Energy is the capacity or the ability to work vigorously. Energy plays a vital role in routine life and hence is required in every sector or industry that might range under household, communication, transportation, defense, and others. The energy sources are subdivided into conventional energy sources and non- conventional ones.
Thus, conventional energy sources are provided by nature but are present only in restricted quantities. Although, the non-conventional sources are present in unlimited amounts and provided by nature.
Convection energy sources are naturally present and have been in use for years. The use of conventional sources is done for heating, lighting, cooking, running machinery, and provision of electricity. The examples for which include firewood, fossil fuels, and others. In addition, firewood has been extensively used for cooking purposes in remote regions of India.
The fossil fuels are plants, and animal remains, which have been buried from millions of years ago within the earth. These remains are decomposed and formed primary energy sources like coal, petroleum, natural gas, etc.
The reserves for such energy sources are in limited quantities and soon will be depleted with a growth rate of population. Since they are naturally occurring and take a considerable time, they cannot be renewed manually or by applying scientific methods. It is essential for judicious use of non-renewable or conventional energy sources.
Non- Conventional energy sources are the best alternatives to conventional sources while also non- polluting. In 1973, the oil crisis encouraged a focus on non – conventional sources, which has increased in recent times due to high environmental pollution.
Non-conventional sources could be obtained from sun, wind, hot springs, and others that support heat and power generation. They are non-polluting and present in abundance within the earth’s atmosphere.
Solar Energy- The light from the sun is used to generate electricity by trapping the solar cells within the panels. Solar energy is present in abundance although it can be only trapped during the daytime, during the hours of intense rays. It is being used for lighting, heating, and others.
Wind-Wind energy has been used for many years for grinding grains in mills. Although, in recent years, it has been used to generate electricity by harnessing the energy of winds by turbines attached to substantial capacity generators. Usually, such wind farms are located near coastal areas or mountains with the high wind flow. In India, my desert regions, like the outskirts of Gujarat and Rajasthan, have built substantial wind farms.
Nuclear Power Plants- Nuclear energy is acquired from nuclei atoms that occur naturally in radioactive sources like uranium, thorium, and others. Nuclear fuels emit power when undergone in nuclear reactors. Globally, the USA and Europe are the largest nuclear power producers, although in India, uranium is found in Jharkhand, and thorium is found in Kerala.
Geothermal Energy- The heat acquired from the earth is geothermal energy. In many areas, hot springs are witnessed as part of geothermal energy. The heat from within the earth has been used for generating power. New Zealand, Iceland, Central America, and the USA have the largest geothermal power plants. India also has geothermal power plants located in Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh.
Tidal Energy- Tidal waves also generate energy harnessed by erecting dams. The narrow dams are built near the end of tides, where the turbines help to capture the energy. India has vast tidal mill farms at the Gulf of Kachchh, while other countries include Russia and France.
Conventional sources of energy | Non-conventional ones |
It is readily available by nature | It requires mechanical devices for procuring |
It has been used from centuries | It is a recent development as alternative fuels |
It is highly polluting | It is non-polluting |
It is more commercially viable and is widely used in industries | It is majorly used domestically |
They are scarce resources | They are available in abundance |
Conventional energy sources and non-conventional ones are vital resources for domestic and commercial consumption. Although, the high growth of population and wastage of resources has depleted conventional sources. For this reason, non-conventional sources of energy are being developed and researched.
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