MAGIC BOOK Page 1 GEOGRAPHY
LEARNING OUTCOMES FOR POWER RESOURCES!
Candidates should be able to:
describe, with the help of a simple diagram for each method, how non-
renewable fuels (coal, crude oil and natural gas) are extracted: – coal as
obtained by open cast, adit and shaft mining methods – natural gas and
crude oil obtained by exploration and drilling
understand the difference between renewable and non-renewable
sources of electricity
explain (briefly) how electricity can be generated from renewable
resources (hydel, wind, solar, and other possibilities such as wave, tidal,
biofuels, geothermal)
understand the importance of power sources for development.
describe the quality and the amount of coal available from within
Pakistan and how long reserves are likely to last, and also describe the
types of coal which have to be imported for industrial purposes
describe how coal both produced in Pakistan and imported is transported
to the end users
state how much natural gas is produced by Pakistan, and how long
reserves are likely to last
describe the extent of the natural gas pipeline network in Pakistan and
explain how natural gas can be taken to those parts of Pakistan away
from the pipelines, and the limitations of doing this
state how much oil is produced by Pakistan, how long reserves will last and
how much oil is imported, and explain why it is necessary to import large
amounts of oil
describe the extent of the oil pipeline network in Pakistan and describe
the other methods that are used to transport both imported oil and oil
produced in Pakistan
understand that electricity can be generated in a variety of ways. In
thermal power stations by burning coal, oil, gas and waste, or with nuclear
energy; or with renewable sources e.g. water (including hydel), the wind
and the sun
understand that non-renewable power sources are running out, and are
increasing in price.
explain and evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of the different
methods of producing electricity from renewable resources (generated by
water, wind, wave and sun)
understand the physical and human conditions that favour the
development of multi-purpose hydel schemes
MAGIC BOOK Page 2 GEOGRAPHY
state and explain the factors, both physical and human, which promote
or hinder the availability of electricity and other power resources listed,
including the feasibility of small-scale, renewable power generation
explain why the supply of electricity is not sufficient or reliable to develop
many parts of Pakistan.
MAGIC BOOK Page 3 GEOGRAPHY
COAL
Coal is basically formed by the decomposition of plants.
Coal is always found in layers.
Peat → Lignite → Sub-Bituminous → Bituminous → Anthracite
DETERMING QUALITY OF COAL
It is determined by at what depth it is found.
Quality of coal depends upon its color. Darker the colour, better the quality.
It also depends upon its carbon content. The more carbon the better the
coal is.
Depends upon its heating value. The more heating value the better the
coal is.
If there will be more sulphur, Coal is of inferior quality.
If there will be less sulphur, Coal is of superior quality.
More moisture, Coal is of inferior quality.
Less moisture, Coal is of superior quality.
TYPES OF COAL
Anthracite
Blackest coal of all and found in thin layers, deep underground.
It is the best quality of coal, hardest, with highest carbon content and
burns with great heat.
Bituminous
It is darker in color and found further" deep underground and has two
types; Steam Coal and Coking Coal
Lignite
It is found near the surface and easier to mine. It is a low quality coal with
a high moisture and ash content. It has a low heating value.
Peat
It is exclusively vegetative matter and represent the initial stage of coal
formation.
MAGIC BOOK Page 4 GEOGRAPHY
COAL IN PAKISTAN
In Pakistan, lignite and sub bituminous quality of coal is found.
Having: Low heating value, Low carbon content, High moisture and High
sulphur content
Coal region is the same as coal fields.
Mines is the same as mining centers.
So many mines combine to form a coal region.
If coal is located near the surface then it is mined by Open-cast mining.
If coal is located in the greater depth then it is extracted by Shaft mining.
If coal is located on hill slopes then Adit mining is used to extract coal.
MAGIC BOOK Page 5 GEOGRAPHY
COAL EXTRACTION
The extraction of coal occurs by 3 main methods, which are Adit, Shaft and
Opencast.
Adit Mining
Adit method of mining is used when a mineral layer is exposed near the
surface of a hill.
In this technique a single near horizontal or multiple layers are dug into the
mineral layer.
Explosives are used to blast and loosen the rock.
Once this has been carried out, pillars and steel nets are installed.
This prevents the roof of mine from caving in and steel nets prevent rocks
from falling down and killing the miners.
Then diggers are used to remove the mineral bearing rock and which is
then transported by rail or donkeys to the mine entrance after which is
loaded into trucks
Shaft Mining
Shaft mining is used when the mineral layer is found deep in the soil.
First a vertical layer is dug to reach the mineral layer.
Once the mineral layer is reached then a horizontal layer is dug in both
sides into the mineral layer.
Explosives are used to blast and loosen the rock.
Once this has been carried out then pillars and steel nets are installed.
This prevents the roof of mine from caving in and steel nets prevent rocks
from falling down and killing the miners.
Then diggers are used to remove the mineral containing rock after it has
been blasted apart by dynamites.
This is then transported by rail to the lift, whereas then it is lifted to the
surface to be transported by trucks.
It must be noted that ventilation shafts are also dug along the length of
mine along with main shaft to prevent the build-up of explosive odourless
gases like methane.
MAGIC BOOK Page 6 GEOGRAPHY
Type of Minining: Shaft Mining
North Left: Cage
South Left: Tunnel
North Right: Shaft
South Right: Seam
Open Cast Mining
Opencast mining is used when the mineral layer is exposed near the
surface of the earth.
Firstly the vegetation is cut, topsoil and subsoil removed.
Then explosives are used to blast and loosen the rock.
Then diggers are used to remove the mineral containing rock which is then
transported by huge trucks carrying 500 tonnes in one go onto the
surface.
MAGIC BOOK Page 7 GEOGRAPHY
THREE MAJOR COALFIELDS
SALT RANGE (PUNJAB) and MAKARWAL-GULLAKHEL COALFIELDS (KPK)
(LIGNITE TO SUB-BITUMINOUS)
QUETTA COALFIELDS (BALOCHISTAN) (BITUMINOUS/SUB-BITUMINOUS)
LOWER SINDH COALFIELDS (SINDH) (LIGNITE)
MINING CENTERS
Dandot
Salt Range Coalfield.
Pidh
Salt Range Coalfield.
Sor Range
Quetta coalfield.
Mach
Quetta coalfield.
Lakhra
Lower Sindh coalfield.
MAGIC BOOK Page 8 GEOGRAPHY
LOCATION OF COALFIELDS
WHY PAKISTAN HAVE LOW QUALITY COAL?
Lignite Coal.
Low burning temperature.
Low carbon content.
High Ash content.
High Sulphur content.
Reserves not developed.
Difficult to mine.
Few industries use coal as a fuel.
Mining for good quality is risky.
MAGIC BOOK Page 9 GEOGRAPHY
WHY COAL HAS TO BE IMPORTED?
Poor quality coal.
Lack of technology.
Lack of capital.
Lack of government interest.
Lack of skilled labor.
Anthracite and Bituminous is imported for Steel Industry.
Mainly imported from India, Australia and Brazil.
USES OF COAL
Brick Kiln
Power Generation
Steel Making (Imported coal is used)
Industrial Uses
Cooking
TRANSPORTATION OF COAL
After the extraction of coal from the coal face, it is loaded onto trolleys,
which run on a track, which leads from the coalmine to the outside
surface.
In some small coalmines donkeys are used as an underground transport.
Once the coal comes out of the mine , the qualities of coal are
separated and sold to the middleman who further loads it into trucks and
supplies it to the brick kilns and cement factories where it used as a fuel.
When the coal is supplied to thermal power stations, rail transport is also
used if it is economically feasible.
Brick kilns use 83 % of Pakistan’s coal production.
MAGIC BOOK Page 10 GEOGRAPHY
PRACTICE NOW
Question 1
MAGIC BOOK Page 11 GEOGRAPHY
Answer 1
Question 2
MAGIC BOOK Page 12 GEOGRAPHY
Answer 2
Question 3
MAGIC BOOK Page 13 GEOGRAPHY
Answer 3
MAGIC BOOK Page 14 GEOGRAPHY
MAGIC BOOK Page 15 GEOGRAPHY
Question 4
MAGIC BOOK Page 16 GEOGRAPHY
Answer 4
MAGIC BOOK Page 17 GEOGRAPHY
CRUDE OIL
Viscous and impure oil.
OIL DRILLING
Once drilling site has been selected, a derrick is setup.
Derrick/drilling rig built
Pipes inserted
Diamond/tough metal drills into rock
Oil rises when pressure released/pumped up
Valves to control flow into pipeline
Derrick removed/dismantled after oil is flowing
OIL TRAP
Oil cannot get through rocks around it
Oil trapped between layers of non-porous/impervious/impermeable rock
Porous rock has pores to hold liquids/gases.
MAGIC BOOK Page 18 GEOGRAPHY
OIL DRILLING
OILFIELDS
UPPER PUNJAB (Between River Indus & Jhelum)
LOWER SINDH (Southern side) (Hyderabad)
MAGIC BOOK Page 19 GEOGRAPHY
WHY OIL REFINERIES?
Crude Oil cannot be used in raw state.
It has to be refined into useful products like Kerosene, Petroleum, Diesel
and other Lubricant oil.
These refineries process crude oil → through fractional distillation → after
which different products are obtained e.g. wax.
OIL REFINERIES
Attock Refinery – (Morga, Potwar Plateau)
NRL – National Refinery Limited (Korangi, Karachi)
PRL – Pakistan Refinery Limited (Korangi, Karachi)
Parco Refinery – Pak Arab Cooperation (Multan, Mehmood Kot)
Hub Refinery – (Hub, Baluchistan)
WHY DO WE IMPORT OIL?
Pakistan produces 55,000 barrels per day.
Requirement is 400, 000 barrels per day.
Oil production is small
Pakistan cannot satisfy its needs
Resources not exploited
Growing demand for population
More industries
Mechanization of agriculture
Most thermal stations use oil
PROBLEMS OF IMPORTING OIL
Negative trade balance
Uses for exchange
Creditors increase influence over Pakistan’s affairs
Less money for investment and to spend in education, agriculture and
health
More tax is composed
Cannot afford to exploit new oil fields.
TRANSPORTATION OF OIL
Imported Oil
Imported Oil (from K.S.A, U.A.E., Kuwait)
Sea imports by oil tankers at Kemari Port and Port Qasim
Oil Pier (Platform with oil handling system)
Oil products pumped from oil tankers
MAGIC BOOK Page 20 GEOGRAPHY
Storage Tanks
Pumped through Pipeline and Tankers
Oil Refinery
Local Oil
Transported by tankers from oil field → Refinery
Transportation of Oil on Land
Tankers
Rail
Pipeline
Transportation of Oil from Kemari Port
Pipeline
Transported from Tanker
From Oil Terminal at Kemari
To NRL, PRL and Hub
Transportation of Refined Oil
Road → Petrol Station
Rail Tankers → Furnace oil → Thermal Power Station.
Pipeline is also used
USES OF OIL
By Products
Synthetics
Plastics
Pesticides
Transport
Cars, trucks, railways etc.
Power
Thermal power stations to produce electricity.
Industry
Chemical, wax, rubber, plastic etc.
MAGIC BOOK Page 21 GEOGRAPHY
Domestic
Detergents, heating, cooking.
Government
Transport, public utilities.
Agriculture
Tube wells, insecticides, tractors, pesticides, for road making to practice
agriculture.
WHITE OIL PIPELINE PROJECT
In 2002 PARCO launched a white oil pipeline project (WOPP) which will
carry refined oil from Karachi to the north.
After conversions of PARCO’s existing pipeline network for crude oil
transportation, the white oil pipeline will be used for the transport of
refined petroleum products to the central and northern regions of
Pakistan.
These areas account for almost 60 % of the total petroleum consumption
in the country.
Bin Qasim Port will be the initial point of the white Oil Pipeline project.
The new underground pipeline costing $480 million will also carry refined oil
from the Pakistan oil refinery at port Qasim to Mahmood Kot in district
Muzaffargarh covering a distance of 817 KM.
The demand for petroleum products is rising at a rate of 10 % per annum.
MAGIC BOOK Page 22 GEOGRAPHY
MAGIC BOOK Page 23 GEOGRAPHY
PRACTICE NOW
Question 1
MAGIC BOOK Page 24 GEOGRAPHY
MAGIC BOOK Page 25 GEOGRAPHY
Answer 1
MAGIC BOOK Page 26 GEOGRAPHY
Question 2
MAGIC BOOK Page 27 GEOGRAPHY
Answer 2
Question 3
MAGIC BOOK Page 28 GEOGRAPHY
Answer 3
MAGIC BOOK Page 29 GEOGRAPHY
Question 4
MAGIC BOOK Page 30 GEOGRAPHY
Answer 4
MAGIC BOOK Page 31 GEOGRAPHY
Question 5
MAGIC BOOK Page 32 GEOGRAPHY
MAGIC BOOK Page 33 GEOGRAPHY
MAGIC BOOK Page 34 GEOGRAPHY
Answer 5
MAGIC BOOK Page 35 GEOGRAPHY
MAGIC BOOK Page 36 GEOGRAPHY
NATURAL GAS
Made up of many gases methane, ethane, propane and butanes.
When it is cooled to very low temperature it turns into a liquid (LPG).
Colorless and Odourless
WHY SMELL ADDED TO NATURAL GAS?
Colorless and Odourless.
People will not be able to detect it until it becomes explosive.
A chemical called Mercaptan is added to the gas.
Mercaptan is harmless, non-toxic and has a strong “rotten egg” smell.
MAIN GAS FIELDS
SUI (Balochistan) (7,423 million cubic metres)
PIRKOH (Balochistan) (410 million cubic metres)
MARI (Lower Sindh) (1876 million cubic metres)
MEYAL (Potwar) (268 million cubic metres)
DHURNAL (Potwar) (116 million cubic metres)
WHY NATURAL GAS EASY TO EXTRACT?
small size of land
little impact on the environment
simple machinery/small machinery
little investment needed
pipes go into ground
works automatically/no/little manpower needed
USES OF NATURAL GAS
Power generation.
Cooking and heating.
For cement.
For Fertilizers.
For Vehicles.
SECTORAL CONSUMPTION OF GAS
Power 29.44 %
Fertilizer Industry 24.36 %
Household 21.60 %
Industry 19.40 %
Commercial 03.27 %
Cement Industry 01.89 %
Transport 00.66 %
MAGIC BOOK Page 37 GEOGRAPHY
WHY NATURAL GAS CHEAP AND EASY TO USE?
produced in Pakistan, not imported
large reserves
lightweight
available in pipelines
portable in cylinders
cleaner than burning wood/coal
easy to extract
TRANSPORTATION OF GAS
Natural gas is transported on land by two means; pipelines and cylinders.
The use of cylinders means that only little amount of gas can be carried at
once.
Refilling takes time, risk of explosion due to faulty cylinders is an added
concern.
The cylinders are heavy and difficult to move.
State two ways in which gas can be supplied to areas away from
pipelines.
Changed to a liquid/LPG/CNG
Cylinders
WHAT CNG IS AND WHY IT IS USED?
Compressed natural gas
Methane under high pressure
Compared to petrol / diesel cheaper
Cleaner / reduces air pollution
Safer
Can be stored / transported in cylinders
MAGIC BOOK Page 38 GEOGRAPHY
GAS PIPELINE
MAGIC BOOK Page 39 GEOGRAPHY
PRACTICE NOW
Question 1
Answer 1
MAGIC BOOK Page 40 GEOGRAPHY
Question 2
Answer 2
MAGIC BOOK Page 41 GEOGRAPHY
Question 3
MAGIC BOOK Page 42 GEOGRAPHY
Answer 3
Question 4
MAGIC BOOK Page 43 GEOGRAPHY
Answer 4
MAGIC BOOK Page 44 GEOGRAPHY
MAGIC BOOK Page 45 GEOGRAPHY
LOAD SHEDDING
Planned powercuts by the supplier of electricity is known as Load
Shedding.
EFFECTS OF LOAD SHEDDING
Interrupts production
Damages machinery
Cannot meet deadlines
Loss of quality
Loss of orders
Loss of money/profit
Cost of generators
Lights/computers/freezers/air conditioning/heating etc. stops
Transport/traffic problems
WHY ELECTRICITY CAN’T MEET THE DEMANDS?
Population increasing so greater demand.
Little new investment in new power stations (foreign investors less willing to
invest due to political instability) (other government priorities such as
healthcare/ education/housing/transport/alleviating poverty);
Pakistan has small/inaccessible/depleting fossil fuel reserves (fossil fuels
expensive to extract/poor quality/ have to import);
Renewable energy plants expensive to construct;
Power losses due to old/long transmission lines;
Power theft (people diverting existing power sources for their own use);
Most people live in rural areas (electricity does not reach there/lack of
infrastructure/power lines);
Many power plants are not working to full capacity (as a result of siltation
in dams and reservoirs)/(they are still under construction);
Power breaks down (lack of expertise to handle it)/(due to old
machinery);
More rural to urban migration (means demand cannot be fulfilled);
Seasonal variations (less HEP generation in winter as less rainfall/snowmelt
at times of peak demand).
MEASURES TO SOLVE ENERGY CRISIS
Moving away from non-renewable to renewable
Investment in large-scale power stations
New Transmission lines to reduce power loss
Reduce Theft by increasing security
Energy saving in workplaces / homes
Public / media awareness about not wasting energy resources
MAGIC BOOK Page 46 GEOGRAPHY
SUPPLYING ELECTRICITY TO RURAL AREAS
Possibilities
Extend national grid
Increase (national) power generation/nuclear power
More/good potential for renewable schemes, wind, solar, HEP
More small-scale power generation schemes E.g. biogas using
animal/plant waste/molasses
Difficulties
High cost of technology/fuel/maintenance
Theft
Damage/energy loss… …Due to long transmission lines/siltation in
reservoirs for HEP
Distance from grid stations/remoteness of some rural areas
Tribal opposition
Insufficient power generation… …So urban needs met first
Lack of government support/loans/investment/policies
Difficult construction in rugged/mountainous terrain
Lack of skilled personnel, e.g. engineers
MAGIC BOOK Page 47 GEOGRAPHY
PRACTICE NOW
Question 1
MAGIC BOOK Page 48 GEOGRAPHY
Answer 1
MAGIC BOOK Page 49 GEOGRAPHY
Question 2
Answer 2
MAGIC BOOK Page 50 GEOGRAPHY
Question 3
Answer 3
MAGIC BOOK Page 51 GEOGRAPHY
HYDROELECTRIC POWER
This is the most important source of renewable energy in the world today.
Hydroelectric power stations use the force of running water to turn
turbines, which turn the generator in a magnetic field, thus generating
electricity.
CONDITIONS THE LOCATION OF HEP SETUP
A deep valley thus which can carry more water leading to more force at
which turbines are turned. Also, a deep valley means that the water has
more time to speed up and gather momentum before it hits the turbines.
A narrow valley to make sure that construction cost of dam for concrete
etc remain low and project is feasible due to the technical difficulties in
building a wider dam wall.
A large reservoir so to store any un-required surge of water which might
have been wasted during rainy seasons. If this water is stored in the
reservoir then it can be used in future months to generate electricity.
The dam must not be located at or near a fault line. These areas are
prone to earthquakes, which can fatally lead to dam failures, sudden flash
floods and tragic loss of life.
Impermeable layers of soil to prevent seepage and making sure that the
reservoir of dam doesn’t lose water too quickly.
River basin that is fed by glaciers. The glaciers melt and provide water.
Also, the drainage basin must be large and be under influence of the
monsoons etc.
MAGIC BOOK Page 52 GEOGRAPHY
River must pass through forested areas so that river carries low amount of
silt. Trees roots bind the soil together and prevent flash floods (which erode
more land) as they slow down the descent of rainfall. If this silt starts
accumulating behind a dam wall it can cause some serious problems and
reduce life of dams either by reducing their capacity or blocking spillways
etc.
The average temperatures of the surrounding areas should be low, to
keep the rate of evapo-transpiration to a minimum.
The dam must be located in a lowly populated area so the rehabilitation
cost of citizens who are displaced is low.
Why it is difficult to develop more HEP (hydel) power stations in
Pakistan?
Climate change so less rainfall
Climate change so higher temperatures and more evaporation
Liable to siltation in reservoirs
High cost
No investment
Opposition from tribal areas (in mountains)
MAGIC BOOK Page 53 GEOGRAPHY
Security issues
Lack of skilled labour
Why is HEP (hydel) an important source of electricity in northern
Pakistan?
Cheap to generate
Renewable
Available
Rivers / water from glaciers
High rainfall
Lack of evaporation / lower temperatures
Deep valleys for dams
No air pollution
Why can the supply of power from these stations be unreliable?
Shortage / not enough for every user
Silting in reservoir (reduces capacity)
Silt in turbines (causes damage)
Seasonal shortages e.g. winter / frozen / monsoon etc.
Lack of rainfall / changing climate
Theft
Damage to power lines
What problems occur when supplying electricity from reservoirs to
areas of high population?
Long distance to areas of use/high population
Cost of wires and poles and Pakistan cannot afford due to shortage of
money
Loss by damage
Loss by theft
Loss of power by resistance/transmission
MAGIC BOOK Page 54 GEOGRAPHY
PRACTICE NOW
Question 1
Answer 1
MAGIC BOOK Page 55 GEOGRAPHY
Question 2
MAGIC BOOK Page 56 GEOGRAPHY
Answer 2
MAGIC BOOK Page 57 GEOGRAPHY
Question 3
Answer 3
MAGIC BOOK Page 58 GEOGRAPHY
Question 4
Answer 4
MAGIC BOOK Page 59 GEOGRAPHY
MAGIC BOOK Page 60 GEOGRAPHY
SOLAR
Energy from the Sun can be utilized in the form of solar panels
For generating electricity, these panels are installed in either deserts or
large places of open and barren land.
The panels absorb sunlight and use it to produce electricity free of cost
except for the maintenance cost.
These black panels absorb radiation from the sun and converts light
energy into electrical energy.
The concentrated rays of sun heat the water and convert it into steam
thus rotating the turbines and generating electricity.
Always in south direction.
MAGIC BOOK Page 61 GEOGRAPHY
PRACTICE NOW
Question 1
Answer 1
MAGIC BOOK Page 62 GEOGRAPHY
WIND
Wind energy is based on simple principles.
A turbine is attached to a blade.
This blade is mounted on a tower which is placed in a windy area such as
on hillsides, near cost or off-shore.
The force of wind, turns blade and thus turns the turbine; producing
electricity.
MAGIC BOOK Page 63 GEOGRAPHY
PRACTICE NOW
Question 1
Answer 1
MAGIC BOOK Page 64 GEOGRAPHY
MAGIC BOOK Page 65 GEOGRAPHY
WAVES
Tidal power uses same principles as wind except being installed on
seabed and using force of tides to turn the blades.
Currently it is very expensive to mount these turbines on seabed and the
electricity produced is low.
MAGIC BOOK Page 66 GEOGRAPHY
PRACTICE NOW
Question 1
Answer 1
MAGIC BOOK Page 67 GEOGRAPHY
GEOTHERMAL
Geothermal power is used in countries where favourable topographical
conditions exist like in New Zealand and Iceland such as geysers etc.
Conditions like these exist in some places in Azad Kashmir like near Kotli
etc
Two big pipes are dug into the surface.
These pipes reach hot rocks in the earth’s crust.
These rocks are heated up by the magma beneath them.
From one pipe cold water is sent below and from other pipe hot steam or
water is received.
Through a heat exchanger system this heat is transferred to water in
another pipe network.
Here the water absorbs heat and becomes steam which is fed into
turbines to generate electricity
BIOMASS
It is the energy generated in form of electricity or heat from plants/organic
matter etc
Dead leaves, branches, stumps etc are burnt directly to produce heat.
In some countries garbage burning plants have been set up, which burn
garbage and use the heat produced to turn water into steam.
This steam then turns turbines, which produce electricity
One good use of biomass is in production of biogas.
MAGIC BOOK Page 68 GEOGRAPHY
In a biogas plant, animal dung is fed into a closed container deprived of
oxygen.
Bacteria and other micro-organisms then digest it and produce methane
as a result.
This methane is used either for cooking or for producing electricity
MAGIC BOOK Page 69 GEOGRAPHY
RENEWABLE RESOURCES
Definition
Energy from a source that is not depleted when used, such as wind or
solar power.
Advantages
As their name suggests, they are renewable meaning that unlike non-
renewable energy they will never run out.
Renewable are mostly clean and have little lasting impact on
environment.
They require investment once only and maintenance thereafter, no need
to buy fuel like fossil fuels etc. So they are cheaper in the long run.
They can be used in remote areas (wind power in mountainous areas),
where other power resources can’t be used due to difficulty of
transporting furnace oil etc. Also, these areas may be far away from the
national grid (It is uneconomical to extend the grid to small population
centres as the wires and pylons are expensive)
The supply of fossil fuels is very unstable due to conflicts in the Middle East,
thus to have secure energy supplies in the future, Pakistan should develop
renewable energy.
Disadvantages
Solar energy is not much efficient, about 20%, when converting light
energy from the sun into electricity; also it requires regular maintenance to
remove dust which can cut efficiency by 3/4th. Also the panels must tilt
with time of day and location of sun to maintain maximum efficiency
Some dangerous substances like cadmium are used to make solar panels
and raise questions about how they will be dealt in future when their
lifetime has expired
Wind turbines produce an audible sound which locals hate and it also
spoils the scenery. Also not many places have many windy days
Geo-thermal isn’t available at all places in the world and few favourable
places exist. Also it leads to Carbon Dioxide emissions which lead to global
warming; melting of polar ice caps and floods of low lying areas
Less water is available downstream due to dams, thus affecting fisheries as
mangroves don’t get enough fresh water. Agriculture may also be
affected due to lack of water for plant growth
Biomass produces limited amount of energy and is unfeasible to sustain
current power demands
Wind and solar power aren’t available at all times like during windless days
or cloudy days or nights
MAGIC BOOK Page 70 GEOGRAPHY
All of the renewable sources require large amounts of capital to produce
single megawatt of electricity as compared to fossil fuels
In hydel projects immense costs are incurred due to; Large scale planning
and research costs, which involves dam design etc, Evacuation
procedures along with resettlement of people affected by the reservoir of
the dam, Building roads (for access to site) and tunnels (to channel water
into the turbines), Laying down power lines and connecting them to the
grid system, hiring professionals (engineers etc) and workers and
accommodating them on site, Buying expensive heavy machinery and
maintaining it and Buying raw materials like cement and steel in
exceptionally large quantities
Hydro-electric causes massive displacement of people and loss of
livelihood. Forests are flooded and killed; the trees then decay and
produce methane, leading to global warming
MAGIC BOOK Page 71 GEOGRAPHY
THERMAL POWER
Electricity that is generated by non renewable resources such as coal, oil
and gas.
Fossil fuels produce heat energy which is used to run water into steam
which is then used to run turbines.
MAGIC BOOK Page 72 GEOGRAPHY
PRACTICE NOW
Question 1
Answer 1
MAGIC BOOK Page 73 GEOGRAPHY
Question 2
Answer 2
MAGIC BOOK Page 74 GEOGRAPHY
MAGIC BOOK Page 75 GEOGRAPHY
NUCLEAR POWER
Nuclear energy is power that is released from atoms and the most
powerful source of energy.
Fission: In atomic fission energy is released when atoms splits up into small
substances.
Fusion: In atomic fusion, energy is released when atoms are joined
together to form a bigger atom that releases energy.
Both process used heat energy to generate the electricity.
Pakistan is also utilizing nuclear energy for electricity generation.
Two nuclear power plants have been established in Pakistan; Karachi
Nuclear Power Plant and Chashma Nuclear Power Plant.
Advantages
large output
reliable
small input of raw material
less pollution/environmentally friendly
Disadvantages
expensive to buy fuel
expensive to build
lack of technology/skills
dangerous/risk of radioactivity
unpopular/local opposition
risk of terrorism as used for bombs
MAGIC BOOK Page 76 GEOGRAPHY
PRACTICE NOW
Question 1
Answer 1
MAGIC BOOK Page 77 GEOGRAPHY
NON RENEWABLE RESOURCES
Definition
Non-renewable energy comes from sources that will run out or will not be
replenished for thousands or even millions of years.
Advantages
They require low initial investment as compared to renewable sources,
and are perfect for urgently meeting demands as they require less time to
build
Electricity can be produced on large scale as no know how of advanced
engineering like those involved in big dams etc is required
The technology exists and therefore there are no research costs
Disadvantages
These energy sources are non-renewable meaning that they will
eventually run out and can’t be depended upon in the long run
They pollute the environment leading to acid rain or global warming. Acid
rain kills trees and aquatic life. Also nuclear power produces wastes which
remain radioactive for thousands of years and need to be stored
underground safely for that period of time
Due to conflicts in fossil fuel rich Middle East, the price of these fossils fuels
looks set to rise, so Pakistan won’t be able to import much oil to produce
electricity in the future
These projects however do require a lot of expensive maintenance and
fuel, so are expensive in the long run. Also, Independent Power Producers
charge a higher rate for electricity generation than state owned thermal
stations
Due to gas cuts in both industrial and power sector, it seems that relying
heavily upon gas thermal stations isn’t a reliable option in the long run
MAGIC BOOK Page 78 GEOGRAPHY
NATIONAL GRID SYSTEM
The National Grid connects hydel generation in the north and thermal
generation in mid country and the south managed by WAPDA and KESC.
It consists of a large network of transmission lines and grid stations to
transmit power to load centers and then to commercial and domestic
consumers throughout the country.
The purpose of forming a National Grid System is to supply electricity to
different areas according to their requirements and not on the basis of
their own power generation.
For example some areas of Pakistan where heavy industries are located
require more electricity than they are capable of generation supplying
electricity through the National Grid System solves this problem.
On the other hand, there are some areas where more electricity is
generated than their actual requirements.
This surplus electricity can then easily be transferred to other areas through
this system.
However, there is lot of wastage of electricity through the transmission lines
and grid stations if they are not properly maintained, also due to the long
distances involved.
SUSTAINIBILITY OF POWER
Mismanagement of these resources can lead to energy crises for the
future generation.
In order to have sustainable development of power resources the
following measures must be taken.
The development of renewable resources of energy by using advanced
technology.
The preservation and conservation of the non-renewable resources of the
earth to guard against the danger of their future exhaustion.
The protection of the environment by enforcing the strict laws through
environment protection.
Faulty and damaged transmission lines should be replaced on an
emergency basis to avoid losses in electricity.
Strict measures to avoid the chances of theft.
