Question

Q6. We all know that, power generation through fossil fuels creates more environmental impacts on the earth. You are much worried about increasing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. In this situation, as an engineer (i) what are the alternative sources will you suggest for energy generation (mention four alternative energy sources). (ii) Mention the conversion process and uses of energy sources that are suggested by you. (iii) Mention any two dominant alternative energy source in Oman.

Answer 1

Some various alternative sources for energy generation are:-

a)Hydroelectric Energy -  Hydroelectricity, is a form of energy that is produced from the power of water which is allowed to flow in motion.Commonly generated by constructing high head reserviours such as Dams.The potential energy of water stored at higher level is allowed to fall thus produces kinetic energy. This kinetic energy is converted to electrical energy.

b)Wind Energy - Wind energy is the energy drawn from wind to provide the mechanical energy through turbines and turn electric generators thus produces energy. Eventually the initial cost is high but in future as it is a renewable source of energy it is sustainable and everlasting .A complete gear system mechanisms plays a crucial role within the turbine which converts the wind energy to electricity

c)Solar Energy -Solar energy is the form of energy drawn from the sun which is further converted into heat or electric Energy . Solar energy is the form of energy which widely used around the globe.This form of energy is drawn from photovoletic cells which comes as panels which absorbs solar heat and converts it to electricity

d)Nuclear Energy - Nuclear energy is normally generated from the reactions ie., the nuclear reactions that release nuclear energy which tends and generates heat, which is further used in steam turbines to produce electricity. Nuclear energy is mainly obtained from three reactions, they are nuclear fission, nuclear fusion and nuclear decay reactions

The two dominant alternative energy source in Oman are

1) Solar Energy 2) Energy from Fossil Fuels