Energy Management & Utilities Flashcards
7 cards from real CPM practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Energy Management & Utilities flashcards as text
What is 'demand response' in the context of industrial energy management?
Answer: Voluntarily reducing power consumption during peak grid periods in exchange for incentives
Demand response programs incentivize industrial customers to reduce or shift electricity use during peak grid periods, helping grid stability while lowering the plant's energy costs.
Compressed air systems in manufacturing are noted for being energy-inefficient because:
Answer: Only 10–30% of electrical input energy is converted to useful pneumatic work
Compressed air is one of the most expensive plant utilities; only 10–30% of electrical input is converted to useful work, with the remainder lost as heat during compression.
The primary advantage of a combined heat and power (CHP) system over separate heat and power generation is:
Answer: Overall system efficiency of 70–90% by utilizing waste heat from power generation
CHP achieves 70–90% overall efficiency by capturing and using heat that would otherwise be wasted, compared to the ~30–50% efficiency of conventional power generation alone.
An energy balance analysis for a manufacturing process is primarily used to:
Answer: Identify all energy inputs, outputs, and losses to prioritize improvement opportunities
An energy balance maps all energy inputs against useful outputs and losses, applying conservation-of-energy principles to quantify waste and identify the highest-impact opportunities.
Which lighting technology offers the best combination of energy efficiency and longest service life for industrial facilities?
Answer: LED (Light Emitting Diode) fixtures
LED fixtures deliver 50–80% energy savings versus HID or fluorescent lighting, with lifespans of 50,000–100,000 hours, reducing both energy and maintenance costs substantially.
Energy sub-metering within a plant is primarily used to:
Answer: Identify energy consumption by individual process, department, or equipment
Sub-metering breaks down total facility energy consumption to the equipment or department level, enabling identification of high-use areas and precise measurement of conservation project results.
On-bill financing (or 'pay-as-you-save') programs for energy efficiency projects primarily address:
Answer: The upfront capital cost barrier for energy efficiency improvements
On-bill financing lets facilities implement energy upgrades without upfront capital by repaying costs through utility bill savings over time, removing the primary barrier to adoption.