About this previous year paper
SECTION A – Short Answers (2 Marks Each)
(a) Role of an Energy Manager
An Energy Manager plans, coordinates, and implements energy conservation measures, monitors energy consumption, and ensures efficient use of energy in an organization.
(b) Need of energy planning and audit
Energy planning and audit help identify energy wastage, improve efficiency, reduce costs, and ensure optimal utilization of energy resources.
(c) Demand Side Management (DSM)
DSM refers to activities undertaken to influence consumer energy usage patterns in order to reduce peak demand and overall energy consumption.
(d) UDAY scheme
UDAY (Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana) is a Government of India scheme aimed at improving the financial health and operational efficiency of power distribution companies.
(e) Energy management terms
Important terms include energy efficiency, energy conservation, load factor, demand factor, power factor, and specific energy consumption.
(f) Format of energy audit report
An energy audit report includes executive summary, energy consumption analysis, energy saving opportunities, economic analysis, and implementation plan.
(g) Blowers in series vs parallel
In series operation, pressure increases while flow remains same. In parallel operation, flow increases while pressure remains same.
(h) Water loss in cooling towers
Water is lost due to evaporation, drift losses, blowdown, and leakage.
(i) Need for energy-efficient devices
Energy-efficient devices reduce energy consumption, operating costs, environmental impact, and improve system reliability.
(j) Motor efficiency testing standards
Standards include IEEE-112, IEC-60034-2-1, CSA-C390, and IS-12615.
SECTION B – Long Answers (10 Marks Each)
(a) Characteristics of solid, liquid and gaseous fuels
Solid fuels have low calorific value and high ash content. Liquid fuels offer easy handling and higher calorific value. Gaseous fuels burn cleanly, have high efficiency, and offer better combustion control.
(b) Customer acceptance and DSM implementation issues
Customer acceptance depends on awareness, incentives, cost, and reliability. Implementation issues include lack of awareness, high initial investment, regulatory barriers, and resistance to change.
(c) Equipment used for energy audit
Equipment includes power analyzer, lux meter, infrared thermometer, flow meter, anemometer, combustion analyzer, and temperature sensors, each used for measuring energy parameters accurately.
(d) Series and parallel pump operation
In series operation, pump heads add up, suitable for high-head applications. In parallel operation, discharge increases, suitable for high-flow applications. Energy savings depend on proper selection and matching system curve.
(e) Automatic Power Factor Controllers (APFC)
APFC systems automatically switch capacitor banks to maintain desired power factor, reducing penalties, improving voltage regulation, and lowering energy costs.
SECTION C – Long Answers (10 Marks Each)
(3a) Classification of Energy Storage Systems
Energy storage systems are classified as mechanical, electrical, chemical, thermal, and electrochemical. For example, battery storage stores electrical energy in chemical form and is widely used due to flexibility.
(3b) Best fuel option for storage and transportation
Liquid fuels are best for storage and transportation due to high energy density, ease of handling, lower losses, and simpler infrastructure compared to solid and gaseous fuels.
(4a) Evolution of Demand Side Management
DSM evolved from load management to integrated energy efficiency programs. National and international experiences show DSM helps reduce peak demand, improve reliability, and save energy.
(4b) Energy Management Information Systems (EMIS)
EMIS are computer-based systems used to monitor, analyze, and report energy usage, helping organizations optimize energy consumption and identify saving opportunities.