Conventional sources of energy are the traditional energy sources that have been used for a long time and are primarily derived from fossil fuels (coal, petroleum, natural gas) and other sources like firewood, animal dung, and charcoal. They are generally non-renewable — meaning they form over millions of years and cannot be replenished quickly. Conventional energy sources are the major contributors to environmental pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
Conventional energy sources: coal, petroleum, natural gas, firewood, charcoal.
They are non-renewable — take millions of years to form.
Coal types (decreasing carbon%): Anthracite > Bituminous > Lignite > Peat.
First oil well in Asia: Digboi, Assam (1889).
India's largest offshore oil field: Mumbai High.
Natural gas is the cleanest among fossil fuels (lower CO₂ per unit energy).
India imports ~80% of its crude oil needs.
Thermal power plants produce ~65–70% of India's electricity.
India is 3rd largest energy consumer in the world.
Coal • Formed from ancient plant matter compressed over millions of years (carbonisation) • Types: Anthracite (highest carbon %), Bituminous, Lignite, Peat (lowest carbon %) • Used for: electricity generation (thermal power plants), steel manufacturing, domestic heating • Coal reserves in India: Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha (major producing states) • Largest coal reserve in India: Gondwana coalfields • Environmental impact: air pollution (SO₂, NOₓ, CO₂), acid rain, greenhouse gas emissions
Petroleum (Crude Oil) • Formed from marine organisms compressed under rock layers over millions of years • Refined into: petrol, diesel, kerosene, LPG, lubricants, plastics • Major oilfields in India: Mumbai High (offshore), Assam (Digboi — first oil well in Asia, 1889), Gujarat (Ankleshwar) • India imports most of its petroleum requirements • Environmental impact: oil spills, air pollution, greenhouse gases
Natural Gas • Formed along with petroleum deposits • Mainly methane (CH₄) with smaller amounts of ethane, propane • Used for: cooking (CNG, LPG), electricity generation, industrial feedstock • Cleaner than coal and oil (lower CO₂ emissions per unit energy) • Major gas fields in India: Krishna-Godavari basin, Rajasthan, Assam
Firewood (Fuelwood) • Most traditional conventional energy source • Still used in rural India for cooking (about 75% of India's rural households) • Causes deforestation and indoor air pollution • Biomass energy (including animal dung cakes) is still the largest single primary energy source in rural areas
Thermal Electricity (Thermal Power Plants) • Coal, oil, or gas burned to produce steam → steam drives turbines → electricity • India's thermal power plants produce ~65–70% of India's electricity
Conventional Sources | Non-Conventional Sources Traditional/old sources | New and emerging sources Non-renewable (mostly) | Renewable (mostly) Limited reserves | Unlimited/continuously available Cause pollution | Environmentally cleaner Examples: Coal, Petroleum, Natural Gas | Examples: Solar, Wind, Hydro, Tidal, Geothermal
Why conventional sources are being depleted: • Formed over millions of years — finite quantity • Global consumption is far faster than formation • At current consumption rates: — Coal: reserves may last 100–200 years — Petroleum: reserves may last 40–50 years globally — Natural gas: reserves may last 50–60 years
Conservation of conventional energy: • Use energy-efficient appliances (LED lights, 5-star ratings) • Promote public transport over private vehicles • Shift to non-conventional/renewable energy sources • Reduce waste and unnecessary consumption
India's energy scenario: • India is the 3rd largest energy consumer in the world • Majority of electricity: from thermal (coal) power plants (~65–70%) • Renewable energy capacity growing rapidly (solar, wind)
Major thermal power plants in India: • Vindhyachal Super Thermal Power Station (MP): largest in India • Mundra Thermal Power Station (Gujarat) • Rihand Thermal Power Station (UP)
India's petroleum situation: • India imports ~80% of its crude oil requirement • Major importers from: Saudi Arabia, Iraq, UAE, USA • Mumbai High: India's largest offshore oil field (Maharashtra coast)
Government initiatives: • UJJWALA Yojana: LPG connections to BPL households → shift from firewood • Perform Achieve Trade (PAT): energy efficiency scheme for industries • International Solar Alliance (ISA): co-founded by India and France (2015) • National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC)
Conventional sources of energy are traditional energy sources that have been used for centuries, primarily fossil fuels: coal, petroleum (oil), and natural gas. They also include firewood and animal dung. These are mostly non-renewable — they cannot be replenished quickly and are being depleted rapidly. They cause significant environmental pollution (CO₂, SO₂, air pollution).
Conventional: traditional (coal, oil, gas), non-renewable, cause pollution, limited reserves. Non-conventional: newer (solar, wind, hydro, tidal, geothermal), renewable, cleaner, unlimited. India is shifting towards non-conventional energy to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and combat climate change.
Major coal-producing states: Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh. The Gondwana coalfields (Jharkhand, MP, Chhattisgarh) have India's largest coal reserves.
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