Conventional and non conventional sources of energy

CONVENTIONAL SOURCES OF ENERGY

Conventional Energy refers to energy that is obtained from any source that has been in widespread use for a long time. Fossil fuels and traditional biomass are the most widely used conventional source of energy. Coal, petroleum and natural gas are examples of fossil fuels. Kerosene and propane are derivatives of fossil fuels. Traditional biomass refers to wood and other organic matter. 

Till the beginning of the nineteenth century nearly all the energy in the world was produced by burning of wood. Less than 2% was derived from coal, produced and used mostly in UK. Oil consumption began in the 1870s. By the end of nineteenth century, coal consumption increased greatly. It accounted for half the global energy. 

Fossil fuels are formed from the fossilized remains of dead plants and animals by exposure to heat and pressure in the earth's crust over million of years. When fossil fuels are burnt they produce a lot of energy. Although human beings used fossil fuels in ancient times, the large scale extraction of these fuels began only during the Industrial Revolution. Within a short period of two hundred years we have consumed so much fossil fuels that the available deposits have been practically exhausted. It is estimated that we run out of oil, gas and coal by the end of this century. New reserves of fossil fuels are difficult to find and are much smaller than the ones found in the past. For this reason fossil fuels are considered Non Renewable source of energy. They are finite resource and cannot be replenished as they take millions of years to be formed. 

Advantages of Conventional Source of Energy

1. The technology to harness energy from fossil fuels is well developed.

2. Fossil fuels are cheap and reliable sources of energy.

Disadvantages of Conventional Source of Energy

1. Fossil fuels contain large amounts of carbon and contribute to global warming. They are not green sources of energy and so, pollute the environment.

2. Fossil fuels are non-renewable sources of energy. The existing reserves will almost certainly be exhausted well before the turn of this century.

NON CONVENTIONAL SOURCES OF ENERGY (Renewable)

As conventional sources of energy are exhausted and also cause pollution, scientists have been trying to find alternative sources of energy which can be easily replenished and do not pollute the environment. Many non conventional sources of energy have been developed during the last few decades. Solar energy, wind energy, nuclear energy, biomass energy, geothermal energy and tidal energy are examples for non conventional energy. While it is true that some of these sources, such as wind energy and biomass energy, were harnessed even in ancient times, the large scale exploitation of these resources in a systematic manner started only towards the end of the nineteenth century. 

Advantages of Non Conventional Sources of Energy

1. Renewable Resources:

The most promising aspect of non conventional sources of energy is that they are inexhaustible. Solar energy and wind energy can be harnessed as long as the sun exists. The vast oceans are a perennial source of wave and tide energy. Uranium, needed for nuclear energy, may be exhausted in 200 years but if extracted from seawater, will last for 60,000 years. Non conventional sources of energy are, therefore, called Renewable sources of energy as they are constantly being replenished and will never get depleted. 

2. Non Polluting

Another remarkable feature of non conventional sources of energy is that they are clean and do not pollute the environment. No waste is produced. Biomass energy releases carbon, no doubt, but the carbon is already present in the organic waste that is burnt to get energy. 

3. Cost Effective

Non conventional sources of energy are becoming increasingly cost effective with each passing day. Rapid improvements in technology are enabling developing countries to leapfrog and remain on par with developed countries.

Disadvantages of Non Conventional Sources of Energy

1. Accidents in nuclear power plants can cause leakage of radioactive material. This can have disastrous consequences not only for the workers involved but for residents living several miles away from the plant. The effects of radioactivity on human beings can linger for decades, affecting future generations. The ecosystem too is destroyed.

2. Initial costs of installation of power plants may be high.