Renewable Energy - Terminology

Renewable Energy
Renewable energy is derived from natural processes that are replenished constantly. In its various forms, it derives directly from the sun, or from heat generated deep within the earth. Included in the definition is electricity and heat generated from solar, wind, ocean, hydropower, biomass, geothermal resources, and biofuels and hydrogen derived from renewable resources.

Non-renewable resource
A non-renewable resource is a natural resource which cannot be produced, grown, generated, or used on a scale which can sustain its consumption rate, once depleted there is no more available for future needs. Also considered non-renewable are resources that are consumed much faster than nature can create them. Example : fossil fuel, nuclear

Fossil Energy
Fossil fuels are fuels formed by natural processes such as anaerobic decomposition of buried dead organisms. The age of the organisms and their resulting fossil fuels is typically millions of years, and sometimes exceeds 650 million years. Fossil fuels are non-renewable resources because they take millions of years to form, and reserves are being depleted much faster than new ones are being made. Fossil fuel example : natural gas, petrolium, coal

Conventional Energy Resource

Commonly and widely used sources Typically fully developed, nonrenewable resources, Example: Hydro power, Thermal Power (from coal, mineral oil, natural gas)

Non Conventional Sources

These are the new sources of energy, which are still not in common use. May be functional but are still undergoing development. Typically renewable resource. Example : Solar, Tidal, Wind, Bio gas, Geo thermal.

Alternative (New) Energy

Alternative energy is energy fuelled in ways that do not use up natural resources or harm the environment Alternative energy refers to any source of usable energy intended to replace fuel sources without the undesired consequences of the replaced fuels. Example : solar, wind, geothermal, biofuel, hydrogen, etc