Is green energy and renewable energy the same?

Answer 1

In the strictest definition, no. Non-conventional means "defying ordinary logic", while renewable means "sustainable". Technically they are two different concepts.

Renewable energy sources that have existed for a very long time include water power and wood burning. These power sources are not "non-conventional", being the very first ways that people accomplished mechanical work.

By the same token, there are non-renewable energy sources that are quite non-conventional; nuclear power was extremely non-conventional when it was first invented, and many were skeptical and fearful of nuclear power at that time (and some of that sentiment lingers to this day).

Answer 2

No, they are not the same.

Generally, green energy provides energy for a fraction of, or, a complete offset of, emissions.

For example, installing a hydroelectric dam may generate LOTS of renewable energy, however, it will also impact the surrounding ecosystem in a very negative way. But, when compared against burning coal for electrical generation, you might consider a hydroelectric dam to be "green".

Likewise, an incinerator may not be considered green, because it produces emissions. However, if an incinerator burned wood in an environmentally responsible manner, and the trees cut down were replanted, it could also be considered renewable.

While there are many definitions out there, I'd sum it up as this:

Green Energy is energy that can be produced with little to no impact to the local, regional, or global environment.

BUT, Green Energy can also be used in the comparative sense, ie: Energy generated by a dam is green in comparison to a coal power plant.

Renewable energy is energy that can be produced continually when managed properly, from the same resource, for an infinite amount of time. (Think solar panels, hydroelectric dams, wind farms, etc.)