Consider the following : 1. Battery storage 2. Biomass generators 3. Fuel cells 4. Rooftop solar photovoltaic units How many of the above are considered "Distributed Energy Resources" ?

Describes pumped storage as a facility that 'works like a battery' by storing generated electricity for later use, giving an example of large-scale energy storage.

A student can contrast this large, centralized storage example with smaller battery units to ask whether scale or location distinguishes DER from grid-scale storage.

Defines batteries as compact, portable sources of electrical energy used in many devices, indicating batteries exist at small, distributed scales.

Combine this with the idea that DER are small/local resources to infer that small, co‑located battery systems (e.g., home or device batteries) fit the distributed pattern.

Notes rechargeable batteries range from small device batteries to bigger batteries that run inverters or drive electric vehicles, showing a spectrum of sizes and applications.

A student can extend this to consider that mid‑to‑small batteries used with inverters or EVs can be deployed at customer sites and thus resemble DER deployment.

Lists 'dry batteries' among ways electricity can be generated/used, treating batteries as part of the electricity ecosystem rather than solely large central plants.

Use this to support the view that batteries are a form of electrical resource which, when sited locally, could be classified alongside other distributed resources.

Explains modern rechargeable (Li‑ion) batteries' widespread use and importance for shifting to environmentally friendly power, implying technological readiness for grid applications.

A student could infer that because these batteries are increasingly used and scalable, they can serve distributed grid functions (storage/backup), supporting their candidacy as DER.

States that biomass is a renewable (non‑conventional) energy source alongside solar, wind, hydro and geothermal.

A student could combine this with the common idea that DER are often renewable, small‑scale generators to judge that some biomass generators might be considered DER.

Mentions biomass power and cogeneration programmes that promote technologies for grid power generation and gives installed capacity (643 MW).

Use the fact that biomass can be connected to the grid at various scales to infer that both centralized and distributed biomass generators may exist, so some could meet typical DER criteria.

Includes bio‑power (10 GW) in a national renewable capacity target alongside small hydro and large categories.

A student could note that inclusion with other distributed renewables suggests bio‑power has scalable units—some of which might be distributed resources.

Describes biomass sources as including municipal and industrial organic wastes and agricultural residues used for energy generation.

Knowing that waste‑to‑energy and farm‑level biomass units are often sited close to feedstock suggests such generators can be local/distributed and thus be DER.

Lists biogas and other bio‑sources among non‑conventional energy sources commonly used in rural households.

A student could combine this with the basic fact that DER frequently include small household or community generators to infer biogas/household biomass systems fit the DER model.

Explicitly lists 'fuel-cells' among non-conventional (renewable) energy sources, a category often associated with small-scale/distributed generation.

A student could note that many items in this list (solar, wind, biomass) are commonly deployed as DER and therefore investigate whether fuel cells share similar deployment patterns (on-site/small-scale).

Describes fuel cells as electrochemical devices that directly produce electricity (DC) and heat without combustion, implying they can generate power at the point of use.

Combine this with the basic fact that DER are typically small generators sited near loads to infer fuel cells' suitability for distributed deployment.

Explains co-generation (producing heat plus electricity from one fuel), a mode often used in localized or on-site energy systems.

Since fuel cells produce electricity and heat, a student could extend this to consider fuel cells as candidates for combined heat-and-power DER installations.

States renewable energy sources are 'more equitably distributed', giving a general rule that some energy types are geographically distributed rather than centralized.

A student could use the distribution characteristic of renewables to evaluate whether fuel cells—classified elsewhere as non-conventional/renewable—are likely to be treated as distributed resources.

Mentions 'fuel cells are also being used as a cleaner energy source', linking them conceptually with renewable/clean technologies often deployed at smaller scales.

Using the association with clean/non-conventional technologies, a student might check deployment examples (e.g., backup or on-site power) to judge DER classification.

Explicit mention that 'Solar Rooftop' is dealt with under the National Solar Mission as 'grid connected rooftop' systems, distinguishing rooftop installations from large solar parks.

A student can combine this with the basic definition that DER are small-scale, customer-sited or distribution-level generation to infer rooftop PV fits the 'distributed' category.

Policy target splits solar deployment into '40 GW Rooftop' and '60 GW through Large and Medium Scale Grid Connected Solar Power Projects', implying a clear distinction between rooftop (smaller, distributed) and centralized projects.

Using the policy distinction, one can reasonably map 'rooftop' to distributed/consumer-level resources versus bulk generation.

Notes widespread installation of over 650,000 solar PV systems and gives rural/remote examples (islands, desert, towns), showing deployment at many local sites rather than only large centralized plants.

A student could interpret these numerous site-specific installations as characteristic of distributed resources located near load centers.

Describes photovoltaic technology converting sunlight directly into electricity and notes its use in rural and remote areas, suggesting small-scale, local applications.

Combining this with the notion that DER serve local grids/consumers would support classifying rural rooftop PV as distributed generation.

Classifies solar energy among 'non-conventional' (renewable) energy sources, providing a higher-level category that rooftop PV belongs to.

A student can use this classification plus knowledge that DER are typically renewable small-scale generators to link rooftop PV to the broader DER concept.