Conventional Sources of Energy - Geography

Coal – Definition

Coal is a combustible solid stratified rock of organic and mineral matter composed of carbon

Formation of Coal

Coal forms from accumulated plant matter in swampy areas subjected to heat

Types of Coal – Anthracite

Hardest

Types of Coal – Bituminous

Hard

Types of Coal – Lignite

Also known as brown coal

Types of Coal – Peat

First stage of coal formation

Coal Distribution in India

India has about 344 billion tonnes of reserves

Coal – Gondwana Fields

98% of India’s coal

key states include Jharkhand

West Bengal

Coal – Tertiary Fields

Younger deposits with more moisture

Advantages of Coal

Source of power for industries

Disadvantages of Coal

Low calorific value

Petroleum – Definition

Petroleum (‘rock oil’) is a fossil fuel

refined into petrol

diesel

Occurrence of Petroleum

Found in underground reservoirs in sedimentary rocks

Uses of Petroleum

Refined into petrol

vital for transport

power

Disadvantages of Petroleum

Non-renewable

Natural Gas – Definition

Natural gas is a fossil fuel found with oil

Advantages of Natural Gas

Cleaner

Disadvantages of Natural Gas

Leakage dangerous

Hydel Power – Definition

Hydel power is electricity generated from falling water turning turbines in dams

renewable

clean