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Consider the following:
1. Battery storage
2. Biomass generators
3. Fuel cells
4. Rooftop solar photovoltaic units
How many of the above are considered “Distributed Energy Resources”?

(a)

Only one

(b)

Only two

(c)

Only three

(d)

All four*

Correct Answer

(d)

Explanation

Answer (d)- All Four
Explanation: Distributed energy resources (DER) refers to often smaller generation units that are located on the consumer’s side of the meter.

Examples of distributed energy resources that can be installed include:

roof top solar photovoltaic units
wind generating units
battery storage
batteries in electric vehicles used to export power back to the grid
combined heat and power units, or tri-generation units that also utilise waste heat to provide cooling
biomass generators, which are fuelled with waste gas or industrial and agricultural by-products.
open and closed cycle gas turbines
reciprocating engines (diesel, oil)
hydro and mini-hydro schemes
fuel cells.
Source : https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/distributed-renewable-energy-dre/

Microtheme: Renewable Energy Technology —
14 questions asked in Prelims in the past.

  1. [2026] Which of the following statements with regard to India’s Deep Ocean Mission is/are correct?
    1. It was launched by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India.
    2. Matsya-6000 has been designed to carry 3 people for deep sea exploration.
    3. Samudrayaan is a project under this mission.

    • (a) 1 only
    • (b) 2 and 3 only
    • (c) 1 and 2 only
    • (d) 1, 2 and 3
    Correct Answer: (B) 2 and 3 only
  2. [2025] Consider the following substances:
    I. Ethanol
    II. Nitroglycerine
    III. Urea
    Coal gasification technology can be used in the production of how many of them?

    • (a) Only one
    • (b) Only two
    • (c) All three
    • (d) None
    Correct Answer: (B) Only two
  3. [2024] Consider the following:
    1. Battery storage
    2. Biomass generators
    3. Fuel cells
    4. Rooftop solar photovoltaic units
    How many of the above are considered “Distributed Energy Resources”?

    • (a) Only one
    • (b) Only two
    • (c) Only three
    • (d) All four*
    Correct Answer: (D) All four*
  4. [2024] In which of the following are hydrogels used?
    1. Controlled drug delivery in patients
    2. Mobile air-conditioning systems
    3. Preparation of industrial lubricants
    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    • (a) 1 only
    • (b) 1 and 2 only
    • (c) 2 and 3 only
    • (d) 1, 2 and 3*
    Correct Answer: (A) 1 only
  5. [2024] Which one of the following is the exhaust pipe emission from Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles powered by hydrogen?

    • (a) Hydrogen peroxide
    • (b) Hydronium
    • (c) Oxygen
    • (d) Water vapour*
    Correct Answer: (D) Water vapour*
  6. [2024] Recently, the term “pumped-storage hydropower” is actually and appropriately discussed in the context of which one of the following?

    • (a) Irrigation of terraced crop fields
    • (b) Lift irrigation of cereal crops
    • (c) Long duration energy storage*
    • (d) Rainwater harvesting system
    Correct Answer: (C) Long duration energy storage*
  7. [2023] Consider the following heavy industries:
    1. Fertilizer plants
    2. Oil refineries
    3. Steel plants
    Green hydrogen is expected to play a significant role in decarbonizing how many of the above industries?

    • (a) Only one
    • (b) Only two
    • (c) All three
    • (d) None
    Correct Answer: (C) All three
  8. [2023] With reference to green hydrogen, consider the following statements:
    1. It can be used directly as a fuel for internal combustion.
    2. It can be blended with natural gas and used as fuel for heat or power generation .
    3. It can be used in the hydrogen fuel cell to run vehicles.
    How may of the abvoe statements are correct?

    • (a) Only one
    • (b) Only two
    • (c) All three
    • (d) (d)None
    Correct Answer: (C) All three
  9. [2020] With reference to solar water pumps, consider the following statements:
    1. Solar power can be used for running surface pumps and not for submersible Pumps.
    2. Solar power can be used for running centrifugal pumps and not the ones with piston.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    • (a) 1 only
    • (b) 2 only
    • (c) Both 1 and 2
    • (d) Neither 1 nor 2
    Correct Answer: (D) Neither 1 nor 2
  10. [2015] With reference to bio-toilets used by the Indian Railways, consider the following statements :
    (1) The decomposition of human waste in the bio-toilets is initiated by a fungal inoculum.
    (2) Ammonia and water vapour are the only end products in this decomposition which are released into the atmosphere.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    • (a) 1 only
    • (b) 2 only
    • (c) Both 1 and 2
    • (d) Neither 1 nor 2
    Correct Answer: (D) Neither 1 nor 2
  11. [2014] With reference to technology for solar power production, consider the following statements:
    1. ‘Photovoltaics’ is a technology that generates electricity by direct conversion of light into electricity, while ‘Solar Thermal’ is a technology that utilizes the Sun’s rays to generate heat which is further used in electricity generation process.
    2. Photovoltaics-generates Alternating Current (AC), while Solar Thermal generates Direct Current (DC).
    3. India has manufacturing base for Solar Thermal technology, but not for photovoltaics.
    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    • (a) 1 only
    • (b) 2 and 3 only
    • (c) 1, 2 and 3 only
    • (d) None of the above
    Correct Answer: (A) 1 only
  12. [2011] Recently, “oilzapper’’ was in the news. What is it?

    • (a) It is an eco-friendly technology for the remediation of oily sludge and oil spills.
    • (b) It is the latest technology developed for undersea oil exploration.
    • (c) It is a genetically engineered high biofuel-yielding maize variety.
    • (d) It is the latest technology to control the accidentally caused flames from oil wells.
    Correct Answer: (A) It is an eco-friendly technology for the remediation of oily sludge and oil spills.
  13. [2011] Microbial fuel cells are considered a source of sustainable energy. Why? 1. They use living organisms as catalysts to generate electricity from certain substrates.
    2. They use a variety of inorganic materials as substrates.
    3. They can be installed in wastewater treatment plants to cleanse water and produce electricity.

    • (a) 1 only
    • (b) 2 and 3 only
    • (c) 1 and 3 only
    • (d) 1, 2 and 3
    Correct Answer: (C) 1 and 3 only
  14. [2008] Which of the following pairs in respect of power generation in India is/are correctly matched?
    1. Installed electricity generation capacity: 100000 MW
    2. Electricity generation: 660 billion kWh.

    • (a) 1 only
    • (b) 2 only
    • (c) Both 1 and 2
    • (d) Neither 1 nor 2
    Correct Answer: (B) 2 only