Advantages And Disadvantages Of Non Conventional Sources Of Energy: India is blessed with different natural resources like sunlight, wind, water and biomass, hence these resources help in generating non-conventional sources of energy. According to various sources, India has the capacity of about 1,95,000 MW of non-conventional energy and 31% of it is from solar energy, 30% from the ocean and geothermal, 26% from biomass and 10% from wind energy. The need for energy from fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas resulted in excessive pollution, a shortage of oil and gas and raised uncertainties.
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What are Non-Conventional Sources of Energy? What are the advantages and disadvantages of Non-Conventional Sources of Energy?
As there is an increasing energy demand, non-conventional sources of energy are gaining importance. Department of Non-Conventional Energy Resources 1982 established the renewable energy program in India. India has set a target to achieve 450 GW of energy by 2030. According to India’s power Ministry, India ranked fourth position in the world. It has got a significant impact on economic industries and investment is very low as it just required a short gestation period.
- Advantages of Non-Conventional Sources of Energy
- Disadvantages of Non-Conventional Sources of Energy
- Comparison Table for Advantages and Disadvantages of Non-Conventional Sources of Energy
- FAQ’s on Advantages And Disadvantages Of Non Conventional Sources Of Energy
Sources of Energy
The two main sources of energy are classified as follows, Let’s classify;
Conventional Sources
Non-renewable sources of energy are called Conventional Sources of energy and it is also classified into two categories
- Commercial Energy Sources: There are resources like coal, fuel, electricity, gas, and petroleum that fall under the category of commercial energy resources as people or consumers buy them. Coal is the most important source of energy, coal is mostly composed of Carbon. Fossil fuels are used for generating electricity. Bhakra Nangal Project and Damodar Valley Project create hydroelectric power constructing dams.
- Non-Commercial Energy Sources: These resources are easily available for that consumers do not need to pay any price. Examples are straw, dried dung, firewood, etc.
Non-Conventional Sources
Renewable sources of energy are known as Non-Conventional Sources of Energy. They are mainly used for household work and they do not pollute the environment. Examples; Solar Energy, Wind Energy, and Tidal Energy.
Types of Non-Conventional Sources of Energy
A non-conventional source of energy system transforms energy from wind, sun, water, tides and biomass into heat or electricity that people can use in various ways.
- Solar Energy: It has been the most easily available source of energy.” India receives solar energy in the range of 5 to 7 kWh/m2.” It increases sustainability and decreases pollution. It is also used in residential and industrial matters. According to research, Australia has the highest amount of solar power in the world. Solar thermal devices are also utilized in solar water heaters, solar cookers and air warmers.
- Wind Energy: This energy is used for harnessing wind power to generate electricity. Airflows captured in windmills also produce electricity. India ranked fifth in the world for wind energy generation.
- Biomass Power: It is a carbon-based waste from humans and it comes from domestic trash, industry by-products, forest materials, etc. It also generates energy and anticipates sustainable development. Biogas is clean and worthy fuel made from cow dung or any biological substance that has been fermented. Biogas is also known to be non-toxic fuel used for cooking too.
- Hydropower: Energy is generated through the help of waterwheels from streams and rivers, the turbine is linked to a generator, which generates power. “The potential of small hydropower is estimated to be over 10,000 MW.”
- Geothermal energy: Releases “gases of greenhouse trapped within the earth’s crust. It is electrical power generated from geothermal energy. It is currently used in 26 countries. People use geothermal energy for generating electricity.
Advantages of Non-Conventional Sources of Energy
The non-conventional sources of energy have many advantages:
- Renewable and less expensive: Most non-conventional resources are cheaper and can be reused as compared to conventional sources.
- Environment friendly: As it is reused, it reduces the CO2 emissions which causes less pollution and harm to the environment also it is inexhaustible.
- Requires less maintenance: Because of less maintenance it remains less expensive and it also provides a sustainable environment to live in.
- Long term and future benefits: It strengthen the countries’ energy security and it is mostly imported free, it boosts the sustainability. There is a vast scope and opportunity in this field for research in science and geology.
Disadvantages of Non-Conventional Sources of Energy
- Inconsistent and Unreliable Supply: Geothermal plants deplete their energy resources and it becomes unpredictable. In the case of solar energy, the energy needed to be stored so that electricity can be produced.
- Certain risks: Windmill blades sometimes become harmful and start harming various species like birds, bats and insects. Certain solar energy creates extreme hot zones in the environment
- Radioactive waste: Nuclear energy generates radioactive waste from radioactive materials.
- Harms natural habitats: Harnessing tidal energy destroys natural habitats and harms wild animals.
Comparison Table for Advantages and Disadvantages of Non-Conventional Sources of Energy
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Non-conventional sources of energy are environmentally friendly as they cause less pollution. | The major disadvantage is that it is time-consuming and inefficient as well as unreliable in nature. |
| It provides employment too as it deals with extracting and transporting parts of non-renewable sources. | For the workers, it is more of a health risk as they work day and night inside the coal mines also results in injuries and deaths. |
| Huge profits can be generated through mining coal and exporting oil. | Non-conventional sources are gradually vanishing from the earth as they take billions of years to form. |
| Cost saving option in the long run. | It requires a huge amount of fuel in reserve to keep the power station working. |
| It is low-cost maintenance | Energy is needed to be stored. |
FAQ’s on Advantages And Disadvantages Of Non Conventional Sources Of Energy
Question 1.
What is the importance of non-conventional sources of energy?
Answer:
Non-conventional sources of energy are important as they are less harmful to nature and they are renewable and available in abundance.
Question 2.
What is the largest non-conventional source of energy?
Answer:
Solar energy is the largest non-conventional source of energy.
Question 3.
What is Solar energy?
Answer:
Solar energy is produced by sunlight. Cells are exposed to sunlight which produces electricity in the residential areas. This energy is also used for cooking.
Question 4.
What are the advantages of non-conventional sources of energy?
Answer:
Non-conventional sources of energy are easy to operate, less expensive, and less harmful to the environment.
Question 5.
What are the disadvantages of non-conventional sources of energy?
Answer:
In non-conventional sources of energy, sometimes affects the environment and there is a certain risk for the small species of their survival. It is also very unpredictable and to produce electricity a lot of energy or power is needed to be stored.