Q.1 Which of the following is a major advantage of solar photovoltaic (PV) technology?
Requires fossil fuels
Produces greenhouse gases
Generates electricity directly from sunlight
Consumes large amounts of water
Explanation - Solar PV panels convert sunlight directly into electricity without burning fuel or producing emissions.
Correct answer is: Generates electricity directly from sunlight
Q.2 What is the primary function of a smart grid in energy systems?
Increase coal consumption
Distribute energy efficiently and integrate renewables
Reduce electricity tariffs
Eliminate the need for energy storage
Explanation - Smart grids use digital technology to monitor and optimize electricity distribution, enabling better integration of renewable energy sources.
Correct answer is: Distribute energy efficiently and integrate renewables
Q.3 Which of the following is considered a bioenergy source?
Wind
Biomass
Hydropower
Geothermal
Explanation - Bioenergy comes from biological materials like plants, wood, and agricultural waste, which can be converted into electricity, heat, or fuel.
Correct answer is: Biomass
Q.4 What is the key principle behind wind turbines generating electricity?
Conversion of kinetic energy of wind to mechanical energy
Absorption of solar heat by blades
Combustion of air particles
Electrolysis of water
Explanation - Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy of moving air into mechanical energy, which is then converted to electricity via a generator.
Correct answer is: Conversion of kinetic energy of wind to mechanical energy
Q.5 Which innovation helps reduce energy consumption in buildings?
LED lighting
Coal-fired boilers
Gasoline generators
Diesel heaters
Explanation - LED lighting is highly energy-efficient, reducing electricity consumption compared to traditional incandescent bulbs.
Correct answer is: LED lighting
Q.6 Which of the following is NOT a renewable energy source?
Geothermal
Solar
Natural Gas
Wind
Explanation - Natural gas is a fossil fuel, whereas geothermal, solar, and wind are renewable sources of energy.
Correct answer is: Natural Gas
Q.7 Hydrogen fuel cells generate electricity by combining hydrogen with which element?
Oxygen
Nitrogen
Carbon
Helium
Explanation - Hydrogen fuel cells generate electricity through an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, producing water as a byproduct.
Correct answer is: Oxygen
Q.8 Which technology is commonly used for large-scale energy storage to balance renewable supply?
Lithium-ion batteries
Diesel generators
Nuclear reactors
Hydropower dams
Explanation - Lithium-ion batteries can store excess energy from renewables and release it when demand is high, helping stabilize the grid.
Correct answer is: Lithium-ion batteries
Q.9 The term 'grid parity' refers to:
When renewable energy costs equal conventional energy costs
When power grids fail
The voltage balance in transformers
When fossil fuels dominate the grid
Explanation - Grid parity occurs when the cost of renewable electricity is equal to or less than conventional energy sources, making renewables economically competitive.
Correct answer is: When renewable energy costs equal conventional energy costs
Q.10 Which sustainable innovation reduces dependency on fossil fuels in transportation?
Electric vehicles
Coal locomotives
Gasoline motorcycles
Diesel trucks
Explanation - Electric vehicles (EVs) run on electricity rather than fossil fuels, reducing emissions and reliance on petroleum.
Correct answer is: Electric vehicles
Q.11 What is a major challenge of offshore wind farms?
High sunlight dependency
Interference with aviation
High construction and maintenance costs
Water pollution
Explanation - Offshore wind farms face high initial costs and technical challenges due to harsh marine conditions, though they benefit from stronger and consistent winds.
Correct answer is: High construction and maintenance costs
Q.12 Which energy technology converts the heat from the Earth's interior into electricity?
Solar PV
Geothermal
Hydropower
Wind turbines
Explanation - Geothermal power plants use heat from the Earth's core to generate steam, which drives turbines to produce electricity.
Correct answer is: Geothermal
Q.13 Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is designed to:
Increase coal combustion
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel use
Generate solar energy
Increase wind farm efficiency
Explanation - CCS technology captures CO2 emissions from industrial sources and stores them underground to mitigate climate change.
Correct answer is: Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel use
Q.14 Which of the following is an emerging trend in sustainable urban energy solutions?
Net-zero buildings
Coal-based district heating
Gasoline street lamps
Nuclear-powered buses
Explanation - Net-zero buildings are designed to produce as much energy as they consume, often integrating solar panels, efficient insulation, and smart systems.
Correct answer is: Net-zero buildings
Q.15 Which of the following best describes tidal energy?
Energy generated from river flow
Energy from ocean waves and tides
Solar energy stored in water
Wind energy over the sea
Explanation - Tidal energy uses the gravitational effects of the moon and sun to generate electricity from ocean movements.
Correct answer is: Energy from ocean waves and tides
Q.16 Which is a significant limitation of solar thermal energy compared to solar PV?
Requires direct sunlight and water for heat transfer
Cannot generate electricity
Pollutes the air
Consumes fossil fuels
Explanation - Solar thermal systems need sunlight and a working fluid (usually water or oil) to transfer heat, making them site-dependent.
Correct answer is: Requires direct sunlight and water for heat transfer
Q.17 Which innovation improves efficiency in hydrogen production?
Electrolysis using renewable electricity
Coal gasification
Diesel reforming
Nuclear fission
Explanation - Using renewable electricity for electrolysis splits water into hydrogen and oxygen efficiently without carbon emissions.
Correct answer is: Electrolysis using renewable electricity
Q.18 What is the main benefit of microgrids in rural areas?
Provide localized energy supply and reliability
Increase dependence on coal
Reduce renewable adoption
Require high transmission infrastructure
Explanation - Microgrids allow rural areas to have independent, reliable electricity systems that can integrate renewable sources without relying on the main grid.
Correct answer is: Provide localized energy supply and reliability
Q.19 Which material is commonly used in advanced solar cells to improve efficiency?
Perovskite
Concrete
Copper only
Lead-acid
Explanation - Perovskite materials are used in next-generation solar cells due to their high light absorption and efficiency potential.
Correct answer is: Perovskite
Q.20 Which of the following is considered a circular economy approach in energy technology?
Recycling battery materials
Burning all waste for energy
Using coal without emission controls
Dumping used solar panels in landfills
Explanation - A circular economy minimizes waste and maximizes resource reuse, such as recycling batteries from EVs or renewable energy systems.
Correct answer is: Recycling battery materials
Q.21 Floating solar farms are primarily used to:
Maximize solar generation on water surfaces
Generate wave energy
Cool nuclear reactors
Desalinate seawater
Explanation - Floating solar panels are installed on reservoirs or lakes to save land and reduce evaporation while producing electricity efficiently.
Correct answer is: Maximize solar generation on water surfaces
Q.22 Which energy storage technology uses gravity to store and release energy?
Pumped hydro storage
Lithium-ion batteries
Flywheels
Supercapacitors
Explanation - Pumped hydro stores energy by moving water to a higher elevation during low demand and releasing it through turbines when electricity is needed.
Correct answer is: Pumped hydro storage
Q.23 What is the role of smart meters in energy sustainability?
Monitor energy consumption and improve efficiency
Generate electricity from sunlight
Replace the main grid
Produce fossil fuels
Explanation - Smart meters provide real-time energy usage data, helping consumers and utilities optimize consumption and reduce waste.
Correct answer is: Monitor energy consumption and improve efficiency
Q.24 Which type of renewable energy is highly predictable and dependable?
Tidal energy
Wind energy
Solar energy
Biogas
Explanation - Tidal energy is driven by gravitational forces of the moon and sun, making it predictable and reliable compared to solar or wind.
Correct answer is: Tidal energy