Non Conventional Energy

Total Questions: 59

51. In the Union Budget, 2011-12, a full exemption from the basic customs duty was extended to the bio-based asphalt (bio-asphalt). What is the importance of this material? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2011]

1. Unlike traditional asphalt, bio-asphalt is not based on fossil fuels.

2. Bio-asphalt can be made from non-renewable resources.

3. Bi-asphalt can be made from non-organic waste materials.

4. It is eco-friendly to use bio-asphalt for surfacing of the roads.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 1, 3 and 4
(c) 2 and 4
(d) 1, 2, 3, and 4

Correct Answer: (b) 1, 3 and 4

Solution:Conventional asphalt is petroleum based and contains toxic and heavy metals. Today's green revolution has brought about an interesting and more environmental friendly alternative known as 'Bio Asphalt'. Bio Asphalt is a renewable construction material that is manufactured without the use of petroleum. Employing everything from potato starches, corn, tree resins, natural rubber, sugar and vegetable oils, Bio Asphalt finds application in roofing and street paving. In 2007, two streets of Norway were paved using Bio Asphalt. Hence, option (b) is the correct answer.

52. Name the first State of India which is dependent on organic farming. [M.P.P.S.C. (Pre), 2018]

(a) Madhya Pradesh
(b) Kerala
(c) Sikkim
(d) Arunachal Pradesh

Correct Answer: (c) Sikkim

Solution:In 2016, Sikkim became the first fully organic state in the world, with the aim of preserving the environment, its fragile ecosystem and rich biodiversity, and providing a healthier life for its people. The declaration was the culmination of a process that started in 2003. Chemical fertilisers and pesticides were phased out, farmers were trained in organic agriculture and composting pits were dug throughout the state. Today, all 76,000 hectares of farmland in Sikkim is certified organic, and the import and use of chemicals are strictly forbidden.

53. Which among the following places was the first 100 percent Organic State in the world? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2019]

(a) Queensland (Australia)
(b) California (United States of America)
(c) Sikkim (India)
(d) Quebec (Canada)

Correct Answer: (c) Sikkim (India)

Solution:Sikkim is the first 100 percent Organic State in the world. The State won the prestigious Future Policy Gold Award, 2018 from the UN Food and Agriculture (FAO), after beating 51 nominations from around the world. The process of becoming fully organic began in 2003 with the Sikkim Organic Mission. The state eliminated the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in all its agricultural practices. Sikkim's achievement has been recognized by the UN FAO, which awarded the state a Future Policy Gold Award for its policies promoting agroecological and sustainable food systems according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

54. With reference to organic farming in India, consider the following statements: [I.A.S. (Pre), 2018]

1. "The National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) is operated under the guidelines and directions of the Union Ministry of Rural Development.

2. "The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority' (APEDA) Functions as the Secretariat for the implementation of NPOP

3. Sikkim has become India's first fully organic State.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only

Solution:The National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) was launched by India's Ministry of Industry and Commerce in the year 2001. The APEDA, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India is implementing the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP). The programme involves the accreditation of Certification Bodies, standards for organic production, promotion of organic farming and marketing etc. In 2016, Sikkim became the first fully organic state in the world, with the aim of preserving the environment, its fragile ecosystem and rich biodiversity, and providing a healthier life for its people. The declaration was the culmination of a process that started in 2003. Chemical fertilisers and pesticides were phased out, farmers were trained in organic agriculture and composting pits were dug throughout the state. Today, all 76,000 hectares of farmland in Sikkim is certified organic, and the import and use of chemicals are strictly forbidden.

55. Under the Nuclear Power Projects, Environmental Effects that have to be studied and resolved are: [U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2013]

(a) Radioactive contamination of air, soil and water.
(b) Deforestation and loss of flora and fauna.
(c) Radioactive waste disposal.
(d) All of the above.

Correct Answer: (d) All of the above.

Solution:During the establishment of nuclear power projects, radioactive radiation and radioactive waste disposal are to be taken into consideration. Radioactive radiation have a disastrous effect on flora and fauna. Nuclear energy comes from splitting atoms in a reactor to heat water into steam, turn a turbine, and generate electricity. Compared to other forms of renewable energy, nuclear energy is considered beneficial, because of its smaller land footprint and the amount of waste it produces. Among all the developing nations, India is the only one to have generated electricity using indigenously developed, demonstrated, and deployed nuclear reactors. India ranks third in terms of electricity production worldwide; nuclear energy is the fifth-largest source of electricity for India.

India stands at seventh position in terms of the number of nuclear reactors, with over 22 nuclear reactors in 7 power plants across the country which produces 6780 MW of nuclear power. With an aim to increase its atomic power contribution from 3.2% to 5% by 2031, the expansion of nuclear power capacity will help in the country's energy transition to meet the goal of a net zero economy.

56. Assertion (A): Coal-based thermal power stations contribute to acid rain. [I.A.S. (Pre) 2003]

Reason (R): Oxides of carbon are emitted when coal burns.

(a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(c) (A) is false, but (R) is true.
(d) (A) is true, but (R) is false.

Correct Answer: (b) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).

Solution:Sulphur present in coal produces sulphur dioxide which is mainly responsible for acid rain. Oxides of carbon are emitted when coal burns. Hence both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A). Hence, (b) is the correct answer.

The share of coal-fired power generation has risen to 75% in FY2023-24 from 71% in FY2019-20.Generation by coal-fired thermal plants also increased by 34% from 960 billion units (BU) to 1,290 BU, and the average plant load factor (PLF) rose from 53% to 68%.

In the past five years, thermal capacity addition has fallen short of the government's targets by an average of 54% annually with the private sector only contributing 7% of new capacity. The private sector has contributed only 1.7 GW, or 7% of the total thermal capacity added in the last five years. There has been a push for investments in new thermal power projects, including from the private sector, with a target of adding 80 GW of new thermal power capacity by 2032.

57. In which of the following areas of India geothermal energy sources have not been found? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2016]

(a) Godavari Delta
(b) Ganga Delta
(c) Himalayas
(d) West Coast

Correct Answer: (b) Ganga Delta

Solution:Geothermal energy is the natural heat of the earth. Earth's interior heat originated from its fiery consolidation of dust and gas over 4 billion years ago. It is continually regenerated by the decay of radioactive elements that occurs in all rocks. There are seven geothermal provinces in India namely Himalayas, Sohana, West Coast, Cambay, Son-Narmada-Tapi (SONATA), Godavari and Mahanadi.

58. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using codes given below lists: [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2015]

List-I	List-II
A. Minerals	1. Rainfall
B. Solar energy	2. Methane and Carbon dioxide
C. Biogas	3. Exhaustible
D. Deforestation	4. Inexhaustible

Codes:

Option	A	B	C	D
(a)	3	4	2	1
(b)	3	4	1	2
(c)	2	1	3	4
(d)	1	2	3	4

Correct Answer: (a)

Solution:Minerals are exhaustible which means if we extract this resource, one day it will run out while solar energy is inexhaustible. Methane and carbon dioxides are Biogas and deforestation would affect rainfall. Hence, (a) is the correct answer.

59. Conventional source of energy is: [Jharkhand P.C.S. (Mains) 2016]

Correct Answer: (e) Both Coal and Nuclear energy

Solution:Coal, Petroleum, Natural gas and Atomic or Nuclear energy are conventional source of energy. Whereas Solar, Wind, Hydroelectric etc. are non-conventional source of energy. Non-renewable resources have a limited stock. Once the stocks are exhausted it may take thousands of years to be renewed or replenished. Minerals and fossil fuels such as coal, petroleum and natural gas are examples of non-renewable sources of energy. Mineral fuels are essential for generation of power, required by agriculture, industry, transport and other sectors of the economy.

Fuels like coal, petroleum and natural gas, firewood, cattle dung cake, nuclear energy minerals, electricity (both hydel and thermal) are the conventional source of energy and are exhaustible resources

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