The sun is the main source of energy on Earth.
Other energy sources include coal,
geothermal energy, wind energy, biomass, petrol, nuclear energy, and many more. Energy is
classified into various types based on sustainability as renewable sources of energy and
non-renewable sources of energy.
Table of Contents:
What is Energy?
Sources of Energy
Difference between Renewable and Non-renewable Sources of Energy
Natural Sources of Energy
Types of Natural Sources of Energy
Difference between Conventional and Non-conventional Sources of Energy
What Is Energy?
The classical description of energy is the ability of a system to perform work, but as
energy exists in so many forms, it is hard to find one comprehensive definition. It is
the property of an object that can be transferred from one object to another or
converted to different forms but cannot be created or destroyed. There are numerous
sources of energy. In the next few sections, let us discuss the about different
sources of energy in detail.
Sources Of Energy
Sources of energy can be classified into:
Renewable Sources
Non-renewable Sources
Renewable sources of energy are available plentiful in nature and are sustainable.
These resources of energy can be naturally replenished and are safe for the
environment.
Examples of renewable sources of energy are: Solar energy, geothermal energy,
wind energy, biomass, hydropower and tidal energy.
A non-renewable resource is a natural resource that is found underneath the earth.
These type of energy resources do not replenish at the same speed at which it is
used. They take millions of years to replenish. The main examples of non-renewable
resources are coal, oil and natural gas.
Examples of non-renewable sources of energy are: Natural gas, coal, petroleum,
nuclear energy and hydrocarbon gas liquids.
Difference between Renewable and Non-renewable
Sources of Energy
Renewable Non-renewable
The resources that cannot be renewed once they are
The resources that can be renewed once they are
consumed are called non-renewable sources of
consumed are called renewable sources of energy.
energy.
These resources do not cause any environmental
These resources cause environmental pollution..
pollution.
Renewable resources are inexhaustible. Non- Renewable resources are exhaustible.
Renewable resources are not affected by human Non- Renewable resources are affected by human
activities. activities.
Examples of Renewable resources- Air, water and Examples of Non-renewable resources- natural gas,
solar energy. coal and nuclear energy.
Hydrogen Overview
I
Brief on Green Hydrogen
India has announced a target of energy independence by 2047 and a net-zero by 2070. Green
Hydrogen is expected to play a substantial role towards achieving these goals. Green Hydrogen,
is produced by the process of electrolysis, where water is split into hydrogen and oxygen using
electricity generated from renewable sources like solar, wind, or hydropower. This process
results in a clean and emission-free fuel that has immense potential to replace fossil fuels and
reduce carbon emissions. Another method of producing Green Hydrogen is from biomass, which
involves the gasification of biomass to produce hydrogen. Both these production methods are
clean and sustainable, making Green Hydrogen an attractive option for the transition to a low-
carbon future.
The need for Green Hydrogen is rapidly increasing due to its potential to decarbonize several
sectors, including transportation, shipping, and steel among others. Green hydrogen can replace
traditional fossil fuels in transportation, which contributes significantly to greenhouse gas
emissions. It can also be used in industry for the production of ammonia, methanol, and steel,
which are currently heavily reliant on fossil fuels. Additionally, Green Hydrogen can be used as a
backup energy source for renewable energy plants, providing a constant and reliable source of
energy.