Energy is the currency of change in the world. It makes things happen and is literally the force driving our lives. That is why, it is in great demand always. But there is and unprecedented shortage due to population explosion and technological development. Energy has become the most important commodity, that it dictates the national as well as international policies and politics.
Energy is converted into various forms for usage in factories, transport, communication networks and myriad other operations. So far, energy from fossil fuels like coal, petroleum and natural gas formed the primary source. According to the International energy Annual, these three resources accounted for 38.74 %, 23.05 % and 23.75 % respectively of the total world consumption of energy in 2001. Hydroelectric and nuclear electric power accounted only for 6.64 % respectively of world's largest total consumption.
India's oil requirements are met largely with imports from abroad. Over 70 % of the country's crude oil needs are imported while domestic fields like Bombay High are showing stagnation. With war clouds in the air, gradually a steep rise in prices of petrol and diesel are witnessed. Even if the government takes effort to import, India has the capacity to stock oil only for 45 days.
In 1973, the OPEC - Organization of petroleum exporting countries was formed. It drilled oil from oil wells and exported to other countries. It helped to stabilize the prices by reviewing the demand - supply gap. With increasing industrialization and globalization, the demand for fuels is on the rise. Conventional fuels like coal and natural gases are getting depleted due to increase in utilzation.
Cola-fired thermal stations and hydel units are the major sources of electric power generation in India. Though the capacity for the power production is increasing, due to growing population, it is insufficient. Our coal reserves will last for another 30 years only, at this rate of consumption. Also the Indian coal has a high ash content, which lead to health hazards and environment pollution. So, there should be a gradual shift natural sources like wind, sun, geothermal, ocean, bio gas, biomass can form good substitutes. India is repository of these resources which can be harnessed and used to meet our growing and used to meet our growing demand.
Showing posts with label Essays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Essays. Show all posts
Monday, March 22, 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
NUCLEAR ENERGY- A BLESSING OR A CURSE- ESSAY
Today the world is developing in leaps and bounds. Due to this, there is a growing need for
electricity. Though substantial development has taken place in power generation in India since independence, the energy shortage of 11.5% during lean time and 18% shortage during peak
time is plaguing our economy. In order to meet the increasing demands, India will have to increase imports of crude oil by 90% by 2010. A developing country which has to depend on external supplies will become vulnerable to other countries. To overcome shortage, renewable energy from diverse sources like biomass, solar energy, wind energy, hydel, geothermal, ocean energy projects are being set up. India's renewable energy programme is one of the worlds largest power programmes.
But these resources have their limitations. Only a small contribution can got from all these programmes put together. It is for reason, India is keen on establishing nuclear power stations in India. There are, at present 14 nuclear power plants and with the critacality attained by the Tarapur Atomic power plant recently, the present installed nuclear power capacity is raised to 4120 M We. Electricity produced in these plants helps to meet only 3 % of the demand. But there is scope for immense growth. India has a number of nuclear research and development centers with engineering technologies, huge manpower with construction and operational expertise. Bhaba Atomic research center (BARC) has designed a reactor ATBR, tailor-made for using thorium, taking into account the economy and safety factors. India has large thorium reserves capable of producing 300,000 M We of electricity over 3000 years. As there is a relative slackness in countries like America, nuclear plant manufacture are looking upon China and India as potential markets. India targets to raise nuclear plant to 20,000 M We 2020 and 40,000 by 2030.
Another advantage of nuclear energy is that, it does not depend on local factors. Unlike a hydroelectric plant which has to located near a water source or the solar panels to the setup in tropical zones, nuclear plants can be set up in any place. Now all safety measures are given top priority-even seismic resistant techniques are being installed. All efforts to dispose off the nuclear waste is also taken care of. Power is produced in nuclear reactors by slow chain reaction. When the chain reaction takes place rapidly, the result will be a nuclear explosion that will kill or maim a number of people as in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Nuclear energy is, at present being used in submarines, satellites, defence, etc. Each country is developing nuclear weapons to protect themselves from potential enemies. It si used beneficially in the treatment of cancer and in detecting cell damage. It is also used to preserve food, so that it can save millions of people by giving them good food. So, if the countries vying with each other to develop nuclear energy destructive purposes, make all efforts to use it for constructive means, then it will be a great boon mankind.
electricity. Though substantial development has taken place in power generation in India since independence, the energy shortage of 11.5% during lean time and 18% shortage during peak
time is plaguing our economy. In order to meet the increasing demands, India will have to increase imports of crude oil by 90% by 2010. A developing country which has to depend on external supplies will become vulnerable to other countries. To overcome shortage, renewable energy from diverse sources like biomass, solar energy, wind energy, hydel, geothermal, ocean energy projects are being set up. India's renewable energy programme is one of the worlds largest power programmes.
But these resources have their limitations. Only a small contribution can got from all these programmes put together. It is for reason, India is keen on establishing nuclear power stations in India. There are, at present 14 nuclear power plants and with the critacality attained by the Tarapur Atomic power plant recently, the present installed nuclear power capacity is raised to 4120 M We. Electricity produced in these plants helps to meet only 3 % of the demand. But there is scope for immense growth. India has a number of nuclear research and development centers with engineering technologies, huge manpower with construction and operational expertise. Bhaba Atomic research center (BARC) has designed a reactor ATBR, tailor-made for using thorium, taking into account the economy and safety factors. India has large thorium reserves capable of producing 300,000 M We of electricity over 3000 years. As there is a relative slackness in countries like America, nuclear plant manufacture are looking upon China and India as potential markets. India targets to raise nuclear plant to 20,000 M We 2020 and 40,000 by 2030.
Another advantage of nuclear energy is that, it does not depend on local factors. Unlike a hydroelectric plant which has to located near a water source or the solar panels to the setup in tropical zones, nuclear plants can be set up in any place. Now all safety measures are given top priority-even seismic resistant techniques are being installed. All efforts to dispose off the nuclear waste is also taken care of. Power is produced in nuclear reactors by slow chain reaction. When the chain reaction takes place rapidly, the result will be a nuclear explosion that will kill or maim a number of people as in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Nuclear energy is, at present being used in submarines, satellites, defence, etc. Each country is developing nuclear weapons to protect themselves from potential enemies. It si used beneficially in the treatment of cancer and in detecting cell damage. It is also used to preserve food, so that it can save millions of people by giving them good food. So, if the countries vying with each other to develop nuclear energy destructive purposes, make all efforts to use it for constructive means, then it will be a great boon mankind.
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