Energy sources that have been widely used for the bulk of human history are known as conventional. They are non-renewable in nature, which means that once a sample of a traditional energy source has been exhausted, it can no longer be used. Non-renewable materials either require a long time to create or aren't found in nature. Minerals are the most prevalent resource in this group. Non-renewable resources are those whose consumption rate exceeds their replenishment/recovery rate. This article will explain to you the Conventional Energy in India which will be helpful in Geography preparation for the UPSC Civil service exam.

Conventional Energy in India

• These are non renewable energy sources that will only be available for a short period of time. These resources will be depleted over time since they are non-renewable.
• Usually derived from decomposing debris that has been around for millions of years.
• The continued exploitation of natural resources has severely harmed them.
• Coal, for example, is a traditional energy source that has been misused and depleted.
• Other than coal, traditional energy sources include biomass, natural gas, and petroleum.
• These sources wreak havoc on the ecosystem and contribute to global warming.
• Commercial and industrial applications are common.
• Involve a lot of money in terms of manufacturing and upkeep. When compared to non-conventional energy sources, it is widely used.
• Fossil fuels, for example, fall into this category since their generation rate is extremely slow (potentially millions of years), making them non-renewable.
• Metallic minerals, unlike coal and petroleum, may be recycled and reused. Once they are completely depleted, it takes millions of years to replenish them.
• Non-commercial energy sources are often defined as those that are freely available. Straw, dried dung, and firewood are examples of non-commercial energy sources.

Fossil Fuels

• Fossil fuels are combustible geologic deposits of organic matter, such as dead plants and animals, that have been buried beneath thousands of feet of sediment.
• Due to the intense heat and pressure within the earth's crust, these deposits decomposed over time and were changed to natural gas, coal, and petroleum.
• They are also regarded as non-renewable energy sources since they require a long time to refill.

Coal

• In India, coal is the most easily available fossil fuel. It satisfies a large amount of the country's energy needs.
• It is used to both generate and deliver power to businesses and residences.
• India's commercial energy demands are mainly reliant on coal.
• Coal is formed by the compression of plant material over millions of years.
• As a result, depending on the degree of compression, as well as the depth and duration of burial, coal can be found in a variety of forms.
• In wetlands, decomposing plants generate peat.
• It has a low carbon and moisture content, as well as a restricted heat capacity.
• Lignite is a mushy, low-grade brown coal with a high moisture content. The main lignite deposits are in Neyveli, Tamil Nadu, and they are used to generate electricity.
• Coal that has been excavated deep and subjected to high temperatures is known as bituminous coal. It is the most widely used coal in industry.
• Metallurgical coal is high-grade bituminous coal with a specific use in blast furnaces for smelting iron. The best quality hard coal is anthracite.
• Coke is a dark, rough, porous material. It's carbon that's practically completely free of impurities. Coke is utilised in the production of steel as well as the extraction of a variety of metals.
• Coal gas is created when coal is processed to make coke. It is utilised as a fuel in a number of businesses located near coal-fired power stations.
• As of 2016, India ranked fifth in the world with 107,727 million tonnes of proven coal reserves, accounting for nearly 9% of the world's total coal reserves of 1,139,471 million tonnes.

Petroleum

• The majority of petroleum occurrences in India are connected with anticlines and fault traps in tertiary rock strata.
• It occurs in regions of folding, anticlines, or domes where oil is trapped in the crest of the upfold.
• The oil-bearing layer is a porous limestone or sandstone that allows oil to flow through it. Intervening non-porous layers keep the oil from rising or sinking.
• Petroleum can also be discovered in fault traps formed by porous and non-porous rocks.
• Due to the gas being lighter than oil, it frequently appears above it.
• In India, important petroleum-producing locations are Mumbai High, Gujarat, and Assam.
• The primary source of motive power is petroleum and petroleum products. It's a little, lightweight liquid fuel that's changed the way people travel on land, in the air, and on the sea.
• Tankers can transfer it readily from the producing areas to the consuming areas, but pipelines are more convenient, efficient, and cost-effective.
• It produces extremely little smoke and no ash (as is the case with coal) and may be utilised until the very last drop.
• It is a major raw ingredient for different petrochemical products and supplies the most essential lubricating agents.
• India is the world's third-largest oil consumer, consuming around 4.6 percent of the world's total of 97,103,871 barrels per day.

Natural Gas

• Natural gas is considered an environmentally beneficial fuel due to its minimal carbon dioxide emissions and is hence the fuel of the twenty-first century.
• Natural gas deposits of significant size have been identified in the Krishna-Godavari basin.
• The reserves of the Mumbai High and related fields are enhanced along the west coast by discoveries in the Gulf of Cambay.
• Andaman and Nicobar Islands are also major places with significant natural gas deposits.
• Natural gas is created over millions of years when layers of decaying plant and animal waste are exposed to tremendous heat and pressure under the Earth's surface.
• The energy that the plants get from the sun is stored in the gas in the form of chemical bonds.
• Currently, the manufacturing of fertilisers consumes the majority of natural gas, accounting for around 40% of total consumption.
• About 30% is utilised in electricity generation, while 10% is used in the production of LPG.
• Natural gas production and all of these industries have seen complementary expansion.
• The non-energy use of natural gas, which accounted for 35 percent of overall consumption, included the fertiliser sector, petrochemicals, sponge iron, and LPG shrinkage.

Electricity

• Electricity is produced primarily in two ways: by flowing water, which drives hydro turbines to produce hydroelectricity, and by burning other fuels such as coal, petroleum, and natural gas, which drives turbines to provide thermal power.
• Fast flowing water, a renewable resource, is used to create hydroelectricity.
• Hydroelectric power is produced by a variety of multi-purpose projects in India, including the Bhakra Nangal, Damodar Valley Corporation, and the Kopili Hydel Project.
• Coal, petroleum, and natural gas are used to create thermal electricity.
• Thermal power plants generate energy using nonrenewable fossil sources.
• The gross electricity generated by utilities in India in fiscal year (FY) 2019-20 was 1,383.5 TWh, while total power generation (utilities and non-utilities) was 1,598 TWh.

Conventional Energy - Advantages

• Conventional Energy has a high energy content. Compared to renewable energy sources such as solar or wind, fossil fuels such as coal and oil tend to give us more energy.
• Coal extraction, oil sales, and natural gas pipeline development may all create substantial profits.
• These resources are simple to utilise in the home or elsewhere.
• Non-renewable resources are available at a low cost to consumers.
• New technologies and other energy sources are unable to replace conventional minerals such as coal and oil for certain individuals. As a result, it is sometimes referred to as traditional energy.
• Conventional energy may be found just about anywhere. This means they can be easily transported throughout the world.
• Non-renewable energy can also be used by those who live in difficult-to-access places.
• Non-renewable resources, above all, are employment creators. The parts of non-renewable sources that create employment include extraction, transportation, and refining.
• The majority of non-renewable resources are also quite simple to store.

Conventional Energy - Disadvantages

• Conventional Energy has a number of drawbacks, one of which is its time-consuming nature.
• Coal mining, oil exploration, oil drilling, oil rig construction, and natural gas extraction and transportation are all time-consuming activities. It also necessitates a significant amount of work.
• Non-renewable energy takes billions of years to create, therefore it is slowly but steadily disappearing from the planet.
• It may be selfish to use nonrenewable resources indiscriminately without considering future generations.
• Due to fossil fuels releasing chemicals like carbon monoxide, nonrenewable energy can be harmful and cause respiratory difficulties in humans.
• Workers in coal mines and oil rigs are more vulnerable to a variety of health hazards. As a result, a great number of infections, injuries, and even fatalities have occurred.
• When coal, oil, and natural gas are burned, a huge amount of carbon dioxide is released. The ozone layer is quickly depleting as a result of these substances.
• Sulphur oxide and other oxides generated by the combustion of fossil fuels turn rain into acidic rain, which is damaging to both wildlife and humans.
• Smog is produced by a variety of non-renewable sources, which envelops the structures.
• People in modern cities, for the most part, complain about the same thing. Black smog may darken and pollute your building and other property over time.
• Transporting non-renewable resources can be hazardous at times, when large cargo ships and oil tankers collide and dump their contents in the sea or elsewhere.
• It is potentially fatal to sea creatures and humans that come into touch with it.
• We need to have a large amount of fuel in reserve at all times to keep the power station running. This may be costly and take up a lot of room.

Conventional Energy - Current Usage

• India Energy Outlook 2021 examines the potential and problems that the country has as it strives to provide a rising population with dependable, cheap, and sustainable energy.
• Due to the growing wages and expanding living standards, India is the world's third-largest energy consumer.
• Since 2000, energy consumption has increased, with coal, oil, and solid biomass still meeting 80% of demand.
• Based on today's policy settings and constraints, and the assumption that the spread of Covid-19 is largely brought under control by 2021, the Stated Policies Scenario (STEPS) provides a balanced assessment of the direction in which India's energy system is heading.
• India's electricity demand is set to increase much more rapidly than its overall energy demand.
• Natural gas is a fast-growing market in India, however, its function varies by industry, circumstance, and period.
• Natural gas accounts for only 6% of India's current energy mix, which is among the lowest in the world.
• The grip of coal over India's power sector is eroding, with industry accounting for the majority of the growth in coal consumption in the STEPS to 2040.

Conclusion

Conventional energy sources are those that have been widely employed for the majority of human history. These are renewable energy sources that will only be available for a short period of time. These resources will be depleted over time since they are non-renewable. Decomposing material that has been present for millions of years is usually the source.

FAQs

MCQs

1. What is the primary source of electricity generation in India?

A) Solar energy
B) Coal
C) Nuclear energy
D) Wind energy

2. Which of the following is considered a conventional energy source?

A) Wind power
B) Solar power
C) Coal
D) Geothermal energy

3. Which region in India is known for significant hydroelectric power generation?

A) Rajasthan
B) Himachal Pradesh
C) Tamil Nadu
D) Gujarat

4. What is one of the major environmental impacts of coal-based power generation?

A) Reduction in carbon emissions
B) Improved air quality
C) High carbon emissions
D) Increased soil fertility

5. Which conventional energy source has the lowest environmental impact compared to others?

A) Natural gas
B) Coal
C) Oil
D) Biomass

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Analyze the role of coal in India’s energy sector. What are the key challenges associated with its use, and how can they be addressed?

Answer: Coal plays a pivotal role in India's energy sector, being the dominant source of electricity generation. Its abundant reserves make it an accessible and cost-effective option for meeting energy demands. However, coal usage presents significant challenges, including high carbon emissions, air pollution, and environmental degradation. To address these issues, India can adopt cleaner coal technologies such as supercritical and ultra-supercritical power plants, which enhance efficiency and reduce emissions. Investments in carbon capture and storage (CCS) and a gradual shift to a diversified energy mix that includes renewable energy can also mitigate environmental impacts while ensuring energy security.

Q2: Discuss the importance of hydroelectric power in India’s energy mix. What advantages and challenges does it present?

Answer: Hydroelectric power is a vital component of India’s energy mix as it provides a renewable and clean source of electricity. It helps balance energy supply during peak demand periods and reduces reliance on fossil fuels, contributing to lower carbon emissions. The advantages of hydroelectric power include renewable generation, minimal greenhouse gas emissions, and the ability to support grid stability. However, challenges include the displacement of local communities, environmental impacts such as habitat disruption, and seasonal variability affecting power generation. Addressing these challenges requires a balanced approach that includes sustainable project planning, community engagement, and investment in technologies to enhance water management and efficiency.

Q3: Evaluate the role of natural gas in transitioning towards cleaner energy in India. What measures can be taken to promote its use?

Answer: Natural gas serves as a bridge fuel in India's transition to cleaner energy due to its lower carbon footprint compared to coal and oil. It supports energy diversification and can be used for electricity generation, industrial applications, and as a cleaner alternative in transportation. To promote its use, India can focus on expanding natural gas infrastructure, such as pipelines and LNG terminals, ensuring stable supply chains. Policies that incentivize the use of natural gas and investments in advanced technologies for efficient extraction and distribution can further support its adoption. Additionally, regional cooperation for importing natural gas from neighboring countries can enhance availability and affordability.

Previous Year Questions on Conventional Energy

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2021:

Question: Which of the following is the primary source of conventional energy used for electricity generation in India?

A) Nuclear power
B) Hydroelectric power
C) Coal
D) Natural gas

Answer: (C)

Explanation: Coal is the primary source of conventional energy for electricity generation in India, contributing to a significant portion of the country’s power production due to its availability and cost-effectiveness.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2020 (GS Paper 3):

Question: "Examine the challenges associated with conventional energy production in India. What measures can be taken to enhance the sustainability of these energy sources?"

Answer: Conventional energy production in India, which relies heavily on coal, oil, and natural gas, faces challenges such as environmental pollution, high carbon emissions, and resource depletion. The sustainability of these energy sources can be enhanced through the adoption of cleaner technologies, stricter enforcement of environmental regulations, and investment in carbon capture and storage (CCS) solutions. Promoting energy efficiency in power plants and diversifying the energy mix by increasing the share of natural gas can further reduce the environmental impact. Government policies that incentivize research and development in cleaner energy technologies and collaborations with international partners for knowledge sharing are essential to transitioning towards a more sustainable energy future.