SUSTAINABLE USE OF POWER AND ENERGY RESOURCES
Wht is energy?
Energy: is the capacity of doing work. Energy is one of the most important of the entire world’s resource. To be able to do work one needs energy or power.
Power: Is the rate of doing work. It is equivalent to the amount of energy per unit time. We can therefore say that energy produces power and power is then used to carry out activity.
IMPORTANCE OF POWER AND ENERGY
1. It supports the development of industrial sector: Power and energy resources are used to produce energy and power, which is then used to run machines, provide light, provide electricity and provide heat for processes like welding. This leads to industrial development which is critical to the development of economics.
2. It encourages the develipment of agriculture: Power and energy are used to run heavy farm machinery such as those used to plough or harvest crops. Most of these run on diesel which is a petroleum product, this promotes the development of agriculture.
3. It facilitates the improvement of transportation systems: Motorcycles and vehicles, aeroplanes, trains and ships all need fuel to provide energy and power for them to work. This in turn promotes the movement of people and goods from one place to another.
4. It encourage the development of mining: The machines for mining and lighting inside and outside mines and other activities associated with mining, need power and energy.
5. They generate employment opportunities: Also energy and power resources have the following direct economic and social importance like source of employment, source of foreign exchange.
6. They are source of government revenue: After export the energy products outside countries and selling within the country.
7. They facilitates the expansion of trade sector: Energy resources are used as the trade items or commodities hence stimulate the development of trade.
8. They supports the improvement of living standards: Through genersting employment opportunities where people can earn icome and improve their living conditions.
9. They are sources of foreign exchange: After export of energy and power products out side countries help the respective country to earn foreign exchange.
PROBLEMS FACING POWER AND ENERGY PRODUCTION IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES LIKE TANZANIA
1. Changing in climatic conditions: Occurrence of droughts and the general reduction in rainfall may lead to a fall in water levels at waterfalls and dams at hydroelectric power stations.
2. Lack of enough capital: This problem mainly affects developing countries. It is very expensive to set up energy and power generating facilities. Developing countries are normally unable to meet these costs. Their energy and power production capabilities are therefore very limited.
3. Shortage energy resources in individual countries: Some countries have limited sources of energy. Geothermal steam and uranium, for example are not common in many countries.
4. Low level of technology: This is another problem that largely affects developing countries. Most of the power and energy exploitation technology used in developing countries is very old and therefore less efficient and also less productive.
5. Shortage of skilled personnel: this reduces efficiency in production
6. Environmental pollution: Energy and power has been blamed for polluting the environment. This has happened through spillages on land as well as through explosions in nuclear reactors.
7. Poor transportation system: this bring difficult on supply of energy resource towards the markets as well as transporting equipments toward the projects.
WAYS TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEMS WHICH LIMITS POWER AND ENDERGY PRODUCTION IN TANZANIA
1. To invest enough capital. This will facilities more power and energy production.
2. To ensure regular inspection of power generating sites.
3. To reduce the prices of energy and power products.
5. To improve the level technology: so that to improve hy production of energy and power.
6. To improve research on searching for markets and identiying more source energies.
7. To improve level of education to the labourers: This include establishment of Colleges, University and other higher learning institutions to train professionals in the energy and power production field.
8. To improves infrastructures. This will facilitates the supply of energey and power production.
MAJOR TYPES OF ENERGY RESOURCES
Energy resources are classified in to:-
i. Renewable
ii. Non rewable resources.
1. Non renewable energy resources: These are resources which once used up cannot be replaced. Are also known as exhaustible resources. Example, are Coal, Petroleum, Natural gas, Fuel wood. And nuclear resources.
2. Renewable energy or power resources: Are the resources which can be replaced after being used up. Example: Hydro electric power, Tidal energy, Solar energy, Wind power, Geothermal power, And bio-gas/biomass. They are inexhaustible and sustainable.
NB: Inexhaustible energy resources: are resources that can never be finished through use. Examples of inexhaustible energy resources are, Solar energy And wind energy.
SOURCES OF ENERGY AND POWER
1. Sun: the sun is the source of all the other sources of energy. Normally the sun produce solar energy which is tapped in various ways of human and plants. The solar energy is used for, supporting plant growth, generating electricity, drying purpose, etc.
2. Wind: this is the movement of air from the region of high pressure to the region of low pressure. Wind is used to produce wind energy. Wind energy used to produces electricity.
3. Water: this refers to water in river or waterfalls. Normally water produce hydro power. This power can be converted to produce electricity.
4. Waves and tides: These are ernegy produced by strong movement of sea water. These movements they are caused by the earth rotation and gravitational pull of the moon. Wave and tides can be tapped to produce mechanical energy and electricity.
5. Biomass: These are energy produced by existing plant and animal life in the environment. Normally biomass produces several form of energy and power. It can be tapped to produce heat energy, mechanical energy as well as light energy.
6. Coal: this refers to the fossilized organic materials. Coal it used to produce heat energy which can be converted to produce electricity.
7. Petroleum: Refers to the crude oil formed by fossilised organic matters. It used to produce heat energy, and light energy.
8. Natural gas: is the energy produced by fossilization of plant and animal materials. It used for generation of heat energy and light energy.
9. Uranium and plutonium: These are nuclear energy produced by minerals. They occur naturally. They used to produce nuclear power.
EXTRACTION OF POWER AND ENERGY RESOURCES
(A) NON RENEWABLE RESOURCES
1. COAL ENERGY
Coal: Is a black or brown rock which consists mainly of carbon. Normally coal it is used for generating electricity, heating, cooking and producing gas, cosmetics, adhesive, fertilizers, dyes, perfumes and synthetic fibers. It is tapped by burning of coal.
The coal producer countries in the world include:- USA, China, Russia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Nigeria and Tanzania.
ADVANTAGES/IMPORTANCE COAL ENERGY
1. It promotes the industrial development, especially the iron and steel industry by providing source of power.
2. It promotes employment opportunities.
3. It stimulates the development of transport. Through manufacturing of locomotives and ships.
4. It facilitates domestic activities like cooking, warming etc
5. It is used in producing other energy sources like oil and gas. E.g South Africa is using coal to produce oil.
6. It makes the country to be well known.
7. It provide foreign exchange to the country. After export of coal products.
8. It increase government income.
DISADVANTAGES/PROBLEMS OF POWER PRODUCTION
1. It leads to air pollution by emitting carbon dioxide. This leads to global warming, Sulfur dioxide which leads to acidic rain.
2. Coal production leads to land degradation.
3. Heavy and bulky coal cause the problem in transport.
4. It needs a lot of capital in exploitation.
5. Coal production contribut to loss of biodiversity.
6. It leads to accidents due to fire outbreaks and explosions.
FACTORS FOR DECLINE OF COAL DEMANDS IN THE WORLD
The demand for coal has been declining due to the following reasons:-
1. It has low value.
2. It is dirty.
3. Higher costs of production.
4. Transportation problems since it is bulky and heavy.
5. Competition from other energy sources. E.g electricity, gas which are more efficient and environmentally friendly.
2. OIL
Oil, Is also a non renewable source which produced by fossilized organic matters. It is tapped by burning.
Main producers of Oil in the world
i. Middle east
ii. USA
iii. Russia
iv. Mexico
v. China
vi. United Kingdom (UK)
USES OF OIL
1. It is used for generating electricity.
2. It used as fuel energy.
3. It used for producing petroleum gas.
4. It used for cooking.
5. It used for making fertilizers.
6. It used for manufacturing of medicine and plastics.
3. NATURAL GAS
Natural gas: Is the product of fossilized organic matters. Normally natural gas it can be used for various ways like for domestic and commercial purpose. Tanzania natural gas is extracted at Songosongo in Kilwa within the Lindi region. Natural gas deposits in Tanzania have been discovered in 1975.
The main producers of natural gas in the world
i. USA.
ii. Canada
iii. Russia.
iv. Mexico.
v. Venezuela
vi. Algeria.
vii. china
viii. Tanzania:
In Tanzania natural gas is extraced in Songosongo in Lindi region.
ADVANTAGES OF NATURAL GAS
i. It is efficient.
ii. It is clean-least polluting of the fossil fuels.
iii. It is easy to transport.
DISADVANTAGES OF NATURAL GAS
i. It explodes easily leading to destruction and death.
ii. It causes some air pollution
iii. It is exhaustible (non renewable source of energy)
4. NUCLEAR ENERGY
Nuclear energy: This is the non-renewable energy resource produced from the uranium minerals and other metal materials through reaction. It is normally produced as a result of reaction of the nucleus of the radioactive metals like uranium. The countries that have developed nuclear power stations are:-
i. Britain with about 35 power stations.
ii. the USA about 80 power stations.
iii. France with about 36 plants.
iv. The former USSR with about 43 plants.
v. Japan with about 28 plants.
Others countries engaging on nuclear power production.
i. Germany
ii. Canada
iii. Sweden
iv. Belgium.
NB: Nuclear is used in producing heat for electricity and in making nuclear bombs
ADVANTAGES OF NUCLEAR POWER
1. It is clean and produces fewer green house gases.
2. It is efficient in terms of use.
3. It is economical since it uses very small amounts of raw materials and produces little amount of waste.
4. It encourage industrial development.
PROBLEMS/DISADVANTAGES OF NUCLEAR POWER PRODUCTION
1. It contributes to environmental pollution: Radiation produced is dangerous like the chemabyl leakage in Russia which led to different problems like cancer etc.
2. Building the nuclear plant is very expensive.
3. There are problems of disposal of wastes since the wastes are radioactive.
4. It has accelerated the rate of terrorism in the world. Which involves bombing of important places like the American embassies in Kenya and Tanzania.
5. It contributes to the occurance of nuclear accidents which are very dangerous to people and environment at large.
6. It needs high technology on production and monitoring.
7. It is non renewable energy resource.
5. FUEL WOOD
Fuel wood : Is a non renewable fossil fuel produced from trees. It is tapped by burning. Normally fuel wood is common to the low economically developed countries (LDCs) in Africa and Asia. Fuel wood can be converted to charcoal by heating the fire wood under limited supply of oxygen.
ADVANTAGES OF FUEL WOOD
1. It is easily available.
2. It is not much expensive and largely obtained freely from the forest.
3. Replacement is possible by planting new trees.
PROBLEMS/DISADVANTAGES OF FUEL WOOD
1. It is not efficient.
2. Time consuming.
3. It contribute deforestation.
4. It is non renewable.
5. It contributes to the environmental pollution.
6. Fuel wood production cause desertification.
7. It contributes to climate change.
REASONS FOR HIGH USE OF FUEL WOOD IN LESS DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
1. poverty
2. Expenses of other energy resources. E.g solar power, hydroeletric power, etc.
3. Shortage of other energy resources.
4. Poor policies to control the use of fuel wood.
5. High population growth.
6. bad traditions beliefs: Some people believe that good food can be cooked by using fuel wood.
7. Poor knowledge and skills of using other sources of energy. Especially in rural areas.
8. lack of awareness of the impacts of continued use of fuel wood on the environment.
9. Fuel wood is highly available in tropical countries, due to the presence of many tropical trees.
MEASURES/WAYS TO ADDRESS/REDUCE OVER USE OF FUEL WOOD IN TANZANIA
There are various ways that can be applied to reduce and avoid the use of fuel wood Tanzania, these include:-
1. Encouraging the use of other alternatives source of energy, like solar Energy, hydro electric power, natural gas and kerosene.
2. Provision of education: Educating the local people on the economical use of energy sources or resources such as the use of modern stoves that use very small amount of fuel wood.
4. Formulating strong policies that restrict excessive use of fuel wood extraction.
5. To ensures population control: Encouraging the control of population since this also creates more demand for energy.
6. Fixing low cost of other energy resources: This will encourage many people to use other energy resources.
7. Increasing the availability of many energy resources in the country.
(B) RENEWABLE RESOURCES
1. HYDRO ELECTRIC POWER
Hydro-electric power: Is the power which generated under the influence of moving water. Normally the generation of hydroelecric power needs good regular supply of water to drive the machinery parts. It is used in the production of electricity, lighting and heating.
Examples of hydro electric power generation stations in Tanzania
i. Kidatu
ii. Mtera.
iii. Stiegler’s Gorge
iv. Kihansi in Tanzania
v. Nyumba ya Mungu.
vi. Hale hhdroelectric power station.
The leading countries in hydro electric power generation in the world
i. Canada
ii. Norway
iii. Tanzania
iv. Russia
iv. Brazil
v. China.
ADVANTAGES OF HYDROELECTRIC POWER
1. It is more environmentally friendly.
2. The reservoirs/ dams can help in mult purpose. This include flood control and provision of water in terms of shortage.
3. It stimulates industrial development. Example South Korea have benefited a lot from the electric power.
4. It facilitate the improvement of the communication system like internet services, radios, TVs and satellites that depend on electricity.
5. It generates emplyoyment opportunities to people.
6. It is renewable enegy resource.
7. It increase government revenue. Through selling electricity.
DISADVANTAGES OF HYDROELECTRIC POWER GENERATION
1. It can led to the occurrence of floods.
2. It is affected by weather conditions. Like lack of rainfall it is to easily affect it
3. It contributes to water pollution.
4. It contributes to the outbreak of water borne disease due to pollution.
5. It contributes to deforestation.
6. It contributes to soil erosion. During the construction of dams.
7. Source of inter state conflicts over the use of transboundary waters.
8. It need high capital investments.
PROBLEMS FACING HYDRO ELECTRIC POWER PRODUCTION IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES LIKE TANZANIA
1. Low level of technology.
2. Low capital investment.
3. Poor markets.
4. Competition from other energy resources. Like fuel wood.
5. Shortage of experts.
6. Fluctuation of water volume due to shortage of rainfall.
7. Poor management of hydro electric power station.
8. Excessive silting of the dams.
9. Poor living conditions. This cause the problem of poor markets due to poverty.
10. Shortage of equipments.
2. TIDAL POWER
Tidal power: Is the renewable energy resource produced by tidal waves along the coastal areas. The power is produced when the tidal water along the coast drives the turbines.
The main producers of tidal power in the world
i. France
ii. USSR
iii. China
iv. Canada.
ADVANTAGES OF TIDAL POWERS
1. It is clean and it does not pollute the environment
2. The construction of tidal project help to reduce soil erosion.
3. It helps to produce large quantity of electricity.
4. It encourage the development of fishing industry.
5. It encourage the development of tourism industry
6. It encourage the development of industrial sector.
7. It promotes employment opportunities.
DISADVANTAGES OF TIDAL POWER PRODUCTION
1. The project need high capital investment: The tidal power projects are very expensive to construct.
2. It need special sites: It cannot be established anywhere.
3. It contributes to the coastal degradation: It can lead to the destruction of the coastal areas and disruption of the shipping system.
4. The project needs advanced technology.
5. The project well trained and qualified experts.
PROBLEMS FACING DITAL POWER PRODUCTION IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES LIKE TANZANIA
1. Low level of technology.
2. Low capital investment.
3. Poor markets.
4. Competition from other energy resources. Like fuel wood.
5. Shortage of experts.
6. Poor geographical location.
9. Poor living conditions. This cause the problem of poor markets due to poverty.
10. Shortage of equipments.
3. THE SOLAR ENERGY
Solar energy: Is the energy produced by the sun. It is a renewable energy from the sun. It is used for direct heating, drying clothes and crops as well as production of electricity.
Potential areas are the tropical areas where there is abundant supply of sunshine
The leading countries in solar energy production in the world
i. USA.
ii. Indiaia
iii. Kenya at Kibwezi and Ikutha Health centers in Machakos and Kitui districts.
iv. Tanzania to a little extent.
ADVANTAGES OF SOLAR ENERGY
1. It can be used in many parts of the world.
2. It is renewable energy.
3. It is environmental friendly.
4. It is easy to establish the project.
5. It promotes tourism development in the country where there is plenty of sunshine.
6. Solar energy provides vitamin D in the bodies which is good development of strong bones.
7. It facilitates to the formation of rainfall through evaporation of water from
the earth surface.
8. It can be used in domestic purpose.
DISADVANTAGES OF SOLAR ENERGY
1. It is expensive hence needs high capital for buying some equipments.
2. It is much affected by weather condition. Especially during cloud cover there is low supply of sunshine.
3. It produce low amounts of energy compared to HEP.
4. It not sufficient energy resource.
5. It need experts to install solar panel and other equipments.
PROBLEMS FACING HIGH USE OF SOLAR ENERGY IN TANZANIA
1. Low level of technology.
2. Poverty.
3. High expensive of solar panels.
4. Competition from other energy resources. Like fuel wood.
5. Shortage of experts.
6. It is not reliable throughout the country.
7. Shortage of experts
4. WIND ENERGY
Wind energy: It is the energy produced by moving air masses. Wind energy is a renewable source of energy since it does not get exhausted.
Producers of wind energy/power in the world
i. Denmark.
ii. California
iii. United Kingdom (UK).
NB: In Tanzania there are several turbines which have been installed in Singida and Dodoma for pumping water from the ground. The group of turbines installed at a certain place is referred to as wind farm
ADVANTAGES OF WIND ENERGY
1. It is environmental friendly.
2. It is very clean energy type.
3. It is cheap to harness.
4. It cannot be limited to geographical position.
5. It is used in producing electricity through driving the turbines
DISADVANTAGES OF WIND POWER
1. It is not reliable. Winds are unpredictable and not constant, since when the wind stops the energy production also stops.
2. It cause visual pollution and noise pollution.
3. Wind power production project is so expensive.
4. It need skilled people.
5. It need advanced technology.
6. It is highly affected by wether condition.
PROBLEMS LIMITING WIND POWER PRODUCTION IN TANZANIA
1. Low level of technology.
2. Poverty.
3. Low government support.
4. Competition from other energy resources. Like fuel wood.
5. Shortage of experts.
6. It is not reliable.
7. Shortage of experts
5. GEOTHERMAL POWER
Geothermal power: It is the heat energy generated from the interior of the earth. It is a renewable source of energyenergy. It is generated through volcanic eruption like geysers and hot springs.
Countries which produce geothermal power in the world
i. Kenya.
ii. Japan.
iii. Russia.
iv. New Zealand
ADVANTAGES OF GEOTHERMAL POWERS
1. It is used for generating electricity and heat.
2. There are many potential areas for generating geothermal power. Especially where there are many volcanoes.
3. It attracts tourists and hence leads to development of tourism sector.
4. It encourages the development of communication networks like internet service which need electric power to operate.
5. It used to generate heat in the cold areas.
DISADVANTAGES OF GEOTHERMAL POWERS
1. It contributes to air pollution.
2. It can led to source of ecidic ainfall.
3. Geothermal plants are expensive to develop.
3. They are source of high temperatures.
4. geothermal may interfere from volcanism and earthquake.
SOLAR AND WIND POWER PRODUCTION IN U.S.A
The USA is technologically advanced country with a wealthy economy. It is developed country with great demand for power and energy for its industries and its large population. Solar power accounts for a very small percentage of total energy production in the USA. It is mainly exploited in the sunny areas of the country.
These include California and Nevada. The government and other bodies such as the American solar energy society continue to encourage and promote investment in solar energy. Wind power is more used compared to solar power in the USA. Wind power is used to generate about 0.7% of the total electricity production in the country. Texas is currently the largest wind power producer in the country followed by California. Wind power is tapped by use of wind mills.
THE CONTRIBUTIONS/IMPORTANCE OF SOLAR AND WIND POWER TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF USA
1. They had generated many employment opportunities in the country.
2. They had encourages the development of heavy industries in the country.
3. They had improved agricultural sector in the country
4. They facilitate environmental conservation.
5. They had stimulated the improvement of other sectors like tourism.
6. They had encouraged the development of infrastructure. Example electric trains
7. They had earned the country many foreign exchang.
PROBLEMS FACING WIND AND SOLAR ENERGY PRODUCTION IN USA
1. Change in weather conditions: due to highly dependent on the prevailing weather conditions.
2. Competition with other energies: People are still reluctant to change from the traditional energy sources such as hydropower. They are therefore slow in adapting the use of solar and wind power; hindering fast development.
3. High cost of equipment used in tapping solar and wind power: on a large scale is quite high. This has led to limited investment.
6. BIOMASS/BIOGAS
Biomass: It is a renewable energy resource in form of gases. It is produced from the decay of plants and animals matters (organic matters). The gases produced as a result of fermentation or decay of these wastes includes ethanol and methane gases.
The main producers of Biomass in the world
i. Brazil
ii. Japan.
iii. China
iv. Germany.
v. Denmark
vi. India.
vii. Tanzania.
viii. Kenya
USES OF BIOMASS OR BIOGAS
Bio gas is used for different purpose like for:-
i. It used for heating.
ii. It used for lighting.
iii. It used for generating electricity.
ADVANTAGES OF BIOMASS/BIOGAS
1. t is cheaply to produce and widely used: It is affordable in developing countries because it is not much expensive compared to other energy redource.
2. It needs intermediate technology: Biogas production it does not require high
technology.
3. It helps in waste management: since the wastes are recycled hence pollution controlled because it reduce the amount of wastes.
4. It encourage soil fertility: The remains encourage crop production.
5. It improves the living standards of the people: since people they can get energy which is cheap.
6. The gas bring in foreig currecy: After the biogas products been exported to other countries.
7. It generates employment opportunities.
DISADVANTAGES OF BIOGAS
1. It needs high care in handling: otherwise it can cause destruction after burning because of careless handling.
2. It need enough supply of wastes: People have to ensure a large and regular supply of suitable waste material which is cumbersome
3. It can be expensive to set up: Normally buying the digested requires a lot of capital
4. It contributes to environmental pollution: Emission of methane gas leads to Air pollution.
5. It need skilled people to set-up the biogas station.
PROBLEMS LIMITING/HINDERING THE WIDE SPREAD OF ENERGY AND POWER IN TANZANIA
1. Shortage of skilled labourers: There is the problem of shortage of experts who can help on establishment of different power and energy stations.
2. Poor transportation systems: This limit the process of translorting energy and power products towards the different places in the country.
3. High cost of energy resources and equipments: Most equipments used for generating energy and power resources tends to be high thus most of local people cannot afford getting them.
4. Ignorance of society: People they do not ready to accept new technology because of being using fuel wood traditionally most people have low levels of technology.
5. Siltation: This reduces the volume of water in the dams, thus reducing the capacity of of producing hydroelectric power.
6. Lack of enough capital: This hinder the whole processes of buying equipments and paying for experts.
7. Low level of technology: This hinder the effeciency of producing energy and power resources with high quality.
WAYS/STRATEGIES/MEASURE OR SOLUTIONS FOR IMPROVING POWER AND ENERGY PRODUCTION IN TANZANIA
Some of the solutions to the problems discussed before include the following:-
1. To invest enough capital: Capital is very important because will helps much on total issue of paying for labouresrs and buying equipments.
2. Training much of skilled labourers: There should be training skilled labour so as to increase the rate of production. Labourers are can be trained through establish training institution to provide skilled personnel to work in power generation plants.
3. To improve markets: There should be availability of reliable markets for the produced energy resource both internal and external markets.
4. To improves the level of technology: The level of technology should be well improved so that it can influence the production of energy resource with high quality in the markets.
5. Good government policies: The government should formulate policies which enphasize energy and power production in the country.
6. To improves infrastructure: The transport and communication systems should be well improved in the country so as to simplify the movement of energy and power products from the production sites towards the different destinations. These include both land, air and watet transport.
7. To improve more research: The research projects should much improvef so that to discover many energy sources in the country.
8. Provision more education to the societies: The societies also should be well efucated on the importance of using other altenative source of energy insteady of continuing use of fuel wood.
GUIDING QUESTIONS
1. Elaborate six significance energy and power uses to the respective countries like Tanzania.
2. Despite of having many energy and power prospects but energy and power production in Tanzania is still uphill task.
3. Why wood fuel in Tanzania is more applicable than other energy sources?
4. In six points show what should be done in order to minimize high use of fuel wood in Tanzania?
5. Discuss six problems associated with hydroelectric power generation.
6. Despite that it is environmental friendly but the use of solar energy in Tanzania is very low. Give six reasons behind this situation.
7. What should Tanzania learn from USA to improve energy and power production? Six points.
8. Despite that it is environmental friendly but the use of wind energy in Tanzania is very low. Give six reasons behind this situation.
