EEES Unit 1
Introduction to Energy Science

1. Energy and Energy Resources

Energy is the capacity to do work. Modern life depends on energy for transport, industries, agriculture, communication and domestic use.

• Conventional Energy: Coal, petroleum, natural gas, hydropower.
• Non-Conventional Energy: Solar, wind, biomass, tidal, geothermal and hydrogen energy.

2. Energy System

An energy system includes:

• Energy Source
• Energy Conversion Unit
• Transmission Network
• Storage System
• Utilization Devices

Energy Transformation: Chemical → Thermal → Mechanical → Electrical

Efficiency Formula: Efficiency = Useful Output Energy / Input Energy × 100

3. Fossil Fuels

Fossil fuels are formed from the remains of plants and animals over millions of years.

• Coal: Used in power plants and industries.
• Petroleum: Used mainly in transportation and industries.
• Natural Gas: Cleaner fossil fuel used for cooking and electricity generation.

Environmental Impacts: Air pollution, global warming, acid rain, water pollution and land degradation.

4. Coal Gasification

Coal gasification is the process of converting coal into combustible gases such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen and methane.

• Used in power generation
• Used in chemical production
• Used in synthetic fuel production
• Produces less pollution than direct coal burning

5. Renewable Energy Sources

• Solar Energy: Converts sunlight into electricity using solar panels.
• Wind Energy: Wind turbines generate electricity.
• Biomass Energy: Produced from agricultural and animal waste.
• Tidal Energy: Obtained from ocean tides.
• Hydrogen Energy: Used as clean fuel with water as by-product.

6. Sustainability and Environmental Trade-offs

Sustainability means meeting present needs without affecting the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

• Coal is cheap but highly polluting.
• Solar energy is clean but weather dependent.
• Wind energy is renewable but needs large land area.
• Nuclear energy gives high output but radioactive waste is dangerous.
• Hydrogen is clean but production is expensive.

7. Energy Storage Systems

• Pumped Storage Hydropower: Stores water at height and releases it during high demand.
• Batteries: Lithium-ion and solid-state batteries used in EVs and solar systems.
• SMES: Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage stores energy in magnetic fields.

Importance: Grid stability, renewable energy integration and backup power supply.

1. Explain Energy Systems and Energy Resources in detail.
2. Explain Fossil Fuels and their Environmental Impacts.
3. Explain Renewable Energy Sources in detail.
4. Explain Energy Storage Systems and their importance.
5. Explain Sustainability and Environmental Trade-offs of Energy Systems.
6. Explain Coal Gasification with applications and advantages.
7. Explain Hydrogen Energy as a clean fuel.
8. Explain Energy Conservation and different methods of energy conservation.
9. Explain Green Building and its importance.
10. Explain Solar Energy with advantages, disadvantages and applications.

Most Repeated Questions

• What are the primary goals of sustainability?
• How can our energy system be more Earth-friendly?
• What is energy conservation? Write different methods.
• Explain the concept of Green Building.
• Describe energy efficiency and its importance.

Most Expected Questions

Topic	Importance
Sustainability	★★★★★
Energy Conservation	★★★★★
Green Building	★★★★★
Renewable Energy	★★★★★
Fossil Fuels	★★★★☆
Solar Energy	★★★★☆
Wind Energy	★★★★☆
Hydrogen Energy	★★★★☆

Must Prepare

• Sustainability and its goals
• Energy Conservation methods
• Green Building
• Renewable Energy Sources
• Fossil Fuels and Environmental Impacts
• Solar Energy and Wind Energy
• Hydrogen Energy