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UNIT-I INTRODUCTION
PART A
1)When the extraction of coal will not be cost effective?
Extraction can only be achieved at greater energy and economic costs. When the energy input needed to
power these methods approaches the amount of energy mined, extraction will no longer be energy cost-
effective (Hall et al. 1986).
2)Which are the major contributor for Global warming?
Fossil fuel combustion, especially that based on oil and coal, is the major contributor to increasing carbon
dioxide concentration in the atmosphere, thereby contributing to probable global warming.
3)Why Renewable energy is better than Coal burning?
concerns about carbon dioxide emissions may discourage widespread dependence on coal use and
encourage the development and use of renewable energy technologies.
4)How the life of Fossil fuel resources can be extended?
Substantially reducing use of fossil fuels through the efficient use of energy and the adoption of solar
energy technologies extends the life of fossil fuel resources and could provide the time needed to develop
and improve renewable energy technologies.
5) What is land conflict introduced by renewable energy resources?
With approximately 75% of the total US land area exploited for agriculture and forestry, there is relatively
little land available for other uses, such as biomass production and solar technologies. Population growth
is expected to further exacerbate the demands for land. Therefore, future land conflicts could be intense.
6)What are the drawbacks of renewable energy ?
Although renewable energy technologies often cause fewer environmental problems than fossil energy
systems, they require large amounts of land and therefore compete with agriculture, forestry, and other
essential land-use systems.
7) What are the different renewable energy resources?
Renewable energy technologies that have the potential to provide future energy supplies include: biomass
systems, hydroelectric systems, hydrogen fuel, wind power, photovoltaics, solar thermal systems, and
passive and active heating and cooling systems.
8)Why the net yield of Bio-Mass is lower?
The net yield is, however, lower because approximately 33 liters of diesel fuel oil per hectare is expended
for cutting and collecting wood and for transportation, assuming an 80 kilometer roundtrip between the
forest and the plant.
9)When the economic benefits of Bio-Mass can be maximized?
The economic benefits of biomass are maximized when biomass can be used close to where it is
harvested.
10)What are the drawbacks of bio-mass?
Several factors limit reliance on woody biomass. Certainly, culturing fast-growing trees in a plantation
system located on prime land might increase yields of woody biomass. However, this practice is
unrealistic because prime land is essential for food production. Furthermore, such intensely managed
systems require additional fossil fuel inputs for heavy machinery, fertilizers, and pesticides, thereby
diminishing the net energy available. In addition, Hall et al. (1986) point out that energy is not the highest
priority use of trees.
11) What are the harmful effects of burning bio-mass ?
The burning of biomass is environmentally more polluting than gas but less polluting than coal. Biomass
combustion releases more than 100 different chemical pollutants into the atmosphere (Alfheim and
Ramdahl 1986). Wood smoke is reported to contain pollutants known to cause bronchitis, emphysema,
and other illnesses. These pollutants include up to 14 carcinogens, 4 cocarcinogens, 6 toxins that damage
cilia, and additional mucus-coagulating agents.
12)What are the raw materials used for the production of Ethanol?
A wide variety of starch and sugar crops, food processing wastes, and woody materials (Lynd et al. 1991)
have been evaluated as raw materials for ethanol production. In the United States, corn appears to be the
most feasible biomass feedstock in terms of availability and technology.
13) What are the drawbacks of ethanol production?
Any benefits from ethanol production, including the corn by-products, are negated by the
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environmental pollution costs incurred from ethanol production (Pimentel 1991). Intensive corn
production in the United States causes serious soil erosion and also requires the further draw-down of
groundwater resources. Another environmental problem is caused by the large quantity of stillage or
effluent produced. During the fermentation process approximately 13 liters of sewage effluent is produced
and placed in the sewage system for each liter of ethanol produced.
14) What are the raw materials used for the production of Methanol?
Methanol is another potential fuel for internal combustion engines (Kohl 1990). Various raw materials can
be used for methanol production, including natural gas, coal, wood, and municipal solid wastes. At
present, the primary source of methanol is natural gas.
15) What are the limitations of using bio-mass for ethanol production?
The major limitation in using biomass for methanol production is the enormous quantities needed for a
plant with suitable economies of scale. A suitably large methanol plant would require at least 1250 tons of
dry biomass per day for processing (ACTI 1983). More than 150,000 ha of forest would be needed to
supply one plant. Biomass generally is not available in such enormous quantities from extensive forests
and at acceptable prices (ACTI 1983).
16) What are the problems associated with the storage of Hydrogen?
To consider hydrogen as a substitute for gasoline: 9.5 kg of hydrogen produces energy equivalent to that
produced by 25 kg of gasoline. Storing 25 kg of gasoline requires a tank with a mass of 17 kg, whereas the
storage of 9.5 kg of hydrogen requires 55 kg (Peschka 1987). Part of the reason for this difference is that
the volume of hydrogen fuel is about four times greater than that for the same energy content of gasoline.
17) What are the merits of hydrogen fuel?
Although the hydrogen storage vessel is large, hydrogen burns 1.33 times more efficiently than gasoline in
automobiles (Bockris and Wass 1988).
18) What are the drawbacks associated with the setting up of hydro electric power plants?
Reservoirs constructed for hydroelectric plants have the potential to cause major environmental problems.
First, the impounded water frequently covers agriculturally productive, alluvial bottomland. This water
cover represents a major loss of productive agricultural land. Dams may fail, resulting in loss of life and
destruction of property. Further, dams alter the existing plant and animal species in the ecosystem (Flavin
1985). For example, cold water fishes may be replaced by warm water fishes, frequently blocking fish
migration (Hall et al. 1986.
19) What are the drawbacks of wind farms to humans?
Under certain circumstances shadow flicker has caused irritation, disorientation, and seizures in humans
(Steele 1991). future widespread development may be constrained because local people feel that wind
farms diminish the aesthetics of the area (Smith 1987a). Some communities have even passed legislation
to prevent wind turbines from being installed in residential areas (Village of Cayuga Heights, New York,
Ordinance 1989).
20) What are the environmental concerns of photo voltaic system?
The major environmental problem associated with photovoltaic systems is the use of toxic chemicals such
as cadmium sulfide and gallium arsenide, in their manufacture (Holdren et al. 1980). Because these
chemicals are highly toxic and persist in the environment for centuries, disposal of inoperative cells could
become a major environmental problem.
21) What are the types of fuel cell?
Solid oxide fuel cell,Alkaline fuel cell,Molten-carbonate fuel cell,Phosporic acid fuel cell,Direct Methanol
fuel cells, Polymer exchange membrane fuel cells
22) Write about fuel cell and mention its specifications. (Nov/Dec2014)
A fuel cell is a device that converts the chemical energy from a fuel into electricity through a chemical
reaction with oxygen or another oxidizing agent. Individual fuel cells produce relatively small electrical
potentials, about 0.7 volts, so cells are "stacked", or placed in series, to increase the voltage and meet an
application's requirements. The energy efficiency of a fuel cell is generally between 4060%, or up to
85% efficient in cogeneration if waste heat is captured for use.
23) Mention about NOCT & STC of a solar cell. (Nov/Dec2014)
Standard Test Conditions (STC). This means they put the solar panels in a flash tester in their factory that
has been calibrated to deliver the equivalent of 1000 watts per square meter of sunlight intensity, hold a
cell temperature of 25'C (77'F), and assume an airmass of 1.5. This flash test gives them their STC ratings.
i. fuel cells are also proposed as a power source for propulsion of electric vehicles.
ii. It can be used to power portable electronic devices ex. Mobile phones and other low power
applications, for military communication devices also.
iii. It can be used as a moble power source in vehicles such as submarines and spacecrafts.
iv. It can be used for load leveling. During low demand excess energy of EB can be used to produce
hydrogen by electrolysis of water. During peak demand the stored hydrogen can be used in fuel
cell to produce electrical energy.
28) Mention some organic materials used in bio-mass plant. ( MAY/JUNE 2015)
Scrap lumber,forest debris, certain crops manure, and some types of waste residues. Vegetable and
fruits wastages, cow dung, goat dung, jatropha.
29) State the impact of wind power penetration in power grid? (NOV / DEC 2015)
Induction generator used Wind mill consumes more amount of reactive power. When the power generation
by wind mill is lower than minimum required level it has to be isolated from the grid otherwise it will acts
motor by taking power from the grid. All wind mill generators using the static converters it causes
reduction of grid power factor and introducing the harmonics also.
30) what are the limitations of solar power? (NOV / DEC 2015)
Initial Cost: The initial cost of purchasing and installing solar panels always become the first
disadvantage when the topic of solar energy comes up. The cost of installing solar panels is bit high.
Although subsidy programs, tax initiatives and rebate incentives are given by government to promote the
use of solar panels but we are still way behind in making full and efficient use of solar energy. Also, it
might take up to 10 years to 15 years before you can break even with your initial investment. Its not about
how much payback period is, anything that can reduce our dependence onfossil fuels is worth trying. As
new technologies emerge, the cost of solar panels is likely to decrease and then we can see an increase in
the use of solar cells to generate electricity.
2. Location and Availability of Sunlight: The location of solar panels is of major importance for
generation of electricity. Houses which are covered by trees and landscapes and surrounded by huge
buildings may not be suitable enough for installing a solar energy system. Areas which remains mostly
cloudy and foggy will produce electricity but at a reduced rate and may require more panels to generate
enough electricity for your home. In countries like UK, where it remains cloudy most of the day, cloudy
skies reduce its effectiveness.
During winters, solar collectors can not produce more energy than the home is using while during
summers solar collectors can produce more energy than the home uses.
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3. Pollution: Most of the photovoltaic panels are made up of silicon and other toxic metals like mercury,
lead and cadmium. Pollution in the environment can also degrade the quality and efficiency of
photovoltaic cells. New innovative technologies can overcome the worst of these effects.
4. Inefficiency: Since not all the light from the sun is absorbed by the solar panels therefore most solar
panels have a 40% efficiency rate which means 60% of the sunlight gets wasted and is not harnessed. New
emerging technologies however have increased the rate of efficiency of solar panels from 40 to 80% and
on the downside have increased the cost of solar panels as well.
5. Reliability: Unlike other renewable energy sources which can also be operated during night, solar
panels prove to be useless which means you have to depend on the local utility grid to draw power in the
night or you can buy solar batteries to store excess power which you can later utilize in the night. Apart
from that, storms or hurricanes also reduce your ability to draw power during those days.
PART B
1)Discuss the environmental aspects of renewable energy resources?
2)Discuss the economic issues of renewable energy systems?
3)Explain how the Bio-mass energy is used as an alternate power and its limitations?
4)Discuss about the different types of liquid fuels how they are comparable with other fuels their
advantages and their disadvantages?
5)Explain how the hydrogen can be used as a renewable gaseous and liquid fuel with its advantages and
its disadvantages?
6)Explain in detail the environmental impacts of setting up of hydro electric power plant?
7)Explain how the power can be obtained by setting up wind farms and their environmental impacts?
8)Explain how the photo-voltaic system can be set up and how it is advantageous than other systems why?
9)Discuss about solar thermal conversion systems and their environmental impacts?
10)How does environment get affected by the use of the renewable energy? Also discuss the GHG
emissions from the various energy sources?
11)What are the types of ocean thermal energy conversion power plants? Discuss in detail Anderson
OTEC cycle?
12) (i)Brief about some of the renewable energy sources. (ii). Show how a dc-dc converter can be used as
a part of an inverter designed to have a square wave output of 48V with a 12V dc input. The idea is to
design the inverter without a transformer. Sketch a block diagram, showing design components to clearly
express your design. (Nov/Dec 2014)
13) Two 36 cell PV modules are connected in series. One is shaded and one is fully illuminated, assume
ideal IV characteristics for the module
(i) If the output of the two series module is shorted, estimate the power dissipated in the shaded module.
(ii) If the two modules are equipped with bypass diodes across each 12 series cells, estimate the power
dissipated in the shaded module. (Nov/Dec 2014)
14) i) discuss the impacts of renewable energy generation on environment. ( MAY/JUNE 2015)
ii) Explain the control strategy used for single stage grid connected PV system. ( MAY/JUNE
2015)
15)Explain the operating principle of any four types of renewable energy sources . ( MAY/JUNE
2015)
16)compare the environmental aspects of renewable and non-renewable energy conversion system.
(NOV/DEC 2015)
17. describe the operation and contol strategy of solar power conversion system. (NOV/DEC 2015)
St. Josephs College of Engineering 4 ISO 9001:2008
PX7301 Power Electronics for Renewable Energy Systems Dept OF EEE 2015-2016
32) state the significance of induction generator based wind power generatoion. (NOV / DEC 2015)
i. Compact size
ii. It does not need auxiliary DC power supply as in synchronous generators.
iii. Four quadrant operation and many more methods available in speed torque control.
iv. Highly rugged and needs less maintenance.
PART B
1) Explain about wind turbine generators?
2) With neat diagram explain about the construction of cage rotor?
3) How the induction motor operate?
4) Explain the induction generator operation?
5) Explain how the generator is connected to grid?
6) What are the advantages of indirect grid connection?
7) What are the disadvantages of indirect grid connection?
8) Discuss about the cooling system adopted for generators?
9) Explain the synchronous generator operation?
10) Explain the operation of DFIG?
11) How does environment get affected by the use of renewable energy? Also discuss the GHG emissions
from the various energy sources.
12) Explain machine capacity factor and capacity utilization factor. Explain the principle of operation of
double output induction generator system with a neat diagram.
13) Describe the power conditioning schemes used in WECS. (Nov/Dec 2014)
14)i) Explain the working and operation of PMSG with neat diagram. (Nov/Dec 2014)
ii) Draw and explain the characteristics of DFIG.
16)Explain the modeling and control of PMSG based variable speed wind turbine( MAY/JUNE 2015)
17) i) using the schematic explain the working of doubly- fed induction generator. ( MAY/JUNE
2015)
ii) distinguish between induction generator and synchronous generator. ( MAY/JUNE 2015)
18) Explain the principle and control strategy of solar power conversion
system. (NOV/DEC 2015)
19. explain DFIG based wind power generation. Illustrate the independent dq control strategy adopted for
dq control. (NOV/DEC 2015)
29) A battery rating at 0.2 C is 50Ah @ 25 0C what would happen to the battery if it is discharges at
the rate of 0.10C under the ambient temperature of 100C? ( MAY/JUNE 2015)
31) what are the limitations of AC voltage controller? (NOV / DEC 2015)
1. There has to be a load for a voltage controller to function: Since voltage controllers use thyristors
for varying voltage, they need some kind of resistive load at the end to function.
2. The overall power is reduced by any inductive component of the resistive load.
3. The load has to be of increasing torque in nature: Voltage controllers can alter the speed of a
motor by altering the incoming voltage, but the motor must have an increasing torque load (e.g.
Industrial fans, winding machines). Voltage controllers are not suitable for a constant torque
application. An example of an increasing torque application would be a wire winding machine:
the initial load is almost zero as there is no wire wound at the beginning, with time the wire
wound increases, thus increasing the torque (the force needed to turn the winding) proportionally.
A voltage controller would be suitable here for increasing or decreasing the speed of the winding
machine.
4. The starting torque must be low: The motor attached to the voltage controller is usually never
started with high starting torque (or a loaded start); supplying a low voltage to a motor with a
high load can heat up the motor and burn its windings (e.g. trying to start a motor which is
attached to a stone crusher which is filled with stones)
32) write the various aspects of battery sizing. (NOV / DEC 2015)
Materials of electrodes and electrolytes and its specific gravity, working temperature, area of plates
determines the battery size. Back up time needed and Ah ( ampere hour capacity) also determines the
battery sizing. Maximum load to be connected in the battery also determines the battery sizing.
PART B
1) Explain the operation of line commutated converter under inversion mode with the help of neat circuit
diagram and necessary waveforms?
2) Explain about grid interactive inverters?
3) Draw the block diagram of the solar PV system and explain the principle of operation in detail?
4) Draw the schematic of Buck-Boost converter and explain the operation in detail?
5) With neat diagram explain the operation of Ac voltage controller and voltage control in PWM
inverters?
6) Explain using a power module and relevant sub circuits how a thyristorised three phase converter can
operate as inverter?
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7) Discuss how a buck boost converter can be used to charge a battery?
8) Describe using a diagram the working of a Matrix converter as an inverter.
9) Describe working of Ac-Dc-Ac converter with circuit and waveform for wind energy conversion?
10) Describe principle of operation of PWM inverter and describe how it is used for wind energy
conversion?
11) Explain with neat diagram the theory of self excited capacitance used in SEIG. (Nov/Dec 2014)
12) Explain and classify the working of MPPT in a solar PV system. (Nov/Dec 2014)
13) i) draw and explin the equivalent circuit of PV module. ( MAY/JUNE 2015)
ii) discuss the application of matrix converter in wind energy conversion system employing
synchronous generator. ( MAY/JUNE 2015)
19) The relationship between the output voltage and curret for PV array is
defined by the data given in table. The PV array is connected to resistive
load RL of 30 through a buck boost type second order converter operating
in continuous mode. Determine the duty cycle of the interfacing converter
required to operate the Pv array at a voltage of 28.08V. ( MAY/JUNE 2015)
Vpv 27.86 27.91 27.97 28.02 28.08 28.13 28.18 28.24 28.29 28.35
(V)
Ipv(A) 1.76 1.73 1.71 1.69 1.67 1.64 1.62 1.59 1.57 1.54
20.draw and explain the converter topologies used for solar power generation. (NOV / DEC 2015)
21. explain about various aspects of grid interactive inverters. (NOV / DEC 2015)
.
Pitch control gearboxes serve the essential purpose of setting wind turbine blades at the best angle to
the wind to turn the rotor.
Solar insolation is a measure of solar radiationenergy received on a given surface area in a given time. It
is commonly expressed as average irradiance in watts per square meter (W/m2) or kilowatt-hours per
square meter per day.
29) what are the limitations of fixed speed induction generator based wind power conversion. (NOV /
DEC 2015)
The reactive power and, therefore, the grid voltage level cannot be controlled
Owing to its fixed-speed operation, all fluctuations in the wind speed are further transmitted as
fluctuations in the mechanical torque and then as fluctuations in the electrical power on the grid.
Less efficiency.
30) list few grid connection requirement of renewable power system. (NOV / DEC 2015)
PART B
1) Explain with diagram the standalone fixed speed and variable speed operation of WECS. State the
advantages of fixed speed system over variable speed system.
2) Discuss in detail the grid system characteristics and explain with a neat diagram the standalone and
grid integrated solar system.
3) Explain the block diagram of SCIG based wind energy conversion system.
4) Explain the operation of grid integrated PMSG system with a neat block diagram.
14) The Cp- characteristic of a fixed-pitch wind turbine is given by Cp = Cp , opt / opt (2 / opt) in
the normal working region. The wind turbine drives a grid connected squirrel cage IM which
has a full-load slip of 5% and breakdown slip of 10%. If the breakdown torque of the machine is
1.5 times the full-load torque, find
i) Furling speed of the turbine as a percentage of the rated wind speed
ii) The electrical power output of the machine at the furling wind speed in terms of the
rated output power. Assume that the gear ratio between the turbine and the machine is
chosen such that the machine operates at the rated slip and rated wind velocity with =
opt. neglect all mechanical and electrical losses in the machine stator. (MAY / JUNE
2015)
15 describe about stand alone operation of wind energy conversion systems. (NOV / DEC 2015)
16. explain about grid integrated PMSG based WECS(NOV / DEC 2015)
Solar and wind power hybrid, Solar and fuel cell hybrid, Solar with conventional power plants such as
thermal, hydro, DG sets etc.
Hybrid energysystems generate AC electricity by combining RES such as PV array with an inverter which
can operate alternatively or in parallel with a conventional engine driven generator. Different
classifications are Series hybrid energy systems, Switched hybrid energy systems, Parallel hybrid energy
systems.
28) How is electrical maximum power tracking different from a mechancical power tracking?
( MAY/JUNE 2015)
The open ciruit voltage of PV panel is depends on solar insolation. While maximum loading the PV panel
terminal voltage becomes zero due to short circuit mode. A buck converter duty cycle is adjusted using
PAO (perturb and observation and ICT (incremental conductance technique) based on available solar
insolation. It is used to trap the time based maximum power available in solar panel by operating it in
between open circuit mode and short circuit mode.
29) state the need for hybrid renewable energy systems? (NOV / DEC 2015)
PART B
1) Is wind energy an excellent supplement to the PV? If so justify with a suitable case study.
2) What is MPPT? Discuss the types of MPPT with its merits and demerits? Explain the incremental
conductance algorithm with a neat example.
3) Explain the need of Hybrid systems for renewable energy power generation?