Accepted Papers - 3.pdf - UNESCO

National Seminar on Rainwater Harvesting and Water Management 11-12 Nov. 2006, Nagpur
64. Solar Ponds : An Effective Method of Power (Energy) Generation and
Water Conservation
1. Introduction
Water is a wellspring of our lives. Our Earth
seems to be unique among the other known celestial
bodies. With two thirds of the earth’s surface covered
by water and the human body consisting of 75
percent of it, it is evidently clear that water is one of
the prime elements responsible for life on earth.
Water regenerates and is redistributed through
evaporation, making it seem endlessly renewable.
It is a resource, which communities managed with
*Ishan Purohit *M. L. Dewal *V. N. Kala
Abstract
Energy and Electricity generation from water through hydro electric power plants is
an effective, efficient and environmentally renewable energy technology. But power
generation from water through this method is very expansive due to involvement of huge
economical/capital investment, process of migration, construction and infrastructure, high
transmission and distribution losses, etc. In addition, in the mechanism of power generation
using the effect of tides i.e. tidal energy water is the primary resource. Water is also used for
power generation in steam (coal based) and nuclear power plants which contribute a huge
fraction of emissions (Fly ash, SOx, NOx and GHG) and hence create the serious
environmental problems. A large amount of water is needed as a heat transfer media between
boiler and turbine for electricity generation in steam power plants which contributes more
than 70% of installed power generation capacity of India.
Utilizing the energy of sun; electricity can also be generated from water on small
scale using solar ponds. In the present article the electricity generation and generation of
industrial process heat from solar pond has been introduced. The present scenario of the
world primary energy demand, availability and its projection has ben outlined on the basis
of review of the International Energy Outlook 2006. The other domestic and commercial
applications based on solar pond technology have also been highlighted. The design,
development, modern trends and potential along with their present status in the country
with other applications has been discussed in the present study. Generation of heat and
electricity through solar pond technology may effectively contribute to water conservation,
waste water treatment and hence the protection of environment.
Key Words: Solar radiation, solar pond, industrial process heat, convective and nonconvective
solar ponds.
remarkable skill over many generations. About 97%
is salty sea water, and 2% is frozen in glaciers and
polar ice caps. Thus that 1% of the world’s water
supply is a precious commodity necessary for our
survival. Supply of drinking water can be solved
adopting the technologies based on evaporation like
solar distillation and commercial desalination etc.
India is blessed with good water resource availability
as the primary factor for human survival and growth.
The country has a vast costal area and its northern
*G. B. Pant Engineering College Ghurdauri, Pauri, Uttaranchal 246 001, INDIA
Fax: 01368-2280330, Telephone: +91-9411050117 E-mail: purohit_ishan@yahoo.com
371