Wind Energy Basics

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What is the main factor responsible for inducing wind in the atmosphere?

Uneven heating of Earth's surface by the sun (correct)

Movement of large masses of air

Rotation of the Earth

Changes in atmospheric pressure

Which material is commonly used to make the blades of windmills?

Wood

Steel

Aluminum

Fibre-reinforced plastic (correct)

What is the orientation-based classification of windmills mentioned in the text?

Fixed and movable windmills

Single-bladed and multibladed windmills

Horizontal axis and vertical axis windmills (correct)

Heavy-duty and light-duty windmills

Which of the following is NOT an advantage of wind energy mentioned in the text?

Causes pollution to the environment Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of a windmill in the context described in the text?

Producing electric power Signup and view all the answers

What is the approximate amount of energy available in the wind as mentioned in the text?

$1.5 \times 10^7$ MW Signup and view all the answers

In a solar water heater system, what is the main purpose of the flat plate collector?

To convert solar radiation into heat energy Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary advantage of a solar furnace in terms of heating?

Pure heating without contamination Signup and view all the answers

What is required for passive heating of buildings using solar energy?

Natural processes like convection, radiation, and conduction Signup and view all the answers

Which component of a solar furnace positions testing materials at its focus?

Concentrator Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the heliostats in a solar furnace system?

Direct solar radiation onto the paraboloidal collector Signup and view all the answers

Why is an auxiliary heating system provided in a solar water heater?

To provide backup during insufficient solar radiation Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary disadvantage of a solar furnace in terms of usage?

High cost of equipment Signup and view all the answers

For passive heating, why is the south facing wall made thick in a solar house?

To absorb maximum heat energy from incident solar radiation Signup and view all the answers

What sets apart passive heating from active heating of buildings?

Reliance on natural processes like convection, radiation, and conduction Signup and view all the answers

What differentiates a solar pond electric power plant from a solar water heater system?

The type of collector used Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the fuel gas as it diffuses through the anode in a fuel cell?

It gets oxidized Signup and view all the answers

What role does the oxidant gas play in a fuel cell?

It is reduced at the cathode by electrons from the external circuit Signup and view all the answers

In a fuel cell, what is filled between the electrodes to act as the electrolyte?

Concentrated phosphoric acid Signup and view all the answers

What enables better contact between gas, electrolyte, and electrode for faster electrochemical reaction in a fuel cell?

Porous electrodes Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of feeding hydrogen into the anode side of a fuel cell?

To be oxidized and release electrons to the external circuit Signup and view all the answers

What happens when negative oxygen ions and positive hydrogen ions combine in a fuel cell?

They form water Signup and view all the answers

What are the performance limiting factors of a fuel cell dependent on?

Reactivity and invariance Signup and view all the answers

'Polarization' in a fuel cell refers to which of the following?

'Polarization' is related to electrode losses in a fuel cell Signup and view all the answers

'Invariance' in relation to a fuel cell refers to what characteristic?

'Invariance' means remaining unchanged in performance over time without degradation Signup and view all the answers

'Chemical polarization' in a fuel cell depends on what factor?

'Chemical polarization' depends on how ions are discharged at electrodes Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary cause of resistance polarization in a fuel cell?

Electrolyte conductivity Signup and view all the answers

What is a key advantage of fuel cells in terms of installation location?

They can be installed near the load point Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true regarding the waste product of fuel cells using hydrogen as fuel?

It is water Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation of fuel cells related to performance degradation?

Low lifespan due to corrosion Signup and view all the answers

In what way can fuel cells be used to provide power at remote areas?

By operating at different load centres Signup and view all the answers

What causes the periodic rise and fall of water levels in oceans, leading to tides?

Gravitational pull of the moon and sun on the earth Signup and view all the answers

What term is used to describe the difference in water level between high and low tides?

'Tidal range' Signup and view all the answers

Which factor causes the formation of high tides facing the moon according to gravitational theory?

'Moon's gravitational pull' Signup and view all the answers

What is the major disadvantage of tidal energy mentioned in the text?

High construction costs Signup and view all the answers

Which factor affects the efficiency of a tidal power plant according to the text?

Variable water heads Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of methane gas is typically present in biogas as mentioned in the text?

65-75% Signup and view all the answers

Which gas contributes to the combustible portion of biogas?

Methane Signup and view all the answers

What aids in converting biomass into biogas according to the text?

Anaerobic digestion Signup and view all the answers

What defines an anaerobic process as mentioned in the text?

Absence of air or oxygen Signup and view all the answers

Why is the anaerobic digestion or fermentation process favored by warmness and darkness conditions?

To enhance biogas production Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of anaerobes according to the text?

'Methane formers' Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a solar collector in a solar thermal system?

To absorb and transfer solar energy to a fluid Signup and view all the answers

Which region requires a large amount of thermal energy to maintain comfort conditions during winter?

Polar regions Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of a solar pond?

To store solar energy as heat Signup and view all the answers

How does a solar pond maintain the temperature gradient needed for power generation?

By increasing the salt content from top to bottom Signup and view all the answers

In which country is 5-7.5 kWh/m of solar energy commonly available?

India Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency with respect to solar energy?

Increasing the usage of solar energy in households Signup and view all the answers

What are the two ways solar energy can be used?

Directly as thermal energy and indirectly using photovoltaic cells Signup and view all the answers

What is the source of tidal energy?

Difference in water levels between high and low tides Signup and view all the answers

During the operation of a tidal power plant, what is the minimum tidal range required for the plant to work?

At least 5 meters Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the dam or dyke in a tidal power plant?

To form a barrier between the sea and the reservoir/basin Signup and view all the answers

Which mode of operation of a tidal power plant involves power generation during ebb tides?

Ebb generation Signup and view all the answers

What is one factor affecting the feasibility of a tidal power plant related to construction costs?

Cost Signup and view all the answers

What type of energy source is tidal energy considered to be in terms of its availability?

Renewable Signup and view all the answers

What is the main component of a powerhouse in a tidal power plant responsible for power production?

Electric generators Signup and view all the answers

Which mode of operation of a tidal power plant involves the reverse process of ebb generation?

Flood generation Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used for the equipment that converts wet biomass into biogas through digestion or fermentation?

Biogas digester Signup and view all the answers

In the process of converting biomass to biogas, what are the residuals or nutrients left in the biomass slurry used for?

Creating natural fertilizers Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended pH value for the digestion of the biomass slurry?

7-8 Signup and view all the answers

What is done to achieve maximum biogas generation rate in the digestion process?

Seeding with methane forming bacteria Signup and view all the answers

Which stage of the biochemical process converts complex biomass compounds into simpler soluble compounds?

Hydrolysis of organic matter Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary output of the anaerobic and faculative microorganisms stage in the conversion process?

Acetic and propionic acids Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to avoid overloading or underloading the biogas digester?

To maintain biogas production Signup and view all the answers

What role do acid forming bacteria play in the anaerobic digestion process?

Generating acetic and propionic acids Signup and view all the answers

Which type of material is NOT mentioned as a potential raw material for biogas production?

Plastic and rubber waste Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the benefits of anaerobic digestion mentioned in the text related to urban waste management?

Improving sanitation and hygiene Signup and view all the answers