Energy Systems and Resources

Energy systems
and
Resources
Learning objectives
• Define energy
• Explain energy systems
• Discuss classification of energy sources

1.0 Energy Systems and Resources
1.1 Introduction
• Energy comes from an energy source also known

as resource.
• Each of these sources has a starting form and

has to be converted into different forms for our
convenient use by help of an energy system
1.0 Cont…
• Energy system is a set of processes involving production,

transformation, transport and distribution of energy
sources e.g. geothermal energy system shown below.
These systems are made

up of a sequence of
conversions with inputs
and outputs that
transform an energy
resource into a form
usable for human work
or heating.
1.0 Cont…
• Energy refers to the ability of a system to cause

external action and is calculated by:
Energy  E   Power  P   Time T 
SI units  Joules  J 
1.0 Cont…
1.2 Classification of Energy
Energy can be classified into two main categories:
1. Potential energy
 Potential energy is stored energy and the energy of position
(gravitational).
 It exists in various form such as elastic potential, gravitational
etc.
2. Kinetic energy
 Kinetic energy is energy in motion- the motion of waves,
electrons, atoms, molecules and substances.
 It also exists in various forms such as sound, mechanical,
thermal, electrical etc.
1.0 Cont…
1.3 Energy Resources
• Energy resource is a natural resource that can be

converted by humans into other forms of energy
in order to do useful work.
• There is a variety of resources that provide us
energy for different purposes which includes:
 Wind energy  Biomass Energy

 Fossil fuel Energy  Geothermal Energy
 Nuclear energy  Ocean Tidal and Wave
energy
 Solar Energy
 Water Energy
1.0 Cont…
1.3.1 Classification of Energy Resources
• Based on usability energy resources may be classified into

primary and secondary resource:
Energy Resources
Primary resource Secondary resource

(found or stored in nature ) (derived from the transformation of primary energy)
Coal wind Bio fuels Steam
Biomass Nuclear fuels Electricity and Heat
Natural gas Sun

1.0 Cont…
• Based on transaction, energy resources may be classified as

commercial and non-commercial energy resource:
Energy Resources
Commercial Energy Non-Commercial Energy

(available in the market for a definite price) (not available in the commercial market for a price)
Coal Electricity firewood cattle dung
Petroleum
Agricultural wastes
products
1.0 Cont…
• Based on energy storage or cycling time involved, energy

resources may be classified as renewable and non-renewable
energy resouce:
Energy Resources
Renewable Energy Non-Renewable Energy

(Biomass based and replenishable) (Available in limited amount)
solar energy wing energy Coal Petroleum
Geothermal
Water energy fossil fuels
energy
Biomass
1.0 Cont…
1. Wind Energy Sources
 Wind energy is the oldest and cleanest forms of
energy and the most developed of the renewable
energy sources.
 Could be used without producing by-products that are
harmful to nature
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
Renewable Only practical in windy areas
Relatively Produces less energy
inexpensive to
generate
Does not produce Wind mill is big, bulky and
air pollution inconvenient to use as
compared to other forms of
energy
1.0 Cont…
2. Fossil Fuels - Conventional Source of Energy
 A fossil fuel is a fuel formed by natural processes, such as
anaerobic decomposition of buried dead organisms,
containing energy originating in ancient photosynthesis
 Coal, crude oil and natural gas are examples of fossil fuels
Easy to get & transport Nonrenewable

Provide a large amount Costly
of thermal energy
Can be used to Burning coal releases
generate electrical substances that can cause
energy and make pollution
products, such as
Plastic, paints etc.
1.0 Cont…
3. Nuclear Energy
 Energy released from nuclear reactions is called nuclear
energy
1.0 Cont…
 In a nuclear power plant, thermal energy released from
splitting uranium atoms is transformed into electrical energy
Very concentrated form Produces radioactive

of energy waste
Power plants do not Radioactive elements are
produce smog nonrenewable
1.0 Cont…
4. Solar Energy
 Solar energy is energy derived from the sun in form of solar
radiation
 It can be harnessed by either direct sources (like solar
cooker, solar steam systems, solar dryer, solar cells, etc.), or
indirect sources (biomass production, wind, tidal, etc.)
Almost limitless source Expensive to use for large

of energy scale energy production
Does not produce air Only practical in sunny
pollution areas
Renewable It is intermittent in nature
1.0 Cont…
5. Biomass Energy
 Biomass energy is energy obtained from organic material
made from plants and animals (micro-organisms)
 Biomass as a fuel consists of organic matter such as
industrial waste, agricultural waste, wood, and bark
Cleaner burning than oil It is dispersed and land

intensive source
Abundant Produces smoke
Renewable It has low energy density

1.0 Cont…
6. Geothermal Energy
 Geothermal energy is energy derived by tapping the heat of
the earth in form of steam from geothermal hotspots like
volcano, geysers, hot springs (etc.)
1.0 Cont…
 The heat from these geothermal hotspots is altered in the
form of steam which is used to run a steam turbine that can
generate electricity
Reliable High cost of investment

Abundant supply Emission of greenhouse gases during
extraction
Sustainable Non-renewable
1.0 Cont…
7. Ocean Tidal and Wave energy
 Tidal power or tidal energy is a form of hydropower that
converts the energy obtained from tides into useful forms of
power, mainly electricity
 Tides are the rise and fall of sea level caused by the
gravitational pull of the moon and the sun on the Earth
 Wave energy, also known as ocean energy is defined as
energy harnessed from oceanic waves
Running cost is Low efficiency

negligible
Continuous High installation
power supply cost
1.0 Cont…
8. Water energy/Hydro energy
 Water energy also known as hydro power, is the use of
falling or fast-running water stored in dams to produce
electricity or to power machines
Renewable Expensive to
build
Low emissions Limited reserves
Reliable Draught potential
Safe Environmental
consequences
Acknowledgements
1. Boyle, Godfrey. 2004. Renewable energy. Oxford

University Press, 450 pages (ISBN: 0-19-926178-4).
2. Boyle, Godfrey, Bob Everett, and Jane Ramage 2004.

Energy systems and sustainability: Power for a
sustainable future. Oxford University Press, 619
pages (ISBN: 0-19-926179-2)
3. Sudheer, K.P, Sureshkumar, P.K, Sreekutty Suresh V,

and Greeshma, K. 2018. Lecture Notes of Renewable
Energy. Published by The Associate Dean, College of
Horticulture, Vellanikkara, Kerala Agricultural
University.
THE
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Energy systems

• Explain energy systems

• Discuss classification of energy sources

• Energy comes from an energy source also known

• Each of these sources has a starting form and

• Energy system is a set of processes involving production,

These systems are made

• Energy refers to the ability of a system to cause

Energy  E   Power  P   Time T 

Energy can be classified into two main categories:

• Energy resource is a natural resource that can be

 Wind energy  Biomass Energy

• Based on usability energy resources may be classified into

Primary resource Secondary resource

Coal wind Bio fuels Steam

Biomass Nuclear fuels Electricity and Heat

Natural gas Sun

• Based on transaction, energy resources may be classified as

Commercial Energy Non-Commercial Energy

Coal Electricity firewood cattle dung

• Based on energy storage or cycling time involved, energy

Renewable Energy Non-Renewable Energy

solar energy wing energy Coal Petroleum

Easy to get & transport Nonrenewable

Very concentrated form Produces radioactive

Almost limitless source Expensive to use for large

Cleaner burning than oil It is dispersed and land

Renewable It has low energy density

Reliable High cost of investment

Running cost is Low efficiency

Low emissions Limited reserves

Reliable Draught potential

1. Boyle, Godfrey. 2004. Renewable energy. Oxford

2. Boyle, Godfrey, Bob Everett, and Jane Ramage 2004.

3. Sudheer, K.P, Sureshkumar, P.K, Sreekutty Suresh V,

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