Sources of Energy and their Importance

Energy is necessary for every work in our life. We feel tired after doing excessive work, and it is due to a lack of energy. Therefore, we require energy to do all the work.

In this chapter, let us learn about energy, different sources of energy, kinds of energy and different ways of saving energy.

What is Energy?

The power or capacity to work is called energy. Energy is the power to do work. We require energy to do all our work, like walking, running, cooking and eating food, lifting weight, working on the computer, talking with friends, washing clothes, etc. Therefore, energy is required to carry out our everyday tasks.

Sources of Energy

We obtain energy from different things, which are called sources of energy. There are mainly two sources of energy.

Non-renewable sources of energy

The sources of energy, which get finished after being used once, are called non-renewable sources. Examples of non-renewable resources include coal, cooking gas, kerosene oil, petrol, diesel etc.

Renewable sources of energy

The energy sources, which cannot be finished even after continuous utilisation, are called renewable resources. Examples of renewable resources include the Sun, water, and wind.

Kinds of Energy

Energy obtained from different sources is listed below.

Energy received from food.

The energy received from food is called food energy.

There are many kinds of flora and fauna in our environment. We use them in the form of our food. By eating these food products, we gain energy for doing our day to day work. Plants and trees are the primary energy sources for all living beings in our environment. They prepare their food from sunlight.

Solar Energy

The energy received from the Sun is called solar energy.

The Sun always provides energy for all living beings with its light. With the help of this solar energy, all plants prepare their food. From solar energy, we get Vitamin D which helps in strengthening our bones. The Sun always keeps giving energy, and solar energy never decreases. Therefore, the Sun is known as a renewable source of energy. Solar energy is also used for:

  • Drying clothes
  • Drying food grains
  • Lighting bulbs
  • Cooking food with solar cookers
  • Heating water with solar water heaters, etc.

Wind Energy

The energy received from the wind is called wind energy. Windmills are

run by energy produced by wind. They are placed in those places where strong winds blow for most of the year. Windmills are also used for taking out water from the wells, for producing electricity and are also used to grind flour. The wind always keeps giving energy, and the wind energy never decreases. Therefore, the wind is known as a renewable source of energy.

Hydro Energy

The energy received from the water is called hydro energy.

Similar to wind energy, hydro energy also produces energy from the flowing water. Like solar energy and wind energy, hydro energy is also a renewable energy source. Therefore, hydroelectric power stations are commonly found near dams, flowing water from rivers, etc.

Organic Energy

The energy obtained from faeces-urine, dead bodies and dry plants are called organic energy. Gobar gas is the organic energy produced from animal dung, dead animals, dry leaves, branches, and other useless crop residues. The plant used to produce gobar gas is called a biogas plant. The gobar gas is used for cooking food, producing light, etc. The residual substance in the biogas plant is used as an organic manure for plants and crops in farming.

Electrical Energy

The energy received from electricity is called electrical energy.

Electrical energy is used to light bulbs, run fans, run small machines, big factories, etc. Many other electrical appliances run with electrical energy, such as Television, radio, computer, fridge, tubewell, etc. Today, even trains are also operated with electrical energy.

Magnetic Energy

The energy received from a magnet is called magnetic energy. A magnet attracts iron towards itself, and this power of the magnet is called magnetic energy. Magnetic energy is used in large factories and industries to lift heavy iron loads to separate iron from scrap stockpiles.

Alternative sources of energy

Other than solar, hydro, wind, organic, magnet and electrical energy, we use kerosene oil, coal and petroleum fuel to generate energy. These sources are called alternative sources of energy.

Compared to the natural and organic sources of energy, the alternative sources of energy are non-renewable sources of energy, which slowly decreases after being used once. Therefore, we should save the sources from reducing, and use other energy sources, like solar, wind, water, organic, etc.

How to Conserve Energy?

There are some sources of energy which are gradually decreasing. Before they are completely finished, we need to save and conserve energy and prevent an energy crisis. To save energy, we must use energy when required and conserve energy.

Here are a few ways in which energy can be saved and conserved:

  • Use fuel-efficient appliances.
  • Do not leave water taps open.
  • While cooking food, we should cover the utensils.
  • Use public transport instead of personal vehicles.
  • Use only the required amount of water for cooking pulses, vegetables, etc.
  • Switch off fans, bulbs, tubes and other electrical appliances when not in use.
  • Use solar cookers, solar heaters, pressure cookers instead of available utensils to cook food.

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