Globally, which energy resource provides the most energy each year?

Question

A. conventional oil

B. hydro-electric power

C. wind power

D. coal

AND...

What is the source of the input energy for the cogeneration of energy?

Answer 1

Actually, the answer is the sun.  It provides more energy to the surface of the earth than all of these other sources combined.  The sun is the basis of all food chains that provide biological energy.  The sun provides most of the heat to the land and water.  

All of the other sources mentioned in the question are really powered by the sun, albeit indirectly.  The energy in oil and coal is really solar energy that went into the plants and bacteria that were deposited and broke down into these products.  Hydroelectric power depends on evaporation of ocean water that comes down as rain which is stored behind dams.  The evaporation is caused by solar energy hitting the water.  Even wind power is just another form of solar energy which heats the air directly or indirectly through the land and oceans.

Answer 2

The answer is A.  conventional oil.

"Petroleum is the most commonly used energy source, supplying about 40% of the planet's energy."

Cogeneration is the simultaneous production of heat and power in a single thermodynamic process. Almost all cogeneration utilizes hot air and steam for the process fluid, although certain types of fuel cells also cogenerate.