Abstract
Objectives : This review is to study the electricity generating energy sources in the world at large and India in particular, considering the impact on the environment and arrive at the energy sources which India needs to focus in the future. Methods : The world data on the various aspects like greenhouse emissions, deaths, health effects, levelized cost of electricity, energy return on investment, water, and land requirements for various energy sources have been studied. Findings : The need for reduction of energy from coal is clear as its emissions affect the health and contribute to climate changes. The alternative large source appears to be nuclear. Wind and solar power with low emissions of Greenhouse gases are also favored. However, wind is seasonal and solar power can be generated only during daytime which leads to low-capacity factor (~20%) compared to 32% for nuclear and 42% for Coal plants. This has also impact on the grid management. The environmental impacts of Nuclear, Coal, Solar, Wind and Hydro have been brought out in detail. More weightage is given to sources that have a higher growth rate based on the energy return on investment and environmental impacts rather than capital cost. The accidents of nuclear reactors in USA, Russia and Japan have shaken the public faith in nuclear power. The real fact that the impacts on the health of the people due to release of radiation in these accidents is negligible has been brought out. Comparison between natural and manmade radiation has been brought out. Finally, the applicability of energy sources in the context of India are discussed and a ranking approach arrived at. Recommendations : Nuclear has been favored based on the availability of natural uranium and thorium in the country and long-term energy security. Solar and wind need to be deployed, wherever possible, in view of the slow introduction of nuclear reactors due to high capital cost. Import of nuclear designs from abroad is also recommended to meet the electricity demands as a stop gap arrangement. Novelty : This study has taken a ranking approach considering most important metrices and has applied to India. Keywords: Pollution, coal, hydro, biomass, nuclear, risk, benefits
Highlights
IntroductionConventional energy sources based on coal, gas, oil, hydro and nuclear are very much helpful for the improvement in the economy of a country, but on the other hand, have their impacts on the environment
Environmental impacts are an inherent part of electricity production and energy use
Classic example is of United Kingdom, which was a forerunner in developing different types of nuclear reactors and today is dependent on Électricité de France (EDF) for nuclear plant construction as its skilled manpower is getting extinct
Summary
Conventional energy sources based on coal, gas, oil, hydro and nuclear are very much helpful for the improvement in the economy of a country, but on the other hand, have their impacts on the environment. As of 2020 the relative contributions to electricity generation are: coal-33.77%, Natural Gas-22.78%, Hydro-16.84%, Nuclear-10.12%, Wind-6.15%, Solar-3.26% and Oil-4.36% [1]. The mining of materials required for construction and manufacture of equipment besides transportation of these to site does involve energy, which is related to lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions and have some impacts on the environment. To make an objective assessment, it is essential to examine the environmental impact of all energy sources right from mining, transport, construction, operation, maintenance, and distribution. We need energy to mine and produce equipment and metals are required to make these products. If we look at biomass as a source of energy, we see a nexus between agriculture and energy
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