Non Conventional Sources of Energy are those resources that were considered for use at scale after the 1973 oil crisis. For example, wind, solar, biomass, geothermal, tidal, etc. These sources of energy produce no or less pollution. These sources are generally renewable in nature. Hydro is not considered a non-conventional source of energy. Although it is considered a renewable source of energy.
Non Conventional Sources of Energy Examples
Examples of non-conventional sources of energy are
- Solar energy
- Wind energy
- Geothermal energy
- Tidal energy
- Biomass energy
Solar energy
Solar energy is a form of energy that comes from the sun. The sun is a giant nuclear fusion reactor in the sky, which releases an enormous amount of energy. This energy travels to Earth on light waves and can be used for many different things, such as heating water or powering homes. Solar power has been used for centuries to dry crops and even to light our homes. Solar panels are devices that convert light from the sun into electricity.
The solar panels absorb sunlight and turn it into electricity, which can then be stored in batteries or used to power devices directly. Solar panels have been around for decades but have only recently become popular with homeowners because of the decreasing cost of solar panels and increasing efficiency over time.
Solar energy is a renewable resource and it does not emit any greenhouse gases. Solar power is also cost-effective, as it does not require any fuel to generate electricity. The cost of solar panels has decreased in recent years and this has led to a surge in the installation of solar panels across the globe.
Wind energy
Wind energy is an alternative form of energy that is generated by the wind. It has been used for centuries, but in recent years, it has become more popular as a source of power.
Wind energy is harnessed by the conversion of wind energy into mechanical or electrical energy. In the early days, windmills were used to pump water and grind grain. Today, wind turbines are used to generate electricity. The conversion process starts by using turbines to capture the kinetic energy of the wind and convert it into mechanical power. Next, this mechanical power is used to turn a generator which creates electricity.
Wind power is a renewable resource, which provides a clean, low-cost, reliable, sustainable, and environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels. A lot of people use wind power in their homes or businesses to generate electricity. It can be used in remote locations where there is no access to the electricity grid.
Geothermal energy
Geothermal energy is a renewable source of energy that is generated from the Earth’s internal heat. It consists of thermal energy generated and stored within the Earth and can be used for heating buildings, generating electricity, drying crops, and more. The heat can be found in the form of hot water or steam close to the surface of the earth or deep inside it.
The geothermal gradient is a measure of this heat as it increases with depth into the earth. This gradient varies from place to place depending on factors such as the type of rock and regional tectonic activity. In general, geothermal gradients are greater near active volcanoes (such as along the Pacific Ring of Fire) than in areas that are far away from them.
Geothermal energy is a renewable source of energy that heats homes, businesses, and schools. It’s also used to generate electricity. Geothermal energy is harnessed from the natural heat of the earth by creating steam. This steam then turns the turbines. The turbines then rotate the generator to generate electricity.
Tidal energy
Tidal energy is a form of renewable energy that converts the motion of water into other forms of energy. Tidal energy is the energy that is derived from the rise and fall of tides. In other words, this form of energy is generated by tidal currents, which are created by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun on Earth’s oceans.
Tidal energy is a renewable source of clean power. It can be harnessed in two ways: tidal stream generators and tidal barrages. These are turbines that are placed in strategic locations in order to capture the kinetic energy from ocean waves as they move through the water toward shore.
Tidal energy has been used for centuries to grind grain and pump water. In recent years it has been used to generate electricity in places where there are strong tides such as Canada, France, Scotland, Japan, Russia, and China.
Tidal energy can be harnessed to generate electricity for homes and businesses but it has been limited to coastal areas so far due to its need for deep waters near shorelines.
Biomass energy
Biomass is defined by the International Energy Agency (IEA) as “the biological material that can be converted into energy through known or potential biological processes, derived from living organisms or their residues; this includes plant or animal matter derived from biomass.”
Biomass energy is the use of organic material for energy production, usually in the form of heat. Biomass energy is a form of renewable energy. It comes from the biological material that already exists in nature, such as trees and plants. Biomass energy plants use heat and electricity to produce energy from burning biomass instead of fossil fuels.
Advantages of Non Conventional Sources of Energy
1. Nature provides non-conventional sources free of charge.
2. Pollution from these sources is either not present or very limited. These sources are, thus, generally considered eco-friendly.
3. These non-conventional sources are inexhaustible.
4. Their gestation period is short.
Disadvantages of Non Conventional Sources of Energy
1. From these sources, energy is generally available in dilute form.
2. Despite being readily available in nature, non-conventional sources of energy are generally expensive to harness.
3. Uncertainty exists regarding the availability of these non-conventional energy sources. Their availability is influenced by various natural phenomena that are out of human control.
4. This form of energy is difficult to transport.
5. Energy storage presents a challenge.
