The new horizons of
energy
Every Pakistani is crazy about the American visa because
it is a rich country. What does make a country rich?
These are resources and their best utilization. Energy
is top of the list among these resources. Life is the
function of energy. The biggest source of energy on our
earth is the sun. Life in all forms consumes the energy
rewarded by the sun. Nature has scattered energy
abundantly in the universe. It is in force everywhere in
the forms of fire, water, air, light, and gravity. It is
manifested in each and every atom. The talented nations
explore all the available resources of energy and get
the predetermined objects of prosperity and development.
The man of today uses more energy than the past. It will
not be improper to say that as the human flourishing,
becoming the slave of energy. No electricity means
stoppage and blockage of life.
Nature knows well the vitality of energy, so abundantly
resources are granted to man. Pakistan is also bestowed
unlimited resources of energy in the forms of river,
fossil fuel, solar, wind, tidal, radiant and nuclear
energies. Above mentioned kinetic and potential energies
can be easily converted in to chemical, mechanical and
electrical energies. No doubt solar, wind and hydro
energies are cheap and free from pollution while thermal
(coal, gas, petroleum) and nuclear energies are costlier
and have serious side effects. A lot of heat and
pollution are emitted in the atmosphere by using these
methods. If heat and pollution emission remain continue
Man will have to meet heat death consequently.
The question arises why do we prefer electrical energy?
The answer is because electrical energy is readily
converted into other kinds of energy. Electrical energy
in the form of electrical current is turned into radiant
energy in a light bulb, into chemical energy when a
storage battery is charged, into mechanical energy in an
electric motor, into heat in an electric oven. In each
case the current performs work on the device it passes
through, and the device then transforms this work into
another kind of energy.
In an economy the importance of electricity is like
blood that circulates and delivers oxygen to the each
part of the body. The prosperity of every country is
highly dependent on affordable and reliable electricity.
The consumption of electricity is the gauge of economic
health of a country. It is fact that consumption of
electricity leads and stimulates the economic growth and
expands employment opportunities. Lack of electricity
precludes industrial growth affecting all sectors of the
economy.
GENERATING OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY
Electricity is a secondary form of energy. It is
converted form of primary source (fossil fuel, hydro,
solar, radiant, wind and nuclear energy). Converting
primary source of energy into electrical energy there
are three factors considerable.
1. Price factor
1. After effect factor.
1. Location factor.
2.
PRICE FACTOR.
It includes price of primary source, investment both on
converting machinery, transmission and distribution of
electrical energy. Cost per unit plays decisive role in
taking decision that what kind of energy should be
utilized as a primary source. Preference is given to the
local and cheap source. No doubt consumption of
electricity is the gauge of economic health of a country
and price per unit is the factor that inflates or
deflates this economic gauge. At present total power
production capacity in Pakistan is about 19500 mw out of
which power is only 6500 mw and balance of 13000 mw is
thermal either using natural gas or furnace oil. Small
capacity of 450 mw is nuclear and only 150 mw is through
coal. It was estimated in 2000 that Pakistan will face
sever power shortage of approximately 6000 mw by the
year 2010 and 30700 mw by the year2020. The prediction
of first half proved true. The per capita energy
consumption in Pakistan is 14 mbtu that is among the
lowest in the world. In China and Malaysia per capita
energy consumption is 34 and 92 respectively. In
Washington state in 1993 the per capita energy
consumption was 218 mbtu (Million British Thermal
Unit).If we want to become equivalent of above mentioned
countries, we will have to enhance our electric
production by 2.42 time (47357 mw) to meet China, 6.57
time (128142 mw) to meet Malaysia and 15.57 time (303642
mw) to meet Washington state of U.S.A.
Pakistan is using furnace oil for its thermal power
plants. When its price was 49 rupees per kg and one kg
furnace oil produce 3.8 kwh of electricity, the per unit
of electricity cost was 13 rupees (49÷3.8). The fixed
cost of thermal plant works out by about 3 rupees per
unit. In this way one unit (kWh) of the electricity
produced by all thermal plants using furnace oil is 16
rupees. Add to the transmission and distribution cost
including line loses is 6 rupees. The total cost of such
electricity works out approximately 22 rupees per kwh.
So the electricity generating authorities have to give
subsidy of 425 billion. Hydel and gas energy is reducing
the deficit. The government does not have the resources
to pay such a huge subsidy. It is not feasible to
increase the power tariff due to political pressure.
Therefore the power crises are far greater than what is
being perceived. The government is in the horns off
dilemma. If the government increases the electricity
production it means increases in subsidy, and if it does
not do so then be ready to meet the economic ruins and
end of political carrier.
AFTER EFFECTS FACTOR
It is highly thinkable that on what environmental cost
we are getting electricity? It is admitted fact that 98%
species that ever lived went extinct due to unfavorable
and inhospitable environment. Drastic environmental
changes resulted in elimination of such species in the
past and will take place in future. Volcanic eruption,
meteorite or comet impact may be the causative agents of
the mass extinction. The record of fossil fuels reveals
that the extinction of species occurred unevenly.
Volcanic dust or droplets blocked the sun, causing
global cooling or carbon dioxide and extreme green house
gases released as a result of volcanic eruption may have
raised the temperature or gases produced acid rain and
depleted the ozone layer creating conditions
inhospitable to species. Are we not creating the same
situation by using unlimited pollution generating fuels?
No doubt fossil fuels are excellent source of energy at
present for our transportation needs. However they are
also the primary source of electrical energy in the
world today. The world power demands are expected to
rise 60%by 2030. The International Energy Agency (IEA)
estimates that fossil fuels will account for 85 %of the
energy market by 2030. Coal power plants account for 52
% of the world energy demand. We as a world burn 1.9
billion tons of coal in a year to generate electricity.
Burning of 1.9 billion tons coal means huge air
pollution, smog, acid rain, global warming and air
toxics. The longer- term effects of climate change means
that the pollen season has become longer and may people
hay fever symptoms also last longer.
A typical coal plant generates;
(1) 37, 00,000 tons of carbon dioxide, the primary human
cause of global warming. 161 million trees are required
to combat the situation.
(2) 10,000 tons of sulfur dioxide which causes acid rain
that damages forests, lakes, buildings and forms small
air born particles which can cause chronic bronchitis,
aggravated asthma and premature death, as well as haze
obstructing visibility.
(3) 10,200 tons of nitrogen makes people susceptible to
respiratory illness.
(4) 720 tons of carbon monoxide, becomes the cause of
headache.
(5) 220 tons of hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds
(voc), form bad ozone on ground level.
(6) 170 pounds of mercury, where just 1/70th of a
teaspoon deposited on a 25 acre lake can make the fish
unsafe to eat.
(7) 225 pounds of arsenic may become the cause of
cancer.
(8) 114 pounds of lead, 4 pounds of cadmium and other
toxic heavy metals may occur.
The World Resources Institute reports that between the
year of 2000 and 2020, 8 million deaths world wide could
possibly occur without changing present conditions of
pollution.
Pollution by burning Furnace oil
It is rich in heavy carbons, sulfur, soot forming
ingredients and other irritants. Its poor combustion
discharge pollutants into the atmosphere. Furnace oil
emits a lot of heat and green house gases.
Petroleum
Petroleum derived contaminants constitute one of the
most prevalent source of environmental degradation in
the industrialized world. It is also a key component of
urban smog and creates human health problems when
present in the lower atmosphere. Particulate mater is
directly emission in vehicle exhaust and can also form
bad ozone from the reaction of exhaust gases with water
vapor and sunlight. Some scientists believe that the
burning of petroleum fuels contribute to global climate
change
NUCLEAR REACTORS.
It is a project of multi-billions. Its cost can be
divided into four parts; (A) The construction cost of
the building (B) The operating cost of running the plant
and generating energy. (C) The cost of waste disposal
from the plant. (D) The cost of decommissioning
(demolishing) the plant. Its roughly estimated cost is
12 to 15 billion dollars. Its average life is 30 to 60
years. Its dismantling cost is one billion dollars. This
takes no account of what will happen in the future,
whether we remain successful in controlling the radio
activities or not. The decommissioning involves many
administrative and technical actions.
It is estimated that it will cost at least £ 70 billions
to decommission the existing U.K nuclear sites.
Nuclear reactors generate heat internally; to remove
this heat and convert it into useful electrical power a
coolant system is used. For this purpose cool water is
used in million liters. In this way nuclear power plants
emit a huge quantity of heat in the atmosphere. No doubt
there is zero rate of green house gas emission during
generation. It reduces the world s dependences on oil
and oil based pollutants. Nuclear energy is
comparatively low cost energy, but the initial
investment is very hard to manage for a poor country.
There are sever risks involve; its one major incident is
unacceptable. Nuclear waste remains deadly for thousands
of years.
HEALTH AND GREENHOUSE GASES.
Global warming or the greenhouse effect is an
environmental issue that deals with the potential global
climate change due to increased level of atmospheric
greenhouses gases. There are certain gases in our
atmosphere that serve to regulate the amount of heat
that is kept close to the earth’s surface. Scientists
theorize that an increase in the greenhouse gases will
translate in to increased temperature around the globe,
which would result in many disastrous environmental
effects. According to a report 2001, over the next 100
years global average temperature will rise by between
2.4 and 10.4degree Fahrenheit. The principle greenhouse
gases include water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane,
nitrogen and some engineered chemicals such as
chlorofluorocarbons. Greenhouse gases level have been
increasing due to the widespread burning of fossil fuel
by human population. The reduction of greenhouse gases
emission has become a primary focus of environmental
program in countries around the world.
TEMPERATURE AND SURVIVAL OF OUR CIVILIZATION
It is precise time for alarm. We are pumping carbon
dioxide in the atmosphere faster we thought, in the
1960’s average growth was 0.7 PPM (parts per million) a
year. But in the last five years it has been at 2 PPM
which is more or less proportional to the rate at which
we are burning fossil fuels. Our temperature trajectory
is looking more dramatic. One such mechanism is the
prospect of widespread melting of Arctic ice, which
would rapidly release vast amount of stored carbon and
methane into the atmosphere. This would increase
temperature as much as 10ºC by the end of the century.
And no amount of cuts in the use of fossil fuel or
emission of hot gases can stop the process once it
starts. The thing is not known by any one that at what
point this feedback mechanism might kick in. It happens
after 5ºC of warming, or it may start after just 3ºC or
even less. Beyond this tipping point, the impact on us
would be dramatic. If positive feedback sends the
warming process spinning out of control, then the
consequences for life on earth as a whole will be
catastrophic. Human society depends on a relatively
intact biosphere for its continued survival. Methane is
a powerful green house gas. It has 30 times more global
warming potential than carbon dioxide. Millions of tons
are being released in to the atmosphere from beneath the
arctic seabed. Underground stores of methane are
important because scientists believe that the sudden
release as in the past been responsible for the rapid
increase in the global temperature, dramatic change to
the climate, and even the mass extinction of species. We
as a world are sitting on the methane time bomb and
global warming may pull the trigger any time. The arctic
ice is working as an impermeable barrier that sealed in
methane.
TEMPERATURE AND HUMAN PRODUCTIVITY.
Scientific studies confirm that indoor temperature can
significantly impact on human productivity. The most
performing comfort zone lies between 22ºC and 25ºC. NASA
studies have shown that human productivity falls 3.6%for
every degree above 25ºC and 4.7% above 32ºC.
L0CATION FACTOR
It is important to keep in mind that where the primary
source of energy is available, because the high voltage
electric transmission costs a lot. Above ground lines
the cost is around $10 per foot and under ground lines
cost is in range of $20 to 40 per foot. Above ground
lines it is easy to repair and less time consuming
compare to under ground. It affects the rate of per kWh
due to more expensive maintenance, line loses and
management. Long distances means more chances of
electric failure and attractive targets to terrorists.
Pakistan is one of the most polluted countries in the
world. Due to pollution we, our successors and wild life
are in the jeopardy of elimination. Greenhouse gases are
increasing the temperature of the globe. Due to
excessive utilization of fossil fuel, toxic gases are
penetrating in the atmosphere. If the emission of so
many gases continues our ecosystem may collapse, our
blood chemistry may change, our immune system may fail
or our soil may refuse to give crop production. Due to
excessive pollution our health care cost has already
increased. Air pollution may trigger respiratory
disease, heart diseases, chronic bronchitis, aggravated
asthma and premature deaths.
PROJECT TECHNOLOGY
Analogous to water flow in the river, there is flow of
traffic on the roads. Running vehicles have sufficient
weight that move along with covering the distances. A
car has approximately 1000 kg weight. This moving weight
can be utilized to generate power. For this purpose we
will use small air pumps that will be installed on the
roads. Just like cat eyes on the roads. These pumps will
not create hurdles in the flow of traffic. When the tyre
of the vehicle will press the pump, it will press the
air, present in the chamber of the pump. While passing
through the pipes, this compressed air will be
processed. The air will be filtered to strain the metal
and dust particles and then washed by passing through
the water. Water is a good solvent, so it will change
the chemistry of air and detoxify the toxicity of the
pollutants.
Then this refined air will be stored in the air tank.
When the needle of the pressure gauge will touch the
required pressure level, the compressed air will be
released on the turbine to turn it. The turbine will
change the compressed air energy into mechanical energy.
The mechanical energy can be converted in to electrical
energy very easily by using generator. The project
objectives are;
1. Generation of electrical energy through renewable
source on massive scale
2. Reduction in green house gases and global warming
3. Lustration of already existed air pollution
4. Avoidance of line losses and expensive on long
networking
5. Reduction in air temperature
6. More oxygen for man rather than burning in power
generating plants
A crossing where passes thirty vehicles per minute (one
vehicle=1000 KG or one ton and thirty vehicles mean 30
tons per minute) can;
(A). Generate 4 to 5 megawatt electricity.
(B). lustrate one lac pound air.
(C).Down the temperature by 10º Celsius.
Modern society is significantly more robust than any
that have come before; primarily we wield the power of
information. With the accumulated knowledge of thousand
of years of human history, we can better understand the
causes of problems in the hope of avoiding them. In the
past many civilizations collapsed in isolation without
affecting the rest of the world. Societies today are so
interconnected that the risk we face is of a worldwide
decline. The world has become the global village, so
even a local calamity may drag the rest of the world
drawn with it. Secondly to maximize the chances of
success, today Man is well equipped with artificial
intelligence and accumulated knowledge of human history.
He is in a better position to cope with the problems
relating health, energy and pollution. Even than the Man
fails, it will be a great tragedy, failure of all human
beings and end of life on earth.
Ihsan-ul-haq
Cell 0322-6332632
Email: Ihsan_haq54 @yahoo.com
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