UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Dr. Jitendra Singh inspects upcoming 'Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion' (OTEC) Project in Lakshadweep, first of its kind in the world

Q1. In a closed-cycle Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) plant, which one of the following is most commonly used as the working fluid?

• A. Ammonia
• B. Seawater
• C. Carbon dioxide
• D. Pressurised air

Q2. With reference to the working of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC), consider the following: 1. The closed cycle uses a low-boiling working fluid such as ammonia circulating in a sealed loop. 2. The open cycle flash-evaporates warm surface seawater under vacuum to produce steam that drives the turbine. 3. The hybrid cycle combines features of the open and closed cycles, using both seawater and a working fluid. 4. The cold water required for condensation is typically drawn from a depth of about 100 metres. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

1. The closed cycle uses a low-boiling working fluid such as ammonia circulating in a sealed loop.
2. The open cycle flash-evaporates warm surface seawater under vacuum to produce steam that drives the turbine.
3. The hybrid cycle combines features of the open and closed cycles, using both seawater and a working fluid.
4. The cold water required for condensation is typically drawn from a depth of about 100 metres.

• A. 1 and 3
• B. 4 only
• C. 1, 2 and 4
• D. 3 only

Q3. In which year was the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) established as an autonomous body?

• A. 1993
• B. 1981
• C. 2006
• D. 1956

Q4. With reference to the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), consider the following statements: 1. It is headquartered at Chennai. 2. It functions as an autonomous institute under the Ministry of Earth Sciences. 3. Its mandate is confined to the territorial sea and excludes India's Exclusive Economic Zone. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. It is headquartered at Chennai.
2. It functions as an autonomous institute under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
3. Its mandate is confined to the territorial sea and excludes India's Exclusive Economic Zone.

• A. 1 only
• B. 1 and 2 only
• C. 2 and 3 only
• D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. With reference to the OTEC-based desalination project being developed at Kavaratti, consider the following: 1. The facility is being set up at Kavaratti in Lakshadweep. 2. The cold-water conduit is a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipeline nearly 3.8 km long. 3. The pipeline is designed to draw cold seawater from depths of more than 1,000 metres. 4. The project is being implemented by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

1. The facility is being set up at Kavaratti in Lakshadweep.
2. The cold-water conduit is a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipeline nearly 3.8 km long.
3. The pipeline is designed to draw cold seawater from depths of more than 1,000 metres.
4. The project is being implemented by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.

• A. 1 and 3
• B. 2 and 4
• C. 4 only
• D. 3 only

Q6. The OTEC-powered desalination plant being built at Kavaratti is being developed by the National Institute of Ocean Technology, which functions under which one of the following Union Ministries?

• A. Ministry of Earth Sciences
• B. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
• C. Ministry of Jal Shakti
• D. Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways

Q7. With reference to the distinction between Low Temperature Thermal Desalination (LTTD) and Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC), consider the following statements: 1. LTTD produces potable water, whereas OTEC is designed to generate electricity in addition to desalinated water. 2. LTTD exploits the temperature difference between warm surface seawater and colder deep-sea water. 3. Unlike OTEC, LTTD requires extensive chemical pre-treatment and post-treatment of the seawater. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. LTTD produces potable water, whereas OTEC is designed to generate electricity in addition to desalinated water.
2. LTTD exploits the temperature difference between warm surface seawater and colder deep-sea water.
3. Unlike OTEC, LTTD requires extensive chemical pre-treatment and post-treatment of the seawater.

• A. 1 only
• B. 1 and 2 only
• C. 2 and 3 only
• D. 1, 2 and 3

Q8. Consider the following islands of Lakshadweep: 1. Kavaratti 2. Agatti 3. Minicoy 4. Kalpeni Which of the above are correctly identified as the three earliest LTTD desalination plants established in Lakshadweep?

1. Kavaratti
2. Agatti
3. Minicoy
4. Kalpeni

• A. 1, 2 and 3
• B. 2 and 4
• C. 1 and 4
• D. 1, 3 and 4

Q9. The work of establishing the additional LTTD desalination plants in Lakshadweep (beyond the first three) was entrusted through the Union Territory administration under which one of the following Union Ministries?

• A. Ministry of Home Affairs
• B. Ministry of Earth Sciences
• C. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
• D. Ministry of Jal Shakti

Q10. The Kumejima OTEC facility — among the few continuously operating, grid-connected OTEC plants in the world — is located in which one of the following countries?

• A. Japan
• B. United States of America
• C. South Korea
• D. France

Q11. Which one of the following Union Ministries notified that energy from tidal, wave and Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) sources is eligible to meet non-solar Renewable Purchase Obligations, thereby classifying ocean energy as renewable energy?

• A. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
• B. Ministry of Earth Sciences
• C. Ministry of Power
• D. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

Q12. In the context of the co-benefits of OTEC, the term 'SWAC' refers to which one of the following?

• A. The use of cold deep-sea water to provide low-energy air conditioning for buildings
• B. The flash-evaporation of warm surface seawater under vacuum to obtain freshwater
• C. The cultivation of marine organisms using nutrient-rich deep-sea water
• D. The electrolytic generation of hydrogen using OTEC-derived electricity