PART A – 2 Mark Answers

1. Define energy efficiency.

2. What is meant by Solar Energy?

Solar energy is the energy obtained from the radiation of the Sun. It can be converted into
heat or electricity using solar technologies.
3. List out the advantages and disadvantages of air flat plate collector.
Advantages: Simple construction, low cost, easy maintenance, and suitable for low-
temperature applications.
Disadvantages: Low efficiency and large collector area is required.
4. Name the types of concentrating collectors.
 Parabolic trough collector
 Parabolic dish collector
 Central receiver/solar tower
 Compound parabolic collector
5. Compare horizontal axis and vertical axis wind turbine.
 HAWT: Rotor axis is parallel to the wind direction; generally higher efficiency.
 VAWT: Rotor axis is vertical to the ground; accepts wind from any direction.
6. List the non-conventional energy sources.
Solar, wind, biomass, geothermal, tidal, wave, and ocean thermal energy are non-
conventional energy sources.
7. How are energy resources classified?
Energy resources are classified as:
 Renewable and non-renewable
 Conventional and non-conventional
8. What are the performance indices of a solar collector?
The important performance indices are thermal efficiency, heat removal factor, collector
efficiency factor, and optical efficiency.
9. List the applications of solar PV system.
Solar PV systems are used for battery charging, water pumping, street lighting,
telecommunications, domestic electricity supply, and grid-connected power generation.
10. Mention the factors which determine the power in wind.
 PART - B
1. What are the conventional and non-conventional energy sources? Describe the fossil fuels
as the conventional energy sources.
Conventional energy sources are the energy sources that have been traditionally used for a long
period. Examples are coal, petroleum, natural gas and large hydroelectric power.
Non-conventional energy sources are alternative sources that are generally renewable and
environmentally friendly. Examples are solar, wind, biomass, geothermal, tidal and wave energy.
Fossil fuels
Fossil fuels are formed from the remains of plants and animals buried under the earth for millions
of years. The major fossil fuels are:
 Coal: Mainly used for thermal power generation and industrial heating.
 Petroleum: Refined into petrol, diesel, kerosene and other fuels; widely used in
transportation.
 Natural gas: Used for electricity generation, cooking, heating and industrial applications.
Advantages: High energy density, easy transportation and well-developed infrastructure.
Disadvantages: They are finite resources and their combustion produces CO₂ and other pollutants,
contributing to air pollution and climate change.

2. Discuss briefly about (i) Solar drying (ii) Solar cells.

(i) Solar Drying
Solar drying is the process of removing moisture from agricultural products using solar radiation.
Working principle: Solar radiation
heats air inside a solar dryer. The
heated air flows over the wet
material and removes moisture. The
moist air is then discharged from the
dryer.
Types:
 Direct solar dryer
 Indirect solar dryer
 Mixed-mode solar dryer
Applications: Drying of fruits, vegetables, grains, spices, fish and agricultural products.
Advantages: Low operating cost, saves conventional fuel and provides hygienic drying.
(ii) Solar Cells
A solar cell is a semiconductor device that converts solar energy directly into electrical energy
by the photovoltaic effect.
 Working principle: When sunlight falls on the
p-n junction, photons generate electron-hole
pairs. The internal electric field separates these
charges and produces an electric current
through an external circuit.
Applications: Solar street lights, water pumps,
satellites, battery charging, calculators and grid-
connected power systems.

3. Discuss the various sources of renewable energy. Describe the energy scenario of India.
Renewable Energy Sources
1. Solar Energy – Energy obtained from solar radiation and converted into heat or electricity.
2. Wind Energy – Kinetic energy of wind is converted into mechanical or electrical energy
using wind turbines.
3. Biomass Energy – Energy obtained from agricultural residues, wood, animal waste and
other organic materials.
4. Hydropower – Energy obtained from flowing or falling water.
5. Geothermal Energy – Heat energy obtained from the Earth's interior.
6. Tidal Energy – Energy obtained from the periodic rise and fall of sea levels.
7. Wave Energy – Energy obtained from ocean waves.
8. Ocean Thermal Energy – Energy obtained from the temperature difference between
surface and deep ocean water.
Energy Scenario of India
India has a rapidly growing energy demand due to industrialization, urbanization and
population growth. Conventional sources such as coal, petroleum and natural gas continue to play
an important role. At the same time, India is increasing the use of renewable energy, particularly
solar, wind, hydropower and bioenergy.
The major objectives are:
 Increasing renewable energy capacity.
 Reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
 Improving energy security.
 Reducing greenhouse-gas emissions.
 Promoting clean and sustainable energy development.

4. Write briefly about characteristics and principles of any three different types of solar
collectors. Draw diagrams illustrating the constructional features.
Three important solar collectors are flat plate collector, parabolic trough collector and parabolic
dish collector.
(a) Flat Plate Solar Collector
 Principle: Solar radiation passes through
the transparent cover and is absorbed by a
blackened absorber plate. The absorbed heat
is transferred to the fluid flowing through
tubes attached to the plate.
Characteristics:
 Stationary collector.
 Does not require solar tracking.
 Suitable for low and medium
temperature applications.
 Simple construction and low
maintenance.
Applications: Water heating, space heating and solar drying.
(b) Parabolic Trough Collector
Principle: A parabolic reflecting surface
concentrates solar radiation onto a receiver tube
located along its focal line.
Characteristics:
 Line-focus collector.
 Usually uses single-axis tracking.
 Produces relatively high temperatures.
 Suitable for steam generation and power
production.
(c) Parabolic Dish Collector
Principle: A parabolic dish reflects and
concentrates solar radiation onto a
receiver positioned at the focal point.

Characteristics:
 Point-focus collector.
 Requires two-axis tracking.
 Achieves very high
temperatures.
 Suitable for solar thermal power
generation.
Comparison: Flat plate collectors are mainly used for low-temperature applications, while
parabolic trough and parabolic dish collectors are used for high-temperature applications.
 PART - C
1. Describe with a neat sketch the working of a Wind Energy Conversion System (WECS) with
its main components.
A Wind Energy Conversion System (WECS) converts the kinetic energy of wind into electrical energy. The
wind rotates the turbine blades, and the mechanical power is transmitted through the drive train to the
generator.
Main Components
1. Rotor/Blades – Capture the kinetic energy of wind.
2. Hub – Connects the blades to the main shaft.
3. Low-speed shaft – Transfers rotational power from the rotor.
4. Gearbox – Increases the rotational speed.
5. High-speed shaft – Drives the generator.
6. Generator – Converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.
7. Brake – Stops the turbine during emergency or maintenance.
8. Yaw mechanism – Keeps the rotor facing the wind.
9. Controller – Monitors and controls turbine operation.
10. Tower – Supports the turbine at a suitable height.
Working
When wind strikes the turbine blades, aerodynamic
lift causes the rotor to rotate. The rotor transfers
mechanical power through the low-speed shaft to the
gearbox. The gearbox increases the rotational speed
and drives the generator through the high-speed shaft.
The generator converts mechanical energy into
electrical energy, which is supplied to the load or
electrical grid. The controller, brake and yaw
mechanism ensure safe and efficient operation.

2. Explain the working of a horizontal axis wind turbine driven.

A Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine (HAWT) is a wind turbine in which the rotor shaft is horizontal and
generally parallel to the direction of wind flow.
Construction
The major components are:
 Rotor blades
 Hub
 Low-speed shaft
 Gearbox
 High-speed shaft
 Generator
 Brake
 Yaw mechanism
 Nacelle
 Tower
Working
1. Wind flows towards the rotor blades.
2. The aerodynamic force on the blades causes the
rotor and hub to rotate.
3. The rotating hub drives the low-speed shaft.
4. The gearbox increases the shaft speed.
5. The high-speed shaft drives the generator.
6. The generator converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.
7. The electricity is supplied to the grid or electrical load.
8. The yaw mechanism turns the nacelle so that the rotor faces the wind direction.
Advantages
 High efficiency for large-scale power generation.
 Suitable for grid-connected electricity generation.
 Can utilize strong winds available at greater heights.
 Capable of producing large amounts of electrical power.
 Well-established technology.
Disadvantages
 Requires a suitable wind-resource site.
 Installation and maintenance can be costly.
 Requires a strong tower and foundation.
 Performance depends on wind speed and direction.
 Produces noise and may have visual/environmental impacts.
Applications
HAWTs are mainly used for:
 Grid-connected electricity generation
 Wind farms
 Large-scale renewable power generation
 Power supply to remote locations
 Water pumping and other mechanical/electrical applications