Conventional and Non-Conventional Sources of Energy

Energy is the lifeblood of modern civilization, powering everything from our homes to our industries. As our dependence on energy continues to grow, the quest for diverse and sustainable sources has become increasingly urgent. Two broad categories dominate this landscape: conventional and non-conventional sources of energy. Conventional sources, such as fossil fuels and nuclear power, have long been the backbone of global energy production, providing reliable and abundant supplies. However, concerns over environmental impact, resource depletion, and geopolitical instability have spurred the exploration of non-conventional sources, including renewables like solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, as well as emerging technologies like geothermal and tidal energy. Understanding the strengths, limitations, and implications of both conventional and non-conventional sources is crucial as societies navigate the complex energy transition towards a more sustainable future.

CONVENTIONAL ENERGY IN INDIA

Conventional energy sources refer to non-renewable resources that have a limited availability and will eventually be depleted.
These resources originate from decomposed organic matter that has been accumulating over millions of years.
However, the excessive exploitation of these natural resources has led to their depletion and environmental degradation.
Coal is a prime example of a conventional energy source that has been extensively utilized and depleted over time.
Other traditional energy sources in India include biomass, natural gas, and petroleum.
The extraction and utilization of these resources have detrimental effects on the ecosystem and contribute to global warming.
Conventional energy sources are predominantly used in commercial and industrial applications due to their reliability and established infrastructure.
However, they require significant investments in manufacturing and maintenance compared to non-conventional energy sources.
Fossil fuels, such as coal and petroleum, fall into this category because of their slow generation rate, which spans millions of years, rendering them non-renewable.
While metallic minerals can be recycled and reused, once completely depleted, they take millions of years to replenish.
In contrast, non-commercial energy sources are those freely available and often used in rural areas.
Examples include straw, dried dung, and firewood, which are commonly utilized for household energy needs.

FOSSIL FUELS

Fossil fuels are comprised of combustible geological deposits formed from organic matter, such as deceased plants and animals, which underwent decomposition under immense heat and pressure over millennia.
This process resulted in the formation of natural gas, coal, and petroleum.
These resources are classified as non-renewable energy sources due to their lengthy replenishment period.

COAL

In India, coal is the predominant fossil fuel, meeting a significant portion of the nation’s energy requirements.
It serves as a primary source for power generation and distribution across various sectors.
Coal is derived from the compression of plant matter over extensive periods, leading to its diverse forms based on compression levels, burial depth, and duration.
Peat, a low-grade brown coal, forms in wetlands with minimal carbon content.
Lignite, found mainly in Neyveli, Tamil Nadu, is used for electricity generation due to its high moisture content.
Bituminous coal, subjected to high temperatures through deep excavation, is extensively used in industries.
Anthracite, the highest quality hard coal, finds specific application in blast furnaces for iron smelting.
Coke, a carbon-rich material free from impurities, is crucial in steel production and metal extraction.
Coal gas, a byproduct of coke production, serves as a fuel in industries near coal-fired power plants.
India possesses significant coal reserves, ranking fifth globally with 107,727 million tonnes as of 2016.

PETROLEUM

Petroleum occurrences in India are primarily associated with anticlines and fault traps in tertiary rock strata.
These formations, characterized by folding, anticlines, or domes, trap oil within porous limestone or sandstone layers.
Petroleum deposits may also occur in fault traps formed by porous and non-porous rock structures, with lighter gases often appearing above the oil.
Key petroleum-producing regions in India include Mumbai High, Gujarat, and Assam. Petroleum, a lightweight liquid fuel, serves as a primary source of motive power, revolutionizing land, air, and sea transportation.
India ranks as the world’s third-largest oil consumer, consuming approximately 4.6% of the global total.

NATURAL GAS

Considered environmentally beneficial due to minimal carbon dioxide emissions, natural gas is poised to be the fuel of the twenty-first century.
Significant natural gas reserves have been identified in India’s Krishna-Godavari basin, Mumbai High, Gulf of Cambay, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Formed over millions of years from decaying plant and animal matter, natural gas stores solar energy in chemical bonds beneath the Earth’s surface.
Currently, the fertilizer industry consumes the majority of natural gas, followed by electricity generation and LPG production.
Non-energy sectors like fertilizers, petrochemicals, sponge iron, and LPG shrinkage also utilize natural gas, contributing to its multifaceted usage and complementary industry expansion.

NON-CONVENTIONAL ENERGY RESOURCES

India possesses a wealth of non-traditional energy sources, including sunlight, water, wind, and biomass.
However, the escalating demand for energy has resulted in the country’s heavy reliance on fossil fuels such as oil, coal, and gas.
Concerns have been raised regarding potential shortages and increased prices of these fossil fuels, highlighting the need for alternative energy solutions to ensure future energy security.
The reliance on fossil fuels not only poses risks of shortages and price hikes but also exacerbates environmental challenges.
As a result, there is an urgent imperative to transition towards renewable energy sources, commonly referred to as non-conventional energy sources.
These include solar energy, wind energy, tidal energy, biomass, and waste energy.
India has launched extensive programs for the development and utilization of renewable energy resources to mitigate dependence on fossil fuels and address environmental concerns.
The promotion of non-conventional energy sources aligns with India’s broader goals of achieving energy security, sustainability, and environmental stewardship.

SOLAR ENERGY

Solar energy is derived from sunlight, which is harnessed through photovoltaic cells, depending on the intended application.
It is utilized for various purposes, including cooking and water distillation.
India has witnessed the establishment of large-scale solar power plants in different regions, aimed at reducing rural dependence on traditional fuels like firewood and dung cakes.
This transition contributes to environmental preservation and ensures an adequate supply of manure for agriculture.
Notably, the capacity of solar power has increased significantly in recent years, expanding more than elevenfold from 2.6 GW in March 2014 to 30 GW in July 2019. Solar tariffs in India have become highly competitive and have achieved grid parity, making solar energy an increasingly viable option for power generation.

WIND ENERGY

Wind energy is generated by harnessing the kinetic energy of the wind, primarily utilized for powering irrigation water pumps.
India ranks as the second-largest country in terms of wind power generation.
Tamil Nadu hosts the largest wind farm cluster, spanning from Nagercoil to Madurai, while other significant wind farms are located in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Kerala, Maharashtra, and Lakshadweep.
The country boasts considerable wind power potential, with a gross potential estimated at 302 GW at 100 meters and 695.50 GW at 120 meters above ground level.
In 2020-21, India ranked fourth globally in terms of installed wind capacity, generating approximately 60.149 billion units.

GEOTHERMAL ENERGY

Geothermal energy utilizes heat and electricity generated from the Earth’s interior.
It occurs as a result of the Earth’s increasing temperature with depth, causing groundwater to heat up and produce steam upon reaching the surface.
This steam is used to power turbines and generate energy. India has initiated two pilot projects to harness geothermal energy, located in Himachal Pradesh’s Parvati Valley and Ladakh’s Puga Valley.
The country holds significant geothermal energy potential, estimated at around 10,000 MW, suitable for various applications.

NUCLEAR ENERGY

Nuclear energy is produced by altering the structure of atoms, releasing a substantial amount of heat energy used for electricity generation.
Uranium and thorium, found in regions like Jharkhand and Rajasthan’s Aravalli mountains, serve as primary sources for nuclear power generation in India.
Kerala’s monazite sands also contain high levels of thorium.
Nuclear power ranks as India’s fifth-largest source of electricity, with over 23 nuclear reactors across seven power stations, generating 6780 MW of nuclear energy.

HYDROPOWER

Hydropower, also known as hydroelectricity, involves converting energy from flowing water into electricity.
It is considered a renewable energy source as it utilizes water without consuming it, leaving it available for other purposes.
Despite being the cheapest and cleanest form of electricity, large dams associated with hydropower projects pose environmental and social challenges.
India boasts 197 hydropower plants, with a significant historical milestone achieved in the late 19th century with the establishment of electricity in Darjeeling in 1897 and the inauguration of a hydropower station at Shivasamudram, Karnataka, in 1902.
As of March 31, 2020, India’s installed utility-scale hydroelectric capacity reached 46,000 MW, accounting for 12.3% of the country’s total utility power production capacity.

TIDAL ENERGY

Tidal energy harnesses the power of tidal waves in the sea, although its exploitation is limited due to the lack of cost-effective technologies.
Floodgate dams are constructed across inlets to utilize tidal power, with regions like the Gulf of Khambhat, Gulf of Kachchh in Gujarat, and the Gangetic delta in the Sunderban districts of West Bengal identified as suitable locations for tidal energy utilization in India.
The country’s ocean energy potential is estimated to be around 54 gigawatts, comprising tidal power (12.45 GW) and wave power (41.3 GW).
India has set ambitious targets to achieve 175 GW of installed capacity by 2022 and 450 GW by 2030.

FAQs – Conventional and Non-Conventional Sources of Energy

1. What are conventional energy sources, and why are they significant in India?

A: Conventional energy sources refer to non-renewable resources like coal, oil, and natural gas, which have limited availability and will eventually be depleted. In India, these sources have historically played a crucial role in meeting the country’s energy demands, particularly in sectors like power generation and industry.

2. How are fossil fuels formed, and what are their environmental impacts?

A: Fossil fuels, such as coal and petroleum, originate from decomposed organic matter that has undergone geological processes over millions of years. While they have been vital for industrialization and economic growth, their extraction and combustion contribute to environmental degradation, air pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbating climate change.

3. What are the challenges associated with conventional energy sources?

A: The overexploitation of conventional energy sources has led to their depletion, environmental degradation, and increased dependence on imports, posing risks to energy security and economic stability. Additionally, the infrastructure for conventional energy extraction and distribution requires significant investments and is subject to geopolitical tensions.

4. What distinguishes non-conventional energy sources from conventional ones?

A: Non-conventional energy sources, also known as renewable energy sources, are replenished naturally and are considered sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels. Unlike conventional sources, they have minimal environmental impacts and offer greater energy security by reducing reliance on finite resources.

5. What are some examples of non-conventional energy sources in India?

A: Non-conventional energy sources in India include solar energy, wind power, biomass, geothermal energy, and tidal energy. These sources harness renewable resources like sunlight, wind, organic waste, and ocean tides to generate electricity, heat, and other forms of energy.

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Conventional and Non-Conventional Sources of Energy – UPSC Environment Notes