REP Energy Efficiency and Demand-Side Management 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary goal of demand-side management (DSM) in the context of renewable energy integration?
- Increase peak electricity demand to justify new generation capacity
- Shift or reduce electricity consumption to better align with renewable energy availability (Correct answer)
- Replace all fossil fuel generation with renewable sources within five years
- Eliminate the need for energy storage systems by increasing solar output
Correct answer: Shift or reduce electricity consumption to better align with renewable energy availability
DSM aims to shift or reduce electricity consumption so load profiles align with times when renewable energy is abundant, reducing reliance on dispatchable fossil fuels.
Question 2: Which metric is most commonly used to measure the energy efficiency of a building's heating and cooling systems?
- Power Factor (PF)
- Energy Use Intensity (EUI) (Correct answer)
- Capacity Factor (CF)
- Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE)
Correct answer: Energy Use Intensity (EUI)
Energy Use Intensity (EUI) measures a building's annual energy consumption per square foot, making it the standard metric for comparing building energy performance.
Question 3: A utility offers customers a rate that charges higher prices during peak hours and lower prices during off-peak hours. This is an example of:
- Net metering
- Time-of-use (TOU) pricing (Correct answer)
- Feed-in tariff
- Renewable portfolio standard
Correct answer: Time-of-use (TOU) pricing
Time-of-use pricing varies electricity rates based on the time of day to encourage customers to shift consumption away from periods of high grid demand.
Question 4: What does the term 'negawatt' refer to in energy efficiency discussions?
- One million watts of renewable energy generated
- A unit representing electricity saved through conservation or efficiency measures (Correct answer)
- The rated power output of a negative-efficiency system
- Excess power exported to the grid from rooftop solar
Correct answer: A unit representing electricity saved through conservation or efficiency measures
A negawatt is a conceptual unit coined by Amory Lovins representing a watt of electricity that is saved rather than generated, emphasizing efficiency as a resource.
Question 5: Which federal program provides tax credits and incentives specifically for improving the energy efficiency of commercial and industrial buildings in the United States?
- Investment Tax Credit (ITC)
- Section 179D Energy Efficient Commercial Buildings Deduction (Correct answer)
- Production Tax Credit (PTC)
- USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)
Correct answer: Section 179D Energy Efficient Commercial Buildings Deduction
Section 179D allows commercial building owners a tax deduction for installing energy-efficient systems, including lighting, HVAC, and building envelope improvements.
Question 6: In a demand response (DR) program, what action is a large industrial customer most likely asked to take during a grid emergency?
- Install additional on-site solar panels immediately
- Curtail or shift non-critical electricity loads to reduce grid stress (Correct answer)
- Purchase additional electricity from the spot market
- Increase production to stabilize frequency
Correct answer: Curtail or shift non-critical electricity loads to reduce grid stress
Demand response programs compensate large customers for reducing or shifting electricity use during peak demand or grid emergencies, easing stress on the power system.
Question 7: Which of the following best describes the concept of a 'smart grid' as it relates to energy efficiency and demand-side management?
- A grid powered exclusively by renewable energy sources
- A digital electricity network that enables two-way communication between utilities and customers to optimize energy use (Correct answer)
- A high-voltage transmission system that reduces line losses over long distances
- A grid that automatically replaces aging infrastructure without human intervention
Correct answer: A digital electricity network that enables two-way communication between utilities and customers to optimize energy use
A smart grid uses digital communication and sensing technologies to allow utilities and consumers to exchange information in real time, enabling more efficient energy use, demand response, and renewable integration.
REP Energy Efficiency and Demand-Side Management 1
What is the primary goal of demand-side management (DSM) in the context of renewable energy integration?