Utility Operations & Infrastructure Flashcards
7 cards from real UMC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Utility Operations & Infrastructure flashcards as text
What is the function of a load balancer in an electric distribution network?
Answer: To redistribute load among feeders to prevent overloading any single circuit
Load balancing redistributes electrical load across multiple feeders or phases to prevent thermal overloads, reduce losses, and improve reliability.
Which wastewater treatment level specifically targets nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus?
Answer: Tertiary (advanced) treatment
Tertiary or advanced treatment processes—including biological nutrient removal and chemical precipitation—are required to remove nutrients that cause eutrophication.
A utility notices its system average interruption duration index (SAIDI) has increased year over year. This indicates:
Answer: Customers are experiencing longer total outage durations on average
SAIDI measures the average total duration of interruptions per customer per year; an increase means customers are spending more cumulative time without power.
In a natural gas distribution system, what is the purpose of a pressure regulating station (PRS)?
Answer: To reduce high transmission pressure to safe distribution pressure levels
A pressure regulating station uses regulator valves to step down high-pressure transmission gas to lower distribution pressures suitable for customer delivery.
Which method is commonly used by electric utilities to defer costly infrastructure upgrades through targeted customer demand reduction in specific areas?
Answer: Non-wire alternatives (NWAs) using demand response and distributed resources
Non-wire alternatives deploy demand response, energy efficiency, and distributed energy resources at targeted locations to reduce peak load and defer traditional infrastructure investments.
What is the primary risk addressed by cathodic protection on underground metallic pipelines?
Answer: Electrochemical corrosion of the pipe wall
Cathodic protection applies an electrical current to counteract the electrochemical reactions that cause corrosion on buried metal pipe surfaces.
Which of the following best describes 'demand response' as used in electric utility management?
Answer: Voluntary or incentivized reduction of customer electricity use during peak periods
Demand response programs compensate customers for reducing or shifting electricity consumption during high-demand periods, helping utilities manage peak load without additional generation.