The conventional sources of energy are generally non-renewable sources of energy, which are being used since a long time.

1. Coal:

Coal is a sedimentary rock formed when living matter is compressed over a long period of time. Coal energy is used for the creation of electricity to power industrial or manufacturing plants and even to power our appliances at home.

Disadvantages of using coal to produce electricity:

• Coal energy produces large amount of carbon dioxide which leads to global warming and climate change
• The burning of coal is not environmental friendly because it produces harmful by-products and gas emissions such as sulphur dioxide, carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide that causes pollution to the environment including acid rain

• Coal mining ruins the environment and puts the lives of people, especially the coal miners, in danger

   

1. Oil:

Petroleum (oil) is a liquid hydrocarbon that was also formed by decomposing organic matter. Oil is an efficient energy and fuel source; no alternative fuel is still able to match its properties. Oil has very high carbon and hydrogen content.

Disadvantages of oil as an energy resource

• Oil burning leads to carbon emissions
• Oil recovery processes are not efficient enough—technology needs to be developed to provide better yields
• Oil drilling endangers the environment and ecosystem

• Oil transportation (by ship) can lead to spills, causing environmental and ecological damage

   

1. Natural Gas:

Natural gas is a colourless, shapeless and odourless gaseous hydrocarbon that is often found atop oil deposits. Natural gas is often used in homes and businesses as fuel for water heaters and stoves and furnaces. In recent years, it has been used to power vehicles, as it is considered slightly cleaner than petroleum.

Disadvantages of Natural Gas:

• Natural gas requires complex treatment plants and pipelines to deliver gas from the field to the site of use.
• It is highly combustible and methane explosions are possible.
• Cavities have to be created in the ground for its extraction.
• Natural gas can be poisonous; if the fields from which it was extracted were not treated, it can be toxic. Also breathing large amounts of the gas indoors is very harmful to health.