BGE Energy Generation & Distribution 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which type of power plant does BGE primarily rely on for baseload electricity generation in the PJM Interconnection?
- Solar farms
- Nuclear power plants (Correct answer)
- Diesel generators
- Tidal turbines
Correct answer: Nuclear power plants
Nuclear power plants provide consistent baseload generation in the BGE service territory through PJM.
Question 2: What is the role of a substation transformer in BGE's distribution system?
- To generate electricity from natural gas
- To store excess renewable energy
- To step voltage down for safe delivery to homes and businesses (Correct answer)
- To measure customer energy consumption
Correct answer: To step voltage down for safe delivery to homes and businesses
Substation transformers reduce high transmission voltages to lower distribution voltages suitable for end-use customers.
Question 3: In electricity distribution, what does the term 'radial feeder' describe?
- A feeder that loops back to its source creating redundancy
- A feeder that supplies power in one direction from a single source (Correct answer)
- A feeder dedicated exclusively to industrial customers
- A feeder powered by renewable energy only
Correct answer: A feeder that supplies power in one direction from a single source
A radial feeder distributes power in a single path from substation to customers without a return loop.
Question 4: Which fuel source is used in BGE's service territory peaker plants that activate during high-demand periods?
- Coal
- Natural gas (Correct answer)
- Biomass
- Hydrogen
Correct answer: Natural gas
Natural gas peaker plants can start quickly and are used to meet demand spikes in the BGE region.
Question 5: What is the standard distribution voltage BGE uses to deliver electricity along neighborhood lines before final step-down?
- 120 volts
- 480 volts
- 13,200 volts (Correct answer)
- 500,000 volts
Correct answer: 13,200 volts
BGE distributes electricity at approximately 13,200 volts (13.2 kV) along primary distribution lines before pad-mount or pole transformers reduce it further.
Question 6: Which organization operates the regional transmission grid that BGE participates in for wholesale electricity dispatch?
- FERC
- NERC
- PJM Interconnection (Correct answer)
- EIA
Correct answer: PJM Interconnection
PJM Interconnection manages the bulk power system and electricity markets across the mid-Atlantic region including BGE's territory.
Question 7: What is 'demand response' as it applies to BGE's grid management strategy?
- Automatically upgrading customer meters when demand rises
- Incentivizing customers to reduce usage during peak grid stress periods (Correct answer)
- Deploying additional generation when frequency drops
- Installing new feeders to meet growing demand
Correct answer: Incentivizing customers to reduce usage during peak grid stress periods
Demand response programs pay or credit customers who voluntarily cut electricity use during peak periods, reducing grid strain.
BGE Energy Generation & Distribution 2
Which type of power plant does BGE primarily rely on for baseload electricity generation in the PJM Interconnection?