AEP Power Generation & Transmission 3

Question 1

What is the function of a lightning arrester (surge arrester) on a transmission line?

Accepted Answer

Divert transient overvoltages safely to ground

Answer

Surge arresters clamp transient overvoltages caused by lightning or switching and divert the surge current to ground, protecting equipment insulation.

Question 2

In a combined-cycle natural gas plant, what happens to the exhaust heat from the gas turbine?

Accepted Answer

It is used to produce steam that drives a steam turbine for additional power

Answer

Combined-cycle plants recover hot exhaust gas from the combustion turbine in a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) to produce steam that drives a second turbine, boosting overall efficiency above 60%.

Question 3

What is the purpose of a static VAR compensator (SVC) on a transmission system?

Accepted Answer

Provide dynamic reactive power support to regulate voltage

Answer

An SVC rapidly injects or absorbs reactive power to maintain stable voltage at key transmission buses during load changes or faults.

Question 4

Which AEP subsidiary operates the high-voltage transmission system across much of the central and eastern U.S.?

Accepted Answer

AEP Transmission

Answer

AEP Transmission (through subsidiaries like AEP Transmission Holding Company) owns and operates one of the largest high-voltage transmission networks in the nation.

Question 5

What does 'capacity factor' measure for a power plant?

Accepted Answer

The ratio of actual output to maximum possible output over a period

Answer

Capacity factor is the ratio of actual energy produced over a time period to the energy that would have been produced if the plant ran at full rated capacity the entire time.

(AEP) American Electric Power Practice Test

(AEP) American Electric Power Practice Test

AEP Power Generation & Transmission 3