Practice Test Geeks(SOPD) System Operator/Power Dispatching Practice Test
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Load Forecasting & Energy Scheduling 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 Forecasting & Energy Scheduling flashcards as text

  1. Which factor most commonly causes a load forecast to UNDERESTIMATE actual demand during a heat wave?

    Answer: Underestimating residential air conditioning saturation

    Residential AC saturation is often underestimated, causing significantly higher-than-forecast cooling loads during extreme heat events.

  2. A system operator receives a day-ahead forecast showing a 15% demand increase at 5 PM due to a major sporting event. Which action is MOST appropriate?

    Answer: Pre-position additional spinning reserves before the event

    Pre-positioning spinning reserves ensures the system can respond quickly to the anticipated demand surge without relying on slow-start units.

  3. In energy scheduling, the term 'economic dispatch' refers to:

    Answer: Allocating generation output to minimize total fuel cost while meeting load

    Economic dispatch allocates generation among committed units to meet system load at the lowest possible total production cost.

  4. A short-term load forecast for the next 4 hours shows demand declining steadily. Which generation scheduling action is MOST appropriate?

    Answer: Begin decommitting peaking units according to their minimum down-time constraints

    As forecast demand declines, operators de-commit peaking units while respecting minimum down-time constraints to avoid mechanical damage.

  5. What is the primary purpose of a 'load pocket' analysis in energy scheduling?

    Answer: To locate transmission-constrained areas that require local generation

    Load pocket analysis identifies areas electrically isolated by transmission constraints, requiring local generation that may be more expensive to dispatch.

  6. Which of the following is a key difference between a 'firm' and 'non-firm' energy schedule?

    Answer: Firm schedules cannot be curtailed, while non-firm can be interrupted during congestion

    Firm energy schedules are contractually protected from curtailment, while non-firm schedules may be interrupted when transmission congestion occurs.

  7. When a load forecast model uses weather normalization, the purpose is to:

    Answer: Remove the effect of abnormal weather to reveal underlying load trends

    Weather normalization removes the influence of unusual temperatures or humidity so operators can analyze true load growth trends independent of weather anomalies.