Question

Mention 3 advantages and disadvantages of :
i) Conventional Energy Sources
ii) Non-Conventional Energy Sources

Answer 1

Conventional sources of energy

The conventional sources of energy are generally non-renewable sources of energy, which are being used since a long time. These sources of energy are being used extensively in such a way that their known reserves have been depleted to a great extent.

At the same time it is becoming increasingly difficult to discover and exploit their new deposits. It is envisaged at known deposits of petroleum in our country will get exhausted by the few decades and coal reserves are expected to last for another hundred years. The coal, petroleum, natural gas and electricity are conventional sources of energy.

Advantages

The main advantages of conventional energy resources are that they are abundant and affordable. For example, oil and diesel are still good choices for powering vehicles. Non-renewable energy is cost effective and easier to product and use. According to National Geographic, there are reservoirs of non-renewable energy sources throughout the world.

Limitations

The disadvantages to conventional energy resources indicate that once sources of non-renewable energies are gone they can't be replaced or revitalized. The mining of non-renewable energy and the by-products they leave behind causes damage to the environment. There is little doubt that fossil fuels contribute to global warming. When fossil fuels are burned, nitrous oxides causes photochemical pollution, sulphur dioxide creates acid rain, and greenhouse gases are emitted.

Non-conventional sources of Energy


Sources: Flipkart.com

Natural resources like wind, tides, solar, biomass, etc generate energy which is known as “Non-conventional resources“. These are pollution free and hence we can use these to produce a clean form of energy without any wastage.

Why do we need non-conventional energy resources?

As the consumption of energy grows, the population depends more and more on fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas day by day. There is a need to secure the energy supply for future since the prices of gas and oil keep rising by each passing day. So we need to use more and more renewable sources of energy. For the effective exploitation of non-conventional sources, there has been an establishment of a separate department namely “Department of non-conventional sources of energy” by the government of India.

Renewable resources provide energy  in four important areas like :

Electricity generation

Water heating or cooling

Transporting

Rural

Types of Non-convention sources

Solar Energy

Wind Energy

Tidal Energy

Geothermal Energy

Biomass



Solar Energy

Solar energy is harnessed by converting solar energy directly into electrical energy in solar plants. Photosynthesis process carries out this process of conversion of solar energy. In photosynthesis, green plants absorb solar energy and convert it into chemical energy. Solar energy is an essential energy of all non-conventional sources but its usage amount is very less. It is the most important non-conventional source of energy and it gives non-polluting environment-friendly output and is available in abundant.

Uses of Solar energy

A solar cooker directs the solar heat into secondary reflector inside the kitchen, which focuses the heat to the bottom of the cooking vessel. It has a covering of a glass plate. They are applicable widely in areas of the developing world where deforestation is an issue, and financial resources to purchase fuel are not much.

Solar heaters also use solar energy to heat water instead of using gas or electricity.

Solar cells also use solar power to generate electricity from the sun.



(Source: Wikipedia)

Wind energy

Wind energy describes the process by which wind is used to generate electricity. As the wind increases, power output increases up to the maximum output of the particular turbine. Wind farms prefer areas, where winds are stronger and constant. These are generally located at high altitudes. Wind turbines use wind to make electricity. There is no pollution because no fossil fuels are burnt to generate electricity. One of India’s largest windmill farm is in Kanyakumari which generates 380mW of electricity.

Biomass energy

Biomass is the organic matter that originates from plants, animals, wood, sewage. These substances burn to produce heat energy which then generates electricity. The chemical composition of biomass varies in different species but generally, biomass consists of 25% of lignin, 75% of carbohydrates or sugar. Biomass energy is also applicable for cooking, lighting, and generation of electricity. The residue left after the removal of biogas is a good source of manure. Biomass is an important energy source contributing to more than 14% of the global energy supply.