ERAC ERAC Renewable Energy Systems & Technologies 2

Question 1

What is a Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) and what does it certify?

Accepted Answer

A tradable certificate representing 1 MWh of electricity generated from a renewable source

Answer

A Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) is a market-based instrument certifying that 1 megawatt-hour of electricity was generated and delivered to the grid from a qualified renewable energy source.

Question 2

In solar energy systems, what does 'peak sun hours' represent?

Accepted Answer

The equivalent number of hours per day at a solar irradiance of 1,000 W/m²

Answer

Peak sun hours represent the equivalent hours per day during which solar irradiance averages 1,000 W/m² (1 kW/m²), used to estimate daily energy production from a PV system.

Question 3

What is the primary risk factor that an ERAC auditor assesses when evaluating a wind energy project's revenue stability?

Accepted Answer

Wind resource variability and associated generation uncertainty (P50/P90 analysis)

Answer

Wind resource variability is the primary risk factor; P50/P90 analysis quantifies the probability that annual generation will exceed a given threshold, informing lender and investor risk assessments.

Question 4

Which type of energy storage technology is most commonly paired with utility-scale renewable energy projects in the US to manage intermittency?

Accepted Answer

Lithium-ion battery energy storage systems (BESS)

Answer

Lithium-ion battery energy storage systems (BESS) have become the dominant technology for utility-scale renewable energy storage due to their declining costs, scalability, and rapid response capability.

Question 5

In a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for renewable energy, who typically owns and maintains the generation equipment?

Accepted Answer

The renewable energy developer or third-party investor

Answer

In a PPA, the renewable energy developer or third-party investor retains ownership of the generation equipment and sells electricity to the customer (offtaker) at a contractually agreed price.

(ERAC) Energy Risk Auditor Certification Practice Test

(ERAC) Energy Risk Auditor Certification Practice Test

ERAC ERAC Renewable Energy Systems & Technologies 2