Renewable Energy Technologies & Integration Flashcards

Which capacity factor range is most typical for utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations in the U.S. Sun Belt region?

Answer: 20–30%

Utility-scale solar PV in the U.S. Sun Belt typically achieves capacity factors of 20–30%, reflecting the ratio of actual output to rated capacity over time.

What is a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) in the context of renewable energy procurement?

Answer: A long-term contract to buy electricity at a fixed or indexed price from a specific generator

A PPA is a long-term contract in which a buyer agrees to purchase electricity at a negotiated price from a renewable generator, providing revenue certainty for project financing.

Which federal tax incentive directly reduces the tax liability of a renewable energy project developer based on a percentage of qualified capital costs?

Answer: Investment Tax Credit (ITC)

The Investment Tax Credit (ITC) allows developers to reduce their federal tax liability by a percentage of the eligible capital cost of a qualifying renewable energy project.

What does the term 'curtailment' mean in renewable energy integration?

Answer: Reducing a generator's output below its available capacity due to grid constraints or oversupply

Curtailment occurs when a grid operator instructs a renewable generator to reduce output below what it could produce, typically due to transmission congestion or excess supply.

Which technology is primarily used to store electricity generated by intermittent renewables for later dispatch?

Answer: Lithium-ion battery energy storage systems (BESS)

Lithium-ion battery energy storage systems are the dominant technology for storing renewable electricity and dispatching it when generation is unavailable or demand peaks.

In a Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (VPPA), what does the buyer receive from the renewable generator?

Answer: Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) and a contract-for-difference on electricity price

In a VPPA, the buyer receives RECs and a financial settlement based on the difference between the contracted strike price and the market price, without physical power delivery.

What is the primary advantage of an onshore wind project over an offshore wind project in the U.S. energy procurement market?

Answer: Significantly lower levelized cost of energy (LCOE) due to reduced installation and O&M costs

Onshore wind projects have substantially lower LCOE than offshore because installation, cabling, and ongoing operations and maintenance costs are far lower on land.