3.Traditional Energy Sources.
Non-Renewable Energy
The energy sources that cannot be recreated and which go on depleting as we use them are non-renewable energy sources. At present most of the needs of the world are fulfilled by non-renewable sources of energy. The most extensively used non-renewable energy sources is a petroleum,natural gas,coal,propane, nuclear. The fossil fuels are formed from the dead bodies of the plants and animals buried below the deep layers of earth’s core since millions of years ago.
1)Petroleum
Petroleum or crude oil is the only energy source that occurs naturally in liquid form. It was made by marine animals and plants dying millions of years ago and being covered by mud over all that time. Heat and pressure turned the remains into oil.
2)Natural Gas
Natural gas, mostly methane, is found in the same places as oil and coal. It is a by-product of the compression process fossil plants and animals go through. There are also machines today that can turn plant matter and animal waste into natural gas.
3)Coal
Coal is the most abundant fossil fuel in the United States. It was created by the plants that died in swamps millions of years ago that were covered by dirt and water, and slowly compressed over time.
4)Propane
Propane is another by-product of the oil drilling process. It is captured in gas form and turned into a liquid for consumer and commercial use.
5)Nuclear
Most nuclear energy is supplied by uranium. Uranium is a metal found throughout the world. Nuclear plants use a specific type of uranium for the fission process, however. U-235 is a rare type of uranium which must be extracted. Most uranium for nuclear energy is mined in the western United States.
Gas supply
Natural gas is one of the most cheapest form of energy available to the residential consumer. The best known uses for natural gas around the home are natural heating and cooking. Natural gas is one of the most popular fuels for residential heating. Natural gas can also be used to help cool houses. Natural gas appliances are also rising in popularity due to their efficiency and cost effectiveness distributed generation refers to using. Natural gas to generate electricity right on the doorstep. The system was plugged into the homes natural gas line as fuel supply.
5.Alternative Energy Sources.
Renewable Energy
The energy which replenishes itself quickly and which is available in never ending supply is called alternative or renewable energy. The renewable energy comes from natural resources like sun, wind, water (tides and rainwater), heat from the earth (geothermal heat), biomass etc. There is no end to the renewable sources of energy on earth. As long as human life is there, there will be earth, sun, wind and water, and the energy from these sources will also be available as long as they are there.
1) Solar energy from sun: This is one of the most commonly used renewable sources of energy. Solar energy is being currently tapped for food cooking, water heating, electricity generation, lights, etc. The solar collectors are installed that collect the solar energy and convert it into various forms.
2) Wind energy: Wind energy is being used extensively for generation of electricity. Huge fans are installed to tap the wind energy and convert it into electricity for domestic as well as commercial applications. It is popular in countries like India, China, US, Denmark, etc.
3) Geothermal energy: The heat from the earth is called geothermal energy. It can be used to heat water, generate electricity, etc.
4) Biomass energy: This is the energy stored in the organic matter generated by the plants and animals.
5) Water energy: The energy obtained from tidal waves, rain water, etc. is the renewable energy obtained from water.