CEM Renewable Energy and Cogeneration

Question 1

Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems improve overall fuel efficiency compared to separate generation because they:

Accepted Answer

Capture and utilize waste heat from electricity generation that would otherwise be rejected

Answer

Use two separate boilers operating in parallel

Answer

Reduce electrical output to minimize heat production

Answer

Use renewable fuel sources exclusively

Question 2

The capacity factor of a solar photovoltaic (PV) system represents:

Accepted Answer

Actual annual energy output divided by the energy the system would produce at rated power continuously

Answer

The peak wattage rating of the PV panels

Answer

The efficiency of the inverter at converting DC to AC

Answer

The percentage of sunlight reflected by the panels

Question 3

A wind turbine's power output varies with wind speed according to:

Accepted Answer

A cubic relationship (power ∝ speed³)

Answer

A linear relationship (power ∝ speed)

Answer

A square relationship (power ∝ speed²)

Answer

An exponential relationship (power ∝ e^speed)

Question 4

Net metering allows facilities with on-site generation to:

Accepted Answer

Credit excess electricity fed back to the grid against future consumption charges

Answer

Avoid all utility interconnection fees

Answer

Store surplus energy in on-site batteries without utility approval

Answer

Sell electricity at wholesale rates to other customers

Question 5

A microturbine used in CHP applications differs from a reciprocating engine CHP unit in that microturbines:

Accepted Answer

Operate at very high RPM with fewer moving parts and produce lower-temperature exhaust heat

Answer

Produce higher-quality (higher-temperature) exhaust heat suitable for high-pressure steam

Answer

Only operate on natural gas and cannot use biogas

Answer

Have higher electrical efficiency than large reciprocating engines

Question 6

The primary economic metric used to evaluate a renewable energy investment alongside payback period is:

Accepted Answer

Internal Rate of Return (IRR) or Net Present Value (NPV)

Answer

Fuel utilization efficiency (FUE)

Answer

Capacity factor normalized by latitude

Answer

Annual equivalent operating hours