What is energy crisis? Discuss any two renewable energy sources that would help meet this crisis.

Energy Crisis — Energy crisis is the situation where the supply of energy cannot keep pace with the demand for energy. Energy is a key input in the economic growth of a country and is consumed in various forms. With rapid industrialisation, urbanisation, mechanisation, population growth and changing lifestyles, the demand for energy is increasing rapidly. In India, distribution and consumption of energy are unequal in urban and rural areas. Urban areas use a lot of non-renewable energy like electricity, LPG, CNG and petroleum, while rural areas use both renewable and non-renewable energies.

Two Renewable Energy Sources to Meet the Crisis:

1. Solar Energy — Energy emanating from the sun is called solar energy. Amongst all forms of energy, solar energy has the greatest potential. India receives approximately 6000 billion MW of solar energy every year. If only 1% of this energy could be tapped at even 10% efficiency, it would be 30-35 times of India's current electricity generation. Solar energy is naturally available, clean, pollution-free and renewable. It can be used directly in solar water heaters, solar cookers and solar furnaces, or converted into electrical energy through solar photovoltaic cells. The drawback is that solar energy is not available at night and a large area is needed for collection.

2. Wind Energy — The energy obtained from air in motion is known as wind energy. It can be used to generate mechanical power for pumping water, grinding grains and driving sail boats. A large number of windmills are installed over a large area called a 'wind farm'. The wind power potential of India is estimated to be 20,000 MW, and there are about 100 sites in India where wind farms can be developed. Wind energy is abundant, inexpensive and pollution-free. It can be supplied to remote areas where other energy resources are not available. The drawback is that wind turbines create noise pollution and the generation depends on wind direction and velocity.