The Definition of Conventional Sources of Energy
The Definition of Conventional Sources of Energy
By Don Shepard, eHow Contributor
I want to do this! What's This?
Your Dictionary.com defines conventional as "not unusual or extreme; ordinary." This fits well with conventional energy sources in terms of being not unusual, however, the impact on society by these sources has been anything but ordinary and have actually been quite extreme. Conventional energy sources have demonstrated both extremely positive and negative consequences. These negative effects have fueled the proliferation of alternative energy sources in recent years.
Features
1. These traditional energy sources consist primarily of coal, natural gas and oil. They form from decaying plant and animal material over hundreds of thousands to millions of years.
Effects
2. Being carbon-based, natural gas, oil and coal store carbon as potential energy and release it when burned. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change states that carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions are a major culprit in climate change.
Effects
3. According to the Energy Information Administration, burning coal produces sulfur, nitrogen oxide and mercury emissions. All of these are known to have disastrous environmental and health consequences.
Significance
4. Conventional energy sources made the Industrial Revolution possible. This movement started with the England textile industry in the early 18th century and made much of what is considered "modern society" possible.
Features
5. Carbon-based energy sources are non-renewable, meaning they will run out at some point. Most alternative energy sources (wind, geothermal, and so on) will theoretically never run out.
Conventional sources of energy include oil, natural gas, nuclear power, coal and hydropower. All of these except for hydropower are non-renewable resources, meaning their supply is limited.
Coal
1. According to the Energy Information Administration, coal power plants account for
By Don Shepard, eHow Contributor
I want to do this! What's This?
Your Dictionary.com defines conventional as "not unusual or extreme; ordinary." This fits well with conventional energy sources in terms of being not unusual, however, the impact on society by these sources has been anything but ordinary and have actually been quite extreme. Conventional energy sources have demonstrated both extremely positive and negative consequences. These negative effects have fueled the proliferation of alternative energy sources in recent years.
Features
1. These traditional energy sources consist primarily of coal, natural gas and oil. They form from decaying plant and animal material over hundreds of thousands to millions of years.
Effects
2. Being carbon-based, natural gas, oil and coal store carbon as potential energy and release it when burned. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change states that carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions are a major culprit in climate change.
Effects
3. According to the Energy Information Administration, burning coal produces sulfur, nitrogen oxide and mercury emissions. All of these are known to have disastrous environmental and health consequences.
Significance
4. Conventional energy sources made the Industrial Revolution possible. This movement started with the England textile industry in the early 18th century and made much of what is considered "modern society" possible.
Features
5. Carbon-based energy sources are non-renewable, meaning they will run out at some point. Most alternative energy sources (wind, geothermal, and so on) will theoretically never run out.
Conventional sources of energy include oil, natural gas, nuclear power, coal and hydropower. All of these except for hydropower are non-renewable resources, meaning their supply is limited.
Coal
1. According to the Energy Information Administration, coal power plants account for