Renewable Energy Flashcards
6 cards from real Energy and Utilities practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Renewable Energy flashcards as text
What is 'cut-in wind speed' for a wind turbine?
Answer: The minimum wind speed at which the turbine begins generating power
Cut-in speed is the minimum wind speed, typically 6–9 mph, at which a turbine's rotor spins fast enough to begin generating electricity.
What does LCOE stand for in energy economics?
Answer: Levelized Cost of Energy
Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) is a measure of the average net present cost of electricity generation over a plant's lifetime, used to compare technologies.
What is the primary environmental benefit of replacing coal plants with natural gas combined-cycle plants for electricity generation?
Answer: Roughly halves CO2 emissions per MWh compared to coal
Natural gas combined-cycle plants emit about 50% less CO2 per MWh than coal plants, providing a near-term carbon reduction bridge.
What is a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS)?
Answer: A state policy requiring utilities to supply a set percentage of electricity from renewables
An RPS is a state regulation that mandates electric utilities obtain a minimum share of their power from eligible renewable energy sources.
What is 'agrivoltaics'?
Answer: Co-locating solar panels and agricultural crops or livestock on the same land
Agrivoltaics combines solar energy generation with crop production or livestock grazing on the same land, improving land use efficiency.
Which renewable energy source provides the largest share of US renewable electricity generation?
Answer: Wind
Wind power surpassed hydroelectric to become the leading source of US renewable electricity generation, supplying roughly 10% of total US electricity.