9 - Power Resources

UNIT#9
POWER RESOURCES
COAL
What is Coal?
 Coal is a hydrocarbon and a fossil fuel.

 It is a non-renewable source of energy
 It is found under the ground and
mined through different mining
methods
 It takes several hundred million years
to form by decomposition of natural
vegetation
 Coal is a great polluter of the air
Where is coal found in Pakistan?

 Baluchistan: (Quetta Coal Field) Sor Range, Mach and Dargai, khost, shahrig,
harnai etc.
 Sindh: (Lower Sindh Coal Field) lakhra, Sonda, Jimpir, Thar ,and others.
 Punjab: (Salt Range Coal Field) Dandot , Pidh and Dullian
 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Makarwal Coal Field and Gullakhel
How is Coal extracted from the ground?

The Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation or other organizations find the
coal reserves first and then mining methods are determined according to the
position and presence of coal under the ground. Miners cut coal from the seams
with cutting tools and transport it out of the mines.
The qualities of coal are separated and sold to the agents or middlemen.
There are three major mining methods used to extract coal which are;
By: Sir Ghulam Mehdi 0321-9211062 Page 1

Open cast mining Adit mining
Shaft mining
Mining methods

Open Cast Mining:
 it is the easiest mining method

 The mineral outcrops on
the surface of the ground
 The debris is removed and the
coal is scooped up by the shovels
 It is loaded on the lorries or donkeys and sent to the stores
Adit Mining:
 Adit means opening or passage

 This mining method is applied in Hilly areas where coal is exposed on
the side of the hill.
 The miners dig out the horizontal shafts into the hillside.
 If possible several shafts are dug at different levels.
 Dynamite can be used for digging the shafts.
 The miners follow the passage as it goes straight, up or down.
 Coal is taken out of the mines by
buckets/trucks/trollys/conveyor belt/donkeys to the surface.
 Adit Mining is being practiced in Sor Range, Quetta.
Shaft Mining:
 This is the most difficult methodVertical or sloping shafts/ tunnels are dug
down up to the Coal Seam, then move left or right according to the
direction of the seam.
 Buckets/trollys or other means are used to collect coal to the main shaft.
 The extracted coal is transported through lifts/elevators which need power.
 Workers need more safety tools to save their lives from the dangers of
being under the ground e.g. helmets, gloves, goggles, safety shoes, oxygen
cylenders in case of suffocation and lights to work in dark tunnels or in night
time.
Q. why is shaft mining difficult and the open cast easy one?
Shaft mining open cast mining
Deep digging is involved which is Mineral outcrops on the surface of the

difficult and requires more capital and hill so deep digging is not involved
machinery. which saves the cost of machinery.
Environment under the ground may be Being open mining workers’ lives are
hot and suffocating which may cause safer and the working environment
loss of lives or cost more to protect the is not that hot and suffocating.
miners.
Lifts are required to take the mineral Transportation of the mineral is easy
out of the mines and costs less
More safety tools are required e.g. Normal safety measures can do
masks, gloves, goggles, helmets and like simple shoes and gloves etc.
safety shoes etc.
Danger of collapsing of walls and Less dangerous due to being open and
poisonous gasses/more risky wide
More loss if the coal is not up to the Less loss in case of low quality coal
standard
High initial cost/ heavy investment Low investment and less running cost
Deep study and efficient survey of the It can be started without deep and
mining area is required technical surveys
Types of coal
Anthracite: the best quality coal, hardest, blackest and with low sulphur, low
moisture and highest carbon content. It burns quietly with great heat and less
smoke.
Bituminous: it is most common coal, soft, dense and black.

 It is used for generation electricity.
 It is used in steel mills after converting it into Coking Coal and mixing it with
in the blast furnaces.
Lignite: it is brownish black, has a high moisture and high sulphur content. It is
more like soil than a rock. It is used in power generation and brick kilns.
Peat: the lowest in quality. It is the initial stage of coal and easily disintegrates
when exposed in the air.
Uses and consumption of Coal
 Since the British times, Transportation was the major consumer of

coal, but the trend has been changed due to Natural gas and
Petroleum products.
 60% coal is used in Brick making industry, iron and steel mills and foundries
 32% coal is used in Cement industry
 5% coal is used in Thermal power plants
 2% coal is used in Chemical industry
 1% coal is used in Household
 Coal Is Also Used In Dyes, Typewriter Ribbons And Color Films Etc.
Transportation of coal
Coal is transported out of the mines to the stores through trolleys which run on
the tracks laid in the mining area. Sometimes donkeys are also used as an
underground transport. Hand trolleys and buckets are also used as per the
situation. From the site to the end user it is transported through trucks and
railways as per the destiny. For example, if it is local supply and to a number of

consumers like the brick kilns, it will use the trucks and if it is a bulk supply and to
a far place it will use the railway.
How coal is used in Steel Industry?

Coal is heated at almost 1100C*temperature. When all impurities are burnt, pure
carbon is left. This is hard and porous; it is COKE with 93% carbon. It is then
mixed with limestone and other substances and put into the blast furnace. Hot
air (1200C*) is blown into the furnace which allows the coke to burn. When Coke
burns, it produces Carbon monoxide and heat. The Carbon monoxide reacts with
iron ore and heat melts it. As a result, the liquid iron comes down into the
furnace and taken out for further processing. Coke plays a vital role in steel
manufacturing.
Factors limiting the value of coal in Pakistan

Natural Factors:
 Low quality of coal

 Thin Coal Seams range from 1-3 ft
 Scattered deposits
 Poor infrastructure in hilly areas
Human Factors:
 Poor mining conditions with old and traditional methods

 Hardest living conditions for miners and their families
 Low investment and low profits
 Mostly individuals are involved in this business, organizations are least
interested
 Lack of security for the migrant workers, especially in Balochistan
 Lack of interest shown by the government in this sector
Why coal is the most valuable fuel of the future?

 Pakistan is a country with highest consumption but low production
of energy.
 High prices of oil put heavy Burdon on its economy
 Scanty rain fall and less number of dams for Hydro electric generation
 Presence of largest reserves of coal in the country
 More industrialization in the country
 Cheap source of energy
 Focus of the Coal Policy on Power generation through Gasification and
modernization of coal.
What is gasification?
Gasification is a process in which coal is heated in the presence of steam and
oxygen to produce Coal gas-----a mixture of Hydrogen, Methane and
Carbon
monoxide. It can be used in the industries directly or can be converted into
more cleaner- burning gas which is more environment- friendly.
What are the problems of the coal miners?
 Worst working conditions at the mining sites

 Low wages for the workers
 No group insurance policy or no other benefits
 No pension or post service benefit schemes
 Lack of safety measures e.g. safety shoes, safety gloves and quick lifts
in case of emergency evacuation
 Polluted environment, not only for the workers but for their families
also who are living nearby.
 Far flung areas with poor transport facilities
 Poor or no medical facilities on the sites
 Lack of pure drinking water and sanitation
 Poor standard of living for the families of the workers
 No or unsatisfactory schooling and medical facilities for the families
 No recreational facilities for ladies and children

 Security issues for the workers
Poorest mining conditions and miserable lives of the miners are two main reasons
why coal mining is at low priority in Pakistan.
Q. Why is coal imported in addition to that which is produced in Pakistan?
 Poor quality/ no metallurgical coal

 Needed to mix with the poor local quality
 Discontinuous supplies
 More use in brick kiln industry
 Difficult to mine/ far off areas with poor infrastructure and security reasons.
Mineral Oil (Petroleum)

Mineral oil has a long history. Even 6000 years ago, crude oil was used by people
for oiling their boats and other tools to prevent them from rusting and water.
Mineral Oil is the most important fossil fuel in the world. It is also called’ black
gold’. It is formed in the crust of the Earth in traps called ‘anticlines’
SOME DEFINITIONS
Oil Field: an area containing one or more underground pools of PETROLEUM

Oil Well: a shaft sunk into the ground, in many cases to a great depth, for the
purpose of extracting Petroleum
Oil Dome: an underground, roughly hemispherical structure covered by hard

rocks containing an accumulation of PETROLEUM.
Oil domes
Anticline: a fold of rock of the same crust, that slopes downward on both sides.
It may contain oil or gas. It may be as large as a mountain.
Oil Prospecting: it is a process in which geologists make efforts, using different

traditional and modern techniques to identify the sites with presence of oil.
crude oil: the raw form of mineral oil, dark and thick, as it is extracted from the
ground. It is a mixture of various hydrocarbons.
Porous rock: soft rock containing pores or

holes to let the liquids pass through
Oil trap: the space between the

hard/impervious/impermiable rocks that
contain oil.
Geologist: a person who is specialist in

the study of earth, its history, formation
and minerals under the ground.
Magnetometer: an instrument that is used in measuring and observing the

gravitational and magnetic field of the earth.
How oil is found and extracted from the ground?
 First the geologists conduct the survey of the soil.

 They interpret the surface features of rocks, collect samples of soil by
shallow drilling.

 They use sensitive gravity meters and magnetometers to observe changes
in gravitational and magnetic field of the Earth caused by the flowing oil that
could indicate the presence of oil.
 They also use electronic noses, called ‘sniffers’ to detect the smell of the
hydrocarbons.
 After prospecting, and ensuring the presence of oil, the oil companies set
up their ‘oil rigs’ including a ‘ Derrik ‘, a large steel structure to support the
drilling with the Bits made up of hardest materials or Diamond .
 Oil pipes are sunk into the oil wells/ holes and oil is extracted. Oil is
transported to the nearby Oil Refinery through the hose pipes, or, through
the tankers if it is far away, for processing.
Pakistan’s major Oil Refineries
 Pak-Arab Refinery
 Attock Refinery Co. Ltd ARL
 National Refinery Co. Ltd NRL
 Bosicor Pakistan Limited BPL
 Pakistan Refinery Limited PRL
 Dhodak Refinery Limited DRL

 Morga refinery potwar plateau
Q. What are the factors that influence the location of an oil refinery? Give
reasons for the locations of two named refineries.
1. Nearness to the oil field to save time and cost of transportation

2. Availability of roads, railways, air ways and sea routes, to
facilitate transportation of crude oil and finished products
3. Availability of power, and water resources
4. Potential market for Petroleum products
5. Safety and security
6. Availability of the skilled labour
For example;
National Oil Refinery and Pakistan Oil Refinery are located in Karachi for a
number of reasons.
 Port city, oil is mostly imported through Kemari and Bin Qasim ports.
 It saves the cost of transportation.
 Karachi is the largest market for oil products.
 Better infrastructure, power and water resources are available.
 Cheap labour is available in Karachi.
 Supply of crude oil is possible through Sindh oil fields except the
imported one.
Pak-Arab Refinery is located at Mahmud kot, near Multan because there is a

large market in the whole of Punjab due to largest population. It is also cheaper
to refine oil in Punjab than to supply it from Karachi.
Q: study fig 1 below that is showing oil refinaries and pipelines in Pakistan.

Fig 1.
(i) (i) Name and locate the oil refinery marked on the oilfield in Fig.1.
Name .................................................. Location..........................................[2]
(ii) Name one refinery where imported oil is processed.
.......................................................................................................................................[1]
(iii) Explain the importance of the White Pipeline, and other pipelines to the
development of Pakistan.
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...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
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...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................[4]
How does an Oil Refinery work?
Oil is a mixture of so many types of hydrocarbons. It is heated in the large alloy
pipes fitted in the large furnaces up to high temperature and different products
are extracted at different temperatures. This method is known as ‘fractional
distillation method’
Products of oil
Petrol, diesel, kerosene oil, Jet petroleum and furnace oil

By-products of oil
Paraffin, Pesticides, Plastic, Coal Tar, Petroleum Jelly etc.
Uses of oil
Transportation, Power generation, industries, domestic and agriculture
Transportation of oil
1. Pipe lines
Advantages:
 It is an easy method of oil supplies to far away areas.

 It is safe way because no danger of accidents.
 It is good for continuous supply of huge quantities of oil without any
interruption
 It is fastest way to transport oil within no time
 It is cheap because pipeline can last for a long time with one
time investment
 No dependence on the tanker mafia
Disadvantages:
 Pipelines are costly to be laid down

 High cost of maintenance and guarding the pipeline
 Difficult to get proper and honest security people
 Threat of blast of the pipeline by local or foreign terrorists
 Chances of theft by making holes in the pipelines
 Construction of pipeline is difficult
 Can carry only single product
2. Tankers
Advantages:

 It is good for minor supplies to small towns and cities which are away
from the main rail network
 It is good for supplies to the northern areas
 No threat of theft or leakage
 Good for door-to-door supplies
 It is cheaper for local areas.
Disadvantages:
 It is expensive and increases the cost of oil.

 Threat of accidents is always there.
 Supplies can be delayed due to law & order situation in the country, heavy
rain, fog or floods.
 Only small quantity of oil can be transported.
Q. Why does Pakistan import oil from other countries?
 Oil prospecting is on low priority in Pakistan.

 Less oil is produced in Pakistan.
 Less focus on alternative sources of energy like Gas and Coal, Solar or Wind.
 High population, more vehicles and more electricity is required.
 Industrialization and extension in road network/ improved transport system.
 Increasing number of Lorries/ buses/cars etc.
 More bubricants for machines in transport and other industries.
 Source of many by-products: paraffin/wax/plastics/synthetic
rubber/detergents and insecticides etc.
 Urbanization and growing population
 Mechanization of agriculture
 Heavy load shedding led to the use of generators.
 More electricity is needed due to more schools, colleges, hospitals
and increase in the electrical appliances.
 Global warming has increased the use of A/C’s and room coolers even
in interior which require electricity and it requires fuel to run the
thermal power stations.

Q. How does heavy import of oil affect the economy of Pakistan?
 It puts heavy burdon on the economy.

 Pakistan has to pay huge amount of money on the import of oil, leads
to dependency on other countries.
 It leads to negative balance of trade.
 Pakistan has to take loans to balance the trade deficit, more foreign debt.
 The creditors may influence Pakistan to follow their instructions in
foreign policy and other political matters which is a question on
Pakistan’s sovereignty as well as against the interests of the whole
nation.
 High inflation.
 More taxes imposed on the people
 The country will not be able to explore new oil fields due to
meager economy.
 Other development projects will be delayed.
NATURAL GAS
What is Natural Gas?
It is a Fossil Fuel, a mixture of hydrocarbons, consisting mainly of Methane. It is a

colorless and odorless gas.
Where is gas found in Pakistan?
Balochistan: Sui, Zin,Pir Koh, Tut and Uch
Sindh : Kandh kot, Qadir pur, Khairpur, and Qadabwari
Punjab : Makarwal, Dhodak, Dhulian, Dharnal, Adhi and
Meyal How is gas distributed in Pakistan?
Natural gas is supplied to Karachi from Sui. From Karachi it goes to Hyderabad,
Khairpur and Quetta. One line supplies gas to kot Addu and the other to Multan,
Faisalabad, Lahore, Sialkot, Azad Kashmir, Islamabad and Rawalpindi. From
Rawalpindi it goes to Peshawar and other areas of KPK.
What is CNG?
It is ‘compressed natural gas’. It is used in engines like vehicles easily alone. It is

safer than other fuels in case of a spill because it is lighter than air and disperses
easily when released. It requires more space than other fuels. It is stored in very
hard tanks or cylinders at high pressure.
What is LPG?
It stands for ‘liquefied petroleum gas,. It is produced during oil refining or

extracted from the natural gas streams under the ground. It is kept in steel
containers and used for cooking, heating or in transport. It poses less harm to
atmosphere.
Uses of natural gas.

It is used in household, thermal power plants, fertilizer industry as raw material,
cement industry, transport and commercial sector.
What is the meaning of the term’ fossil fuel’? also give examples.
A natural fuel as oil, gas or coal, which is found naturally under the ground. It is
formed by decomposition of the remains of huge animals and plants buried under
the crust for some millions of years.
What do SSGC and SNGC stand for?
Sui Southern Gas Company and Sui Northern Gas Company.
What is WAPDA?
Water and Power Development Authority. it is the organization responsible for

generating and distributing electricity in Pakistan. It was established in 1959.
What are the alternative fuels for households?
People use wood, cow dung cakes, kerosene oil, electric heaters, coal and LPG
cylinders.

How is natural gas transported to all parts of Pakistan?
1. CYLINDERS
2. PIPELINES
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using Cylinders and Pipelines for
transportation of natural gas?
For Cylinders
Advantages:
 Easy to carry even less quantity of gas

 May provide gas to areas where pipeline cannot reach
 Can supply gas to inaccessible areas
Disadvantages:
 Can break or blast

 Less quantity of gas
 Transportation problem
 Costs higher than pipeline
 Discontinuity in supplies
For Pipelines
Advantages:
 Huge industrial supplies

 Day and night, Continuous supplies
 Low transportation cost
 Safe supplies
Disadvantages:
 High initial cost

 Difficult and expensive maintenance cost

 Danger of blast and theft
 Cannot supply gas to mountainous and inaccessible areas
Q: Why natural gas is so important fuel in Pakistan?
 Many reserves, well distributed in Pakistan

 Environmentally friendly
 Well developed system of its processing and transportation like pipelines
 Cheaper than oil and cleaner than coal
 Important raw material for fertilizer and cement industry
 Useful for making fertilizer and thermal power
 Can be a good alternative of oil in vehicles
 Can reduce the burdon on economy
Q: Why there is no gas pipeline in the northern mountains?
 High cost and difficult to construct pipe line

 Due to severe cold, it converts into liquid
 Pressure goes so low, that it is not useful
Q: Name the gas field that produces most gas in Pakistan.
Sui gas field
Q: Name two industries using natural gas as raw material.
Fertilizer industry
Cement industry
Chemical industry
Q: Why is natural gas a popular fuel for domestic users?
 Easy to use
 Easy availability
 Cheaper to afford
 Better results, less smoke, more heat and less pollutant

 Mechanized way to use in geezers and room heaters
 More cleaner, leaves no remains like coal or wood etc.
Q: To what extent can Pakistan rely on the fossil fuels to increase

power supplies? [6]
Possibilities/ can rely
 Large reserves of sui gas in Sui, Pirkoh, Mari and Potwar plateau.
 Large reserves of coal in Balochistan, Sindh and Punjab which is the
cheapest source of energy
 Oil is also extracted about 30% of the total oil use in Pakistan
 Reasonable infrastructure to supply these fuels to the consumers.
Problems/ cannot rely
 Pakistan have small reserves of oil and the needs are high
 Fossil fuels are non-renewable resources
 Coal is heavy commodity and transportation is costly
 Gas is expensive to supply to different areas
 Production cost is high due to inaccessible areas and costly
machinery involved.
Q: Why burning fossil fuels in power stations is not sustainable source of

energy? [4]
 Fossil fuels are non-renewable and would eventually exhaust.

 Mined or extracted from inaccessible areas will cost more and cause
air pollution and other environmental hazards
 Production and prices are controlled by OPEC etc.
 Few deposits, so had to be imported.
 Heavy burdon on Pakistan’s economy.
Q: Why is it important that more renewable energy schemes should be

developed in Pakistan? [5]

 Low production of electricity by HEP, Thermal or Nuclear means.
 Frequent power cuts, load shedding, theft or leakages etc.
 Increasing population, more needs of schools, hospitals and shopping
malls etc
 Industrialization and urbanization need more power resources.
 Rural electrification and higher standards of life everywhere.
 Encouragement of development and modernization.
 Air pollution and dangers of nuclear waste.
 HEP is less Thermal is pollutant and expensive and Nuclear is unsafe in
case of any attack or natural disaster like earth quake that devastated the
Nuclear plants in Japan.
POWER GENERATION
Some definitions
Energy deficient: a country that produces less and consumes more energy
Alternative energy: the energy that comes from the natural resources and does
not harm the Environment, e.g. wind, solar, water( hydel), waves, geothermal,
biomass etc.
Nuclear fission: the process in which the ‘atom’ splits into its components and
releases heat
Nuclear reactor: it is a device that contains and controls the sustained nuclear
reaction that releases heat
Turbine: it is a machine with blades, moved with the force of moving fluid or
wind and runs the generators
Transformer: an electrical device that transfers the electric current from one
circuit to another or regulates the electric current.
Photovoltaic cell: a specialized semiconductor that converts the sun rays into
flow of electrons which produce current

Biomass: it is the organic material obtained from mainly plants and animals
which is burnt to release heat energy
Biogas: it is a gas fuel derived from organic matter
Wind farm: an area where wind turbines are set up
National Grid System: it is a system of supplying power to different areas of the

country through transmission lines
WAPDA: Water and Power Development Authority, an organization responsible

for generating and supplying electricity
PEPCO: Pakistan Electric Power Company, estbd in 2007 with the aim of
generating electricity through thermal means, distributing, regulating prices and
future planning of installing new units for production of electricity
NTDC : National Transmission and Dispatch Company Limited, it controls the

National Grid stations network and electricity transmission system in Pakistan
IPPs : independent Power Producers, almost 23 thermal units are working in

Pakistan producing almost 7200MW
K- ELECTRIC (KESC): Karachi Electric Supply Corporation and organization

responsible for supplying electricity to Karachi city
KANUPP: Karachi Nuclear Power Plant
CHASHNUPP: Chashma Nuclear Power Plant
Electricity is a form of energy which can be converted into Heat, Light and sound
energy. Pakistan is a big consumer of electricity but produces less than it requires.
THERMAL ELECTRICITY

Thermal electricity is produced by using non-renewable resources like oil, coal
and natural gas. In the thermal plants, these fossil fuels are burnt to produce
steam from water which moves the generators. This is costly process because
prices of oil
have gone
very high. It
also causes
pollution in
the air due
to the
smoke.
Almost 23
thermal
units are
being
operated in
Pakistan and producing 7200 MW electricity.
HYDEL ELECTRICITY
Hydel electricity is produced by using the potential energy of water. Fast flowing
water in the tunnels runs the
turbines which move the
generators to produce
electricity. Hydel plants
have been set up on the
large dams like Mangla and
Terbella. It is a green and
environment friendly energy
because there is no air or
water pollution. Pakistan is
producing 20% of its total
electricity through hydel
plants.

NUCLEAR ELECTRICITY
This electricity is produced by using nuclear heat to produce steam that in turn,
runs the generators to produce electricity. When the uranium atoms break up in
the nuclear reactor, heat is produced and heats up water to produce steam that
runs the generators to produce electricity. It is cheaper but disposal of its wastage
and some international pressure has limited its use in Pakistan. Its contribution to
the national grid is only 2%.
WIND POWER
Wind energy has been used for sailing in the sea, gliding in the air, flying kites,
lifting water from the water bodies, grinding the grains and now for generating
electricity. It is a renewable source of energy and cannot exhaust even how much
your use is. It is clean, non-polluting, environmentally friendly and cheaper
energy. Coastal areas and
high mountains are the
best areas to set up wind
farms. A wind farm has
been set up at Gharo near
Karachi.
SOLAR POWER
Solar energy comes from

the sun rays. It is also green energy with no pollution or bad effects on the
environment. These sun rays contain particles of energy called photons.
These photons are absorbed by the photovoltaic cells which convert the heat
energy into electrical power. There is
another way of using sun rays to generate electricity. The sun rays are focused on the
boilers with the help of big convex lenses and heat the water to produce steam which
runs the turbines and electricity is

produced. Pakistan has great potential for solar energy because there are 250-300
sunny days in Pakistan. It can produce cheaper electricity but the installation cost
of the solar panels is high. Many jobs can be done by solar energy, for example,
pumping water from the ground, grinding food grains and heating or cooking.
GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
This is the heat energy present under the crust of the earth. It is quite common in
the areas where there is a crack in the tectonic plates or at the plate margins or in
the areas of volcanic activity. The natural heat is obtained through holes and
steam is produced to run the turbines. Himalayas and the Chagi Hills are the
faulted areas.
 First the survey is conducted to identify the presence of enough heat

 Then feasibility
is made as to
how big is the
source and how
much will it cost
etc.
 Assessment of
heat content of
the fluids is also
done by the
experts and
finally the project
starts.
 It does not require fuel to produce electricity, occupies small area and
emits no smoke. Once installed can run for years so cost will become low or
may be free one day, but it is under study in Pakistan.
TIDAL/WAVES ENERGY

This energy is still in
experimental stage in
Pakistan. Wave turbines
are installed under the
sea and the force of
waves runs these
turbines. It is totally
pollution free method of
generating electricity.
Few turbines have been
set on the Karachi coast
to provide electricity to some Navel Installations. Pakistan has a great potential
for tidal energy for it has almost a 1000 km long coastline but uncertainty in the
low or high tides during the whole year may restrict the production. It can be
possible with good planning and correct timing and judgment.
BIO- MASS ENERGY
Bio- fuel is under the research for the last 15-20 years. In this technology,
Methane is extracted from organic matter. It has two types:
1- Liquid Bio fuel
2- Bio gas
Liquid bio- fuel is extracted from grown crops of maiz and other oil seeds
depending on their energy contents.
Bio-gas is produced by the use of animal and other organic waste such as rotten
plants, cow dung etc. this gas can be stored in cylinders or supplied through
pipelines.
Advantages and Disadvantages of the sources above
Thermal power
Advantages

 Can set up any where
 Cheap and easily available technology
 Cheap and expert labour sought locally
 Easy to supply fuel
 Less space is occupied
 Easy to supply electricity to near by areas
 Less line losses
Disadvantages
 Use of fossil fuels is expensive

 Loss of fossil fuels which may be used in aeroplanes, vehicles or industry
or in emergencies
 Air pollution and dangerous for the lives of citizens
 Discharge of hot water may damage aqua life
 High price of fossil fuels may increase the cost of electricity
Hydro electric Power
Advantages
 Renewable energy, water can be used again and again

 No pollution, environmentally friendly
 Safe way no threat of accidents
 Running cost becomes low so cost of electricity is cheap
Disadvantages
 Cannot be installed everywhere, special physical and climatic

conditions required
 Installation cost is very high
 Large area is required for building dams
 Threat of water logging and salinity and evacuation of population
Nuclear Power
Advantages
 Can produce large quantity of electricity

 Less cost due to more potential in Uranium
 Can be installed anywhere
 Less space is required
 Environmentally friendly ( no air or water pollution during the production)
Disadvantages
 Radioactive waves from the uranium rods may kill, cause cancer or effect
the genes of the people who are exposed
 Expensive machinery ( nuclear reactor)
 International sanctions
 Dumping of its waste is a problem.
Wind Power
Advantages
 Environmentally friendly
 Renewable source of energy
 Low running cost, wind is free
 Low maintenance cost
Disadvantages
 Cannot produce regularly dependent on wind

 Can be installed only in the air corridors like coastal areas or on the
high mountains
 Causes noise pollution
 Threat to birds life
 Can cause problems for TV or mobile signals
Solar Power
Advantages
 Completely pollution free, environmentally friendly
 Safe and efficient way
 Low running cost
 Once installed, can last for 20-25 years
 Pakistan has great potential, 250-300 sunny days
Disadvantages
 Installation cost is high

 Expert labour is required
 Can be produced only in sunny days
 Cannot be installed in the Northern areas
Geo Thermal
Advantages
 Big reliable source of energy

 Safe and environmentally friendly
 Cheap once installed because no fuel is consumed
Disadvantages

 May harm the atmosphere with dangerous gasses
 May affect plant and animals due to its heat and gasses
 Can’t be installed everywhere, only on the faulted crust
Tidal/ Wave energy
Advantages
 Safe and sound way of producing electricity

 Waves have more power than wind
 No water or air pollution
Disadvantages
 High installation cost

 Difficult to maintain
 Can be installed only on the coastal areas
 Unpredictable timings of high and low tides
Bio-Mass
Advantages
 Easy and cheap source, crops are available always

 Less space is required
 Can be installed easily
 More crops would be grown, more oxygen produced for human beings
Disadvantages
 Green manure would run short

 May cause infertility to soil
 More crops would be grown
 Animal fodder may also be affected
Bio-Gas
Advantages
 Safe and local way of producing electricity

 Common technology is used
 Bio-slurry can be used as green manure after use
 Low running and maintenance cost
Disadvantages
 Low quantity of gas is produced

 Cause pollution
 Can’t be installed near cities due to its bad smell
 May affect the production of food for subsistence farmers.
Q: suggest one reason why power stations frequently break down.
 Machinery is old/poorely maintained

 Increased strain/high demand
 Silt from reservoir entering HEP turbines.
Q: Other than ‘the frequent breakdowns at the power stations’, why is

the supply of electricity ‘unsteady’?
 Breakage of wires(on grid) long transmission lines

 Illegal tapping into supply / theft
 Demand exceeds supply
 Load shedding practiced
 Less HEP in winter
Q: How is electricity produced in power stations like Warsak, and how is

it transmitted to cities like Peshawar? [5]
How produced:
- Water from dam/ reservoir/head rushes down/ passes through dam

- Steep / narrowing (intake) pipes
- Drives (hydro) turbines
- Which turn shaft rapidly inside generator/ works generator
How transmitted:
- From transformer at HEP station which controls the voltage/

stabilizes electricity
- Onto national grid/ power lines/ cable wires which is a network of wires
/ booster stations
- Overhead and / underground
- Onto local/ city supply grid
- Voltage dropped/ adjusted
Q: Give reasons for high cost of power from thermal power stations in Pakistan.
 Need to import oil/ fossil fuels

 Natural gas expensive / price competition with other users
 Oil prices have increased
 IPPs charge higher prices
 Inefficient machinery in power plants/ high maintenance cost
 Cost of power lines and technology
 theft
Q: What problems are created when so many thermal stations work in an

areas?
 Cause pollution
 Cause noise pollution
 Cause traffic congestion
 Cause land pollution due to waste of oil and hot water
 May damage natural beauty of the area due to constant smoke of
the chimneys and vehicles
Q: how do ‘load shedding’ (power cuts) affect agriculture, industry and

business in Pakistan?
Agriculture:
Industry:
Business:
Q: with the named examples, state how following can be used in Pakistan;
Solar:

wind :
tidal :
Q: there are installed almost 50% of the total thermal stations in and
around Karachi, what problems do you see in Karachi due to these thermal
power stations.
Q: To what extent is it possible to increase the electricity supply to rural
areas? Possibilities:
 Increase power generation through nuclear/thermal or hyder etc.

 Adopt new sources of power generation like solar/wind/geo thermal etc.
 Allow private companies to generate electricity ( IPPS)
 Use bio gas schemes in the rural
areas Problems:
 Heavy investment of machinery/ fuel/maintenance etc.

 Theft of electricity
 Line losses due to long distances covered by heavy transmission lines in
case of HEP or Tidal etc.
 Problems in getting govt. permissions/ loans etc.
 Difficult construction in hilly areas of dams etc.

 Opposition from political parties/ tribal chiefs etc for the installation of such
projects.
 Urban areas to be fed first, so would create problem.
Q: To what extent can the development of renewable energy
resources improve the reliability of electricity supply in Pakistan?
Reliability:
 Given by nature, so available everywhere in the country

 Only installation cost is to be born, after it will almost be free.
 Possibilities, e.g. 250-300 sunny days in Pakistan, fast moving wind
and potential for tidal waves at the coast line
Problems:

 Lack of technical assistance in villages
 Lack of skilled workers to maintain the plants
 Low production due to climatic variations
 Inconstant supply/ variable production due to dependence on
natural sources like sunshine and wind etc.

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UNIT#9

 Coal is a hydrocarbon and a fossil fuel.

Where is coal found in Pakistan?

How is Coal extracted from the ground?

By: Sir Ghulam Mehdi 0321-9211062 Page 1

By: Sir Ghulam Mehdi 0321-9211062 Page 2

 it is the easiest mining method

 Adit means opening or passage

Shaft mining open cast mining

Deep digging is involved which is Mineral outcrops on the surface of the

Bituminous: it is most common coal, soft, dense and black.

Uses and consumption of Coal

 Since the British times, Transportation was the major consumer of

By: Sir Ghulam Mehdi 0321-9211062 Page 5

How coal is used in Steel Industry?

Factors limiting the value of coal in Pakistan

 Low quality of coal

 Poor mining conditions with old and traditional methods

Why coal is the most valuable fuel of the future?

By: Sir Ghulam Mehdi 0321-9211062 Page 6

What are the problems of the coal miners?

 Worst working conditions at the mining sites

By: Sir Ghulam Mehdi 0321-9211062 Page 7

Q. Why is coal imported in addition to that which is produced in Pakistan?

 Poor quality/ no metallurgical coal

Mineral Oil (Petroleum)

By: Sir Ghulam Mehdi 0321-9211062 Page 8

Oil Dome: an underground, roughly hemispherical structure covered by hard

Oil Prospecting: it is a process in which geologists make efforts, using different

Porous rock: soft rock containing pores or

Oil trap: the space between the

Geologist: a person who is specialist in

Magnetometer: an instrument that is used in measuring and observing the

How oil is found and extracted from the ground?

 First the geologists conduct the survey of the soil.

By: Sir Ghulam Mehdi 0321-9211062 Page 9

Pakistan’s major Oil Refineries

By: Sir Ghulam Mehdi 0321-9211062 Page 10

1. Nearness to the oil field to save time and cost of transportation

Pak-Arab Refinery is located at Mahmud kot, near Multan because there is a

By: Sir Ghulam Mehdi 0321-9211062 Page 11

Petrol, diesel, kerosene oil, Jet petroleum and furnace oil

By: Sir Ghulam Mehdi 0321-9211062 Page 12

Paraffin, Pesticides, Plastic, Coal Tar, Petroleum Jelly etc.

Transportation, Power generation, industries, domestic and agriculture

 It is an easy method of oil supplies to far away areas.

 Pipelines are costly to be laid down

By: Sir Ghulam Mehdi 0321-9211062 Page 13

 It is expensive and increases the cost of oil.

Q. Why does Pakistan import oil from other countries?

 Oil prospecting is on low priority in Pakistan.

By: Sir Ghulam Mehdi 0321-9211062 Page 14

 It puts heavy burdon on the economy.

It is a Fossil Fuel, a mixture of hydrocarbons, consisting mainly of Methane. It is a

Where is gas found in Pakistan?

Balochistan: Sui, Zin,Pir Koh, Tut and Uch

Sindh : Kandh kot, Qadir pur, Khairpur, and Qadabwari

Punjab : Makarwal, Dhodak, Dhulian, Dharnal, Adhi and

Meyal How is gas distributed in Pakistan?