Sources of Energy

Sources of Energy

Energy: is the capacity of physical system to perform work.

Types of energy used in Bhutan are: Diesel, petrol, kerosene, gas, electricity, firewood etc.,

Energy used in early days: dried bamboo torches for outdoor light and mebchi (pinewood) for indoor light.

In the past, people used pine wood for indoor light in Bhutan. 

The use of pine wood however had the following advantages:

1. Easy availability of pine wood from the nearby dense forest
2. It was cheap to use

Disadvantages of the method used to light houses in the olden days are:

1. The smoke makes the home unhealthy
2. There has been an increased respiratory related disease

Disadvantages of using gas stove

i. It is expensive to use

ii. There is frequent shortage of gas cylinder since it is imported from India. Thus, gas cylinders are not readily available.

One reason for using gas stove over wood and kerosene is cleaner and easier.

Hydro-electricity

The generation of electricity by using force of falling water

Hydro-projects in Bhutan

1. Chukha Hydro-project-336 MW
2. Tala Hydro-project-1020 MW
3. Kurichu Hydro-Project-60 MW
4. Basochu Hydro-Project-64(40+24) MW

Conditions necessary for development of hydro-power are

1. Water must fall from a height to turn the turbines for generating electricity
2. The river must be perennial, free of silt and the flow should be regular

Generation of electricity is important to us in Bhutan in many ways:

1. It provides a revenue for the government to accelerate economic growth
2. It provides heat and light to our houses and streets at night
3. It also runs the machinery in our offices and factories
4. Bhutan is so much concern about, the environment. Therefore, the production of hydroelectricity will minimize the use of other conventional energy thereby reducing pollution.

Hydro-power is preferred to oil and woods for many reasons. They are:

1. It does not emit pollutants into the atmosphere
2. It is feasible to produce hydro-power at cheaper cost since the running water is abundant in Bhutan.

Generation of hydro-electric power

A big dam or reservoir is constructed to store water. The water from the dam or reservoir is allowed to flow out in a controlled manner which turns the turbine thereby producing electricity.

Thermal Electricity

The generation of electricity from fuels like coal, petroleum, diesel etc is known as thermal electricity.

Difference between hydro-electricity and thermal electricity

The generation of electricity by using the force of falling water while, the generation of electricity from fuels like coal, petroleum, diesel etc.,

Difficulties in generating electricity from diesel oil are

1. Generation of electricity from diesel requires constant supervision
2. It is expensive to generate electricity from diesel since it has to imported from far off places

Penstock

It is a large pipe through which the water drops from great height to generate electricity.

The non-conventional sources of energy other than water are:

1. Wind energy
2. Solar energy

Wind- The strong wind can be used to turn turbine to generate electricity to light the houses in Bhutan. Wind energy can also be used to pump water from the rivers to irrigate the agriculture fields

Solar- The sun is the main source of energy. Solar energy has been recommended for use in Bhutan. Many of the hill slopes of Bhutan face south and are thus rich in solar energy. The solar energy can be converted into thermal energy with the help of photovoltaic. Thus, solar energy can be used for water heating, lightening houses, cooking, drying etc.,

What conditions might have helped to decide the selection of the present site of the Chukha HEP

1. It is located on the national highway between Thimphu and Phuentsholing
2. Wangchu has its source from glaciers and snow therefore, the flow is regular
3. It is easier to take transmission lines to India for export

Advantages of using solar photovoltaic cells

1. It is easy to transport to rural areas
2. Although the initial expense is high, it is cheap to maintain
3. It is appropriate for many isolated villages where hydro-electricity power is difficult to reach.

Biogas: is the energy obtained from the organic waste which is converted into energy by direct combustion

Uses of Biogas

1. Biogas can be used as cooking fuel
2. It is also used to light houses

Biogas is not feasible for settlements above 1000 metres

This is because the climate of the settlements above 1000 m is not warm enough to ensure a constant production and supply of gas.

Geothermal Energy: is the energy derived from the use of the heat in the interior of the earth.

The use of hot springs as an alternative source of energy is not feasible as few hot springs found in Bhutan are located far from any settlements.

Renewable Energy: are those energy such as sun’s energy, wind, geothermal etc which can be used again and again.

Bellows: It is a bag like structure made up of leather to blow the coal fire commonly used by blacksmiths.

Windmills: It is a mill worked by the force of wind on projecting parts that radiate from the shaft.

Fossil fuels: Any of the non-renewable fuels formed from the remains of dead plants and animals.

Photovoltaic cell: it is a device which can convert solar radiation into electricity without involving any moving parts.