A source of energy is that which is capable of providing enough useful energy at a steady rate over a long period of time.
A good source of energy should be:
- Safe and convenient to use, e.g., nuclear energy can be used only by highly trained engineers with the help of nuclear power plants. It cannot be used for our household purposed.
- Easy to transport, e.g., coal, petrol, diesel, LPG etc. Have to be transported from the places of their production to the consumers.
- Easy to store, e.g., huge storage tanks are required to store petrol, diesel, LPG etc.
Characteristics of an idea or a good fuel:
- It should have a high calorific or a heat value so that it can produce maximum energy by low fuel consumption.
- It should have a proper ignition temperature so that it can burn easily.
- It should not produce harmful gases during combustion.
- It should be cheap in cost and easily available in plenty for everyone.
- It should be easy and convenient to handle, store and transport from one place to another.
- It should not be valuable to any other purpose than as a fuel.
- It should burn smoothly and should not leave much residue after its combustion.
