1. Prologue
  2. Energy
    1. NCERT: Energy
    2. NIOS: Energy
  3. IYB: Ch11 Energy
    1. What to IGNORE?
    2. [High Priority] Organizations
    3. [High Priority] Schemes and Projects
    4. [High Priority] Acts and Policies
    5. [Low priority] Public sector undertakings
    6. [Low priority] Misc. Chillar Organizations
  4. IYB Ch25: Sci-tech (Nuke Energy)
    1. Nuke energy: org
    2. Nuke Energy: 3 stage program
    3. Nuke Energy-Location & terms
  5. 12th FYP: Vol2 Ch14. Energy
  6. Mock MCQs from IYB Ch11,25 and 12thFYP Ch14
  7. Answers/Hints

Prologue

This article series deals with how to handle India 2014 || Bharat 2014 (+12th Five year plan + sample MCQs).

So far we are done with

  1. ch1 (land and people), ch30 (state and UT) click me
  2. ch12 (Environment and Forest) click me

Today, we’ll see how to handle the Energy topic.

Energy

Energy topic hurts at four places:

  1. Sci-tech: basics of electricity, combustion and its principles, terms
  2. Geography: locations (India and world), physical geography related
  3. Environment: pollution, renewable energy / clean energy, nuke plants vs jholachhap NGOs, coalmines vs policy paralysis vs energy security and so on.
  4. Economy: infrastructure, inflation, CAD angle and so on.

Accordingly, you’ve to prepare the base material from the following sources:

India yearbook ch11 Energy

NCERT, NIOS for basic theory on science, geography and environment angle. (Chapter list given below)
India Yearbook (IYB)
  • ch.11 Energy (coal, petroleum and renewable)
  • Ch.25 sci-tech (Nuclear Energy and its three stages)
12th Five year plan chapter 14 Energy
Mrunal.org/geography Location factors: coal mine vs steel plants, refineries vs synthetic fibers and so on.

Parallel notes making from newspapers and magazines. But first things first: start with….

NCERT: Energy

class book chapter
7 sci. 14
8 sci. 5,6,14
Geo 3
10 sci. 12, 13
geo 5
12 geo* 7

*Class 12: India people and economy

NIOS: Energy

Read following chapters

28B Nonrenewable sources of energy
22 point 22.5 onwards (nuclear hazard). Since ch28 gives basics Nuclear energy, so first read Ch28, then come back to 22 for nuke hazards.
29B Renewable sources of energy I
30B Renewable sources of energy II
31B Energy conservation

both NCERT and NIOS, available at Mrunal.org/download

IYB: Ch11 Energy

Once you’re done with NCERT and NIOS, proceed to Ch11 of India 2014 || Bharat 2014.

What to IGNORE?

Ignore following topics because:

  • they’re mostly bolbachachan filler info
  • they give outdated information, talk about 11th FYP or 2012 era.
ch topic to ignore English Hindi
11 first three para (cap. addition, power generation, hydro cap.) 255 225
11 Ignore the big list of CEA regulation 257 not given
11 Ignore APDRP and present status of R-APDRP 258-59 Not given
11 Transmission sector 260 230
11 Special packages for Arunachal, Ladakh, J&K etc. 283 253
11 Research and development 283-84 254
11 International cooperation 284 254

[High Priority] Organizations

ch topic English Hindi
11 Ministry of power 254 224
11 List of PSU & ORG. under power ministry 254 224
11 Ministry of petroleum and gas 271 242
11 Central Electricity authority (statutory) 256 226
11 Appellate tribunal for electricity 258 228
11 Bureau of energy efficiency BEE 262 241-42
11 Ministry of new and renewable energy-MNRE 280 Not given
25 Dept. of Atomic Energy 792 830
25 AERB 799 839
25 NPCIL falls under DAE and its functions 793 831
25 Uranium corp. of India 795 833
25 Heavy water board 796 834

[High Priority] Schemes and Projects

ch topic English Hindi
11 Ultra-mega power projects- their features and sites . (Power finance corporation ltd. is the nodal agency) 255-56 225
11 New sites for thermal projects 259 Not given
11 National mission on enhanced energy efficiency, its four initiatives 262 Not given
11 Captive power plants 260 Not given
11 Open access of transmission, distribution of power FDI 261 Not given
11 National grid 261, 265-266 263
11 National electricity fund 262 242
11 Rajiv Gandhi gramin vidhyutikaran Yojana (And rural electrification ltd.) 264 233
11 Bharat Stage- III / IV 275 247
11 Renewable power- grid interactive 280 Not given
11 Renewable power- Offgrid- its benefits 281 252
11 Renewable purchase obligation RPO 280 Not given
11 Jawaharlal National solar mission 281 252
11 National biomass cook stoves initiative 282 253
11 Solar cities 283 Not given
11 Ladakh renewable energy initiative 283 254

[High Priority] Acts and Policies

IYB hasn’t talked about any act/policy in detail, except the salient features of electricity Act. Meaning you need to dig NET/PIB to get details about…

ch topic English Hindi
11 Electricity act- 2013 257-58 227
11 National electricity policy 258 228
11 Policy initiative private sector 259-60 228-30
11 New hydro policy (not given only term mentioned) — —
11 Mega power policy 261 231
11 NELP- New exploration licensing policy- maintain current notes for 10th round 271 243
11 Coal bed methane policy (CBM) 272 243
11 Pricing of petroleum products 275 248

[Low priority] Public sector undertakings

  • Important: In Your School Atlas ,locate the oil refinery sites given on Page. 274’s Table.(In Hindi Year book, check page. 246)
  • In the PSU topics, they gave long bolbachan speech about their ‘evolution’, recent acquisition, turnover, production etc. (although data is mostly old- from 2012 era).
  • At most, you should focus on the chronology / main area of expertise of the given PSU and which ministry controls which PSU.
  • Beyond that, don’t waste lot of time in this topic, because cost : benefit is bogus.
  • although for IR/bilateral angle, you do need to maintain notes about ONGC videsh etc.
ch topic English Hindi
11 NHPC- National Hydro-electric power corporation ltd. and its sites 263 231
11 NTPC- National thermal power corporation ltd. 264 232
11 Rural electrification corporation ltd. (IMP. because it implements Rajiv Gandhi vidhyutikaran Yojana) 265 235-36
11 Power grid corporation of India ltd. 265 236
11 Power finance corporation ltd. (IMP- because it develops ultra mega power projects) 266-67 236
11 National power exchange limited 267 238
11 Satluj Jalvidhyut nigam limited 267 238
11 Bhakhra Beas management board 271 241
11 ONGC, ONGC videsh 272 243-244
11 GAIL- Gas authority of India limited 273 245
11 OIL- Oil India ltd. 273 244
11 IOCL- Indian Oil Corporation ltd. 276 248
11 HPCL-Hindustan Petroleum Corporation ltd. 276 249
11 BPCL-Bharat Petroleum Corporation ltd. 277 250
11 Coal India ltd. 279 Not given
11 Neyveli lignite corporation 279 Not given

[Low priority] Misc. Chillar Organizations

ch topic English Hindi
11 National power training institute 268 239
11 Central research power institute 268-69 240
11 North Eastern electric power corporation limited 269 241
11 PCRA- Petroleum conservation research association 278 Not given

IYB Ch25: Sci-tech (Nuke Energy)

While Chapter 11 dealt with coal, petroleum and renewable. But it missed nuclear energy. So, after finishing ch11, directly move to Ch25.

Nuke energy: org

ch topic English Hindi
25 Dept. of Atomic Energy 792 830
25 AERB 799 839
25 NPCIL falls under DAE and its functions 793 831
25 Uranium corp. of India 795 833
25 Heavy water board 796 834

Nuke Energy: 3 stage program

ch topic English Hindi
25 Overview of three stage program 793 830-31
25 First stage of nuclear program 794 831
25 Stage -2 of nuclear program 798 837
25 Stage-3 of nuclear program 798 838

Nuke Energy-Location & terms

Nuke energy application in agriculture, healthcare = that we’ll see separately during sci-tech portion. right now, it’ll break the flow. so only focus on the “energy/reactor” angle:

ch topic English Hindi
25 Location of deposits 794-95 833
25 Location of underground mines and opencast mines of uranium 795 833
25 Vitrification- nuke waste management 796 835
25 Mobscan, Ropman, Rohytam 797 836
25 Bhavini, Kamini 798 837-38
25 ADS, SODAR, IREMON, CERMS 799 839
25 List of research reactors 800 841

12th FYP: Vol2 Ch14. Energy

CLICK ME to download 12th Five year plan. (Available in both Hindi, English available)

relevance 12th FYP: Ch 14 Energy Page# of PDF file
MCQ Introduction: first sentence for MCQ 156
MCQ definition of energy intensity of GDP- and Implication of its rise and fall
MCQ table 14.5 for ascending-descending type MCQ 160
fodder Energy security –definition , how to achieve 160-61
fodder review of 11th fyp: to get the “Criticism/limitation” points 161
MCQ/fodder Ultra-Mega Power Projects; and challenges faced by them (last sentence). 164
MCQ 14.28 Supercritical technology 164
fodder why distribution companies make losses? (= the Kejriwal vs Anil Ambani fight) 165-66
MCQ 14.35. R-APDRP scheme- only the purpose 166
MCQ 14.37 Rajiv Gandhi Gramin Vidhyutikaran (prepare in detail because IYB gave shallow coverage) + its limitation/challenges given on page170 168
MCQ 14.42 Open Access to electricity- meaning given on first sentence. 170
MCQ Table 14.18 for Hydro. electric potential (Ascending-descending type MCQs) 174
MCQ/fodder 14.63 National grid 176
fodder 14.66 North East: why difficult to extract hydro power 177
fodder benefits of PPP and privatization in electricity distribution 180
fodder Universal electrification 180
MCQ 14.95 Nation mission on Energy Efficiency NMEEE 183
fodder 14.99 policy reform suggestions 184
MCQ 14.103: lignite production ascending descending order for MCQs 186
MCQ 14.112 coal benefication 188
MCQ 14.113 coal bed methane: the fact about its pricing policy 188
fodder 14.129: Challenges in coal import (last two sentences) 192
MCQ 14.130: underground mining of coal (For MCQs) + table 14.29 192
fodder 14.145: need for amendment of Coal mines act 195
MCQ/mains statutory body: PNGRB 199
MCQ 14.157: NELP block prioritization order (although this is changed recently, after Kerjiwal went to SC and Moily allotted majority of gas to city gas distribution companies) 199
MCQ 14.175: fact that commercial scale production of Coal bed methane already started in Raniganj, WB 205
MCQ shale gas exploration, coal gasification, gas hydrate program – although PDF hardly gives any info. so, dig NET for principle,benefits,MCQs. 205
MCQ 14.180 fact that flaring of gas = wasteful for economy. 205
fodder 14.184 reforms required in oil and gas sector. (for mains/interview) 208
fodder 14.187 Wind energy potential in india 209
fodder 14.188: problems in using renewable energy 209
MCQ table 14.43 last column for ascending descending order MCQ. 211
MCQ dig net for Bagasse cogeneration —
MCQ Renewable Energy Development Fund 214
fodder Bioenergy mission 215
MCQ fact that

  1. India is the second largest wind turbine manufacturer next to China.
  2. Higher hub height of wind mill increases its electricity output
 216
fodder 12th FYP physical targets on energy: (not all, but a few need to be remembered so you can “throw” data at the examiner). 220

Dig net for following topics/terms

(Because they’re mentioned the 12th FYP but not elaborated. And these topics sound good enough to be asked under MCQs.)

  1. bagasse cogeneration: principle, benefits
  2. Solar cooker has two types: Box vs dish. so what’s the difference in their mechanism/ which one is better?
  3. Solar air heating- what’s the use?
  4. biofuels
  5. shale gas, gas hydrates
  6. green township
  7. alternate fuel vehicle: principle, benefit
  8. fuel cell vehicle
  9. power generation from hydrogen: principle, benefits

Mock MCQs from IYB Ch11,25 and 12thFYP Ch14

Q1. Consider following statements about Coal bed Methane

  1. It is a nature gas found in anthracite coal mines but no in lignite coal mines.
  2. Its commercial production is yet to start in India.
  3. The market prices of coal bed methane are administered by Director General of Hydrocarbons (DGH).

Correct statements

  1. only 1 and 2
  2. only 1 and 3
  3. only 1
  4. None.

Q2. Under NELP auction

  1. The Public sector oil companies are given first preference over private sector Indian companies and foreign companies.
  2. Indian companies are given first preference over foreign companies
  3. National oil companies, private sector Indian companies and foreign companies are given equal opportunity to bid for the exploration licenses.
  4. None of above.

Q3. What is the purpose of National electricity fund?

  1. Give interest subsidy to power utilities companies- to improve their distribution network.
  2. provide interest subsidy to private sector companies involved in Rajiv Gandhi Gramin Vidhyutikaran Yojana
  3. Provide interest subsidy to private sector companies involved in generation of electricity from municipal waste, solar and wind sources.
  4. None of above.

Q4. Consider the following entities

  1. Union government
  2. Punjab State government
  3. Himachal State government
  4. Uttarakhand State government

Q4. Which of them are the stakeholders in Sutluj Jal Vidhyut Nigam?

  1. only 1, 3 and 4
  2. only 2 and 4
  3. only 1 and 3
  4. only 2, 3, 4

Q5. Among the given regions of India, which one has lowest potential for hydroelectricity generation?

  1. Northern
  2. Western
  3. Southern
  4. Eastern

Q6. Which among the following, provides highest amount of clean energy to India?

  1. Solar energy
  2. Biomass
  3. Small hydropower
  4. Wind energy

Q7. Which of the following refinery is not located in Assam?

  1. Bongaigaon
  2. Noonamati
  3. Numaligarh
  4. Tatipaka

Q8. Consider the following statements about Energy Intensity

  1. Energy intensity is the amount of energy required to produce a unit of GDP.
  2. In India, Energy intensity has increased in the last three decades
  3. Falling level of energy intensity implies that the growth in energy used is less than the growth of GDP

Correct statements are

  1. Only 1 and 2
  2. Only 1 and 3
  3. only 2 and 3
  4. only 3

Q9. Consider following

  1. first stage: Pressurized Heavy water reactors
  2. second stage: Thorium-Uranium 233 cycle
  3. third stage: fast breeder reactors

which of the above are wrongly matched?

  1. Only 1 and 2
  2. Only 1 and 3
  3. only 2 and 3
  4. only 3

Q10. Consider following statements about radioactive elements:

  1. uranium is produced by irradiation of thorium
  2. thorium is produced by irradiation of plutonium
  3. plutonium is produced by irradiation of thorium
  4. plutonium is produced by irradiation of uranium

which of the above statements are correct?

  1. 12
  2. 34
  3. 14
  4. 24

Q11. Which of the following are examples of coastal sites for nuclear plants: Kumharia, Bargi, Haripur, Mithi Virdi, Kovvada

  1. all except Haripur and Kumharia
  2. all except Bargi and Kovvada
  3. all except Kumharia and Bargi
  4. all of them

Q12. Consider following states: Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Meghalaya and Andra. Which of them uranium deposits?

  1. only Jharkhand and Rajasthan
  2. only Meghalaya and Jharkhand
  3. all except Andra
  4. all of them

Q13. Which of the following, is an example of open cast uranium mine

  1. Jaduguda
  2. Bhatin
  3. Banduhurang
  4. none of above

Q14. What do you understand by the term Vitrification

  1. It is an advanced technology for nuclear waste Management.
  2. vitrification converts nuclear waste into a liquid, which can be used as a substitute of heavy water in the nuclear power plants.
  3. Both A and B
  4. neither A nor B

Q15. Consider following pairs

  1. SODAR: radiation monitoring network
  2. IREMON: robot to handle emergencies in nuclear powerplant
  3. ROHYTAM: prototype fast breeder reactor

Correct pairs are

  1. Only 1 and 2
  2. Only 1 and 3
  3. only 2 and 3
  4. None of them

Q16. Which of the following are examples of research reactors in India

  1. Apsara, Bhavini, Purnima
  2. Bhavini, Kamini, Purnima
  3. Apsara, Kamini, Purnima
  4. None of above

Q17. what is the purpose of Restructured Accelerated Power Development and Reform Programme (R-APDRP)?

  1. increase the share of renewable energy in the total energy production of india.
  2. address the distribution losses in electricity network
  3. exploit the hydroelectricity potential of north east
  4. none of above

Q18. consider following statements about Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY)

  1. electrification of all un-electrified villages
  2. free connection to all BPL families
  3. Implemented via Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) as the nodal agency.

Correct statements are

  1. Only 1 and 2
  2. Only 1 and 3
  3. only 2 and 3
  4. all of them.

Q19. National electricity grid

  1. Aims to connect the four regional grids of North, South, East and West into one national grid.
  2. once completed, it’ll be the second largest system in the world after China.
  3. Both A and B
  4. Neither A nor B

Q20. Consider following statements

  1. Coal beneficiation is a technology to extract coal from deep underground mines without use of manual labor.
  2. In China, majority of the coal output comes from Underground mines.
  3. Although Underground mines are considered less harmful to ecology, but technologically they’re unfeasible in the Indian forests.

Incorrect statements are

  1. Only 1 and 2
  2. Only 1 and 3
  3. only 2 and 3
  4. All of them.

Answers/Hints

  1. D. as per IYB pg272
    1. CBM is found in lignite seams=#1 wrong.
    2. CBM commercial production has already started from Raniganj since 2007 =>#2 also wrong.
    3. 12th FYP topic 14.113: CBM prices are determined by the developer, subject to Government approval. The word “administered” makes the statement wrong.
  2. C: equal opportunity
  3. A
  4. C. Sutluj Jal Vidhyut= Union + HP
  5. B. Western India has lowest potential.
  6. D. Wind energy largest [12th FYP table 14.18]
  7. D. Tatipaka=Andhra.
  8. B only 1 and 3
  9. C: 2 and 3. IYB pg 793
  10. C: 1 and 4.ura238=>plu; thorium=>ura233. IYB pg 793
  11. C: all except kumharia and bargi. pg794
  12. D all of them. pg795
  13. C. Banduhurang in Singhbhum
  14. A only first correct. pg796
  15. D. none of them. pg797, 799
  16. C. Bhavini = company that produces fast breeder reactors. pg798. remaining are research reactors, full list at pg800.
  17. B. distribution losses. 12th FYPvol2, pg166
  18. D. all of them
  19. D. Both wrong. there are five zones and it’ll be largest in the world. 12th FYPvol2, pg176
  20. C. 1 and 3 are wrong. 12th FYPvol2, 188, 192

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