ME-604-C Renewable Energy Technology - May 2024 Question Paper

Under each question, How to answer lists the points an answer should cover, outlined by CampusPrep from the syllabus. Check the details against your textbook.

1. 7 Marks
   aHow do you measure solar Radiation?
   How to answer

   • Define solar radiation components - beam, diffuse, global
   • Instruments - pyranometer for global/diffuse, pyrheliometer for beam, sunshine recorder
   • Working principle and measurement procedure
   • Units and data interpretation
2. 7 Marks
   bExplain the constructional features and working of solar flat plate collector.
   How to answer

   • Construction - absorber plate, glazing, insulation, casing, fluid tubes
   • Working - greenhouse effect and heat transfer to working fluid
   • Neat labelled sketch of flat plate collector
   • Applications and advantages/limitations
3. 7 Marks
   aClassify the renewable energy sources.
   How to answer

   • Define renewable vs non-renewable
   • Classification - solar, wind, biomass, hydro, geothermal, tidal, OTEC
   • Basis of classification with examples
   • Brief characteristics of each source
4. 7 Marks
   bDerive the expression for power developed due to wind.
   How to answer

   • Start with kinetic energy of wind mass $KE = \frac{1}{2}mv^2$
   • Mass flow rate $\dot{m} = \rho A V$ through swept area
   • Derive power $P = \frac{1}{2}\rho A V^3$ and power coefficient
   • Assumptions and Betz limit remark
5. 7 Marks
   aWhat prohibits large scale utilization of wind power for electricity?
   How to answer

   • Intermittency and variability of wind speed
   • Low energy density, storage and grid integration issues
   • High capital cost, land/noise/visual impacts
   • Site selection and transmission constraints
6. 7 Marks
   bWhat is an Aerofoil? Explain its types.
   How to answer

   • Definition of aerofoil - shape for lift generation
   • Types - symmetrical, cambered, flat plate etc.
   • Terminology - chord, camber, angle of attack
   • Role in wind turbine blades
7. 7 Marks
   aWhat is Biomass? How it is useful?
   How to answer

   • Definition of biomass and sources
   • Forms - solid, liquid, gaseous fuels
   • Uses - heat, power, biogas, biofuels
   • Renewability and carbon neutrality aspect
8. 7 Marks
   bExplain the different types of Biomass Gasification.
   How to answer

   • Define gasification principle
   • Types - updraft, downdraft, crossdraft, fluidized bed
   • Working of each with sketch
   • Comparison of gas quality and applications
9. 7 Marks
   aWhat are the main components of a small hydropower system?
   How to answer

   • Intake, dam/weir, penstock, turbine-generator
   • Control, powerhouse and transmission
   • Function of each component
   • Layout for small/micro hydro
10. 7 Marks
    bExplain the principle of Ocean thermal energy conversion.
    How to answer

    • Principle - temperature difference between surface and deep ocean water
    • Open, closed and hybrid OTEC cycles
    • Working steps with schematic
    • Efficiency limitations
11. 14 Marks
    A tidal power plant of the simple of single basin type has a basin area of $30 \times 10^6 \text{ m}^2$. The tide has a range of $12 \text{ m}$. The turbine, however, stops operating when the head on it falls below $3 \text{ m}$. Calculate the energy generated in 1 filling (or emptying) process in KWh if the turbine generator efficiency is $0.73$.
    How to answer

    • Tidal energy formula with effective head $R - h_{min}$
    • Available potential energy $E = \frac{1}{2}\rho A (R^2 - h_{min}^2) g \times \eta$
    • Substitute $A = 30\times10^6 \text{ m}^2, R=12\text{ m}, h_{min}=3\text{ m}, \eta=0.73$
    • Convert J to kWh to get energy per filling/emptying
12. 7 Marks
    aWhat are different types of Geothermal deposits?
    How to answer

    • Define geothermal deposits/fields
    • Types - hydrothermal, geopressured, hot dry rock, magma
    • Characteristics of vapour and liquid dominated systems
    • Examples and potential
13. 7 Marks
    bWhat are the environmental benefits of geothermal energy production?
    How to answer

    • Low greenhouse gas emissions
    • Small land footprint, no fuel combustion
    • Reduced air/water pollution vs fossil fuels
    • Sustainability and reliability aspects
14. 14 Marks
    Write short notes on any two:

    1. a)Principle of Photovoltaic conversion of solar energy
    2. b)Types of digesters
    3. c)Fuel cell system
    4. d)Selection of turbine for hydro plant
    How to answer

    • Lead-in on attempting any two topics for equal marks
    • For each chosen topic: principle/definition, construction/types, working with diagram
    • Applications, advantages and limitations
    • Conclusion and relevance to renewable energy