CEM Event Operations Management 3 ā Questions and Answers
Question 1: An energy manager is designing a retrocommissioning plan for an event venue. Which system should be prioritized first for highest energy impact?
- Domestic hot water recirculation pumps
- Central air handling units serving the main event spaces (Correct answer)
- Parking lot lighting control timers
- Elevator regenerative drive controls
Correct answer: Central air handling units serving the main event spaces
Central air handling units serving large event spaces typically represent the largest single energy end use in event venues, making them the highest-priority retrocommissioning target.
Question 2: What is the primary purpose of a load profile analysis conducted before an event?
- To satisfy utility interconnection requirements for on-site generation
- To identify demand peaks that could trigger ratchet charges and develop strategies to flatten them (Correct answer)
- To calculate the carbon footprint of the event for sustainability reporting
- To verify that the facility's electrical service is adequate for the contracted load
Correct answer: To identify demand peaks that could trigger ratchet charges and develop strategies to flatten them
Load profile analysis reveals when and where demand peaks occur, enabling proactive load shifting and shedding strategies to avoid costly ratchet charges.
Question 3: During setup for a large exposition, temporary power distribution equipment (spider boxes, cable runs) is installed. What energy management concern is highest priority?
- Ensuring temporary cables do not create trip hazards for attendees
- Verifying that temporary equipment does not cause harmonic distortion that degrades power quality and increases losses (Correct answer)
- Confirming that temporary generators are fueled with biodiesel
- Ensuring all temporary equipment is metered for exhibitor billing purposes
Correct answer: Verifying that temporary equipment does not cause harmonic distortion that degrades power quality and increases losses
Heavy non-linear loads from exhibitor equipment can cause significant harmonic distortion, increasing IĀ²R losses, overheating transformers, and reducing overall system efficiency.
Question 4: A venue's boiler system serving event space heating is operating with a flue gas temperature of 450Ā°F. What does this indicate?
- The boiler is operating at peak thermal efficiency
- Excessive stack heat loss is occurring, suggesting the need for economizer or combustion tuning (Correct answer)
- The boiler is at risk of condensing and corroding the flue
- Heat exchanger fouling is reducing the fireside temperature
Correct answer: Excessive stack heat loss is occurring, suggesting the need for economizer or combustion tuning
A 450Ā°F flue gas temperature is well above the optimal range, indicating significant heat is being wasted up the stack and that combustion tuning or an economizer could recover substantial energy.
Question 5: What is the most effective way to manage plug load energy waste from exhibitor booths during non-show hours?
- Post signage asking exhibitors to turn off equipment overnight
- Install smart power strips with occupancy-sensing auto-shutoff at each booth circuit (Correct answer)
- Require exhibitors to submit equipment lists for energy auditing before the event
- Install sub-metering at each booth to charge exhibitors for actual consumption
Correct answer: Install smart power strips with occupancy-sensing auto-shutoff at each booth circuit
Smart power strips with occupancy-based auto-shutoff enforce energy management passively without relying on exhibitor behavior change.
Question 6: A convention center is evaluating on-site solar PV to offset event energy costs. Which factor is most critical to assess for an event venue specifically?
- The annual average solar irradiance at the site location
- The correlation between on-site generation profiles and event-driven load profiles throughout the year (Correct answer)
- The availability of federal investment tax credits for commercial solar
- The structural load capacity of the roof to support panel weight
Correct answer: The correlation between on-site generation profiles and event-driven load profiles throughout the year
For an event venue, energy value of solar is maximized only when generation coincides with high-load event periods; a mismatch means excess generation must be exported at lower value or storage must be added.
Question 7: Which measurement and verification (M&V) option from the International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP) is best suited for verifying savings from a variable-speed drive installed on an event venue's chilled water pump?
- Option A ā Retrofit Isolation with stipulated baseline
- Option B ā Retrofit Isolation with measured baseline and post-installation (Correct answer)
- Option C ā Whole Facility utility bill analysis
- Option D ā Calibrated Simulation
Correct answer: Option B ā Retrofit Isolation with measured baseline and post-installation
Option B measures both baseline and post-installation power consumption of the specific pump system, providing accurate savings verification for a variable and interactive load like a VSD-driven pump.
CEM Event Operations Management 3
An energy manager is designing a retrocommissioning plan for an event venue.
Which system should be prioritized first for highest energy impact?