Conventional Energy Sources
The term "Conventional" means "not unusual or extreme or ordinary."Conventional energy sources are the traditional sources of energy like coal and petroleum. Conventional energy sources are finite. They will not last forever.
Natural Gas
Natural gas in its purest form is pure methane but before it is refined, it also contains varying amount of ethane, propane, butane and carbon dioxide. When refined, it is colorless and odorless but can be burned.
Coal
Coal releases large amounts of energy when itis burned because ofthe density of hydrocarbons in the material.Coal is formed by dead plants being put under significant pressure and temperature for millions of years. There are four grades of coal: lignite, subbituminous, bituminous coal and anthracite. Bituminous coal is the best for releasing energy and is the most commonly mined type of coal.
Petroleum
Petroleum is formed from the compression of animal and plant remains over millions of years. Petroleum has to be drilled for because it is usually located deep below the earth's surface and is then refined to produce a number of different products including gasoline, heavy fuel oil and diesel fuel.
