Conventional sources of energy

 

Good source of energy

 

A good source of energy would be :--

1.  Which would do a large amount of work per unit volume or mass.

2.  Which would be easily accessible

3.  Which would be easy to store and transport

4.  Which would be economical

 

Conventional sources of energy

The conventional sources of energy are also called as non-renewable source of energy that are being used since  a long time.

 

1.          Fossil  fuels :--

                               Fossil fuels are the fuels that are formed by the natural processes such as anaerobic decompositions of buried dead organisms and containing organic molecules that release the energy in combustion.

Fossil fuels are so important because they can be burnt to produce significant amount of energy. Due to such exploitation of coal as a source of energy ,the use of the fossil fuels was the central to the industrial revolution. Increasing industrialization has led to better quality of life in whole world. Due to this , a global demand for energy to grow at a huge rate. These increasing demand for energy was met  by fossil   fuels like coal and petroleum. And  industries or technologies are required these source of energy.

Fossils fuels  are non- renewable source of energy. And these fuels are  formed over millions of year ago. So we need to conserve them. If these fossil fuels are continuously consuming, then we reach at alarming conditions.

But we depend on such fossil fuels for most of our   energy requirements. Fossil fuels are major fuels for generating electricity. And these fuels are used for various purpose like gas stove and vechiels.

 

 

Disadvantage of fossil fuels:--

on burning of fossil fuels, The oxides of the carbon , nitrogen, and Sulphur that are released are acidic oxides. These leads to acid rain. These acid rain which damage our natural , water and soil resources.

Burning fossil fuels are generating large amount of ashes and harmful gases into the surroundings.

 

2.          Thermal power plant:--

 Thermal power plant is a power plant in which heat energy is converted to electricity.

A large amount of fossil fuels are used to burn everyday in power plant or power stations .

These energy are used to heat up the water to produce the steam which further runs the turbine to generate electric power.

The transmissions of electricity is more potential than transporting coal and petroleum.

So, many thermal power plant is set up near coal or oil fields.

 

3.          Hydro power plant:--

Hydro power plant is another source of energy which is achieved by the kinetic energy of flowing water or the potential energy of water at a height.

Hydro power plants convert the potential energy of falling water into electric power.

To produce the hydel electricity, a dams are constructed on the river to store the flow of water and water is being stored in large reservoirs which is in the form of potential energy. The water level get rises to maximum level to create the high pressure.

In this process, the kinetic energy is converted into potential energy.

Now, the water in high level is carried through the pipes , to the turbines at the bottom of the dam. The turbine converts the potential energy into the mechanical energy to run the generator. And the generator produces the electric power.

The reservoir will  be refilled each time it rains. So that hydro power is a renewable source of energy.

 

Advantage of hydro power plant:--

1.          Low operating cost

2.          No fuel charges

3.          High reliable

4.          Low maintenance charge

5.          Less labour is required to handle the plant

6.          No health hazard

 

Disadvantage of hydro power plant:--

1.          Dams can be constructed only in a limited areas likely in hilly terrains.

2.          High capital cost.

3.          Large area of agriculture and human habitation are to be sacrificed as they get submerged.

4.          When the water in dams get submerged, large eco-system are destroyed.

5.          People who live near the dams get displaced during the construction.

6.          Dams or reservoirs are major bad impact on river ecosystems.

7.          The vegetation which is submerged rots anaerobic conditions and give rise to large amounts of methane gas which is also a green house gas.

8.          The construction of the dams and reservoirs are major result in habitat loss for some aquatic species.