MEV 014: Unit 10 – Conventional Energy Resources

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 UNIT 10: CONVENTIONAL ENERGY RESOURCES

10.0 Introduction

Conventional energy resources have played a crucial role in powering human civilization. These energy sources—such as coal, petroleum, natural gas, and nuclear energy—are derived from the Earth and have been in use for over a century. They continue to provide the bulk of energy needed for electricity generation, transportation, industry, and domestic use. However, these sources are finite and pose environmental risks due to pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. This unit discusses the classification, properties, formation, and reserves of conventional energy resources, with a focus on India’s energy scenario.

10.1 Objectives

After going through this unit, you will be able to:

·         Understand what conventional energy resources are.

·         Learn the classification and types of conventional energy.

·         Study the physical and chemical properties of these resources.

·         Understand the process of formation, exploration, and mining.

·         Know the status of conventional energy resources in India.

·         Learn about nuclear energy and its types: fission and fusion.

·         Understand the importance and limitation of conventional energy.

10.2 Conventional Energy Resources

Conventional energy resources are those that have been traditionally used for a long time. These are mostly non-renewable, meaning they are limited in supply and cannot be replenished quickly. These include:

·         Coal

·         Petroleum

·         Natural Gas

·         Nuclear Power

These resources are used in large-scale energy production and are the backbone of modern industrial societies. However, they also contribute significantly to environmental degradation.

10.3 Classification of Conventional Energy Resources

10.3.1 Coal

·         Coal is a solid fossil fuel formed from the remains of ancient plants buried and subjected to heat and pressure over millions of years.

·         Types: Anthracite (best quality), Bituminous, Lignite (lowest quality).

·         Major use: Thermal power plants, steel production, cement industries.

·         India’s coal reserves are the fifth-largest in the world.

10.3.2 Oil and Natural Gas

·         These are liquid and gaseous fossil fuels found in underground reservoirs.

·         Oil is refined into petrol, diesel, kerosene, etc.

·         Natural gas is cleaner than coal and oil, used in households (LPG), vehicles (CNG), and industries.

·         Oil and gas fields in India: Bombay High, Assam, Gujarat, and Krishna-Godavari basin.

10.3.3 Petroleum

·         A complex mixture of hydrocarbons obtained from oil wells.

·         Used in transportation, agriculture (fertilizers), plastic industries, and power generation.

·         India imports more than 80% of its petroleum needs.

10.3.4 Nuclear Power

·         Produced by splitting atoms (fission) or combining them (fusion).

·         India has nuclear power plants in Tarapur, Kalpakkam, Narora, and Kakrapar.

·         Uses uranium and thorium as fuel (India has rich thorium deposits).

10.4 Properties of Conventional Energy Resources

10.4.1 Composition

·         Coal: Primarily carbon, with hydrogen, sulfur, nitrogen, and ash.

·         Petroleum: Mixture of hydrocarbons.

·         Natural gas: Mainly methane.

·         Nuclear fuels: Uranium-235, Thorium-232.

10.4.2 Physicochemical Characteristics

·         High energy density.

·         Easy to transport and store.

·         Produce pollution on combustion (except nuclear).

·         Require complex technology for extraction and use.

10.4.3 Energy Content

·         Coal: 20–30 MJ/kg

·         Petroleum: 42–47 MJ/kg

·         Natural Gas: 38–40 MJ/m³

·         Uranium (nuclear): Extremely high energy per gram (1 kg of uranium ≈ energy of 3 million kg of coal)

10.5 Formation, Exploration, and Mining

Coal Formation:

·         Formed from plant debris in swampy regions over millions of years.

·         Extracted via surface (open-cast) or underground mining.

Petroleum and Natural Gas Formation:

·         Formed from marine organisms buried under sediment and converted under heat and pressure.

·         Extracted by drilling wells on land or offshore platforms.

Nuclear Fuels:

·         Uranium and thorium are mined from specific geological deposits.

·         India has limited uranium but abundant thorium resources.

Exploration Techniques:

·         Seismic surveys, exploratory drilling, geological mapping.

10.6 Reserves

Coal Reserves in India:

·         Over 300 billion tonnes (mostly bituminous and lignite).

·         Found in Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh.

Oil and Gas Reserves:

·         India has about 600 million tonnes of crude oil reserves.

·         Major fields: Bombay High (offshore), Assam, Gujarat.

Uranium and Thorium:

·         Uranium: Found in Jharkhand (Jaduguda).

·         Thorium: Found in Kerala’s monazite sands—India holds about 25% of the world’s thorium.

10.7 Nuclear Energy

Nuclear energy is a powerful form of energy with high efficiency and low carbon emissions. However, it requires sophisticated technology and poses safety risks.

10.7.1 Fission and Fusion

·         Fission: Splitting of heavy atoms (like uranium-235) to release energy.

·         Fusion: Joining of light atoms (like hydrogen) to form helium and energy. Still experimental and not commercially viable yet.

10.7.2 Nuclear Fuels

·         Uranium-235: Naturally fissile, used in most reactors.

·         Thorium-232: Not fissile but can be converted to fissile uranium-233 in reactors.

·         India's nuclear energy program is focused on thorium utilization due to its abundance.

10.8 Indian Scenario of Conventional Energy Resources

India’s energy mix is still dominated by conventional energy sources:

·         Coal provides about 50% of the country’s electricity.

·         Petroleum and natural gas are key fuels for transport and industry.

·         Nuclear energy contributes around 3–4% of total electricity.

·         India is investing heavily in renewable energy, but conventional resources remain critical.

Challenges:

·         Heavy import dependency for oil and uranium.

·         Pollution from coal-based power.

·         Land degradation from mining.

·         High cost and safety issues in nuclear energy.

10.9 Summary

Conventional energy resources have been central to the growth of economies across the world. Coal, petroleum, natural gas, and nuclear energy continue to meet the majority of India’s energy demands. However, these resources are limited and have significant environmental impacts. To ensure long-term energy security, India must focus on conservation, efficient usage, and a gradual shift to renewable energy sources. Understanding the nature, distribution, and challenges of conventional energy helps in better planning for a sustainable energy future.

 

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