Collegedunia Team Content Curator
Content Curator
Energy resources are all forms of resources available in the contemporary world to perform various activities. These activities include the generation of electricity, automobile, industrial activities, production cooking, and all possible activities. The resources are categorized into conventional and non-conventional sources of energy. However, the usage of these resources has major environmental impacts which can lead to more harm than good. Hence, we should use them cautiously and prevent hazardous consequences.
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Key Takeaways: Energy resources, Conventional and non-conventional sources of energy, Depletion, Pollution.
What are Energy Resources?
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Energy is derived from natural resources available to all living organisms. Plants derive their energy from sun through photosynthesis whereas animals and human beings derive energy from their food. Energy comes in different forms and can be converted from one form to another. For example, if we drop a stone from a height, the potential energy of a stone is converted to sound energy when it hits the ground.
Energy Sources
To carry out mechanical works, energy is produced using natural resources such as coal, petroleum and natural gas. By using these traditional sources of energy in excess, the environment would get affected which inturn creates a big impact in the livelihood of the biodiversity.
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Types of Energy Resources
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Energy resources can be categorized into
Conventional sources of energy: They are also known as non-renewable sources of energy. The resources are finite and can be depleted over some time.
Non-conventional sources of energy: These are known as renewable sources of energy. These cannot be depleted, and can be renewed by natural processes on a continual basis.
Renewable and Non renewable sources of energy
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Differences between Conventional and Non Conventional Sources Of Energy
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The key differences between conventional and non conventional sources of energy are tabulated below.
| Conventional sources of energy | Non-Conventional sources of energy |
|---|---|
| These are non-renewable and exhausted after a period of time. | These are renewable and cannot be depleted. |
| The resources cannot be renewed. | The resources can be replenished. |
| These are not eco-friendly. | These are eco friendly. |
| This causes pollution and emits a lot of carbon through emissions. | These do not cause pollution and do not emit carbon or other pollutants. |
| The fuels are comparatively costlier. | These resources are comparatively cheaper. |
| The extraction and setup cost is high. | The setup cost is low. |
| Conventional sources are present in limited reserves. | Non-conventional sources are abundant in nature. |
| Examples are fossil fuels, coal, crude oil, petro, diesel, etc., | Examples are solar energy, wind energy, etc., |
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Environmental Impacts
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The exploitation of energy resources causes an impact on the environment. Disturbances created by conventional sources are significantly higher than the disturbances caused by non-conventional sources. The environmental problems include air pollution, water pollution, global warming and climate change due to the emission of greenhouse gases.
Pollution causes chronic and life-threatening diseases like asthma, cancer and skin diseases. The pollutants emitted from fossil fuel combustion like carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, etc., are the root cause of pollution in cities. The rain when mixed with the pollutants causes acid rain which degrades many buildings and statues. The acid rain is responsible for converting the white marble of the Taj Mahal into yellow colour.
Taj Mahal turning yellow due to pollution
Coal mining causes water pollution. The minerals leached out from soil come into contact with water and pollute it. Installation of renewable energy mediums can also disrupt land use and wildlife habitat.
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Things to Remember
- Sun is the ultimate source of energy. Many energy sources derive their energy from the Sun.
- Some sources of energy get renewed, these are called non-conventional sources of energy
- While some sources need to be preserved to prevent them from getting exhausted. These are called conventional sources of energy.
- We need to use energy resources carefully and also need to take measures to protect our environment disturbed by the toxic gases emitted from their usage.
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Sample Questions
Ques: Write any three advantages of nuclear energy? (CBSE 2011) (3 marks)
Ans: The advantages of nuclear energy are:
A small quantity of nuclear fuel can produce a large amount of energy.
A nuclear power plant causes less air pollution than thermal power plants if a nuclear fission reaction is performed accurately.
A very small amount of nuclear fuel can run a nuclear power plant for a long period, unlike a thermal power plant.
Ques: What is geothermal energy? Write any two advantages of geothermal energy. (3 marks)
Ans: The thermal energy obtained from the molten rocks formed in the earth’s crust is called geothermal energy. It is a renewable source of energy. Any two advantages of geothermal energy are written below
- It is cheap as compared to other energy sources.
- The cost of production is low and the performance is high.
Ques: Write any four limitations in harnessing wind energy on a large scale. (CBSE 2010) (4 marks)
Ans: Limitations in harnessing wind energy on a large scale are the following:
- The high speed of wind required for production cannot be available at all times and places.
- A huge amount of land is required to set up wind energy farms.
- The speed of wind should be higher than 15 km/hr to harness the wind energy. 4. The cost of construction of a windmill and its installation is very high.
Ques: State three reasons why LPG is an ideal fuel. (3 Marks)
Ans: LPG is an ideal fuel as
- LPG is easy to store, manage and transport.
- It does not cause any pollution and does not leave any residue behind after burning. 3. It produces an extensive amount of heat on burning.
Ques: Suggest any three steps to reduce energy consumption. (3 Marks)
Ans: Any three steps to reduce energy consumption are:
- Do carpool or use public transport as much as possible to minimise the use of petrol and diesel.
- Switch off electrical appliances when not in use and install energy-efficient appliances.
- Use appliances that use solar energy like solar cookers, solar water, etc., heaters at homes.
Ques: Write any three environmental consequences of fossil fuels. (3 Marks)
Ans: Three environmental consequences of fossil fuels are:
- The burning of fossil fuels releases gases like methane and carbon dioxide. These gases absorb heat and prevent it from escaping the earth's atmosphere.
- The combustion of fossil fuels liberates sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide in the air. These gases mix with air and cause air pollution.
- Sulphur dioxide present in untreated coal smoke can mix with other elements and cause acid rain.
Ques: Mention three hazards of nuclear waste. (3 Marks)
Ans: The three hazards of nuclear waste are written below:
- Nuclear waste is highly toxic. There is always a high risk of accidental leakage.
- It contains radioactive substances which can emit harmful radiation.
- Improper disposal can result in environmental contamination.
Ques: (a) Define tidal energy.
(b) Explain how tidal energy is harnessed and write one limitation of the use of tidal energy. (3 Marks)
Ans: Tidal energy is a renewable source of energy produced by converting energy from tides into useful forms of power. The difference in tides is caused by the gravitational pull of the moon.
Tidal energy is harnessed by constructing a dam near the shores. During the high tides, water flows into the dam and during the low tides, water flows out. This flowing water rotates the turbine, present at the opening of the dam and produces electricity.
One limitation of the use of tidal energy is that the initial cost of construction is very high.
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