---
title: "Conventional and non-conventional sources"
subject: "Energy Environment and Society"
chapter: 2
key: "semester_7/energy_environment_and_society:conventional-nonconventional-sources"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/energy_environment_and_society/conventional-nonconventional-sources
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Conventional and non-conventional sources

Energy Environment and Society · Chapter 2: Energy Basics

- Asked in: 2070 Asar, 3 marks
- Video: [Conventional Sources of Energy | Part 1/1 | English | Class 10](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10yfVcPni4A) — TicTacLearn English
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/energy_environment_and_society/conventional-nonconventional-sources
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/energy_environment_and_society/chapter-2

## Question

What are the conventional and non-conventional energy sources?

## Short answer

Conventional sources are long-used, mostly finite and polluting: coal, oil, natural gas, large hydro, nuclear, firewood. Non-conventional sources are newer, renewable, decentralised and low-pollution: solar, wind, biomass, small/micro-hydro, geothermal, tidal, hydrogen. In Nepal, AEPC promotes biogas, micro-hydro, solar, improved cookstoves and wind.

## Answer

**Conventional energy sources** are those that have been used for a long time and are widely used in commercial energy supply. They are mostly finite and fossil-based.
Examples: coal, petroleum (oil), natural gas, large hydropower, nuclear (fission), and traditional firewood.

**Non-conventional (new and renewable) energy sources** are the newer sources that are mostly renewable, are decentralised and have been commercialised only recently.
Examples: solar (thermal and PV), wind, biomass and biogas, small and micro-hydro, geothermal, tidal and wave, and hydrogen / fuel cells.

| Point | Conventional | Non-conventional |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | Finite (mostly) | Renewable (mostly) |
| Pollution | High (CO₂, SO₂, ash) | Low or none |
| Scale | Large, centralised | Small, decentralised |
| Cost | Fuel cost high, mature | Capital cost higher, no fuel cost |
| Use | Widely used | Growing use |
| Example | Coal, oil | Solar, wind |

In Nepal, conventional sources are petroleum, coal and large hydropower; non-conventional sources are promoted by AEPC (Alternative Energy Promotion Centre): biogas, micro-hydro, solar, improved cookstoves and wind.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Which are conventional energy sources?
   A. Solar, wind and tidal only
   B. Hydrogen and fuel cells only
   C. Coal, petroleum, natural gas, large hydro, nuclear fission and firewood
   D. Geothermal and wave only
   Answer: C. Conventional sources are long-used, widely commercial, mostly finite and fossil-based. (Key point: Conventional sources)

2. Compared with conventional sources, non-conventional sources are typically:
   A. large, centralised and highly polluting
   B. non-renewable and ash producing
   C. fuel-cost heavy and mature
   D. small-scale, decentralised and low in pollution
   Answer: D. Non-conventional sources are mostly renewable, decentralised and low-pollution; capital cost is higher but there is no fuel cost. (Key point: Scale and pollution)

3. Which agency promotes non-conventional energy in Nepal?
   A. Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC)
   B. Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) only
   C. Nepal Oil Corporation
   D. Department of Roads
   Answer: A. AEPC promotes biogas, micro-hydro, solar, improved cookstoves and wind. (Key point: AEPC role)

## Related in Energy Environment and Society

- [Wind sources, turbines, parks, power control](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fenergy_environment_and_society%3Awind-sources-turbines-parks-control) — Energy Environment and Society, chapter 3
- [World energy trend, importance of renewables](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fenergy_environment_and_society%3Aenergy-consumption-trend-re-importance) — Energy Environment and Society, chapter 2
- [Wind energy, factors and scope](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fenergy_environment_and_society%3Awind-energy-factors-scope) — Energy Environment and Society, chapter 3

## Related in other subjects

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- [Conventional, non-conventional sources and biomass](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fpower_plant_design%3Aenergy-sources-biomass) — Power Plant Design, chapter 1
- [Replacing fossil fuel with non-conventional energy](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fpower_plant_design%3Aenergy-sources-replace-fossil) — Power Plant Design, chapter 1
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