Conventional energy means the energy source which is obtained from fixed reserves in nature like oil, gas and coal. In other words conventional energy is also termed as non-renewable energy sources, or fossil fuels. Renewable & Non-Conventional Sources Of Energy With reference to two non-conventional energy sources called ‘coal bed methane’ and ‘shale gas’, consider the following ‘statements: Coal bed methane is the pure methane gas extracted from coal seams, while shale gas is a mixture of propane and butane only that can be extracted from fine-grained sedimentary rocks. Conventional and Non-Conventional Sources of Energy. India is the fourth largest consumer of energy in the world after USA, China and Russia but it is not endowed with abundant energy resources.
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By Mariecor Agravante
In recent years, calls for a stalwart shift toward renewable non-conventional natural resources as sources of energy have increased. Potential players in the renewable non-conventional energy sector include solar, wind, algae, geothermal, nuclear, hydropower and ocean (tidal or wave) alternatives. While these non-conventional options show promise, they have their drawbacks.
Inconsistent, Unreliable Supply
For a number of these non-conventional energy sources, the weather, atmospheric conditions and the environment have to cooperate for harnessing their energy. Wind might be in short supply for wind turbines, or cloud cover might interfere with solar energy collection. Geothermal plants have been known to deplete their energy source, sometimes unpredictably. This inconsistency and low reliability can be costly, especially when the goal is to convert an energy source into electricity for power distribution.
When the supply is inconsistent and unreliable, large quantities of power might not be generated from non-conventional energy sources. That is problematic if a country wants to depend on the energy source to meet the demands of powering an entire nation. The inconsistency, unreliability and unpredictability of non-conventional energy sectors that are still in their infancy lead to debate on whether the sectors are feasibly sustainable for the long term.
Pollution
Pollution is a major ecological issue when it comes to non-conventional energy sources. Wind turbine farms create noise pollution. Nuclear reactors create toxic wastes that are harmful to living things, thus making storage, transport and disposal a serious challenge. Geothermal plants have been associated with toxic emissions such as sulfur dioxide, silica and heavy metal deposits of mercury, arsenic and boron.
Harmful to Wildlife and Surrounding Environment
Harmful risks from certain non-conventional energy sources are a reality. Wind energy farms are notorious for harming species of birds, bats and insects with windmill blades. Certain solar energy farms create intense hot zones in the atmosphere from the amount of heat bouncing off their reflective surfaces. These hot zones have harmed, blinded and killed passing birds and insects. The construction of facilities to take advantage of ocean energy can destabilize marine ecosystems, adversely affecting both nesting grounds and hunting grounds, threatening the future of entire species.
As for nuclear energy, there is the risk of a reactor meltdown. Earthquakes, floods, sinkholes, tornadoes, hurricanes and all manner of natural disasters can damage a nuclear plant, creating leaks and environmental contamination. Nuclear cleanup is not easy, and given the half-life of nuclear elements used in nuclear plants, it can be extensive. That length of time for recovery from a nuclear plant disaster might not sit well with constituents and political groups. Even if no nuclear meltdown takes place, nuclear plants produce harmful waste materials that are difficult to dispose of, transport and store.
High Cost
Starting a farm or plant that leverages solar, wind, algae, geothermal, nuclear, hydropower and ocean avenues requires hefty funding and investments. Acquiring the real estate to place the windmills, solar panels, algae farm, geothermal facility, nuclear plant, hydropower dam and ocean center requires sizable upfront capital outlays to fund, build, maintain and implement the endeavors properly with infrastructure and technologies that are up to code standards. The large-scale production, maintenance and harvesting of algae can translate into exorbitant expenditures.
Not Every Non-Conventional Energy Source Is Commercially Viable
Geothermal and ocean energy sources require specific locations close to a geothermal or ocean energy source. Sometimes that access is not without risks and hazards, which could affect distribution networks and infrastructure. These risks and hazards, not to mention the insurance costs to cover them, might be too pricey for the project to be commercially viable under present technological standards. Some form of technological breakthrough is needed to further geothermal and ocean energy sectors. If unfavorable economics exist, these non-conventional energy sources can turn out to be too costly and inefficient to be relied upon.
Location-Specificity Means Lower Chances of Universality
Non-conventional energy sources that are location-specific have limited accessibility. Land-locked states can't have ocean energy sources available. States that do not have deserts, estuaries, geothermal locales, or large tracts of available land free of development won’t be able to take advantage of solar, hydropower, geothermal or wind energy resources.
Low Efficiency Levels
Initial setup costs are steep for unconventional energy sources. The land management afterward can be taxing as well. Political groups in a state or city might try to hinder the progress of the project, especially if they argue about environmental concerns, displacement of people from large tracts of land or any other competing interests.
Wind farms are only practical in areas with a lot of wind, and even if the area is known to be windy, there will be moments when no winds blow. In that situation, a viable backup solution to address where the energy will come from to power up the electric grid is needed. Consider hydropower dams during a drought. Dams might seem advantageous during a boon year of water flow. However, when there’s a drought or an environmental concern from the redirection of natural water flow – whether it be interference with the salmon runs in the Pacific Northwest or the creation of toxic chemical runoff in southern California's Salton Sea – questions are raised. Even if drought isn't a problem, hydropower dams are still met with controversy from conservation groups about biological diversity loss, nutrient flow interference and erosion concerns. Controversies arise about how efficient the non-conventional energy resource can be during times of hardship. The non-conventional energy sector is still an industry in its infancy. Consequently, there will often be arguments and debates revolving around feasibility, efficiency and scalability.
Updated September 26, 2017
Updated September 26, 2017
Alternative energy has received more attention in the national and international media as the pollution from fossil fuels becomes more apparent. Global warming and declining air quality are two effects of society's dependence on fossil fuels. By introducing alternative energy sources into your own daily life, you can help save the environment and reduce your use of the decreasingly affordable petroleum-based fuels.
Potential
Non Conventional Resources
Relegated to rural areas and nature nuts in the past, alternative energy is now a growing option for homeowners and businesses who want to be eco-friendly and save money at the same time. Options for alternative energy include wind power, water power, plant power, solar power, and the less eco-friendly nuclear power. Using alternative energy can prevent pollution from fossil fuels and save money on heating and electric bills. Advancing technology in extracting energy from renewable resources continues to develop to make alternative energy more compact and more efficient to collect.
Harnessing the Wind
Wind power is an inexpensive option for collection alternative electric power. Wind power works by collecting the energy from the wind with a rotor that turns and powers a generator. The electricity is then stored or used to power machinery, lighting, and even homes. Wind power is convenient even if you don't have much land, but is not recommended for city areas where nearby buildings will block most of the wind.
Wading Hydropower
Hydropower is a powerful option for climates with a running water source. Hydropower is collected in one of a few ways. One way to collect hydropower is to heat water into steam and use the steam to power a generator. Another way to collect hydropower is to use a water wheel to collect the kinetic energy in a running river or stream. An emerging technology may allow hydropower to be collected from the movement of water in pipes in a municipal water source. Developing hydropower machines that collect the energy from running pipes offers a more compact hydropower option for city areas with little running water.
Biopower: Grass
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, grasses offer a glimmer of hope in the search for a cheap, renewable energy source. Switchgrass has received media attention for its popularity among former oil businesspeople who wish to look to a cleaner, greener energy future. Switchgrass is a fast-growing grass that burns at a high temperature, supplying a large degree of heat energy. Energy scientists hope that technological developments in 'gassification' will allow switchgrass to be converted into fuels previously derived only from fossil fuels such as gasoline and diesel fuel.
Trees: Shady and Renewable
Non Conventional Energy Sources With Focus On Solar Energy
You may not think of trees as an alternate source of energy, but used responsibly, you can use trees to produce electricity that is cleaner and more environmentally responsible than fossil fuels. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, like switchgrass, you can burn trees to produce heat energy. You can use wood pellets to power heat stoves, and they can heat steam, which can be converted to electricity. If forests are replanted properly, wood will be available for lumber and fuel for generations.