Types of Conventional and Non Conventional sources of energy

Conventional : Energy that has been used from ancient times is known as conventional energy. Coal, natural gas, oil, and firewood are examples of conventional energy sources. (or usual) sources of energy (electricity) are coal, oil, wood, peat, uranium.

Non-conventional (or unusual) sources of energy include:
• Solar power
• Hydro-electric power (dams in rivers)
• Wind power
• Tidal power
• Ocean wave power
• Geothermal power (heat from deep under the ground)
• Ocean thermal power (the difference in heat between shallow and deep water)
• Biomass (burning of vegetation to stop it producing methane)
• Biofuel (producing ethanol (petroleum) from plants

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(Useful for UPSC General Studies, APPSC Group 1 Group 2 , Mains Material, Paper 1, Paper 4 Section 1 Section 2 Section 3, ROLE AND IMPACT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF INDIA, GENERAL AWARENESS WITH THE MODERN TRENDS IN LIFE SCIENCES, DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT PROBLEMS) 

Difference between conventional and non conventional sources of Energy

Conventional Sources of Energy

I. The sources of energy which have been in use for a long time, e.g., coal, petroleum, natural gas and water power.

II. They are exhaust able except water.

III. They cause pollution when used, as they emit smoke and ash.

IV. They are very expensive to be maintained, stored and transmitted as they are carried over long distance through transmission grid and lines.

Non-Conventional Sources of Energy

I. The resources which are yet in the process of development over the past few years. It includes solar, wind, tidal, biogas, and biomass, geothermal.

II. They are inexhaustible.

III. They are generally pollution free.

IV. Less expensive due to local use and easy to maintain.

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Types of Non Conventional Sources of Energy and its importance

Energy generated by using wind, tides, solar, geothermal heat, and biomass including farm and animal waste as well as human excreta is known as non-conventional energy. All these sources are renewable or inexhaustible and do not cause environmental pollution. More over they do not require heavy expenditure.

1. Wind Energy:

Wind power is harnessed by setting up a windmill which is used for pumping water, grinding grain and generating electricity. The gross wind power potential of India is estimated to be about 20,000 MW, wind power projects of 970 MW capacities were installed till March. 1998. Areas with constantly high speed preferably above 20 km per hour are well-suited for harnessing wind energy.

2. Tidal Energy:

Sea water keeps on rising and falling alternatively twice a day under the influence of gravitational pull of moon and sun. This phenomenon is known as tides. It is estimated that India possesses 8000-9000 MW of tidal energy potential. The Gulf of Kuchchh is best suited for tidal energy.

3. Solar Energy:

Sun is the source of all energy on the earth. It is most abundant, inexhaustible and universal source of energy. AH other sources of energy draw their strength from the sun. India is blessed with plenty of solar energy because most parts of the country receive bright sunshine throughout the year except a brief monsoon period. India has developed technology to use solar energy for cooking, water heating, water dissimilation, space heating, crop drying etc.

4. Geo-Thermal Energy:

Geo-thermal energy is the heat of the earth's interior. This energy is manifested in the hot springs. India is not very rich in this source,

5. Energy from Biomass:

Biomass refers to all plant material and animal excreta when considered as an energy source. Some important kinds of biomass are inferior wood, urban waste, bagasse, farm animal and human waste.

Importance of non-conventional sources of energy:

1. The non-conventional sources of energy are abundant in nature. According to energy experts the non-conventional energy potential of India is estimated at about 95,000 MW.

2. These are renewable resources. The non-conventional sources of energy can be renewed with minimum effort and money.

3. Non-conventional sources of energy are pollution-free and eco-friendly

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(Useful for UPSC General Studies, APPSC Group 1 Group 2 , Mains Material, Paper 1, Paper 4 Section 1 Section 2 Section 3, ROLE AND IMPACT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF INDIA, GENERAL AWARENESS WITH THE MODERN TRENDS IN LIFE SCIENCES, DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT PROBLEMS)