What is the primary energy conversion in a solar thermal system?
A Light to electricity
B Heat to mechanical energy
C Sunlight to heat energy
D Chemical energy to electrical energy
Solar thermal systems collect sunlight and convert it into heat energy, which is then used for applications like water heating or powering turbines for electricity generation.
What type of energy is harnessed by wave energy converters?
A Kinetic energy of water
B Gravitational pull of the moon
C Chemical energy in ocean water
D Solar radiation
Wave energy converters capture the kinetic energy from the motion of ocean waves and convert it into usable electricity.
Which of these is NOT a renewable energy source?
A Geothermal energy
B Natural gas
C Wind energy
D Biomass energy
Natural gas is a fossil fuel and not a renewable resource, unlike geothermal, wind, and biomass energy, which are naturally replenished.
What is the purpose of a charge controller in a solar energy system?
A To convert DC to AC
B To regulate battery charging and prevent overcharging
C To measure solar panel efficiency
D To track the sun’s position
A charge controller ensures the batteries in a solar system are charged efficiently and safely, protecting them from overcharging or deep discharge.
What is the term for energy generated from organic materials like wood, agricultural waste, and animal manure?
A Solar energy
B Biomass energy
C Tidal energy
D Geothermal energy
Biomass energy is derived from organic materials. It can be burned for heat or converted into biofuels like ethanol and biodiesel.
Which component of a wind turbine captures the wind’s kinetic energy?
A Rotor blades
B Generator
C Tower
D Inverter
Rotor blades capture the kinetic energy of the wind and cause the turbine to rotate, which generates mechanical energy converted into electricity.
What is the role of a battery management system (BMS)?
A To generate electricity
B To ensure optimal performance and safety of batteries
C To convert DC to AC power
D To connect renewable systems to the grid
A BMS monitors battery voltage, temperature, and state of charge, ensuring safety, longevity, and efficiency in energy storage systems.
What is the main cause of variability in solar and wind energy?
A Mechanical failure
B Weather conditions
C Inefficient technology
D Grid design
Solar and wind energy are intermittent because their availability depends on factors like sunlight, cloud cover, wind speed, and weather patterns.
What is an off-grid renewable energy system?
A A system connected to the main power grid
B A system without any storage
C A system that operates independently of the main grid
D A system used only for heating
Off-grid systems generate and store their own energy, providing electricity without relying on a central power grid. They are common in remote areas.
What is a microgrid?
A A large-scale grid that powers cities
B A localized grid that can operate independently
C A storage system for renewable energy
D A grid used only for wind energy
A microgrid is a smaller, localized version of the traditional grid, designed to integrate renewable energy and operate independently during outages.
What is the typical lifespan of a solar panel?
A 5-10 years
B 15-20 years
C 25-30 years
D 40-50 years
Most solar panels have a lifespan of 25 to 30 years, during which they maintain significant efficiency before gradually degrading.
Which renewable energy technology benefits most from net metering?
A Solar photovoltaic systems
B Hydropower plants
C Wind farms
D Geothermal plants
Net metering allows solar PV system owners to receive credits for excess electricity sent to the grid, offsetting their energy costs.
What type of energy does a tidal power plant use?
A Thermal energy
B Kinetic and potential energy of tides
C Chemical energy in water
D Solar energy
Tidal power plants harness the kinetic and potential energy from the movement of tidal waters, driven by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun.
Which of these is a major advantage of renewable energy?
A High carbon emissions
B Long-term sustainability
C Limited availability
D High maintenance costs
Renewable energy is sustainable because it relies on natural processes that are constantly replenished, unlike finite fossil fuels.
What is the function of an energy storage system?
A Generate electricity directly
B Store surplus energy for later use
C Increase the efficiency of solar panels
D Reduce energy demand
Energy storage systems like batteries save excess energy generated by renewable sources and supply it when energy production is low.
What does energy efficiency measure?
A Total energy produced
B Amount of energy wasted
C Ratio of useful energy output to energy input
D The speed of energy generation
Energy efficiency is the percentage of energy input converted into usable energy, reducing waste and improving performance.
What is the purpose of a feed-in tariff?
A Penalize fossil fuel users
B Encourage renewable energy production
C Reduce renewable energy costs
D Lower electricity usage
Feed-in tariffs are policies that incentivize renewable energy by offering fixed payments for the electricity generated and fed into the grid.
Which energy source is used in combined heat and power (CHP) systems?
A Fossil fuels only
B Any energy source, including renewable ones
C Only solar energy
D Only geothermal energy
CHP systems generate electricity and capture waste heat for heating purposes, using both renewable and non-renewable energy sources.
What does the term “distributed generation” mean?
A Centralized power plants
B Small-scale energy production near the point of use
C Large-scale wind farms
D Hydropower reservoirs
Distributed generation refers to generating electricity locally, such as rooftop solar panels, reducing transmission losses and dependency on centralized grids.
What is the primary environmental benefit of wind energy?
A Requires minimal land
B Emits no greenhouse gases during operation
C Produces constant energy
D Stores energy naturally
Wind energy is a clean energy source that produces no emissions during operation, helping to reduce the carbon footprint and combat climate change.