1.

Energy Resources of man

1.1 Energy definition and Unit
Energy, is simply defined as “the ability or capacity to do work. Work on the other hand is the
force applied to move a body through a distance. In the lay man language, energy and power are
used interchangeably to mean the same thing. But in the actual sense, power tells us the rate at
which a particular work is done.
The S.I. unit of energy and work is the Joule (J) or Newton meter (Nm). The Joule is the amount
of work done when a force of 1 Newton moves an object through a distance of 1 meter. Other
units of energy are; Calorie (Cal), Horsepower (Hp), British Thermal Units (BTU), Kilowatt
hour (KWhr),electron volt (eV), etc. The kilowatt hour is a commercial units used for the
estimation of electrical energy consumption. Below is conversion relation between the Joule and
other units of energy.
1 Cal. = 4.186J
1 kWhr = 3.6 x 10 6 J
1 eV = 1.6 x 10 -19 J
1 BTU = 1055 J
In this chapter, our interest will be focused on the energy resources available to man. First will
we look at the sources and forms of energy and their inter-relationship. The use of energy has
greatly influenced man’s activity since the advent of civilization leading to improvements in
physical comfort, food supplies, transportation, communication and other forms of economic
activities. The net effect of this is that the quality of life has been increased far above that of the
primitive man who lived some one million years ago.

1.2 Sources of Energy

Sources of energy available to man can are divided into primary and secondary sources. The
primary sources of energy is the sun, others are wind, water (i.e. hydro), etc. The secondary
sources of energy are derivatives of primary sources. Examples are food, battery or electricity.
However these energy sources may be classified into two groups which are renewable and non-
renewable.
Renewable energy sources: Renewable energy resources are those energy sources that can be
replenished/replaced/renewed as they are used up. Examples are; Solar energy, wind energy,
water energy (hydroelectric power), tidal energy, biomass energy, geothermal energy.
Non-Renewable energy sources: Non-Renewable energy sources are those energy sources that
cannot be replenished/replaced/renewed as they are used up. Examples are; nuclear energy and
fossil fuel (i.e. petroleum, natural gas and coal).

1.3 Forms of Energy and principle of energy conservation

Energy can exist in different forms which are; heat energy, light/solar/sun energy, wind energy,
mechanical energy, chemical energy, nuclear energy, sound energy, electrical energy, etc.
Although, there are two basic forms of energy, namely potential energy and kinetic energy.
Potential energy is energy possessed by a body by virtue of its position from the ground while
kinetic energy is possessed by a body due to its state of motion. An orange fruit hanging on a tree
and a boy standing on the bridge watching the protesters all possess potential energy. A moving
racing car on the road and an athlete doing 100 m race possess kinetic energy.
The quantity of energy available to man is constant throughout the world but can be converted
from one form to another; this is the principle of conservation of energy. The principle in a clear
term states that “energy can neither be created nor destroyed but can be converted from one
form to another”.
When one takes in food, the person has taken in energy, which is the chemical energy stored in
the food. The energy is converted to mechanical energy which is used to do work by the person
in the form of running, pushing trucks, playing footballs, etc. Similarly, when electrical charges
flow through a conducting wire to an electric bulb, the electrical energy is converted by the bulb
first to light energy and then to heat energy. These two examples and many more illustrate that
energy can be converted from one form to another. Some of our home appliances and devices
convert energy from one form to another. Some of these are listed below;

Devices Converts To
Electric fan Electrical energy Wind energy
Electric cooker/boiler Electrical energy Heat energy, light energy
Microphone Sound energy Electrical energy
Speaker Electrical energy Sound energy
Telephone earpiece Sound energy Electrical, and sound energy
Dynamo Mechanical energy Electrical energy
Battery/cell
Thermocouple

1.4 Electricity generation from different forms of energy

1.4.1 Solar energy
Solar energy is the primary source of energy to man, as all other forms of energy depend on it
either directly or indirectly. The solar energy comes from the sun as radiant energy. Solar
cells/batteries are used to harness the sun’s energy reaching the earth. The solar cells which can
also be referred to as photovoltaic cells are made of light absorbing diodes that absorb and
convert the suns radiant energy into electrical energy due to thermal agitation of its particles. The
absorbed suns energy creates an electric potential between the terminals of the cells which is
converted to electrical energy using an inverter. Normally, the inverter converts the variable
direct current (DC) output of a photovoltaic solar panel into a utility frequency alternating
current (AC) that can be fed into a commercial electrical grid or used by a local of grid electrical
network. The generated energy is a function of the amount of the sun energy absorbed and the
exposure time. The acquired energy can be stored for later use.
With present day technology, solar energy has gained applications in many areas like powering
of water pumps in boreholes, street lights, remote sensing satellites, power servers to
communication masks, etc.
Disadvantages of solar energy in electricity generation
It is difficult to harness,
maximum output can only be gotten at a particular angle of inclination which requires an
expertise. But once harnessed it becomes cheap to market.
Advantage of solar energy in electricity generation
It is environmentally friendly without any form of hazards to humans and the environment.
1.4.2 Wind Energy
This is a type of renewable energy that is produced naturally via a process of atmospheric wind
movement. It is one of the oldest widely used energy source which is converted in the wind mill
by wind turbine. The operation on the wind turbine during wind energy production uses the
principle of resistance and buoyancy whereby a perpendicular surface serves as a resistance to
the wind while the buoyancy principle, aerodynamic buoyancy is exploited in a manner similar
to that which occurs on the air foil of an aeroplane. During this process, wind energy is
converted into mechanical energy and subsequently electrical energy. Such system are reffered
to as single power plant that generates electricity and transfers it onto the natural grid, which is
further distributed via a network of transmission lines into city or small houses.
Advantage of Wind energy
It is available to everybody and nations freely
It does not emit radiation or produce environmental pollutants (greenhouse gases)
Disadvantage of Wind energy
It is intermittent and may not be readily available when needed
Locations of wind are mainly remote hence it is costly to transfer energy generated
It is very difficult to store when both available and non-available
It’s establishment is capital intensive

1.4.3 Chemical energy

Electricity is can be generated from chemical energy through the use of electric cells. A cell is a
device which converts chemical energy into electrical energy. Electric current is produced from
the cell as a result of the chemical reactions taking place in the cell. The amount of electricity
from a chemical cell is often quite small of (few voltages), thus requiring several cells to get
sizeable amount of electricity. Since electricity from chemical cells is quite small, their
applications is thus limited. They are mostly used where small energy is needed like ignition of
automobiles and planes, torchlight and their likes. A cell can be primary cell or secondary cell
(or accumulator). The main advantages of a secondary cells over a primary cells is that (1) they
can be recharged (2) they have low internal resistance (3) they provide large current for a very
long time.

1.4.4 Hydropower energy

Hydropower is the energy from flowing or falling water. The generation of electricity through
hydropower is done by damming the flowing water, usually by constructing a ‘Dam’ across the
length of the river. Some hydropower dams are natural, but are reconstructed to suit a particular
specification. Hydropower is the most reliable source of electricity supply to many nations,
especially in Africa and Nigeria in particular.
Hydropower plants capture the energy of falling water to generate electricity. A turbine converts
the kinetic energy of falling water into mechanical energy. Then a generator converts the
mechanical energy from the turbine into electrical energy.
Most conventional hydroelectric plants include four major components (see graphic below):
1. Dam. Raises the water level of the river to create falling water. Also controls the flow of
water. The reservoir that is formed is, in effect, stored energy.
2. Turbine. The force of falling water pushing against the turbine's blades causes the turbine to
spin. A water turbine is much like a windmill, except the energy is provided by falling water
instead of wind. The turbine converts the kinetic energy of falling water into mechanical energy.
3. Generator. Connected to the turbine by shafts and possibly gears so when the turbine spins it
causes the generator to spin also. Converts the mechanical energy from the turbine into electric
energy. Generators in hydropower plants work just like the generators in other types of power
plants.
4. Transmission lines. Conduct electricity from the hydropower plant to homes and business

1.4.5
Nuclear Energy
The discuss on Nuclear energy can only be effective when an atom is described. An atom is said
as the smallest indivisible part of an element which is centrally placed in the nucleus and
surrounded be electrons shells. The nucleus consist of positively charged protons and free mobile
neutrons (also called nucleon) which are held together by strong forces that may neither be
gravitational nor electromagnetic. It may also consist of quarks that are held together by gluons.
Due to the nature of particles within the nucleus, the tend to bombard the walls of nucleon in a
process called nuclear reaction. Such reaction releases some energy, which is reffered to as
nuclear energy. It is express/described as follows
Projectile nucleus + Target nucleus = Residual nucleus + Emitted particle + energy
The reaction is generated in a nuclear reactor or nuclear power plant and the heat energy
generated is used to generate electricity. It was reported scientifically that approximately 440 J
which spread across more than 32 countries of the globe. The Nigeria Nuclear Research Reactor
(NNRR-1) which is located at the Centre for Energy Research and Training (CERT), Ahmadu
Bello University (ABU), Zaria is one of such organizing body in Nigeria.
Advantage of Nuclear Energy
It reduces the emission of carbondioxide and other greenhouse gases
It requires less start material to generate needed energy
It provide continuous energy which minimize price volatility of other fuels providing alternative
and reduce consumption of other fuel
Its activities reduces air pollutant and improves the quality of ambient air
Its waste is also isolated from the environment
Disadvantage of Nuclear Energy
Its waste is difficult to manage
The life-span of nuclear reactor is limited
There is possibility of occurrence of accident which may be disastrous

1.4.6 Biomass energy

Biomass energy is a renewable source of fuel that is derived from all organic matter of plants and
animals. Biomass which is a term for Biological Masses includes all dead plants, trees, grass,
leaves, crops, manure, garbage, animals waste, sewage etc is a great source of alternative fuels
that can be used to replace fossil fuels. Biomass is an extremely important energy source,
available nearly everywhere and encompasses a large variety of materials, including wood from
various sources, agricultural and industrial residues, and animal and human waste.

The energy contained or stored in these biological masses (biomass) is called Bioenergy (or
biomass energy). The bioenergy is the energy from the sun stored as chemical energy in biomass.
As the plants and trees grow, through the process of photosynthesis, chlorophyll in the plants
captures/absorbs the sun's energy by converting carbon dioxide from the air and water from the
ground into carbohydrates (i.e., complex compounds composed of carbon, hydrogen, and
oxygen). Animals feed on the plants and take in the carbohydrates. When these plants and
animals are burned, they turn back into carbon dioxide and water and release the sun's energy
they contain in the form of heat. In this way, biomass functions as a sort of natural battery for
storing solar energy. Wood remains the largest source of biomass energy. Biomass is the only
renewable energy source that releases carbon dioxide in use. However the release is compensated
by the fact that the biomass grown uses the carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to store energy
during photosynthesis. If the biomass resource is being used sustainably, there are no net carbon
emissions over the time frame of a cycle of biomass production.
Biomass can be converted to thermal energy, liquid, solid or gaseous fuels and other chemical
products through a variety of conversion processes such as Direct combustion, Gasification,
Pyrolysis, Anaerobic digestion and Fermentation.

Advantages of Biomass Energy

Some of the advantages of using biomass as a source of energy are:
1. Biomass energy is an abundant, secure, environmental friendly, and renewable source of
energy. Biomass does not add carbon dioxide to the atmosphere as it absorbs the same amount of
carbon in growing as it releases when consumed as a fuel.
2. One of the major advantages of biomass is that it can be used to generate electricity with the
same equipment or in the same power plants that are now burning fossil fuels.
3. Biomass energy is not associated with environmental impacts such as acid rain, mine spoils,
open pits, oil spills, radioactive waste disposal or the damming of rivers.
4. Biomass fuels are sustainable. The green plants from which biomass fuels are derived fix
carbon dioxide as they grow, so their use does not add to the levels of atmospheric carbon. In
addition, using refuse as a fuel avoids polluting landfill disposal.
5. Alcohols and other fuels produced by biomass are efficient, viable, and relatively clean
burning.
6. Biomass is easily available and can be grown with relative ease in all parts of the world.

Disadvantages of Biomass Energy

1. Biomass is still an expensive source of energy, both in terms of producing biomass and
converting it into alcohols, as a very large quantity of biomass is needed.
2. On a small scale there is most likely a net loss of energy as a lot of energy must be used for
growing the plant mass; biomass is difficult to store in the raw form.
3. One of the disadvantages of biomass is that direct combustion of biomass can be harmful to
the environment as burning biomass releases carbon dioxide, which contributes to the warming
of the atmosphere and possible climatic change. Burning also creates soot and other air
pollutants.
4. Can lead to deforestation due to continuous felling of trees. Soils bared of trees erode easily
and do not hold rainfall. Increased runoff can cause flooding downstream.
5. Biamass leads to depletion of soil nutrients. When plant and animal wastes are used as fuel,
they cannot be added to the soil as fertilizer.
6. Biomass has less energy than a similar volume of fossil fuels.

Assignment: Students should check the other text for other sources of energy

1.5 Energy Needs and associated Problems

Energy, defined as the ability to do work is no doubt one of the most important factors
contributing to the economic growth and development of any nation. The generation and use of
energy has greatly influenced man’s activity and the immediate environment both positively and
negatively. Many countries in the world today are battling with the problem of energy generation
and distribution for the daily activities of their citizens and to the nation alive. The quantity of
energy generated and supplied by any nation of the world is far less than that needed to keep the
economy of the nation at its peak. Quite a number of factors have been recognized to have lead
to the shortage of energy supply. Some of these factors are;
(i) Increase in population size
(ii) Dependent on one source of energy
(iii) Vandalisation of energy infrastructure
(iv) Increase in industrialization and civilization
(v) lack of government policies and political will in energy diversification plans
Energy use comes with its environment challenges. For example, the main environmental
problems associated with fossil fuel (i.e. petroleum, natural gas and coal) renewable energy are
in the form of oil spillage, explosion and release of atmospheric contaminants such as oxides of
nitrogen, sulphur, carbon, water vapour, hydrogen sulphide, methane and volatile organic
compounds. When these gases are released into the atmosphere through, they combine with the
atmospheric air thereby altering the air quality which in turn has a potential harmful effect on the
health and lively hood of the populace. The oxides of sulphur and nitrogen produce combine
with atmospheric oxygen and water vapour with the end result of formation of acid rain (acidic
water). The acid rain causes corrosion of alluminium roofing sheets, acidify the soil thereby
damaging crops and also harmful to humans. The CO2 and CH4 released into the atmosphere are
the major greenhouse gases with high global warming potential. Also, CO is released during the
combustion of fossil fuels. When inhaled, the CO reacts with the oxygen content of the blood
and heamoglobin. This is a very serious health issue which not properly controlled can lead to
death.

Natural gas
Natural gas or fossil gas or simply gas is a naturally occurring mixture of gaseous hydrocarbons
consisting primarily of methane in addition to various smaller amounts of other higher alkanes.
Low levels of trace gases like carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen sulfide, and helium are also
usually present. Methane which is one of the component is a colorless and odorless, and second
largest greenhouse gas that contributes to global climate change after carbondioxide. Hence
odorizers such as mercaptan (which smells like sulfur or rotten eggs) are commonly added to
natural gas supplies for safety so that leaks can be readily detected. It is a fossil fuel and non-
renewable resource that is formed when layers of organic matter (primarily marine
microorganisms) decompose under anaerobic conditions and are subjected to intense heat and
pressure underground over millions of years. The energy that the decayed organisms originally
obtained from the sun via photosynthesis is stored as chemical energy within the molecules of
methane and other hydrocarbons. Its reserves are deep inside the earth near other solid & liquid
hydrocarbons beds like coal and crude oil.