10 Interview Questions and Answers on Renewable Energy

This questionnaire will help you pass job interviews for various renewable energy skill-based positions, and will also be useful during viva voce exams for engineering students.

Question 1: What is renewable energy?

Answer: Renewable energy is energy generated from natural resources that are continuously replenished, such as sunlight, wind, water (hydro), biomass, and geothermal heat. Unlike fossil fuels, which are finite and contribute to environmental pollution and climate change, renewable energy sources are sustainable and environmentally friendly.

Question 2: What are the main benefits of renewable energy?

Answer: The main benefits of renewable energy include:

• Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, mitigating climate change.
• Energy security and independence by diversifying energy sources.
• Creation of jobs and economic growth in the renewable energy sector.
• Sustainable development and preservation of natural resources.
• Improved air quality and public health by reducing pollution from fossil fuels.

Question 3: What are the different types of renewable energy sources?

Answer: The main types of renewable energy sources include:

• Solar energy: Captured using photovoltaic (PV) panels or concentrated solar power (CSP) systems.
• Wind energy: Generated by wind turbines converting kinetic energy into electricity.
• Hydropower: Generated by harnessing the energy of flowing water, such as rivers and streams.
• Biomass: Derived from organic materials such as wood, crop residues, and waste products.
• Geothermal energy: Harvested from the heat stored beneath the Earth’s surface.

Question 4: What are the challenges associated with integrating renewable energy into the grid?

Answer: Challenges in integrating renewable energy into the grid include the intermittency and variability of renewable resources, which can lead to issues with grid stability and reliability. Other challenges include the need for grid modernization and infrastructure upgrades, regulatory barriers, and market design considerations to accommodate renewable energy generation.

Question 5: How do solar panels work?

Answer: Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity using photovoltaic (PV) cells made of semiconductor materials such as silicon. When sunlight hits the PV cells, it excites electrons, creating an electric current. This direct current (DC) is then converted into alternating current (AC) using an inverter for use in homes, businesses, or the grid.

Question 6: What are the factors that affect the efficiency of wind turbines?

Answer: The efficiency of wind turbines is influenced by several factors, including wind speed, turbine design (blade length, shape, and orientation), rotor size, altitude, air density, and maintenance practices. Higher wind speeds generally result in higher turbine output, while factors such as turbulence and wind shear can reduce efficiency.

Question 7: What is the difference between onshore and offshore wind farms?

Answer: Onshore wind farms are located on land, typically in rural or remote areas with favorable wind conditions. Offshore wind farms are situated in bodies of water such as oceans or lakes, where wind speeds are often higher and more consistent. Offshore wind farms tend to have larger turbines and higher installation costs but can generate more electricity due to stronger winds.

Question 8: What are the environmental impacts of hydropower?

Answer: While hydropower is a renewable energy source that produces minimal greenhouse gas emissions during operation, it can have significant environmental impacts. These include habitat disruption and fragmentation, altered water flow patterns, changes in water temperature and quality, and impacts on fish and wildlife populations. Large dams can also displace communities and inundate land, leading to social and cultural impacts.

Question 9: How can energy storage technologies enhance the integration of renewable energy?

Answer: Energy storage technologies such as batteries, pumped hydro storage, and thermal storage can help overcome the intermittency and variability of renewable energy sources by storing excess energy when it is available and releasing it when needed. Energy storage can improve grid stability, enable better management of peak demand, and facilitate the integration of renewable energy into the grid.

Question 10: What are some emerging trends and technologies in renewable energy?

Answer: Some emerging trends and technologies in renewable energy include:

• Advancements in solar photovoltaics (such as perovskite solar cells and bifacial panels).
• Development of next-generation wind turbines (such as vertical axis and floating offshore turbines).
• Expansion of energy storage solutions (such as grid-scale batteries and flow batteries).
• Integration of renewable energy with digital technologies (such as smart grids and predictive analytics) to optimize energy production and consumption.

Question 11: What are the differences between renewable and non-renewable energy sources?

Answer: Refer to resources explaining the differences between renewable and non-renewable energy.