Renewable Energy

Explanation

Full battery electric vehicles, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, and fuel cell-electric hybrid vehicles are all considered alternative powertrain vehicles because they use alternative sources of energy to power the vehicle instead of traditional fossil fuels. These vehicles contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on non-renewable energy sources, promoting sustainability in the transportation sector.

Explanation

PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana aims to install one crore solar rooftop panels in the residential sector, provide training on solar rooftop systems, and create over three lakhs skilled manpower through capacity building. This comprehensive scheme targets both increasing solar energy adoption and developing skilled workforce for the renewable energy sector.

Explanation

Battery storage is considered a Distributed Energy Resource because it allows for the storage of electricity generated from various sources like solar or wind power, enabling decentralized energy production and consumption. The other options - biomass generators, fuel cells, and rooftop solar photovoltaic units - are also forms of renewable energy generation but do not inherently involve energy storage or distribution at a smaller scale.

Explanation

Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles powered by hydrogen produce water vapour as the exhaust pipe emission. This is because the chemical reaction in the fuel cell combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, with water vapour being the only byproduct emitted. This emission is environmentally friendly as it does not release harmful pollutants into the atmosphere.

Explanation

Pumped-storage hydropower is discussed in the context of long duration energy storage. This technology involves using excess electricity to pump water to a higher reservoir during low-demand periods and releasing it to generate electricity during high-demand periods. It helps in balancing the grid and storing renewable energy for times when it is needed the most.

Explanation

Agricultural residues, corn grain, wastewater treatment sludge, and wood mill waste can all be used as feedstock for producing Sustainable Aviation Fuel. These materials are considered sustainable feedstocks for biofuel production, helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on fossil fuels in the aviation sector.

Explanation

Green hydrogen can indeed be used directly as a fuel for internal combustion engines, making statement 1 correct. It can also be blended with natural gas for heat or power generation, supporting statement 2. Furthermore, green hydrogen is commonly used in hydrogen fuel cells to power vehicles, validating statement 3. Hence, all three statements are correct in relation to the applications of green hydrogen.

Explanation

Green hydrogen, produced through electrolysis powered by renewable energy sources, is a clean energy carrier that can help decarbonize heavy industries. Fertilizer plants, oil refineries, and steel plants can all benefit from using green hydrogen as a sustainable alternative to reduce their carbon footprint and transition towards a greener future.

Explanation

Kerala has the distinction of having the first fully solar-powered airport in India, the Cochin International Airport. This airport's entire operations, including terminals and runway, are powered by solar energy, making it a significant example of sustainable energy use in the country.

Explanation

The National Policy on Biofuels in India allows the use of cassava, damaged wheat grains, rotten potatoes, and sugar beet as raw materials for biofuel production. Groundnut seeds and horse gram are not mentioned in the policy. Therefore, the correct answer is option (a) 1, 2, 5 and 6 only.

Explanation

Solar water pumps can utilize solar power to operate both surface and submersible pumps. It is incorrect to say that solar power can only be used for surface pumps and not submersible pumps. Additionally, solar power can also be used to operate both centrifugal pumps and pumps with pistons. Therefore, the correct answer is that neither statement 1 nor statement 2 is accurate.

Explanation

The use of hydrogen-enriched CNG (H-CNG) in buses for public transport offers several benefits. Firstly, it reduces the presence of carbon monoxide, although it may not completely eliminate it. Secondly, H-CNG-powered buses emit lower levels of carbon dioxide and hydrocarbons. Lastly, using H-CNG leads to increased fuel efficiency compared to regular CNG. Therefore, statements 2 and 3 are correct, making option (b) the correct answer.

Explanation

In India, as of 2011, there is no substantial production of silicon wafers. The determination of solar power tariffs falls under the authority of the Solar Energy Corporation of India.

Explanation

In developing countries, the promotion of algae-based biofuels may face limitations due to several factors. Firstly, the production of algae-based biofuels is feasible only in seas, not on continents. Secondly, the establishment and engineering of algae-based biofuel production require advanced expertise and technology until the construction is completed. Lastly, for economically viable production, large-scale facilities need to be set up, which could potentially raise ecological and social concerns. The correct answer is option (b), which includes limitations 2 and 3. The US National Research Council's report on Algal Biofuel highlighted that some may view algae and cyanobacteria biomass production as encroaching on pristine land. Additionally, open algal ponds could attract insect larvae invasion and disrupt the predator-prey balance.

Explanation

Net metering is a billing method that offers credits to owners of solar energy systems for the excess electricity they generate and feed back into the grid.

Explanation

Fuel cells are devices that convert chemical energy into electrical energy by combining hydrogen gas and oxygen gas. The result of this process includes the production of water, electricity, and heat.

Explanation

In the realm of solar power production technologies, it is important to note that 'Photovoltaics' directly converts light into electricity, while 'Solar Thermal' uses sunlight to produce heat for electricity generation. Photovoltaics actually generates Direct Current (DC), contrary to the statement, while Solar Thermal generates Alternating Current (AC). Despite the statement suggesting otherwise, India possesses a manufacturing base for both Photovoltaics and Solar Thermal technologies. Therefore, the correct statement among the given options is Statement 1.

Explanation

In India, cluster bean, also known as Guar, has traditionally been used for consumption as a vegetable or as feed for animals. However, the cultivation of this crop has gained importance recently. The correct statement in this context is that the gum derived from the seeds of cluster bean is utilized in the extraction of shale gas.

Explanation

In the realm of solar power production technologies, consider the following statements: 1. 'Photovoltaics' is a technology that creates electricity by directly converting light, while 'Solar Thermal' utilizes the Sun's rays to produce heat for electricity generation. 2. Photovoltaics produces Alternating Current (AC), while Solar Thermal generates Direct Current (DC). 3. India has a manufacturing base for Solar Thermal technology, but not for Photovoltaics. The correct statement(s) among these is/are: (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1, 2 and 3 (d) None. The correct answer is (a).

Explanation

Biomass gasification is viewed as a sustainable solution to India's power crisis. It involves using materials like coconut shells, groundnut shells, and rice husk. The gases produced from this process contain carbon monoxide, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and sometimes methane. These gases can be utilized for direct heat generation but are not suitable for internal combustion engines.

Explanation

In the context of meeting India's growing energy needs, some suggest researching thorium as a potential nuclear fuel for the future due to its advantages over uranium. Thorium is more abundant in nature than uranium and can produce more energy per unit mass of mined mineral. Additionally, thorium generates less harmful waste compared to uranium. All three statements are correct, making thorium a promising alternative for nuclear energy production.

Explanation

Microbial fuel cells are considered a sustainable energy source because they utilize living organisms to produce electricity from specific substances. Additionally, they can use various inorganic materials as fuel sources. These fuel cells can also be set up in waste water treatment facilities to both purify the water and generate electricity. The correct statements are that they use living organisms as catalysts for electricity generation and that they can be used in waste water treatment plants.

Explanation

Pongamia pinnata is considered a good option for bio-diesel production in India because it naturally grows in most arid regions of the country and its seeds have a high lipid content, with nearly half being oleic acid. This makes both statements 1 and 2 correct. Additionally, Pongamia pinnata is known for its adaptability to arid zones and has a wide distribution in various habitats.

Explanation

In hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, the reaction between hydrogen and oxygen produces water (H2O) as the only exhaust product.

Explanation

Ethanol, a type of bio-fuel, can be derived from sugarcane through the process of fermenting sugarcane juice and molasses. Sugarcane ethanol is considered a prominent renewable fuel for transportation due to its cleanliness, cost-effectiveness, and low carbon emissions.

Explanation

The Biodiesel Mission is being implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development, as recommended by the Committee on Development of Bio-fuels in April 2003.

Explanation

In the context of the benefits of by-products from the sugar industry, the following statements are accurate: 1. Bagasse can be utilized as biomass fuel to generate energy. 2. Molasses can be employed for ethanol production. Molasses, however, is not typically used in the creation of synthetic chemical fertilizers. Therefore, the correct answer is option (c): 1 and 3 only.

Explanation

Solar energy, which consists of radiant light and heat from the sun, has been utilized by humans for centuries through various technologies that have advanced over time.