Explain conventional energy resources and non-conventional energy resources.

Conventional energy resources refer to traditional sources of energy that have been widely used for many years. These include fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas, as well as nuclear power. These resources are finite and can have negative environmental impacts, such as air and water pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and habitat destruction.

Non-conventional energy resources, on the other hand, refer to alternative sources of energy that are more sustainable and environmentally friendly. These include renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, and biomass energy. These resources are abundant, clean, and have minimal environmental impacts compared to conventional energy sources.

Overall, non-conventional energy resources are becoming increasingly important as the world seeks to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and transition to a more sustainable energy future.

Conventional Energy Resources

Conventional energy resources refer to well-established sources of energy that have been used for a long time and are widely available. They include:

- Fossil fuels: Coal, oil, and natural gas. These are non-renewable resources that are formed from the buried remains of ancient plants and animals.
- Nuclear power: Fission or fusion of atomic nuclei to generate heat, which is used to produce steam and drive turbines for electricity generation.
- Hydropower: The use of flowing water to turn turbines and generate electricity.
- Biomass: Organic materials from living or recently living organisms, such as wood, plants, and animal waste, which can be burned or processed to release energy.

Non-Conventional Energy Resources

Non-conventional energy resources are newer and less widely used sources of energy that have the potential to replace or supplement conventional resources. They include:

- Renewable energy sources:

- Solar energy: The conversion of sunlight into electricity using photovoltaic panels or heat using solar thermal collectors.
- Wind energy: The use of wind turbines to convert kinetic energy into electricity.
- Geothermal energy: The use of heat from the Earth's crust to generate electricity or heat buildings.

- Non-renewable energy sources:

- Coalbed methane: Natural gas trapped in coal seams or coal beds.
- Oil shale: A sedimentary rock that contains kerogen, which can be heated or chemically treated to produce oil.
- Tar sands: Deposits of bitumen or tar-like heavy crude oil mixed with sand, clay, and water.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Conventional Energy Resources:

- Advantages:
- Abundant and widely available
- Reliable and well-established technologies
- Disadvantages:
- Finite and non-renewable
- Contribute to greenhouse gas emissions
- Can have environmental impacts during extraction and use

Non-Conventional Energy Resources:

- Advantages:
- Renewable and sustainable
- Reduced greenhouse gas emissions
- Can contribute to energy security
- Disadvantages:
- Intermittent or variable availability (e.g., solar and wind)
- Higher costs in some cases
- May require new infrastructure or technologies