Practice Test Geeks(SOPD) System Operator/Power Dispatching Practice Test
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Load Dispatching Flashcards

7 cards from real SOPD practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Load Dispatching flashcards as text

  1. What is 'load forecasting' and why is it critical for a power dispatcher?

    Answer: Predicting future demand to schedule generation and maintain reliability

    Load forecasting predicts future electricity demand, enabling dispatchers to schedule adequate generation resources and maintain system reliability.

  2. A unit commitment decision involves which of the following?

    Answer: Determining which generating units to start up or shut down over a planning horizon

    Unit commitment determines the on/off status of generating units over a scheduling period to meet forecasted demand at minimum cost while respecting operational constraints.

  3. During peak load periods, a dispatcher must manage 'demand response' resources. What does activating these resources accomplish?

    Answer: Reduces load from enrolled customers to balance supply and demand

    Demand response activation reduces electricity consumption from participating customers, effectively lowering system load to balance it against available generation.

  4. What is 'interchange scheduling' in the context of load dispatching?

    Answer: Planning and coordinating power transfers between neighboring control areas

    Interchange scheduling involves coordinating planned power transfers over tie lines between adjacent control areas to meet load and economic objectives.

  5. A 'must-run' unit is dispatched even when it is uneconomical. Which situation most commonly justifies this?

    Answer: The unit provides critical voltage support or reliability in a constrained area

    Must-run status is typically assigned when a unit is required for local voltage support, area stability, or to prevent thermal overloads in a transmission-constrained region.

  6. What is the function of 'automatic generation control' (AGC) in load dispatching?

    Answer: Automatically adjusts generator output to maintain frequency and scheduled tie-line flows

    AGC sends real-time raise/lower signals to generators to keep system frequency at 60 Hz and net area interchange at scheduled values, reducing ACE to zero.

  7. What does 'ramp rate' limit on a generating unit constrain?

    Answer: How quickly a generator can increase or decrease its MW output per minute

    Ramp rate is the maximum rate of MW output change per minute for a generator, which dispatchers must respect when issuing raise or lower signals.