Energy Sources

Energy is a basic requirement of life nowadays. We require it in all the places: from our home to our workplaces, from schools to institutions, from electronic technologies to R&D. And that energy comes from different sources. These sources can be divided largely into two categories: 

  • Renewable energy: This type of energy is collected from natural sources which are constantly replenished. For example sunlight, water, wind, tides, geothermal heat. 
  • Non-renewable energy: This type of energy is collected from sources that do not get naturally replenished and will run out after some time. For example petroleum, coal and fossil fuels.

Now, we will discuss these sources of energy separately:

Renewable Energy

  • Solar energy: Sun is our primary source of energy. Human beings have been using solar energy for thousands of years for drying food, staying warm and growing crops. But nowadays solar energy is used to generate electricity by using photovoltaic cells. These cells are made of silicon generally and transform sunlight into electricity. Solar energy can be utilised in different ways such as solar panels, solar geysers, solar light bulbs and solar cookers.
  • Wind energy: It is produced by using wind which is the natural movement of air across the sea or land. The wind is used to rotate the blades of the windmill which causes the movement of the shaft attached to it. The shaft movement then generates electricity through the pump. 
  • Hydropower: This source of energy deals with water, thus the name “hydro energy”, now the water can be the flowing water through the rivers or sea. Hydro energy term is generally used for water from the rivers. Hydropower plants are set up by building a dam sometimes and water flowing is used to move the turbine which in turn generates electricity.
  • Tidal energy: This is the energy produced by the tides in the oceans. As we know the tidal cycle occurs every 12 hours influenced by the gravitational force of the moon. Now water is stored in a barrage during high tide and released during a low tide. This energy source is not used a lot as it is very expensive and not very efficient.
  • Biomass Energy: This source of energy is produced by organic matter called biomass which comes from animals, plants, tres e.t.c. When biomass is burned it releases chemical energy in the form of heat and by using a steam turbine that heat can be converted into electricity.
  • Geothermal Energy: Anyone who has taken a dip in a hot water spring has experienced geothermal energy. It is the heat stored in the crust of the Earth and used for generating electricity or heat applications.

Non-Renewable Energy

  • Fossil fuels are the primary source of non-renewable energy. Coal, petroleum, natural gas all are their byproducts and electricity is generated by burning these fuels. Fossil fuels are present in a limited quantity on Earth and because of their excessive use, there is not much left. Thus this source of energy needs to be preserved. Along with this, these products cause a huge among of pollution on burning which has to lead to global warming so the best-case scenario for us right now is to focus on renewable sources of energy.

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