Renewable Energy Systems Flashcards
6 cards from real Environmental Science 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 Systems flashcards as text
The duck curve in grid management describes a situation where:
Answer: Midday solar generation creates a valley in net load demand, followed by a steep ramp-up in the evening when solar drops off
As solar penetration increases, the net load (demand minus solar generation) dips deeply midday then ramps steeply in the evening when solar drops and demand rises - the characteristic duck curve shape, challenging grid operators.
Which of the following is a primary environmental concern associated with utility-scale solar PV installations?
Answer: Land use impacts and habitat disruption in desert ecosystems, plus waste from end-of-life panel disposal
Large solar farms require significant land area (5-10 acres/MW), potentially displacing desert tortoises, plant communities, and other sensitive species; end-of-life panels contain cadmium, lead, and other materials requiring careful disposal.
Fuel cells generate electricity by:
Answer: Directly converting chemical energy of hydrogen (or other fuels) into electricity through electrochemical reactions without combustion
Fuel cells combine hydrogen (or reformed hydrocarbons) with oxygen through electrochemical oxidation, generating electricity, water, and heat without combustion, at efficiencies of 40-65%.
Energy payback time (EPBT) for a solar panel refers to:
Answer: The time required for a solar panel to generate as much energy as was used in its manufacture, installation, and end-of-life management
EPBT is an environmental metric measuring how long a solar system must operate before its energy output equals the embodied energy from production, transportation, installation, and disposal.
Which of the following best describes the smart grid concept?
Answer: A digitally upgraded power grid that uses sensors, automation, and two-way communication to improve efficiency, reliability, and integration of renewables
A smart grid uses digital technology (smart meters, sensors, automated switches, two-way communication) to monitor and manage electricity flows, integrate distributed generation, enable demand response, and improve reliability.
Wave energy converters harvest ocean wave energy primarily through:
Answer: Mechanical motion of floating structures driven by wave movement, converted to electricity by generators or hydraulic systems
Wave energy converters (WECs) capture the mechanical energy of ocean surface waves - up-and-down or heaving motion - through oscillating water columns, point absorbers, or attenuators connected to electrical generators.