Wind Energy Fundamentals

What is the main source of wind energy?

Solar radiation

Why are windmills generally made of composite materials like fibrereinforced plastic?

For ease of manufacturing and high strength to weight ratio

Which type of windmill is used to convert the kinetic energy of moving air into mechanical work?

Horizontal axis windmill

What is a key advantage of wind energy?

Is freely and abundantly available in nature Signup and view all the answers

How does wind energy contribute to electricity production?

Driving a generator in windmills Signup and view all the answers

What results in the motion of wind according to the text?

Uneven heating of atmosphere by sun Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of a solar furnace?

To study the properties of materials at high temperatures Signup and view all the answers

Where is the tank located in a solar water heater system?

Above the level of the collector Signup and view all the answers

What does a solar pond electric power plant convert into electricity?

Solar radiation Signup and view all the answers

In a solar passive heating system, what direction does the sun rays come from in the northern hemisphere?

South Signup and view all the answers

What is a key advantage of a solar furnace?

High rate of heating with intense radiation Signup and view all the answers

What does the flat plate collector do in a solar water heater system?

Convert solar radiation into heat energy Signup and view all the answers

What is needed for natural circulation to occur in a solar water heater system?

Collector and water tank at different levels Signup and view all the answers

What allows for easy control of temperature in a solar furnace?

Heliostats concentrating solar rays Signup and view all the answers

What type of energy does a fuel cell convert into electrical energy?

Chemical energy Signup and view all the answers

What is a disadvantage of wind energy mentioned in the text?

Generates only low power Signup and view all the answers

What are the two ways solar energy can be used as mentioned in the text?

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

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

Absorb solar radiation and transfer heat to a fluid Signup and view all the answers

What defines the three zones of a solar pond according to the text?

Salt concentration gradient in the pond Signup and view all the answers

Why does heated brine water remain at the bottom of a solar pond?

Higher salt concentration and density in the brine Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of a solar pond technology?

To serve as a large flat collector and thermal storage system Signup and view all the answers

How does a solar collector transport heat within a solar thermal system?

By transferring it to a fluid passing through the collector Signup and view all the answers

What makes solar energy collectors similar to heat converters?

They both absorb and convert solar energy. Signup and view all the answers

What is one way Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency and Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources aim to use solar energy?

For desalination of saline water and village electrification. Signup and view all the answers

How is solar energy commonly available in most places in India?

As 5-7.5 kWh/m^2 during daytime from sunrise to sunset. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the electrolyte in a fuel cell?

Separates the fuel and oxidant without mixing Signup and view all the answers

Which component of a fuel cell helps to drive electrons through the external circuit load?

Gibbs free energy charge Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the remaining hydrogen ions at the anode in a fuel cell?

Enter the electrolyte through porous walls Signup and view all the answers

Why are electrodes made porous in a fuel cell?

To increase the area of interface between reactants, electrolyte, and electrodes Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the performance limiting factors of a fuel cell?

Corrosion of electrodes Signup and view all the answers

What is concentration polarization in a fuel cell?

The loss of potential due to initial concentration changes at electrodes Signup and view all the answers

How does increasing pressure affect a fuel cell's output?

Increases electricity generation Signup and view all the answers

What role does a catalyst play in a fuel cell?

Promotes electrochemical reactions Signup and view all the answers

Why should a fuel cell have high electrode activity?

To generate high current densities Signup and view all the answers

What happens if a fuel cell's electrodes degrade or corrode?

Loss of performance efficiency Signup and view all the answers

What causes resistance polarization in electrolytes?

Movement of ions Signup and view all the answers

Why are fuel cells considered non-polluting?

They produce water as a waste product Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation of fuel cells related to their lifespan?

Heavy corrosion of electrodes Signup and view all the answers

How can the potential energy in tides be utilized?

By using it to generate electric power Signup and view all the answers

What is the main cause of the formation of tides on Earth?

Combined gravitational pull of the moon and sun Signup and view all the answers

Why can fuel cells be installed in residential areas?

They are non-polluting Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant advantage of using fuel cells for propulsion?

Reduction in battery usage Signup and view all the answers

How does the moon's gravitational pull impact high tides on Earth?

Pulls water towards itself Signup and view all the answers

Why do fuel cells operate quietly?

Minimal moving parts Signup and view all the answers

What allows fuel cells to easily meet varying customer loads?

Requirement of less installation area Signup and view all the answers

What is the source of tidal energy?

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

What is the potential energy of water that can be harnessed in a tidal power plant?

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

What is one of the modes of operation of a tidal power plant?

Two-way generation Signup and view all the answers

What component forms a barrier between the sea and the reservoir/basin of a tidal power plant?

Dam or dyke Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the feasibility factors for the construction of a tidal power plant?

Low silt content in water Signup and view all the answers

What is a merit of tidal energy according to the text?

It is free from pollution Signup and view all the answers

What is a requirement for the minimum tidal range for economical power production from tidal energy?

$5 m$ Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of sluiceways in a tidal power plant?

Empty the basin during low tides Signup and view all the answers

What does ebb generation refer to in a tidal power plant?

Power generation during low tides Signup and view all the answers

Why should the site of a tidal power plant be well protected according to the text?

To avoid high wave action during storms Signup and view all the answers

What is the main limitation of tidal energy according to the text?

Dependency on the timing of tides for power supply Signup and view all the answers

Which factor affects the efficiency of a tidal power plant?

Variable tidal range Signup and view all the answers

What is the energy density of biogas approximately according to the text?

23 MJ/m³ Signup and view all the answers

Which gas constitutes the largest percentage in biogas composition?

Methane Signup and view all the answers

What process helps in converting biomass into biogas?

Anaerobic digestion Signup and view all the answers

What are anaerobic bacteria involved in biogas production commonly known as?

Methane producers Signup and view all the answers

How does silt deposition affect tidal basin operation?

Causes regular costly removal processes Signup and view all the answers

Why is power output from tidal energy not continuous?

Based on the timing of tides and lunar cycles Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a biogas digester or plant?

To convert wet biomass into biogas Signup and view all the answers

What is the output of the anaerobic fermentation process in a biogas digester?

Methane or biogas Signup and view all the answers

What do the residuals or nutrients remaining in the wet biomass slurry after the conversion process provide?

Natural fertilizers and humus Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of energy can biogas provide compared to the dry biomass during combustion?

60-75% Signup and view all the answers

At what temperature does the hydrolysis stage of converting biomass to biogas take place?

25°C Signup and view all the answers

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

Grow rapidly Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to neither overload nor underload a biogas digester?

Reduces biogas production Signup and view all the answers

'Seeding' of digestion slurry with methane-forming bacteria is done to:

Increase biogas generation rate Signup and view all the answers

'Anaerobic digestion' is carried out in:

'Airtight enclosures' Signup and view all the answers

What are some raw materials used for biogas production?

Waste, cultivated material, and harvested material Signup and view all the answers