What are the various alternative energy sources?

The energy sources other than conventional energy sources are called alternative energy sources. At present the Government of India is trying to boost up the production of alternatives fuels to meet over all requirements of energy in the country.

There are various alternative energy sources available such as ethanol, Compressed Natural Gas, Biodised, Hydrogen energy, Gas Hydrates, Tidal energy, Geothermal Energy etc.

Ethanol:

Ethanol is used an automotive fuel itself, but can be mixed with gasoline to form Gasohol which is a mixture of absolute alcohol and petrol. Also it is being tried as a fuel to run a car. The Mysore Sugar company of Mandya tried out a 25.75 proportion of mix of absolute alcohol and petrol for use, with view to boost the agricultural sector and to reduce environmental pollution.

Government is examining feasibility for the supply of ethanol-doped petrol in the country. The government has also launched several pilot projects in few states like Maharashtra; Uttar Pradesh which is supplying 5% ethanol doped petrol only to retain outlets under their respective supply areas.

The petroleum industry also looks very committed to use ethanol as fuel, as it is expected to benefit sugarcane farmers as well as the oil industry in the long run. The ethanol can also be produced from wheat, corn, beat, sorghum etc. Ethanol is also one of the best tools to fight vehicular pollution as it contains 35% of oxygen that helps complete combustion of fuel and thus reduces harmful emissions.

Compressed Natural Gas (CNG):

Compressed Natural Gas is a substitute for gasoline or diesel fuel which also been considered as an environmentally clean alternative fuels.

It contains 95% methane and 5% combination of butane propane, ethane and other trace gases and water vapor. Compressed Natural Gas is already used in countries such as the USA, Japan, Italy, Brazil and New Zealand.

The government on its part has launched CNG pilot project in Delhi and Mumbai, which has caused considerable reduction in emissions. The government is also planning to expand CNG facility to more cities and towns in the next few years with the twin objectives of better environment and better economy.

The Gas Authority of India Limited has been authorized to implement the plan. The conversion of petro-run engines into the CNG mode is also quite simple.

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG):

It is increasingly being recognized as the fuel of the 21^st century, it is composed of methane at least 90%, but it also contains ethane, propane and heavier hydrocarbons. Small quantities of nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, sulphur compounds and water may also be found. But liquifaction process removes the oxygen, carbon dioxide, sulphur compounds and water.

The government of India has also recognized the importance of LNG as the preferred fuel and has spelt out the objectives of encouraging use of gas and ensuring its adequate availability through a mix of domestic production and imports.

Hydrogen:

Hydrogen is a clean and efficient energy carrier with potential to replace liquid and gaseous fossil fuels. Hydrogen also appears to be a favoured alternative due to its high specific energy per unit weight. It is also universally available as a component of water and there is a universally harmful exhaust gas as its primary combustion product is water vapour.

Form the safety angle, there is one major problem with hydrogen, is its low density and high diffusion capacity. The low density of hydrogen means that rises quickly into the atmosphere if proper venting is done.

Gas Hydrates:

Gas Hydrates are a naturally occurring ice like combination of natural gas and water that have potential to be a significant new source of energy from the world’s ocean and polar regions. For the first time, USA’s Geological Survey has proven that, it is technically feasible to produce gas from gas hydrate.

The estimated amount of natural gas in the gas hydrates accumulations of the world exceeds the all known conventional gas resources.

Tidal Energy:

Oceans all over the world contain renewable energy in the form of temperature gradients, waves, tides and ocean currents that can be used to generate electricity in an environmental friendly manner. Among the different ocean energy sources, the movement of tides had been developed commercially.

Some of the countries of the world such as France, Russia, China, Canada, and United Kingdom etc. are making use of tidal energy on commercial basis. In India, some potential sites for tapping tidal energy are in the Gulf of Kutch, Gulf of Combay in Gujarat and the delta of the River Ganges in the Sunderban regions in West Bengal. A tidal power project is being set up at Durgaduani Creek in the Sunderban areas of West Bengal.

Geothermal Energy: It is an important alternative energy source derived from the natural heat of the world.

This thermal energy can be used for producing electricity and also for direct heat applications. More than 300 hot springs have been identified by Geological Survey of India that can be used for power generation and the Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources has also supported many such projects in Jammu and Kashmir, Chhattisgarh etc.