UMC Utility Operations & Infrastructure 3

Question 1

What is the function of a load balancer in an electric distribution network?

Accepted Answer

To redistribute load among feeders to prevent overloading any single circuit

Answer

To increase voltage at the substation

Answer

To measure customer energy consumption

Answer

To ground lightning strikes safely

Question 2

Which wastewater treatment level specifically targets nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus?

Accepted Answer

Tertiary (advanced) treatment

Answer

Primary treatment

Answer

Secondary treatment

Answer

Preliminary screening

Question 3

A utility notices its system average interruption duration index (SAIDI) has increased year over year. This indicates:

Accepted Answer

Customers are experiencing longer total outage durations on average

Answer

More customers are being served

Answer

Fewer outages are occurring

Answer

Reliability has improved

Question 4

In a natural gas distribution system, what is the purpose of a pressure regulating station (PRS)?

Accepted Answer

To reduce high transmission pressure to safe distribution pressure levels

Answer

To add odorant to the gas stream

Answer

To remove moisture from the gas

Answer

To measure gas quality and heating value

Question 5

Which method is commonly used by electric utilities to defer costly infrastructure upgrades through targeted customer demand reduction in specific areas?

Accepted Answer

Non-wire alternatives (NWAs) using demand response and distributed resources

Answer

Time-of-use pricing only

Answer

Building additional generating capacity

Answer

Increasing transmission voltage

Question 6

What is the primary risk addressed by cathodic protection on underground metallic pipelines?

Accepted Answer

Electrochemical corrosion of the pipe wall

Answer

Internal scaling from hard water

Answer

Gas odor loss over time

Answer

Pressure fluctuations during peak demand

Question 7

Which of the following best describes 'demand response' as used in electric utility management?

Accepted Answer

Voluntary or incentivized reduction of customer electricity use during peak periods

Answer

The utility's plan for emergency generator dispatch

Answer

Automatic voltage regulation at substations

Answer

Rate design for large commercial accounts