EVERWIN VIDHYASHRAM
PERAMBUR
ENERGY RESOURCES
BY
ROHAN SANJAY R.C
XII BRAVE
CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that ROHAN SANJAY R.C of XII – BRAVE
has successfully completed physics investigatory project titled
“ENERGY RESOURCES" under the guidance of [Link].M
and submitted for practical examination conducted by the
CBSC board during the year 2025-2026.
INTERNAL EXAMINER EXTERNAL EXAMINER
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I gratefully acknowledge my sincere thanks to our physics
teacher MS. RAMYA.M and our Principal MS. VINOTHINI.B
for giving me opportunity to complete the project
successfully.
ROHAN SANJAY R.C
XII – BRAVE
INDEX
1. Introduction
2. Classification of Energy Resources
3. Major Conventional Energy Resources
4. Major Non-Conventional (Renewable) Energy
Resources
5. Environmental Impact of Energy Use
6. Need for Energy Conservation and Sustainable
Development
7. Government Initiatives and Future Prospects (India
focus, optional but scoring)
8. Conclusion
9. Bibliography
INTRODUCTION
Energy is the ability to do work and is required for all
human activities such as lighting, cooking, transport, industry,
agriculture, and communication. Energy resources are the
natural sources from which usable energy can be obtained in
different forms like heat, electricity, and mechanical work.
The Sun is the ultimate source of most energy on Earth
because solar radiation drives the water cycle, winds, and
photosynthesis in plants, which later becomes biomass and
fossil fuels. Over time, humans have moved from using
traditional fuels like wood and animal power to large-scale
use of coal, petroleum, natural gas, hydroelectricity, and
nuclear energy.
Rapid population growth and industrialization have
caused a steep rise in energy demand, putting pressure on
limited fossil fuel reserves and increasing pollution. This
makes it essential to understand different kinds of energy
resources, their advantages, disadvantages, and their role in
sustainable development.
CLASSIFICATION OF ENERGY RESOURCES
Energy resources can be classified in several ways, but the
most common into renewable and non-renewable resources.
They are also grouped as conventional (traditional, widely
used) and non-conventional (newer, alternative) sources.
Non-renewable (exhaustible) energy resources
These exist in limited quantities and take millions of
years to form, so they cannot be quickly replaced
once exhausted.
Examples: Coal, petroleum, natural gas, and nuclear
fuels like uranium and thorium.
Renewable (inexhaustible) energy resources
These are replenished naturally on a human
timescale and are not depleted by normal use.
Examples: Solar, wind, hydropower, biomass,
geothermal, tidal, and ocean thermal energy.
Conventional energy sources
These include fossil fuels and large hydropower,
which have been used for a long time and form the
backbone of present energy systems.
Non-conventional / alternative sources
These refer mainly to modern renewable sources
like solar, wind, tidal, biomass, and small
hydropower that are being promoted to reduce
dependence on fossil fuels.
This classification helps in planning an appropriate energy mix
that balances reliability, cost, and environmental impact
MAJOR CONVENTIONAL ENERGY RESOURCES
Conventional energy resources are widely used and currently
supply most of the world’s commercial energy.
Coal
Coal is a solid fossil fuel formed from the remains of
ancient plants subjected to heat and pressure over
millions of years.
It is mainly used in thermal power plants, steel
plants, and as an industrial fuel, but its combustion
releases large amounts of carbon dioxide, sulfur
dioxide, and particulate matter.
Petroleum (crude oil)
Petroleum is a liquid fossil fuel found in porous
rocks and is refined into petrol, diesel, kerosene,
LPG, and other products.
It is the primary fuel for transport and also used as
a raw material in petrochemical industries, but
spills and emissions create serious environmental
problems.
Natural gas
Natural gas, mainly methane, is found with
petroleum or alone and is used for power
generation, industrial heating, and domestic
cooking.
It burns more cleanly than coal and oil, producing
less smoke and pollutants, yet still contributes to
greenhouse gas emissions.
Large hydropower
Conventional hydropower uses large dams to store
river water and release it through turbines to
generate electricity.
It is a renewable resource with low direct emissions
but can submerge large areas, affect river ecology,
and displace human settlements.
Nuclear energy
Nuclear power plants generate energy through
controlled fission of uranium-235 or plutonium,
releasing a huge amount of heat.
Nuclear energy produces very low greenhouse gas
emissions during operation but creates radioactive
waste and requires strict safety measures.
These conventional resources have powered economic
growth but are linked to resource depletion, pollution, and
environmental degradation.
MAJOR NON-CONVENTIONAL (RENEWABLE)
ENERGY RESOURCES
Non-conventional energy resources are increasingly
important because they are cleaner and more sustainable.
Solar energy
Solar energy comes from the Sun’s radiation and
can be used through solar thermal devices (like
solar water heaters) and solar photovoltaic (PV)
panels.
It is abundant and pollution-free at the point of use,
but output depends on weather and requires
panels, inverters, and sometimes batteries.
Wind energy
Wind energy uses turbines to convert kinetic
energy of moving air into electricity.
Wind farms can generate large amounts of power in
windy regions, but require suitable sites and may
cause noise and visual impacts.
Small hydropower
Small or mini hydro projects generate electricity
from rivers or canals with smaller dams or
run-of-river schemes.
They have less environmental impact compared to
big dams and are suitable for decentralized rural
electrification.
Biomass and biogas
Biomass includes wood, crop residues, animal
dung, and other organic waste that can be burned
for heat or converted into biogas via anaerobic
digestion.
Biogas plants provide clean fuel for cooking and
lighting in rural areas and reduce dependence on
firewood.
Geothermal, tidal, and other sources
Geothermal energy taps heat from Earth’s interior
to produce steam and electricity.
Tidal and wave energy convert sea movements into
power, and ocean thermal energy uses temperature
differences between surface and deep water,
though these are still developing technologies.
Promoting these non-conventional resources can help reduce
pollution, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and improve
long-term energy security.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF ENERGY USE
Energy production and consumption have major impacts on
air, water, land, and living organisms.
Air pollution and climate change
Burning coal and oil releases pollutants such as
sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide,
and particulate matter, which cause smog, acid rain,
and respiratory diseases.
Carbon dioxide and methane emissions from fossil
fuels and biomass burning enhance the greenhouse
effect, leading to global warming and climate
change.
Water and land degradation
Mining of coal and drilling for oil and gas can
damage landscapes, cause soil erosion, and
contaminate groundwater.
Construction of large dams can submerge fertile
land, forests, and wildlife habitats and alter the
natural flow of rivers.
Radioactive and solid waste
Nuclear power plants generate radioactive waste
that remains hazardous for thousands of years and
must be stored securely.
Ash from coal-based power plants and solid waste
from oil refineries and industries also pose disposal
problems.
Impact on biodiversity
Habitat loss, pollution, and climate shifts threaten
many plant and animal species, reducing
biodiversity and ecosystem stability.
Because of these impacts, environmental considerations are
now central to energy planning and policy-making.
NEED FOR ENERGY CONSERVATION AND
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Energy conservation means using energy efficiently and
avoiding unnecessary wastage, while sustainable
development aims to meet present needs without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet
theirs.
Why conservation is necessary:
Non-renewable energy resources like coal, oil, and
gas are limited and will eventually become scarce
or very costly.
Energy production based on fossil fuels is a major
cause of environmental degradation, so reducing
consumption helps protect air, water, and climate.
Methods of energy conservation:
Using energy-efficient appliances, LED lights, proper
insulation, and star-rated devices reduces
electricity use.
Simple habits like switching off fans and lights when
not needed, using public transport or car-pooling,
and maintaining vehicles can significantly cut fuel
consumption.
Link to sustainable development:
Increasing the share of renewable energy in the
energy mix, along with conservation, supports
long-term sustainability.
Education, public awareness, and strong policies
are required so that economic growth is balanced
with environmental protection.
Thus, energy conservation is both a personal responsibility
and a national necessity to ensure a cleaner and more secure
future
GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES AND FUTURE
PROSPECTS
India has launched several programmes to promote
renewable energy and efficient use of resources.
Renewable energy targets:
The Government of India set ambitious targets for
installing renewable power capacity from solar,
wind, biomass, and small hydro to reduce
dependence on fossil fuels.
Schemes encourage rooftop solar panels, solar
parks, wind farms, and biomass projects across
different states.
Policy and agencies:
Specialized ministries and agencies promote
research, development, and deployment of clean
energy technologies as well as energy-efficiency
standards.
Policies like subsidies, tax benefits, and feed-in
tariffs make renewable projects more attractive to
investors.
Future prospects:
With falling costs of solar and wind power and
advances in storage and smart grids, the share of
renewables in India’s energy mix is expected to
increase steadily.
A diversified energy strategy combining
renewables, improved efficiency, and cleaner use of
conventional fuels can strengthen energy security
and support sustainable growth.
Including this section in your project shows awareness of
current affairs and practical applications of the topic.
CONCLUSION
Energy resources are the foundation of modern life, but
careless use of exhaustible and polluting sources threatens
both the environment and future energy security. A balanced
approach that combines efficient use of conventional
resources with rapid development of renewable energy is
essential for sustainable development.
Students, as future citizens, can contribute by understanding
energy issues, practicing conservation in daily life, and
supporting clean energy options in their homes and
communities.
BIBILIOGRAPHY
NIOS, “Sources of Energy”, Secondary Science
Course, Chapter 12.
Vedantu
Scribd
StudyIQ