UPSC QUIZ 09.09.2023

Explanation:

• The awards for Swachh Vayu Survekshan (Clean Air Survey) 2023 were announced. The survey was conducted by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Performance

• Top 3 cities under 1st category (million plus population): Indore followed by Agra and Thane.
• Worst Performers: Madurai (46), Howrah (45) and Jamshedpur (44)
• Bhopal ranked 5th and Delhi ranked 9th
• Top 3 cities under 2nd category (3-10 lakhs population): Amravati followed by Moradabad and Guntur.
• Worst Performers: Jammu (38), Guwahati (37) and Jalandhar (36)
• Top 3 cities under 3rd category (<3 lakhs population): Parwanoo followed by Kala Amb and Angul.
• Worst Performer: Kohima (39)

Explanation:

• Union Cabinet has approved the Scheme for Viability Gap Funding (VGF) for the development of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), aiming to boost the adoption of renewable energy sources.
• Battery storage, or BESS, are devices that enable energy from renewables, like solar and wind, to be stored and then released when the power is needed most.
• VGF is a financial mechanism used by governments to bridge the gap between the cost of infrastructure projects and their economic viability.
• It is typically employed in projects that are considered economically unviable or financially unattractive for private investors due to various reasons, such as high capital costs, low revenue potential, or long gestation periods.

Explanation:

• Recently, researchers from the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), Guwahati, have successfully fabricated a biodegradable nanocomposite film with optical and mechanical properties.
• The research encompasses the utilization of polymers, which have become essential in various industries due to their adaptability and versatility, spanning from packaging to medical equipment.
• However, advanced applications like flexible displays and organic LED technology necessitate highly flexible and optically active polymers.
• To attain these desired properties, researchers have delved into the incorporation of nanomaterials.

Explanation:

• Indian-American physician and cancer researcher Dr Siddhartha Mukherjee has been nominated for the Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction in London, a prestigious £50,000 prize.
• His book "The Song of the Cell: An Exploration of Medicine and the New Human" is one of 13 books selected for the long list.
• The six finalists for the prize are to be announced on 8 October and will be revealed during a live event at England's annual Cheltenham Literature Festival.
• The winner of the prize will be announced at a ceremony at the Science Museum in London on 16 November.
• Established in 1999, the award covers several categories of English non-fiction, including current affairs, history, politics, science, sport, travel, biography, autobiography, and art.
• Last year's recipient of the award was Katherine Rundell, who was recognized for her biography of the poet "Super-Infinite: The Transformations of John Donne".

Explanation:

• Madhya Pradesh (MP) Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated Sanchi in Raisen district as India's first solar city.
• The initiative is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of developing a solar city in every state by 2070.
• Sanchi Solar City has two solar plants - a 3 MW solar plant at Nagauri and a5 MW solar plant at Gulgaon, which cater to the city's power and agricultural needs.
• Currently, an 8 MW grid-connected solar plant is under construction within Sanchi city.
• Madhya Pradesh Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (MPUVNL) acted as the nodal agency for this solar city project.
• MPUVNL launched an 'Energy Literacy Campaign' to educate the people of Sanchi about energy-saving practices.
• Sanchi Solar City is expected to reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions by about 13,747 tonnes, which is equivalent to the effect of planting more than 2 lakh adult trees.
• The project is expected to save over Rs 7 crore annually in energy-related expenses for both the government and citizens.