22-06-2012, 12:07 PM
SEMINAR ON SOLAR ENERGY IN 2020
Abstract
The growing demand for energy has necessitated the need for finding alternative means for meeting the increasing demand. Looking at the present urban scenario, its easy to say that the demand growth will increase very rapidly by 2020.To reduce this demand-supply gap, renewable sources have to be developed.
INTRODUCTION
Energy is the fundamental to daily life. Whether it is providing lights for our class rooms, refrigeration for our food and medicine, pumps to irrigate our crops or else to run our commercial and industrial enterprises, energy provides the means for economic growth, social and political development. [2] Change in this urban scenario, and improvement in living standards have increased the requirement of electricity and other energy systems. There is a fast growing demand of energy now in the present day. The demand of energy is growing at a faster rate than the generation.
ENERGY DEMAND IN PRESENT DAY AND IN 2020
Worldwide, some 2 billion people are currently without electricity, which is one of the most important part of energy. Developing countries use 30% of global energy. Rapid population growth, combined with economic growth, will rapidly increase that percentage in the next 10 years. [1]. World energy consumption is projected to increase by 59% from the present day to 2020. Much of the growth in worldwide energy use is expected in the developing world [6].
WHY SOLAR AMONG REST ALL SOURCES
The majority of renewable energy technologies are directly or indirectly powered by the sun. The Earth-Atmosphere system is in equilibrium such that heat radiation into space is equal to incoming solar radiation, the resulting level of energy within the Earth-Atmosphere system can roughly be described as the Earth's "climate." The sun also drives our climate – wind, clouds and thus also rains are a result of solar irradiance. Similarly, sunshine is essential to biomass. This is why wind energy, hydropower and biomass are included under the concept of solar energy in a wider sense.
HOW TO USE SOLAR POWER
Solar energy in a broader sense can be used in three ways:
1. Solar thermal collectors use the solar radiation falling on them to heat tap water (and, to a lesser extent, to heat water for space heating).
2. Photovoltaic modules convert solar radiations directly into electricity.
3. Solar thermal power plants use solar heat by concentrating solar radiation (for instance, using mirror focussed upon a ―solar power tower‖, by means of parabolics troughs) and then conveying the energy of the heater to a turbine and then to a Stirling engine.
THIN FILM PHOTOVOLTAIC
The world thin-film photovoltaic (TFPV) market is forecast to reach $7.2 billion by 2015, compared to just over $1.0 billion today. The market is being driven by the inherent advantages of TFPV including low cost, low weight, and the ability to manufacture on flexible substrates and embed solar power capabilities into walls, roofs and even windows. Unlike more conventional PV that uses crystalline silicon, TFPV also has the ability to operate under low light conditions.
CONCLUSION:
Looking at the present day scenario, the problem of huge power demand in 2020 can be very easily tackled, provided the world utilizes the abundant renewable energy available, specially the solar energy, as its available easily in most parts of the world. Many developed countries like Japan, Germany and North America, have started exploiting and developing the solar resource and thereby, have set up a good example for the developing and the backward countries to follow the same. By doing so, most of the demands of energy can be easily met, thus saving our country.