phosphoric acid (H3PO4) in a silicon carbide matrix. It operates in the temperature range between 150°C and 210°C. Electrodes are made of carbon paper coated with platinum catalyst. It is used in buses and in stationary power generators in the range of 100 to 400 kW.
1.1.3.5 Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell
The conventional source–based power plants use MCFC for industrial and military applications. The electrolyte used in MCFC is a molten carbonate salt mixture immersed in ceramic matrix of beta alumina solid electrolyte. Because of its high operating temperature, metals are used as catalyst at the anode and cathode. It offers better efficiency when compared to PAFC which is around 65%. PAFC’s efficiency is only 30% to 40%.
Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) and reversible fuel cells are the other types of fuel cell that are generally employed for various applications.
1.1.4 Biomass Energy
The energy derived from the organic matter of the living organism is the biomass. It is a RES that produces electricity with minimum cost. The organic material produced from plants and animals, crops and algae are used in biomass energy production. The global cumulative biomass energy generation is shown in Figure 1.10. When biomass is burned, heat is generated and the thermal energy is converted into electrical energy. This biomass can either be burned directly or converted into liquid biofuels or biogas. The conversion methods for biomass energy production include chemical, thermal, and bio-chemical [9].
Figure 1.10 Cumulative bioenergy generation.
Initially, direct combustion method was employed with wood as a fuel to produce energy. In the recent times, chemical treatments such as pyrolysis, fermentation, and anaerobic processes are implemented to convert these sources into a usable form such as ethanol. During pyrolysis treatment, coal is obtained as a product that strengthens the matter by burning it in the absence of oxygen.
The sources of biomass energy generation include the following:
1 Wood and its processing waste: Heat energy is generated from the combustion of wood waste.
2 Agricultural waste: It is burned as a fuel and it can be converted into liquid bio-fuels.
3 Food and garbage waste: It is converted to bio-gas by landfill method or burned to generate electricity in power plants.
4 Animal manure and sewage waste: it is converted to bio-gas.
1.1.4.1 Energy Production From Biomass
Solid biomass, such as wood and garbage, can be burned directly to produce heat. Biomass can also be converted into a gas called biogas or into liquid biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel. These fuels can then be burned for energy production.
Biogas is formed when paper, food scraps, and yard waste are decomposed in landfills; it can also be produced by processing sewage and animal manure in special vessels called digesters. Ethanol is extracted from crops such as corn and sugar-cane by fermentation process. Biodiesel is produced from vegetable oils and animal fats and can be used in vehicles and as heating oil.
The current availability of biomass in India is estimated at about 500 million metric tonnes per year [10]. Studies from the Ministry has estimated surplus biomass availability of about 120–150 million metric tonnes per annum covering agricultural and forestry residues corresponding to a potential of about 18,000 MW. Apart from this, it is predicted that about 7,000-MW additional power could be generated through co-generation process.
1.1.5 Hydro-Electric Energy
As water is a never depleted source and the pressure of water is used to generate energy, hydro-electric power plants gained its significance in renewable energy industry. The energy of flowing water is converted into mechanical energy using a turbine and the coupled generator produced electricity from the mechanical energy.
Figure 1.11 shows hydro-electric power plant. The generator generates electricity by converting the input mechanical energy produced from the energy of water flow. Whenever a magnet moves past a conductor, it causes electricity and the flow of current exists. In a large generator, the electromagnets are made by circulating direct current through wire loops which is wound on steel laminations. These are called as poles, which are held on the outer surface of the rotor. The rotor rotates at a fixed speed as it is connected to the turbine shaft. As the rotor rotates, it cuts the flux produced and induces an emf, and thus, a potential is developed across the generator output.
Figure 1.11 Typical hydro-electric power plant.
The reservoir system acts as a storage pump and can be used whenever required to generate electricity based on the demand. The construction of it is also very simple and this is one of the advantageous features of hydro-electric power generation [11].
1.1.5.1 Hydro Scenario
India is blessed with immense amount of hydro-electric potential and ranks fifth in terms of exploitable hydro-potential on global scenario. As per assessment made by CEA, India is endowed with economically exploitable hydro-power potential to the tune of 148,700 MW of installed capacity.
In 1998, Government of India announced “Policy on Hydro Power Development” under which impetus is given to development of hydropower in the country. This was a welcome step toward effective utilization of our water resources in the direction of hydropower development. During October 2001, Central Electricity Authority (CEA) came out with a ranking study which prioritized and ranked the future executable projects. As per the study, 399 hydro schemes with an aggregate installed capacity of 106,910 MW were ranked in A, B, and C categories depending upon their inter se attractiveness. During May 2003, Government of India launched 50,000-MW hydro initiative in which preparation of Pre-Feasibility Reports of 162 Projects totaling to 50,000 MW was taken up by CEA through various agencies. The PFRs for all these projects have already been prepared and projects with low tariff (first year tariff less than Rs.2.50/kWh) have been identified for preparation of DPR.
1.1.6 Geothermal Energy
As India is a tropical country, heat energy is abundant on our earth’s crust. The energy obtained from the heat of the inner surface of the earth is geothermal energy. It is the unused heat energy stored under the earth’s surface. It is carried to the earth’s surface by steam and water. It can be used for heating and cooling purpose. The temperature gradient on the earth’s surface with respect to the inner area is only used to generate electricity [12].
There are three types of geothermal power plants: dry steam, flash steam, and binary cycle.
1 (i) Dry Steam: Dry steam power plants draw from underground resources of steam. The steam is piped directly from underground wells to the power plant where it is directed into a turbine/generator unit.
2 (ii) Flash Steam: Flash steam power plants are the most common and use geothermal reservoirs of water with temperatures greater than 360°F (182°C). This very hot water flows up through wells in the ground under its own pressure. As it flows upward, the pressure decreases and some of the hot water boils into steam. The steam is