Any resource that can produce heat, power life, move objects and produce electricity is called an energy resource. Energy resources can be classified on a variety of basis like nature of their transaction, availability, etc. The most important classification is based on the conventionality in deriving the energy. According to this, energy resources are of two types –
a) Conventional energy resources
b) Non-conventional energy resources.
(a) Conventional energy resources – Any energy resource that is limited in nature and non-renewable and has been used since a long time is termed a conventional energy resource. Examples of this include coal, petroleum, natural gas and electricity.
(b) Non-conventional energy resources- Any energy resource that is yet to be used on a large scale and can be naturally replenished on a human time scale is called non-conventional energy resource. Not only are these abundant in nature but also renewable. Examples of this include Nuclear or atomic energy, solar energy, wind power, biogas, tidal energy and geothermal energy.
In a developing country like India, energy resources are highly important as they form the basis of the country’s evolution. In such a scenario, non-conventional energy resources play a major role. Because of its geographic location, India has an abundant supply of non-conventional energy resources.
With research, it is possible to channel these sources for proper use, which in turn will lower India’s dependency on conventional sources. India is affected in a negative manner by the rising oil and gas prices, switching resource options will lower the negative impacts. Conventional resources are mainly fossil fuels which inadvertently affect the environment. By switching to non-conventional resources, we will not only be able to better the economy but also better the impacts on the environment and secure its future.
