1 CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION TO ENERGY RESOURCES
Definitions and terminologies
Units of energy:
KJ, KW, MW, TOE and TCE
Comparative units:-Ton of Oil Equivalent Oil (TOE) and Ton of Coal Equivalent (TCE)
TCE -a calorific value of 29, 000 kJ/kg, TOE -a calorific value of 42, 000 kJ/kg
1.1 Classification of energy sources
1. Commercial energy: - energy sources which can be sold, normally coal, oil and gas as
well as electricity. In certain cases, firewood and charcoal may also be considered as
commercial energy sources. Commercial energy is mainly used for industrial purposes.
2. Traditional energy: - this is normally wood, agricultural wastes, cow dung etc.
Traditional energy is mainly used to meet household needs like cooking and heating,
although sometimes also used in providing energy for traditional industries like
blacksmith.
3. Conventional energy -oil, coal and gas as well as electricity.
4. Renewable energy sources: - wind, solar, biomass, hydro, tide etc.
5. Non-conventional sources of energy -all other than oil, coal and gas.
6. Alternatives energy are mainly energy sources which were meant to replace oil, coal and
gas. e.g. solar, wind, nuclear etc
1.2 Energy demand and consumption history
Since 1857 when the industrial utilisation of coal started, there has been four characteristic
periods, which categorizes the energy consumption and hence pricing. These are:
1. Period of wasteful utilisation of energy: 1857 – 1939,
2. Second World War: 1939-1945 (1949),
3. Period of cheap energy: 1950 – 1971, and
4. Period of Energy crisis 1971/73 and 1983
1.2.1 Period of wasteful utilisation of energy
This period was characterised by the following:
1. Importance was given to the finished product and not the quantity of material or energy
consumed to realize its production.
2. Coal was the main fuel
3. Energy wasting conversion and process equipment were utilized
4. There was no knowledge for the need of energy conservation.
5. There was no motivation for energy conservation
1
, 1.2.2 Second World War, 1939-1945(50)
1. Due to interruption of the war, the supply of energy from producing countries to
consuming countries was interfered with.
2. Large energy consuming industries especially those for the production of war equipment
and machinery, were established. The demand for energy therefore shot-up.
3. Due to the two factors above, a temporary shortage of energy was experienced in
developed countries.
4. Because the need to keep the war industries running was of high priority, conventional
energy (coal, oil and gas) was reserved for the war industries. Alternative sources of
energy were to be searched for the other consumers.
5. Factor 4 above led to rapid developments of alternatives sources of energy. Several
Gasification units were developed and several wind mill and biogas projects came up.
6. For the first time, the idea of energy conservation in the industries was mooted and some
industries took steps to reduce their energy demand through proper housekeeping.
7. Because of high cost of conventional energy and the high risks involved in depending on
it, financing alternative energy projects was justified.
1.2.3 Period of cheap energy, 1950-1970
1. After the war, peace prevailed and people embarked on the task of reconstruction.
2. Rapid development in oil exploration business, took place.
3. Oil became available and so cheap that it was the preferred fuel compared to coal, which
was considered dirty form of energy for power generation due to high emissions of NOx
and SO2 associated with it.
4. The cheap oil price also lead to abandoning of all projects of alternative energy sources
developed during the war. Wind mill, biogas digestion and gasification, all became more
expensive sources of energy than oil and therefore less attractive,
5. Energy conservation measures, which, were started with steam during the war, also
became less attractive because they too involved heavy initial investment and operation
costs, which some industries did not want to undertake.
1.2.4 Energy crisis 1971/73 and 1983
1. There was war between Israel and Arabs
2. Arabs felt that all the western countries were supporting the Israel
3. Arabs countries were then the main supplier of oil to most western countries.
4. They decided to stop selling their oil to these countries
2
INTRODUCTION TO ENERGY RESOURCES
Definitions and terminologies
Units of energy:
KJ, KW, MW, TOE and TCE
Comparative units:-Ton of Oil Equivalent Oil (TOE) and Ton of Coal Equivalent (TCE)
TCE -a calorific value of 29, 000 kJ/kg, TOE -a calorific value of 42, 000 kJ/kg
1.1 Classification of energy sources
1. Commercial energy: - energy sources which can be sold, normally coal, oil and gas as
well as electricity. In certain cases, firewood and charcoal may also be considered as
commercial energy sources. Commercial energy is mainly used for industrial purposes.
2. Traditional energy: - this is normally wood, agricultural wastes, cow dung etc.
Traditional energy is mainly used to meet household needs like cooking and heating,
although sometimes also used in providing energy for traditional industries like
blacksmith.
3. Conventional energy -oil, coal and gas as well as electricity.
4. Renewable energy sources: - wind, solar, biomass, hydro, tide etc.
5. Non-conventional sources of energy -all other than oil, coal and gas.
6. Alternatives energy are mainly energy sources which were meant to replace oil, coal and
gas. e.g. solar, wind, nuclear etc
1.2 Energy demand and consumption history
Since 1857 when the industrial utilisation of coal started, there has been four characteristic
periods, which categorizes the energy consumption and hence pricing. These are:
1. Period of wasteful utilisation of energy: 1857 – 1939,
2. Second World War: 1939-1945 (1949),
3. Period of cheap energy: 1950 – 1971, and
4. Period of Energy crisis 1971/73 and 1983
1.2.1 Period of wasteful utilisation of energy
This period was characterised by the following:
1. Importance was given to the finished product and not the quantity of material or energy
consumed to realize its production.
2. Coal was the main fuel
3. Energy wasting conversion and process equipment were utilized
4. There was no knowledge for the need of energy conservation.
5. There was no motivation for energy conservation
1
, 1.2.2 Second World War, 1939-1945(50)
1. Due to interruption of the war, the supply of energy from producing countries to
consuming countries was interfered with.
2. Large energy consuming industries especially those for the production of war equipment
and machinery, were established. The demand for energy therefore shot-up.
3. Due to the two factors above, a temporary shortage of energy was experienced in
developed countries.
4. Because the need to keep the war industries running was of high priority, conventional
energy (coal, oil and gas) was reserved for the war industries. Alternative sources of
energy were to be searched for the other consumers.
5. Factor 4 above led to rapid developments of alternatives sources of energy. Several
Gasification units were developed and several wind mill and biogas projects came up.
6. For the first time, the idea of energy conservation in the industries was mooted and some
industries took steps to reduce their energy demand through proper housekeeping.
7. Because of high cost of conventional energy and the high risks involved in depending on
it, financing alternative energy projects was justified.
1.2.3 Period of cheap energy, 1950-1970
1. After the war, peace prevailed and people embarked on the task of reconstruction.
2. Rapid development in oil exploration business, took place.
3. Oil became available and so cheap that it was the preferred fuel compared to coal, which
was considered dirty form of energy for power generation due to high emissions of NOx
and SO2 associated with it.
4. The cheap oil price also lead to abandoning of all projects of alternative energy sources
developed during the war. Wind mill, biogas digestion and gasification, all became more
expensive sources of energy than oil and therefore less attractive,
5. Energy conservation measures, which, were started with steam during the war, also
became less attractive because they too involved heavy initial investment and operation
costs, which some industries did not want to undertake.
1.2.4 Energy crisis 1971/73 and 1983
1. There was war between Israel and Arabs
2. Arabs felt that all the western countries were supporting the Israel
3. Arabs countries were then the main supplier of oil to most western countries.
4. They decided to stop selling their oil to these countries
2
