preview

Conventional Sources Of Conventional Energy Sources Essay

Satisfactory Essays

2.4 Conventional energy sources
Conventional energy sources are:
2.4.1 Fossil fuel energy
2.4.2 Hydraulic energy
2.4.3 Nuclear energy

2.4.1 Fossil fuel energy
Coal, petroleum, and natural gas are called Fossil fuel as these are formed by the decomposition of the remains of dead plants and animals buried under the earth for a long time. These are conventional sources of energy, which, if exhausted, cannot be replenished in a short time. Their reserves are limited and are considered very precious. These should be used with care and caution to let them last long. These are also contributing to the global environmental pollution.

2.4.1.1 Coal
Since the advent of industrialization coal has been most common source of energy. In the last three decades, the world switched over from coal to oil as a Major source of energy because it is simpler and cleaner to obtain useful energy from oil. Coal is a complex mixture of compounds of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Small amounts of nitrogen and Sulphur compounds are also present in coal. It is mainly available in Bihar, West Bengal, Orissa and Madhya Pradesh. The big coal mines in our country are at Jharia and Bokaro in Bihar and at Raniganj in West Bengal. It is considered as the backbone of the energy sector for its use in industry, transportation and electric power generation. Depending upon the carbon contents of coal, it is classified as follows:

Type of coal Carbon content (%)
1. Peat 60
2. Lignite (soft coal) 70
3. Bituminous

Get Access