In a process called nuclear fission, the nucleus of a heavy atom (such as uranium, plutonium or thorium), when bombarded with low-energy neutrons, can be split into lighter nuclei with a release of tremendous amount of energy if the mass of the original nucleus is just a little more than the sum of the masses of the individual products.

The released energy can be used to produce steam and further generate electricity. The major hazard of nuclear power generation is the storage and disposal of spent or used fuels. Improper nuclear-waste storage and disposal result in environmental contamination. Further, there is a risk of accidental leakage of nuclear radiation. The high cost of installation of a nuclear power plant, high risk of environmental contamination and limited availability of uranium makes large-scale use of nuclear energy prohibitive. The only viable way to dispose off radioactive waste is to bury it deep underground. "The nuclear waste also should be guarded against any misuse.

a) Solar energy can be harnessed by using solar energy devices. These devices either use solar energy directly as heat or convert it into solar energy directly as heat or convert it into electricity. One of the devices is solar cooker.
b) Limitations of solar energy:
i) It is not evenly distributed on the Earth.
ii) It requires costly equipment and infrastructure.
c) Using of solar cells.

a) List of conventional energy
i) Fossil fuels 
ii) hydro energy
List of non-conventional energy 
i) Tidal energy 
ii) Wave energy 
iii) OTE 
iv) Nuclear energy 
v) Geothermal energy 
b)  Tidal energy: Due to the gravitational pull of mainly the moon on the spinning earth, the level of water in the sea rises and falls. This phenomenon is called high and low tides and the difference in sea-levels gives us tidal energy. Tidal energy is harnessed by constructing a dam across a narrow opening to the sea. A turbine fixed at the opening of the dam converts tidal energy to electricity.
Advantages of tidal energy 
1. An inexhaustible and renewable source of energy. 
2. Independent of uncertainty of rainfall. 
3. Pollution free source of energy. 
4. A tidal power plant does not require large area. 
Disadvantages: 
1. The energy output will vary. 
2. Power generation is not very large. 
3. It is difficult to construct dam in high tidal flow areas. 
4. Corrosion of barrage and turbines takes place due to salty waters. 

a) (i) Depletion of fossil fuels. (ii) Increase in population. (iii) Improve the quality of living
b) The energy from the sea or ocean can be obtained in any of the following three forms:
a) Wave energy
b) Tidal energy
c) Ocean thermal energy
a) Wave Energy
The energy from the sea can also b obtained in the form of sea waves When the wind blows on the surface of the sea, the very fast sea waves move on the surface possessing kinetic energy. This energy can be used generate electricity. In order to trap this energy, a wide variety of device need to be installed to turn turbine: and drive generators.
Many experimental ideas wen developed to harness this energy. 
These are as follows:
1. Setting up of floating generator: in the sea to trap the sea waves generate electricity.
2. Allowing the sea waves move and down inside large tubes. As the waves move up, the air inside the tubes is compressed and to turn a turbine to generate electricity. 
These experimental ideas many years to be installed. Thu: harnessing of sea waves energy would be possible only at those places where sea waves are very strong.
Tidal Energy The tidal waves include low tides and high tides. When the rise of sea water takes place due to gravitational pull of the moon, it is called high tide and when the fall of seawater takes place it is called low tide. The rise and fall of tidal waves takes place twice a During this period, a large movement of water takes place between the high tides and low tides resulting in the production of a very large source o energy.
The tidal energy can be harnessed only by constructing a tidal by constructing a tidal power plant across a narrow opening to the sea. During the high tides, the gates the dam are opened and the sea water is allowed to fall on the turbine t produce electricity. Thus, we can say that kinetic energy of the sea water converted into electrical energy.
During low tides, the gates of the dal are closed due to which the water level in the dam raises possessing potential energy. Now, the gates are opened and the water is allowed to fall back into the sea. This falling water is also used to rotate the turbine to generate electricity.
c) Ocean Thermal Energy
We know that a large area of sea is called ocean. The water at the surface of an ocean gets heated due to the radiation from the sun and reaches a higher temperature than the deeper levels of the ocean. This creates a temperature difference between the water at the surface of the ocean and at deeper levels of the ocean. The solar energy stored in the oceans in the form of heat is called ocean thermal energy. The heat energy produced due to the difference in the temperature Of water On the surface of the ocean and temperature of water deep into ocean. This heat energy produced can be used to produce electricity. Thus, we can define ocean thermal energy as "The heat energy due to the temperature difference between different layers of water in the Ocean' We can convert the ocean thermal energy (OTE) into electricity by ocean thermal energy conversion power plants or OTEC power plants.
The devices which are used to harness the ocean thermal energy are called ocean thermal energy conversion
[OTEC] power plants. To operate ocean thermal energy conversion [OTEC] power plant, the temperature difference between the surface water o ocean and deeper water must be 200( or more. In some ocean thermal energy conversion [OTECI power plants, the warm surface water of the ocean used to boil liquids like ammonia o chlorofluorocarbon (CFC). Then, the high-pressure vapours of the liquid an used to turn the turbine to generate electricity. The colder water from the deeper ocean is pumped up to cool the used up vapours to convert them back into liquid.

Environmental consequences of using fossil are air pollution, greenhouse effect, acid rain, global warming. To minimize the pollution caused by various source of energy.
1. We should use smokeless appliances
2. Technology should be constantly upgraded
3. Use of energy should be judicious
4. Proper and safe disposal of nuclear waste.