Energy Resources Class 6 Geography Notes Maharashtra State Board
We engage in various activities to fulfill our needs, for which we need energy. In the past, human labour and animals were used for many tasks. Gradually, man’s needs increased and with it, several changes took place in the use of energy resources and devices. Still, man mainly obtains this energy from nature. You must have realized this while answering the above questions. We use petrol, wind, natural gas, sunlight, etc. besides other resources.
Energy resources can be classified in many ways such as conventional – non-conventional, biotic-abiotic, renewable – non-renewable, substance-based – process-based, etc. Let us consider the last classification. The following table shows the characteristics of the energy resources through their classification.
| Substance-based Energy Resources | Process-based Energy Resources |
| Examples: Wood, coal, mineral oil, natural gas, waste matter, and atoms. | Examples: The sun, wind, water, tides, and heat from the earth’s interior. |
| Substances do not last perpetually. | Natural processes are perpetual. |
| Substances get used up. | Processes are always available. |
| Reuse is not possible. | Reuse is possible. |
| Availability is limited. | Availability is unlimited. |
| Takes thousands of years to replenish them. | These are easily available in nature. |
| Except for atomic energy, all other resources are biotic. | All processes are natural. |
| The generation of energy leads to pollution. | The generation of energy is pollution-free. |
| Except for atomic energy, all other resources are conventional. | All these resources are non-conventional. |
| The generation of energy is relatively cheap. | Developing the technology for the use of these resources is expensive. |
| Being inflammable, these resources cause damage to the environment. | In the long run, these energy resources are environment-friendly. |
| Type of power generation: Thermal and atomic. | Type of power generation: Thermal and kinetic. |
Using these energy resources, we can undertake the following kinds of power generation – hydel power, thermal power, atomic power, geothermal power, etc. In thermal power stations, it is necessary to burn the energy resources directly to generate electricity. Kinetic energy can also be used to generate power or electricity.
The demand for energy is constantly on the rise due to the growing needs of human beings. Solar energy and wind energy are easily available to us. However, the power generated using these resources has to be stored in sufficient quantities to ensure continuous power supply. At present, it is very expensive to store this energy. Effects are on to make these resources affordable through research.
Substance-based Energy Resources
Wood:
In villages, wood is used on a large scale for cooking on earthen stoves.
Coal:
Long ago, plant and animal remains got buried due to the earth’s movements. They were then decomposed due to pressure and heat, leaving behind the element, carbon. That is how coal was formed. Coal is used for different purposes according to its quality. Low-quality coal is used for cooking, and coke and high-quality coal are used in industries, as well as in thermal power stations.
Mineral Oil and Natural Gas:
Like coal, these were also produced due to earth movements. Mineral oil is found under the land surface and also below the ocean floor.
In most of the mineral oil wells, reserves of natural gas are also found. Mineral oil reserves are limited in nature. However, this oil is in great demand. Hence, its cost is very high. It is called ‘black gold’ because it has a blackish colour and it is costly. These energy resources are used in thermal power generation. Study the distribution of mineral oil and coal fields in India as shown in the figure.
Biogas:
Biogas can be generated from biotic waste material such as feces of animals, dead leaves, shells, etc. This energy can be used for domestic needs such as cooking, heating water, lighting lamps, etc. Some farmers have raised biogas plants in their own yards to cater to their domestic needs.
Energy from Waste Material:
Waste is generated daily on a very large scale in big, metropolitan cities. Waste disposal is a major problem in such places. This waste can be segregated to use the biotic component to generate gas. This gas can then be used to generate power. In the future, this may help to solve the problem of waste disposal in cities. Also, the cities can become self-reliant in terms of their power requirement.
The above energy resources are known as bio-fuels because they originate from the remains of dead plants and animals.
Atomic Energy:
Splitting of the atoms of minerals like uranium and thorium can be used for power generation. In this process, using very small quantities of minerals, energy can be generated on a very large scale. Only a few countries in the world like India, the U.S.A., Russia, France, and Japan use atomic energy.
Process-based Energy Resources
Hydel Power:
Hydel power is the power obtained from the kinetic energy of running water. Hydel power does not cause any degradation of the environment. Also, the water used in generating power can still be used again. Bhakra-Nangal in the Punjab and Koyna in Maharashtra are examples of this.
Nowadays, electricity can be transmitted up to a distance of 800 km from the power generation center without any transmission loss. Beyond this distance, it cannot be transmitted without loss. The power obtained from 1 kg of uranium is equivalent to the power obtained from 10,000 tonnes of coal. (One tonne = 1000 kilograms).
Wind Energy:
Man has been using this resource for hundreds of years, for example, in sailboats. But nowadays, wind energy is being utilized for power generation. For power generation, a wind speed of 40 to 50 kmph is required. Due to this wind speed, the blades of the windmills turn, generating kinetic energy. This kinetic energy is further converted into electricity.
This electricity can be used for agriculture, domestic use, and industries. In the States of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, etc. windmills have been erected at many places.
Solar Energy:
We get light and heat from the sun. We have seen that the intensity of solar energy is the maximum in the torrid zone. In a country like India which is in the torrid zone, there is a lot of scope for using this energy.
There is a solar power plant at Sakri in Dhule district of Maharashtra. Devices like cookers, lamps, heaters, and vehicles can be run on solar power. The generation of solar power depends on the intensity of sun rays and the duration of sunshine.
Tidal Energy:
Sea waves and tides are movements of ocean water that go on continuously. A technology has now been developed to generate power with the help of the speed and force of waves. Here, too, electricity is obtained from kinetic energy. This energy is pollution-free and everlasting. It can be used on a large scale in a peninsular country like India. Efforts are on to start such projects in India.
There are some large-scale solar energy projects:
- Agua Caliente Solar Project (Arizona, U.S.A.)
- California Valley Solar Unit (California, U.S.A.)
- Golmud Solar Park (China)
- Charanka Solar Park (Patan, Gujarat)
- Welspun Energy Project (Madhya Pradesh)
Geothermal Energy:
Hot water springs have always been an object of curiosity for man. They can be seen at Unapdeo, Vajreshwari, Manikaran, etc. The temperature in the earth’s interior increases by one degree Celsius (1°C) at a depth of every 32 meters. Man has now developed a process whereby this underground heat can be utilized to generate power. One such project is located at Manikaran, Himachal Pradesh in India. All the above energy resources are abiotic. They cause minimum pollution. They are also known as inexhaustible energy resources. The distance from the earth’s surface to its center is 6373 km. The temperature at the center is around 4000°C.
Energy resources must be used very carefully. The demand for energy is increasing all the time due to the growing population, urbanization, and the growing needs of man. It is necessary to use alternative and non-conventional energy resources to meet these needs. It is also necessary to use energy frugally. We must always avoid unnecessary use of electricity. It is easily possible for us to do so.
Students often rely on comprehensive Maharashtra State Board Class 6 Geography Notes Energy Resources to excel in their classes.