The difference between traditional energy and new energy

Traditional energy, also known as conventional energy, refers to the types of energy that have been widely used for a long time, such as coal, oil, and natural gas. These are non-renewable resources that have played a central role in driving industrial development and societal progress. However, they are limited in supply and come with significant environmental consequences. Currently, China's traditional energy reserves show a clear imbalance: it is rich in coal, but has relatively low oil and natural gas reserves. Coal accounts for about 11.6% of the world's total, with an estimated 5.6 trillion tons of resources, of which 10 billion tons are proven reserves. In contrast, China's oil reserves make up only 2.4% of the global total, while natural gas accounts for just 1.2%. This scarcity has led to increasing concerns over energy security, especially regarding oil. By the end of 2000, China’s remaining oil reserves were around 2.46 billion tons, or about 1.8% of the world's total. The large-scale use of traditional energy sources often leads to serious environmental issues, including the greenhouse effect, acid rain, photochemical smog, and air pollution. These problems not only harm human health but also negatively impact ecosystems, agriculture, and infrastructure. They can damage buildings, cultural relics, and even alter atmospheric conditions, leading to long-term ecological damage. New energy, on the other hand, refers to energy sources that are either newly developed or still under research, such as solar power, wind energy, geothermal energy, ocean energy, biomass, and nuclear fusion. These energy forms are typically renewable and produce much less pollution compared to traditional sources. Many of them derive directly or indirectly from the sun or the Earth's internal heat. China is well-endowed with new energy resources. For instance, its theoretical wind energy potential is as high as 3.226 billion kilowatts, with an estimated 253 million kilowatts available for development. Nuclear energy is also gaining momentum. As of the end of 2009, China had 9.08 million kilowatts of installed nuclear capacity, with 11 reactors in operation. That year, nuclear power generated 70 billion kWh, representing 1.95% of the country’s total electricity output. With growing investment and technological advancements, new energy is becoming a key component of China’s future energy strategy.