic dust and face the dangers of cave-ins
and explosions at work. When coal is burned, it releases many toxic gases and
pollutants into the atmosphere. Mining for coal can also cause the ground to cave in
and create underground fires that burn for decades at a time.
 Petroleum
Petroleum is a liquid fossil fuel. It is also called oil or crude oil. Petroleum is
trapped by underground rock formations. In some places, oil bubbles right out of the
ground. At the La Brea Tar Pits, in Los Angeles, California, big pools of thick oil
bubble up through the ground. Remains of animals that got trapped there thousands
of years ago are still preserved in the tar!
Most of the world’s oil is still deep under the ground. We drill through the earth
to access the oil. Some deposits are on land, and others are under the ocean floor.
Once oil companies begin drilling with a “drill rig,” they can extract petroleum 24
hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Many successful oil sites produce
oil for about 30 years. Sometimes they can produce oil for much longer. When oil is
under the ocean floor, companies drill offshore. They must build an oil platform. Oil
platforms are some of the biggest manmade structures in the world! Once the oil has
been drilled, it must be refined. Oil contains many chemicals besides carbon, and
refining the oil takes some of these chemicals out. We use oil for many things. About
half of the world’s petroleum is converted into gasoline.
The rest can be processed and used in liquid products such as nail polish and
rubbing alcohol, or solid products such as water pipes, shoes, crayons, roofing,
vitamin capsules, and thousands of other items.
Advantages and Disadvantages There are advantages to drilling for oil. It is
relatively inexpensive to extract. It is also a reliable and dependable source of energy
and money for the local community. Oil provides us with thousands of
conveniences. In the form of gasoline, it is a portable source of energy that gives us
the power to drive places. Petroleum is also an ingredient in many items that we
depend on. However, burning gasoline is harmful to the environment. It releases
hazardous gases and fumes into the air that we breathe. There is also the possibility
of an oil spill. If there is a problem with the drilling machinery, the oil can explode
out of the well and spill into the ocean or surrounding land. Oil spills are
environmental disasters, especially offshore spills. Oil floats on water, so it can look
like food to fish and ruin birds’ feathers.
Natural Gas Natural gas is another fossil fuel that is trapped underground in
reservoirs. It is mostly made up of methane. You may have smelled methane before.
The decomposing material in landfills also release methane, which smells like
rotten eggs. There is so much natural gas underground that it is measured in million,
billion, or trillion cubic meters. Natural gas is found in deposits a few hundred
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 Although uranium is found in rocks all over the world, nuclear power plants usually
use a very rare type of uranium, U-235.
Uranium is a non-renewable resource. Nuclear energy is a popular way of
generating electricity around the world. Nuclear power plants do not pollute the air
or emit greenhouse gases. They can be built in rural or urban areas, and do not
destroy the environment around them. However, nuclear energy is difficult to
harvest. Nuclear power plants are very complicated to build and run. Many
communities do not have the scientists and engineers to develop a safe and reliable
nuclear energy program. Nuclear energy also produces radioactive material.
Radioactive waste can be extremely toxic, causing burns and increasing the risk for
cancers, blood diseases, and bone decay among people who are exposed to it.
Biomass Energy Biomass energy, a renewable energy source, can also be a
non-renewable energy source. Biomass energy uses the energy found in plants.
Biomass energy relies on biomass feed stocks—plants that are processed and burned
to create electricity. Biomass feed stocks can include crops such as corn or soy, as
well as wood. If people do not replant biomass feed stocks as fast as they use them,
biomass energy becomes a non-renewable energy source.
CONSERVATION OF ENERGY RESOURCES
Energy conservation is the decision and practice of using less energy. Turning
off the light when you leave the room, unplugging appliances when they’re not in use
and walking instead of driving are all examples of energy conservation. The two main
reasons people conserve energy are to gain more control over their energy bill and
reduce the demand on the earth’s natural resources.

MANAGEMENT OF ENERGY RESOURCES

1. Turn your refrigerator down. Refrigerators account for as much as 13.7% of the
total household energy use. To increase energy savings, set your fridge to 37 degrees
Fahrenheit and your freezer to 3 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Use energy-efficient light bulbs. Install energy-saving CFL or LED bulbs in your
lighting fixtures to use 25-35 percent less energy, compared to regular incandescent
bulbs.

3. Clean or replace air filters as recommended. The air conditioner and heater are the
biggest energy users in most homes, and these appliances have to work even harder
with dirty air filters. Write the date of installation on the filter to help you remember
when it needs to be replaced.

4. Do full loads. Make sure your dishwasher and washing machine are full before
running them to get the most energy-saving use from each run cycle.

5. Use smart power strips. Even when not in use, household electronics still draw
power from outlets. This phenomenon is called “phantom load”. Energy-saving smart
power strips, which shut down appliances that have gone into standby mode, help you
cut down on phantom-load costs, potentially resulting in money and energy savings.

6. Air-dry dishes and clothes. Instead of using your dishwasher’s drying feature,
consider letting the dishes air-dry. And instead of using the dryer on a nice day, hang
your clothes outside to dry.

7. Bake with glass or ceramic pans. You can set the oven’s temperature 25 degrees
lower than indicated in the recipe when you do this.

8. Cook using the right-sized burner. Conserve energy by using your stove’s small
burners for small pots and large burners for large pots.

9. Cut down on air leaks in your home. You’re paying for warm air in the winter and
cool air in the summer — don’t let that money escape! Check your windows and
doors for cracks and gaps, and seal them up with new weather stripping or caulk.
10. Keep your house a little hotter in the summer and a little cooler in the winter. Opt
for wearing lighter clothes in the summer and wearing a few extra layers in the winter
in exchange for those few degrees’ change in temperature. A good rule of thumb is to
set the thermostat to 680 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter and to 780 in the summer.

OIL POLLUTION

Oil pollution does come from oil spills from large tankers, but there are other
sources of oil pollution that, collectively, discharge more oil into water than the major
oil spills do.

Oil spills can be defined as the release of liquid raw/natural petroleum

hydrocarbons into the environment, especially into the sea.

An oil spill is the release of a liquid petroleum hydrocarbon into the

environment, especially the marine ecosystem, due to human activity, and is a form of
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 As per the data humans consuming more marine foods than vegetarian In the
financial point of view these kind of effected marine animals are exported to other
countries then the humans who are consuming these marine food their health also will
effected to some extent.

IMPACT OF OIL POLLUTION ON COSTAL ECOSYSTEM

Oil pollution can have a devastating effect on the water environment, it spreads
over the surface in a thin layer that stops oxygen getting to the plants and animals that
live in the water. Oil pollution: harms animals and insects. prevents photosynthesis in
plants.

These oil pollution causes greatest harm to the living organisms present in
environment. There are some impacts of oil pollution on ecosystem

 Due to the oils dispense on lakes and oceans and seas mostly living organisms
under water gets most effected and maily cause water pollution
 Contaminated water by the oil can also damage the soil structure and reduces
the bearing capacity and also reduces the fertility to plant growth.
 Due to the water pollution by oils spills compound present in the oils are
penetrate deeply in to the soils crest and decomposes the rock bed.\
 Due to these the sea food depended animals like flying mammals are highly
effect and they finally lead to endangered.
 Due to the oils soils get polluted and increases global warming and also causes
air pollution
 Lot of climatic changes are happened due to these pollution like acid rains
draughts etc., mainly effects human health

MANAGEMENT OF OIL POLLUTION

The first step to tackle the oil spill is to prevent the oil spill from taking place. This
typically involves training the teams and following standard practices while
bringing the ships to the port, passing through narrow channels, and staying on the
prescribed path for the journey. In case of any spill, there are different solutions
based on the quantum of the spill and location of the spill. Below are the methods
of cleaning the sea after an oil spill takes place:

Oil booms:

Oil booms are the most common and popular equipment used in oil clean-up
due to their simpler design and easier execution. These are also known as
containment booms that enclose the oil to a smaller area and prevents it from
spreading further.

This method is employed when the area of the spill is comparatively smaller.

It is used where the containment booms are locally available; if the boom is to be
transported from a faraway site, the spill can expand to a larger area and become
difficult to manage.

It is used in the water where wave velocity is constant as the fluctuating tide makes
it difficult for an oil boom to perform the clean-up operation properly.

Skimmers:

Once the oil is bounded by oil booms, it can be extracted or skimmed easily with
the help of skimmers or oil scoops. These skimmers are fitted onto boats to remove
the floating oil or greasy contaminants.

It is an economical method of oil clean-up as the equipment used for skimming oil
is relatively cheaper.

A major loophole in the use of skimmer in oil decantation is that if debris is

present in the confined region, it can choke or clog the skimmer easily.

Sorbents:

Materials that can adsorb or absorb liquids are termed as sorbents. The use of
sorbents is a natural process of oil clean-up. The most common types of sorbents
are peat moss, vermiculite (straw), and hay. Some other features of sorbents are
listed as follows:

These materials result in the least wastage and prevent the progression of
pollution.
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