SOS NERC Prep - RElIABILITY Exam| 200 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | GRADED A

The Reliability Coordinator just informed you of a slow time error correction which will begin at the top of the next hour. Your EMS system will not let you change your scheduled frequency. Your Frequency Bias Setting is ...

The Reliability Coordinator just informed you of a slow time error correction which will begin at the top of the next hour. Your EMS system will not let you change your scheduled frequency. Your Frequency Bias Setting is -100 MW/.1Hz. What action should you take? A) Increase Net Interchange Schedule by 20 MWs. B) Inform the Reliability Coordinator that you cannot participate in the time error correction. C) Decrease Net Interchange Schedule by 20 MWs. D) Increase Net Interchange Schedule by 10 MWs. A) Increase Net Interchange Schedule by 20 MWs. A Balancing Authority has a sudden loss of a large block of load in its area. This loss will be seen instantaneously in the change of which of the following values? 1. Actual Net Interchange 2. Scheduled Frequency 3. Scheduled Net Interchange 4. Area Control Error A) 4 only B) 1 & 3 C) 1 & 4 D) 3 & 4 C) 1 & 4 Metered Data included in the calculation of ACE are: dynamic schedules, pseudo ties, actual frequency, and all __________. A) Tie lines readings B) Generators output C) Scheduled frequency indications D) Transformer load A) Tie lines readings Balancing Authority A is currently reading a system frequency of 60.00 Hz. Its Net Actual Interchange is +100 MW and its Net Scheduled Interchange is +200 MW. If Balancing Authority A's frequency bias setting is 100 MW/0.1 Hz, what is ACE? A) -100 B) 0 C) 10 D) 100 A) -100 A Balancing Authority has a Net Interchange Schedule of -250 MWs from 1200 to 1600 on a summer day. The Net Interchange Actual for those same hours respectively were -230 MW, -275 MW, -250 MW and -270 MW. What was the Balancing Authority's Inadvertent Interchange for the 4-hour period? A) 6 MWs out B) 25 MWs in C) 25 MWs out D) 6 MWs in B) 25 MWs in For the ACE equation to work properly, dynamic schedules, pseudo ties, frequency, and all ________________ must be metered. A) Generation B) Communications C) Transformers D) Tie lines D) Tie lines If the frequency bias setting is set to a less negative value than the frequency response of a Balancing Authority and a frequency increase is caused by a sudden loss of load in an external balancing area, what will be the result? A) The ACE will be zero and will take no AGC action B) The ACE will be a negative value and AGC will increase generation C) The ACE will be a positive value and AGC will lower generation D)This will not affect the ACE B) The ACE will be a negative value and AGC will increase generation If the frequency bias setting is less negative than the frequency response of a Balancing Authority and a frequency decline is caused by a sudden loss of generation in an external balancing area, what will be the result? A) The ACE will be a negative value and AGC will increase generation. B) This will not affect the ACE. C) The ACE will be a positive value and AGC will lower generation. D) The ACE will be zero and will take no AGC action. C) The ACE will be a positive value and AGC will lower generation. It is the responsibility of which entity/entities to develop, maintain, and implement load shedding plans? A) Transmission Operators and Balancing Authorities B) Reliability Coordinator C) Load Serving Entities D) Balancing Authority A) Transmission Operators and Balancing Authorities A Transmission line is loaded 25% above its SOL. A parallel line is out for routine maintenance and can be placed in service in 10 minutes. What is the first step the Operator should take to reduce the line loading? A)Shed load at the downstream bus. B) Open the line. C) Re-Dispatch Generation. D) Initiate the restoration of the parallel line. D) Initiate the restoration of the parallel line. As a Transmission Operator, you realize that the voltage level is starting to decline in the North West part of the system. Which of the following devices should you, as a Transmission Operator, be able to operate, and/or have another entity operate to raise the voltage level back to normal in the North West part of the system? A) Transformer Underload Tap Changers B) Shunt Capacitor Banks C) Generator Reactive Output D) All answers are correct D) All answers are correct Voltage reduction for load relief should be made on the __________. A) Distribution system B) Entire Interconnection simultaneously C) Tie-lines with other Balancing Authority Areas D) Transmission System A) Distribution system Under Frequency Load Shedding (UFLS) is to stabilize the imbalance between generation and load that has been created by a system disturbance. This is accomplished by ____________. A) Tripping generation first B) Voltage reduction on the distribution system. C) Shedding all load to arrest frequency D) Shedding load prior to generation tripping D) Shedding load prior to generation tripping Failure to meet the DCS criteria of recovery within 15 minutes results in which consequence for a specified time period for the Balancing Authority's failure to recover? A) Increased Contingency Reserve requirements B) Decertification as a Balancing Authority C) Not allowed to supply regulation services D) Expulsion from the Reserve Sharing Group A) Increased Contingency Reserve requirements A Balancing Authority foresees or is experiencing conditions where all available resources are committed to meet firm load, and firm transactions. The BA should request which level of the Energy Emergency Alerts? A) Energy Emergency Alert Level 2 B) Energy Emergency Alert Level 4 C) Energy Emergency Alert Level 1 D) Energy Emergency Alert Level 3 C) Energy Emergency Alert Level 1 Preparations are being made to tie two islands together during restoration. Island "A" has a frequency of 58.95 Hz and Island "B" has a frequency of 59.97 Hz. What action should be taken to synchronize the two islands? A) Shed load in Island "B" B) Shed load in Island "A". C) Disable the Synch Check Relay. D) Increase generation in Island "B". B) Shed load in Island "A". You experience a full system shutdown. You are in the process of restoring load and you are concerned about re-collapsing the system. Which is the best approach in the restoration process that will help ensure your system will be restored successfully? A) Maintain frequency between 59.5 HZ and 60.5 HZ. B) If the system has stabilized at below 60 HZ, shed 15% - 20% of the load to raise the frequency to 61 HZ. C) Avoid energizing loads in excess of 5% of the online generation capacity of the system. D) Operating reserves should be maintained to cover the largest generator currently in service. C) Avoid energizing loads in excess of 5% of the online generation capacity of the system. In the event a Balancing Area experiences multiple contingencies occurring within _________ of each other, it shall be treated as a single contingency. A) five minutes B) one minute or less C) fifteen minutes D) two minutes B) one minute or less When coordinating under frequency load shedding and under frequency generator tripping the _____________________________. A) generators should trip before the UFLS B) load should not be shed during the process C) generators should trip after the UFLS D) breakers should open at the same time as the UFLS C) generators should trip after the UFLS One of the functions of under frequency load shedding is to _________________ within an electrical island that may have been created by a system disturbance. A) balance generation and load B) establish balance between load and interchange C) stabilize balance between generators D) stabilize the Interconnection A) balance generation and load A major transmission line has become overloaded and the transmission operator has taken actions to unload the line. However, the overload persists, and the equipment is now in imminent danger of damage. What is the next action to take? A) Separate from the Interconnection B) Disconnect the overloaded line and notify the RC and affected Transmission Operators. C) Request a Transmission loading relief procedure D) Request permission from the RC to open the line. B) Disconnect the overloaded line and notify the RC and affected Transmission Operators. A report shall be submitted to NERC following the shedding of at least how much firm load? A) 100 MW B) 50 MW C) 200 MW D) 300 MW A) 100 MW The System Operator experiences a major transmission system disturbance which results in a large loss of load. Which of the following results is most likely to occur? A) a decrease in system voltage B) a decrease in system frequency C) an increase in system frequency D) an increase in system voltage in a wide-area C) an increase in system frequency A radial transmission line feeding a load is overloaded. The Transmission Operator must do which of the following to unload the line? A) Raise interchange schedule B) Lower interchange schedule C) Re-dispatch generation D) Shed load at the end of the line D) Shed load at the end of the line If a Balancing Authority is unable to purchase capacity or energy to meet its demand and reserve requirements on a day-ahead or hour-by-hour basis, which entity (or entities), is it expected to notify? A) All Reliability Coordinators. B) Its Reliability Coordinator and other Balancing Authorities C) All Reliability Coordinators and marketers D) Transmission Operators B) Its Reliability Coordinator and other Balancing Authorities Each Transmission Operator is required to have a system restoration plan. What is the first thing a Transmission Operator must do when energizing a blacked out area? A) Isolate the load. B) Turn all voltage regulators to the manual position. C) Contact the Regional Reliability Organization. D)Close any capacitor banks which are open. A) Isolate the load. After declaring an NERC EEA Level 3, load goes higher than your generation resources, what is an effective tool in restoring generation to load balance? A) Firm Load Shed B) Exceeding emergency limits C) TLR D) Voltage Reduction A) Firm Load Shed An 800 MW generator trips in a Balancing Authority external to your Balancing Authority Area. Which of the following indications would you expect to see in your area? A) Net Actual Interchange would decrease significantly. B) ACE would drop to approximately -800 MW. C) Frequency would drop, and ACE would remain relatively unchanged. D) Frequency would drop, and ACE would increase significantly. C) Frequency would drop, and ACE would remain relatively unchanged. When is the only time voltage reduction for load relief is acceptable on the transmission system? A) When voltage on the distribution system is already low. B) It is acceptable anytime load relief is needed. C) When the system is separated from the Interconnection. D) When Interconnection frequency is above 60.00 Hz. C) When the system is separated from the Interconnection. In system restoration, priority should be given to: A) Restoring customer load as quickly as possible. B) Reporting disturbance to NERC and DOE. C) Restoring auxiliary power to off-line generators. D) Restoring power to critical facilities. D) Restoring power to critical facilities. If a Balancing Authority or Reserve Sharing Group is experiencing conditions where all available resources are committed to meet firm load, firm transactions, and reserve commitments, what does the deficient entity need to request their Reliability Coordinator to issue? A) Energy Emergency Alert Level 3 B) Energy Emergency Alert Level 1 C) Energy Emergency Warning D) Energy Emergency Alert Level 2 B) Energy Emergency Alert Level 1 A Transmission Operator's Emergency Operating Plan states when voltages fall below .87 per unit (p.u.) or 87% of nominal voltage and remains at that level for a sustained period of 10 minutes or longer, manual load reduction actions are required. When the system voltage returns to .9 p.u. or 90% manual load disconnection is not required. If a generator trips off line within the BA and the nearby 230 kV system voltage immediately drops to 200 kV and remains at that level for the next 3 minutes. What is the BA required to do? A) Wait 7 minutes for the remaining generator AVRs to respond; close capacitor banks; adjust Transformer Taps. B) Immediately disconnect firm system load until the voltage returns to at least .9 p.u. Notify the RC of the amount of load disconnected. C) Immediately take actions to raise the voltage EXCEPT removing firm system load. Notify the RC and neighboring BA's. Prepare for manual load reduction if the voltage remains below .9 p.u. over the next 7 minutes. D) Notify the RC to help support voltage and await instructions to remove firm system load. C) Immediately take actions to raise the voltage EXCEPT removing firm system load. Notify the RC and neighboring BA's. Prepare for manual load reduction if the voltage remains below .9 p.u. over the next 7 minutes. A condition when a Load-Serving Entity has exhausted all other options and can no longer provide its customers' expected energy requirements is referred to as ____________? A) Energy Emergency B) Energy deficiency C) Load shortage D) Energy shortage A) Energy Emergency You are currently in the early stages of restoration with 600 MWs of synchronized generation. There is 200 MWs of spinning reserve available. To maintain acceptable frequency control, what is the largest block of load that can be restored at one time? A) 10 MWs B) 20 MWs C) 30 MWs D) 60 MWs C) 30 MWs If firm Load shed is imminent or in progress, what level Energy Emergency Alert is required? A) EEA 0 B) EEA 3 C) EEA 1 D) EEA 2 B) EEA 3 Why are high transmission system voltages a problem during system restoration? A) Because of the excessive MVAR supply from generators. B) Because of the excessive MVAR supply from energizing transmission lines. C) Because of shunt reactors that were left in service after the system collapse. D) Because of insufficient MVAR supply from generators that tripped off. B) Because of the excessive MVAR supply from energizing transmission lines. What is the most important information for load forecasting? A) Planned generation outages B) Planned transmission outages C) Historic load D) Weather forecast D) Weather forecast Which of the following describes Power Factor? A) Difference between real and reactive power B) The ratio of real power and apparent power C) Factors of magnetic strength D) Equation to determine real power B) The ratio of real power and apparent power A Balancing Authority has a 200 MW/0.1 Hz frequency bias with zero schedules. Frequency is 60.00 Hz and ACE is 0, what should the sum of all the Balancing Authorities Interconnection ties equal? A) Small MW amount out of the BA B) System Load C) Zero D) Total Generation C) Zero A simple power system is composed of three transmission lines that connect the generation area to the load area. The three lines are different lengths, but each line has the same impedance. Each line is initially loaded at 200 MW. The SOL of each line is 400 MW. If one of the three lines trips, what will be the loading on the shortest remaining line and will the SOL of either remaining line be violated? A) 400 MW/Yes B) 400 MW/No C) 300 MW/Yes D) 300 MW/No D) 300 MW/No During a lightning storm, a fault on a transmission line results in the transmission relay operating and locking-out. The transmission line cannot be returned to service. After running a contingency analysis, the Transmission Operator realizes that if another transmission line relays, there could be cascading outages into a neighboring system. Which of the following actions is appropriate for the Transmission Operator? A) Reduce transmission voltages by 5% to reduce customer demand. B) Notify others in the Interconnection of the situation via an Interconnection-wide telecommunications system. C) Continue operations without notifying anyone but try to reduce system loading. D) Prepare a disturbance report and forward it to the Reliability Coordinator. B) Notify others in the Interconnection of the situation via an Interconnection-wide telecommunications system. A Generator Operator has some vibration problems with a 500MW coal fired steam generator. As the result of the vibration problems the Generator Operator has to set the maximum reactive power production for that unit at 25 Megavar instead of the normal 200 Megavar. Who should the generator operator notify as the result of this problem? A) Transmission Operator B) System Coordinator C) Department of Energy (DOE) D) Regional Reliability Organization A) Transmission Operator A high voltage transmission line was scheduled out for routine maintenance several weeks in advance. On the scheduled outage date, field personnel call to inform the system operator that they will be taking the line out of service. Bad weather the previous day has forced other outages. What should the system operator do? A) Wait until peak is over to make a decision B) Run a power flow study to determine the effects of this line outage C) Do not allow the outage D) Allow the outage because it was scheduled in advanced B) Run a power flow study to determine the effects of this line outage Interconnection frequency is 60.20 Hz. Your ACE is a large positive value and your AGC is pulsing your units down. What should you do? A) Suspend AGC and investigate. B) Place AGC in flat tie line control. C) Leave AGC in operation as your units respond. D) Place AGC in constant frequency control. C) Leave AGC in operation as your units respond. Which of the following is the most common effect of a Geomagnetic Disturbance on the power system? A) Increase static electricity B) Transformer cores becoming saturated C) Generator output varies D) Abnormal VAR direction B) Transformer cores becoming saturated In a power system, which type of power provides indication of voltage problems, is critical for support of heavily loaded transmission lines, and is necessary to have sufficient dynamic reserves in preparation for a contingency? A) Solar Power B) Real Power C) Reactive Power D) Apparent Power C) Reactive Power You are a transmission operator and you have several large generators operating at full load on the western portion of your transmission system with 34 kV and 230 kV transmission lines connecting the generators to the larger metropolitan and Industrial areas in the eastern portion of your transmission system. You realize by SCADA indications that there is a large power angle approaching 88 degrees between some of the sending busses at the generation sites and the receiving buses around the load areas. You realize that the slightest contingency on the system could elevate the power angle above 90 degrees which could cause the generation and load areas to lose synchronism. What would be some of your first immediate responses to prevent this from happening? A) Raise the bus voltage at the receiving buses and at the sending buses, if possible. Then, have the balancing operator provide additional generation on line on the eastern portion of the large metropolitan area B) Schedule a conference call between the reliability organization and the generation schedulers so more generation could be brought on line. C) Call the Department of Energy, ask for the transmission and generation department and request their assistance. D) Place a line shunt reactor in service on one of the 345KV transmission lines. A) Raise the bus voltage at the receiving buses and at the sending buses, if possible. Then, have the balancing operator provide additional generation on line on the eastern portion of the large metropolitan area A System Operator must operate the transmission system so that instability, uncontrolled separation, or cascading outages will not occur as a result of _________. A) The most severe single contingency B) Normal operations C) External disturbances D) Any unplanned outage A) The most severe single contingency Which of the following actions would be required in accordance with COM-002-4 when communicating an Operating Instruction? A) A Balancing Authority repeats the operating instruction back to the Reliability Coordinator. B) A Reliability Coordinator clearly states the Operating Instruction. C) A Reliability Coordinator confirms the instruction was understood correctly or corrects the response if it is not repeated back correctly. D) All the Above D) All the Above The largest single contingency for Balancing Authority A is a unit rated at 900 MW. Which of the following disturbances would constitute a reportable disturbance for DCS evaluation based on the NERC DCS criteria? A) The loss of the 900 MW generating unit at 60% output. B) The loss of two 400 MW units 30 seconds apart. C) The loss of 750 MW of firm load. D) The loss of a 700 MW generating unit at 100% output. B) The loss of two 400 MW units 30 seconds apart. On a mild spring day, a transmission line trips. The line then trips again when energized. Which of the following is least likely to be the problem? A) Vandalism B) Overload C) Equipment failure D) Sabotage B) Overload Which of the following is NOT a requirement of the Reliability Coordinator concerning GMDs? A) Identify conflicts in their area's Transmission Operator plans B) Specify actions to be included in the Transmission Operator's GMD Operating Procedures C) Disseminate information concerning GMDs to entities in the Reliability Coordinator's Operating Plan D) Coordinate the GMD Operating Procedures of Transmission Operators in their area B) Specify actions to be included in the Transmission Operator's GMD Operating Procedures A transformer rated at 50 MVA is currently carrying 30 MW of load. At this load, what is the maximum allowable MVAR flow through the transformer? A) 50 MVAR B) 30 MVAR C) 40 MVAR D) 0 MVAR C) 40 MVAR System Operators shall act to maintain the reliability of its Area through actions of their own or by issuing Operating Instructions, such as, canceling outages, transmission reconfiguration, generation re-dispatch and load shed for what purpose? A) Prevent power flow B) Prevent uncontrolled separation and Cascading outages C) Serve interchange transactions D) Serve commercial loads B) Prevent uncontrolled separation and Cascading outages When two identical A/C generating units are operated in parallel on governor control, and one machine has a 5% droop and the other has a 10% droop, the unit with the greater governor droop will... A) No adjustment for frequency changes. B) Share load equally with the other machine. C) Tend to take the greater portion of load changes. D) Tend to take the lesser portion of load changes. D) Tend to take the lesser portion of load changes. A conductor is rated for 180 MVA, the current transformer at one end is rated at 160 MVA and the bus is rated at 200 MVA. What is the MVA limit for this transmission line? A) 160 MVA B) 100 MVA C) 180 MVA D) 200 MVA A) 160 MVA If a high voltage current (HVDC) ties is on the Scheduling Path for a transaction, the ____________ shall coordinate the Interchange Schedule with the Transmission Operator of the HVDC tie. A) Transmission Service Provider at the sending and receiving ends of the tie. B) Source and Sink Balancing Authorities C) Sending and Receiving Balancing Authorities D) Transmission Operators at the sending and receiving ends of the HVDC tie. C) Sending and Receiving Balancing Authorities Balancing Authorities on the Scheduling Path shall be responsible for assessing and approving or denying the Interchange Transaction based on which of the following: 1. Transaction Magnitude 2. Scheduling path 3. OASIS reservation 4. Ramp rate A) 1, 3 and 4 B) 1, 2 and 3 C) 2, 3 and 4 D) 1, 2 and 4 D) 1, 2 and 4 Who must approve a Reliability Adjustment Arranged Interchange before it becomes Confirmed Interchange? A) Only the Source and Sink Balancing Authorities associated with the Interchange B) The Reliability Coordinator approves all Reliability Adjustment Arranged Interchange C) All Balancing Authorities involved in the Interchange D) Each Balancing Authority and Transmission Service Provider associated with the Interchange A) Only the Source and Sink Balancing Authorities associated with the Interchange A Reliability Adjustment Arranged Interchange has been submitted and the Source Balancing Authority for the Interchange must deny it due to a reliability issue. What action must the Balancing Authority take? A) A Source BA cannot deny a Reliability Adjustment Arranged Interchange B) Inform the Transmission Service Providers of the Denial. C) Submit a Request for Denial within 10 minutes D) Notify the BA's Reliability Coordinator of the denial within 10 minutes D) Notify the BA's Reliability Coordinator of the denial within 10 minutes The Source Balancing Authority must assess the following items of Arranged Interchange before approving: A) Scheduling path connectivity B) Megawatt profile including Ramp start and stop times C) Interchange duration D) All the answers are correct D) All the answers are correct The total capacity of a facility in a transmission path is 1600 MW. The Available Transfer Capability of the same path from A to B is 1200 MW. An unscheduled (parallel) flow of 600 MW is also present from A to B. What is the maximum net interchange that can be scheduled from A to B? A) 1600 MW B) 600 MW C) 1200 MW D) 1000 MW C) 1200 MW Balancing Authority A (BA A) has two tie-lines with BA B with MW readings of +100 MW and -50 MW respectively. BA C has two tie-lines with BA B with actual MW readings of +60 MW and +90 MW respectively. If these are the only tie-lines for BA B, what is the net actual interchange for BA B? A) -150 B) -200 C) 200 D) 150 B) -200 When a Dynamic Schedule varies enough to require updating the tag, whose responsibility is it to ensure the update is accomplished? A) Sink Balancing Authority B) The Purchasing-Selling Entity responsible for tagging the schedule C) Transmission Service Provider D) Source Balancing Authority B) The Purchasing-Selling Entity responsible for tagging the schedule The Transmission Operator and Balancing Authority shall develop, maintain, and implement one or more Reliability Coordinator-reviewed Operating Plan. What is the purpose of Operating Plans? A) Update Regional Reliability Organization and NERC B) Notify all Reliability Coordinators in NERC C) Notify the Reliability Coordinator D) To address and mitigate operating Emergencies D) To address and mitigate operating Emergencies Which of the following would not be considered in determining ratings on transmission facilities? A) Power Transfer Distribution Factor B) Thermal limits C) Voltage limits D) Short-term loading limits A) Power Transfer Distribution Factor When would be the best time to schedule a capacitor bank outage? A) During projected light loading. B) During winter peak loading. C) During summer peak loading. D) When all the other reactive sources are scheduled for an outage. A) During projected light loading. Two lines of the same construction are both connected to Bus A and are both open at the other end. Line #2 is twice as long as Line #1. The voltage at the open end of Line #1 is 3% higher than the voltage at Bus A. What can you conclude about the voltage at the open end of Line #2? A) 3% lower than Bus A. B) More than 3% lower than Bus A. C) 3% higher than Bus A. D) More than 3% higher than Bus A. D) More than 3% higher than Bus A. In a system that is more capacitive than inductive, the current sine wave will lead the voltage sine wave which tends to ________________ voltage. A) decrease load B) raise C) have no effect D) lower B) raise A Transmission Operator experiences the unexpected loss of an internal 230 kV transmission line. This line will be out of service for more than two hours. The expected system peak will also be in the next two hours. Which of the following actions should the Transmission Operator take? A) Prepare for the next contingency B) Reduce the expected peak demand C) Contact neighboring entities D) Monitor the system until the line is back in service A) Prepare for the next contingency When or under what condition should the Transmission Operator disconnect from the interconnection? A) When their system is in severe violation of an IROL or SOL. B) When ordered to by the NERC. C) Only if directed by the Reliability Coordinator D) When the frequency is below 57 Hz. A) When their system is in severe violation of an IROL or SOL. The system is heavily loaded. Adjusting an under load tap changer (ULTC) tap setting to support low side voltage will move MVArs from the primary (high) side to the secondary (low) side of the transformer. As the MVArs move from the high side to the low side of the transformer, what will be the result of a tap change on the ULTC to raise low side voltage as the high and low side voltages become closer together in magnitude? A) The high side voltage will increase. B) The high side voltage will stay the same. C) The low side voltage will increase very little. D) The low side voltage will increase considerably. C) The low side voltage will increase very little. The Transmission Operator should consider which of the following when reactive resources are limited? 1. Re-dispatch even if that means going outside of economic dispatch 2. Unload heavily loaded lines through reconfiguration 3. Request reactive power support from lightly loaded systems 4. Direct neighboring area to shed load also A) 2 and 3 B) 1 and 2 C) 3 and 4 D) 1 and 4 B) 1 and 2 The Transmission Operator must inform which entity when an SOL has been exceeded and the actions being taken to return the system to within limits? A) Its Balancing Authority B) Its Supervisor C) Neighboring Transmission Operators D) Its Reliability Coordinator D) Its Reliability Coordinator The Transmission Operator Area is A) The control room where the Transmission Operator resides. B) Collection of Transmission assets that the TO is responsible for operating C) All equipment in the Balancing Authority area D) Substation and transmission lines 100 kV or above B) Collection of Transmission assets that the TO is responsible for operating Two adjacent lines exist in a Balancing Area that are the same length and have the same ratings. One line is overhead and the other is underground. How do these two lines respond as load picks up through the day? A) The overhead line will carry more of the load increase. B) The underground line will carry more of the load increase. C) The line with the higher impedance will carry more of the load. D) The load increase will be distributed evenly over the two lines. B) The underground line will carry more of the load increase. The loading on a transmission line is to the point at which the MVAR supplied from the lines natural capacitance equals the MVAR the line needs to support its voltage. This is known as ___________________. A) integrated peak B) instantaneous peak C) surge impedance loading D) maximum loading point (MLP) C) surge impedance loading Relays that are used primarily for power system equipment protection and not line protection are defined as __________ A) Pilot Relays B) Differential Relays C) Overcurrent Relays D) Distance Relays B) Differential Relays The Transmission Operator that you work for is installing new relays on some of their major transmission tie lines using newer technology. Who should your company notify before the work is begun? A) NERC Operating Committee. B) Adjacent transmission operators C) Neighboring Transmission Operators, Balancing Authorities, and Generator Operators. D) The Reliability Coordinator only. C) Neighboring Transmission Operators, Balancing Authorities, and Generator Operators. Which type of protective device calculates the impedance of a line by measuring the voltage and current of the line? A) Differential relay B) Special Protection System C) Distance relay D) Overcurrent relay C) Distance relay A car on a city street hit a 13 kV power pole causing A and B phases to wrap around each other. The 13 kV line relays back at the substation failed to trip the 13 kV circuit breaker feeding the troubled line. A 51 relay picked up and tripped the 138/13 kV transformer feeding the 13 kV system off line to protect it from damage. What type of relay is a 51? A) Ground B) Timed Overcurrent C) Differential D) impedance B) Timed Overcurrent Strategically placing generators on line in a Balancing Area to alter or change the flow of active and reactive power on a transmission system is ____________________. A) dispatching for Reliability or Reliability Dispatch B) Generation Lambda C) Economic Dispatch D) Power reallocation A) dispatching for Reliability or Reliability Dispatch A 345 kV line carrying 1250 MWs trips off line and the reason is unknown. A 230 kV parallel line is now in an SOL and IROL violation. The voltage levels at some substation buses are 10% below nominal. What can the Transmission Operator do to return the system back to within established voltage limits ready for the next contingency? A) Place shunt reactors in service, if available. B) Reenergize the tripped line. C) Send out an appeal for voluntary reductions. D) Re-dispatch generation, requesting megavar support from each generator, place all available voltage support equipment on line, and shed load if necessary. D) Re-dispatch generation, requesting megavar support from each generator, place all available voltage support equipment on line, and shed load if necessary. A step-down transformer has a 2 to 1 turn ratio. If the power flowing into the high side of the transformer is 140 MWs, what is the power flowing out? A) 150 MWs B) 140 MWs C) 280 MWs D) 70 MWs B) 140 MWs Voltage of a 345 kV transmission line is at 90% of normal. If you energize a capacitor rated at 100 MVar, what will be the actual MVars gained? A) 50 MVars B) 81 MVars C) 90 MVars D) 30 MVars B) 81 MVars If generators are supplying reactive power to the system, the generators are considered ______________. A) unity. B) underexcited. C) overexcited. D) synchronous. C) overexcited. As a Generator Operator, you realize that your generator voltage is swinging wildly. You place your generator voltage regulator on manual and adjust the voltage and reactive levels on the generator. Who do you contact and inform about the status of your generator voltage regulator? A) The Balancing Authority. B) The Reliability Coordinator. C) The Generator Operator. D) The Transmission Operator for the area the generator is located. D) The Transmission Operator for the area the generator is located. To be effective, reactive resources should be: A) Centrally located in the system. B) Distributed throughout the system. C) In areas subject to high voltage. D) Located close to generation. B) Distributed throughout the system. A tie line between Transmission Operator A and Transmission Operator B trips causing a thermal overload on an adjacent transmission line. Which entity takes corrective action? A) Transmission Area B B) Transmission Area A C) Transmission Operator A and B must coordinate D) The Reliability Coordinator will take charge. C) Transmission Operator A and B must coordinate The Reliability Coordinator shall prevent instability, uncontrolled separation, or cascading outages that adversely impact the reliability of the Interconnection by ensuring prompt action to prevent or mitigate instances of exceeding ____________? A) System Load demand predictions B) Interconnection Reliability Operating Limits (IROL) C) 30 minute violations D) Performance Standards B) Interconnection Reliability Operating Limits (IROL) A real-time contingency analysis shows a high voltage transmission transformer overloading to its load-shed or 1 hour rating if a parallel line trips. The area is going through its peak demand and load demand is expected to reduce in less than an hour. What action should the Reliability Coordinator coordinate? A) Reduce real-time loading on the line to be able to withstand the loss of the parallel line as soon as possible but no longer than 30 minutes B) Reduce customer demand at peak to be able to withstand the loss of the parallel line immediately C) Direct firm load shed immediately to reduce line loading D) Ride it out through the Peak and hope the line doesn't trip A) Reduce real-time loading on the line to be able to withstand the loss of the parallel line as soon as possible but no longer than 30 minutes A transmission line has a System Operating Limit (SOL) of 650 MWs. A firm transaction is scheduled to start at the top of the hour that will result the line being loaded to 665 MWs. There are currently non-firm transactions in place that have Power Transfer Distribution Factors (PTDF) of 0.2 on the overloaded line. How much of the non-firm will have to be cut to prevent exceeding the SOL? A) 15 MWs B) None. The firm transaction will not flow since the non-firm transactions were in place first. C) 75 MWs D) 30 MWs C) 75 MWs If analysis tools are unavailable due to planned maintenance activities, it shall be the responsibility of the Reliability Coordinator to have procedures in place to __________________. A) Notify neighboring RC's B) mitigate the effects of analysis tools outages C) notify neighboring Transmission Operators D) meet the reliability needs of the interconnection B) mitigate the effects of analysis tools outages Entities that have a reliability relationship with a Reliability Coordinator are required to provide the data it needs to monitor and assess the operations of its _______________________. A) Reliability Coordinator Area B) Bulk Electric System C) Area Control Error D) entire Transmission and Distribution system A) Reliability Coordinator Area A real-time contingency analysis shows that a radial transmission line will overload for the loss of the other line. What is the best course of action for the Reliability Coordinator? A) Skip this real-time contingency result B) Discuss with Transmission Operator and be prepared to direct load shed C) Build more generation at the load D) Discuss with Transmission Operator and direct load shed in advance of contingency B) Discuss with Transmission Operator and be prepared to direct load shed The Reliability Coordinator shall coordinate _____________________________ with other Reliability Coordinators and Transmission Operators, Balancing Authorities, and Generator Operators as needed, in both the real time and next-day reliability analysis timeframes. A) pending generation and transformer outages B) pending generation and transmission maintenance outages C) pending and actual forced outages D) all forced outages B) pending generation and transmission maintenance outages Balancing Authority A is importing 400 MWs of power from Balancing Authority B due to generation outages in BA A's area. This is causing the transmission path between the two BAs to approach its SOL. What should the system operators do? A) Balancing Authority B should monitor the path. B) Balancing Authority A should purchase from someone else. C) The BAs and the Reliability Coordinator should discuss and solve the potential SOL. D) The BAs should both act according to their best interest. C) The BAs and the Reliability Coordinator should discuss and solve the potential SOL. Operational Planning Analysis is a Reliability Analysis studies conducted by Reliability Coordinators for the purpose to assess whether the planned operations for the next day within its Wide Area, will exceed A) any of its Interconnection Reliability Operating Limits B) Cost/profitability of maintaining economic dispatch C) Operating limitations of generating facilities D) Available Transfer Capability A) any of its Interconnection Reliability Operating Limits The ________________ must have the authority, plan, and agreements in place to immediately direct reliability entities within their _________________ Areas to re-dispatch generation, reconfigure transmission or reduce load to mitigate critical conditions and return the system to a reliable state. A) Reliability Coordinator; Reliability Coordinator B) Balancing Authority; Balancing C) Transmission Operator; Transmission D) Operations; Planning A) Reliability Coordinator; Reliability Coordinator When a Reliability Coordinator is performing the next-day analysis for its Reliability Coordination Area, what information is required for the system study? A) Area Interchange Error (AIE) documents, area inadvertent accumulations, weather forecast and geomagnetic forecasts. B) Interchange transactions, area inadvertent accumulations, staffing summaries, and load. C) Critical facility status, load, generation, operation reserve projections, and known interchange transactions. D) Load, generation, Area Interchange Error (AIE) documents, operations reserve projections, and staffing summaries. C) Critical facility status, load, generation, operation reserve projections, and known interchange transactions. A Balancing Authority was only 95% compliant with the DCS criteria for the first quarter of the year. What action must the Balancing Authority take? A) Must carry additional regulating reserve for 3 months starting April 1. B) Must carry additional regulating reserve for 3 months starting May 1. C) Must carry additional contingency reserve for 3 months starting May 1. D) Must carry additional contingency reserve for 3 months starting April 1. C) Must carry additional contingency reserve for 3 months starting May 1. Sufficient Operating Reserve is defined as the capacity required to meet what? A) DOE specifications B) CPS and DCS C) Capacity Standard D) CPS 1 & 2 only B) CPS and DCS If a Balancing Authority has an ACE of -175 MW and Frequency is 59.85 Hz. Which real-time Control Performance Standard maybe outside of its low limit? A) AGC B) BAAL C) DCS D) CPS1 B) BAAL EMS and AGC have failed at 12:25 and generation must be controlled manually. At the top of the hour, load is expected to increase 100 MWs, imports will increase by 75 MWs. ACE is reading 25 MWs. What should the operator do now after verifying the ACE value? A) Increase generation by 25 MWs for the top of the hour B) Increase generation by 50 MWs C) Decrease generation by 25 MWs D) Decrease generation by 50 MWs C) Decrease generation by 25 MWs Which of the following conditions describes a case where a Balancing Authority is hindering the Interconnection scheduled frequency? A) ACE is negative while frequency is below 60.00 Hz B) ACE is positive while frequency is 60.00 Hz C) ACE is negative while frequency is above 60.00 Hz D) ACE is positive while frequency is below 60.00 Hz A) ACE is negative while frequency is below 60.00 Hz Balancing Authority "A" is importing 225 MWs,and is only scheduled to import 200 MWs. The BAs Beta is 200 MWs/.1 Hz and frequency is 59.99 Hz. What does ACE indicate? A) 45 MW over-generating B) 45 MW under-generating C) 20 MW over-generating D) 20 MW under-generating B) 45 MW under-generating A Balancing Authority has a normal load of around 8500 MW. Its most severe single contingency is a 700-MW coal-fired steam unit. At 0810 the ACE value was at -55 MW when a 600-MW generator in the Balancing Authority's northern area tripped off line as the result of a generator differential. This resulted in a large negative ACE for the Balancing Authority. What value must the ACE return to and in what time frame to avoid a DCS violation? A) -55 MW ACE in 10 minutes B) Zero ACE in 15 minutes C) -55 MW ACE in 15 minutes D) This did not constitute a reportable disturbance. C) -55 MW ACE in 15 minutes A Balancing Authority is performing Overlap Regulation Service for another Balancing Authority. Which of the following statements applies to the Balancing Authority providing this service? A) The Balancing Authority shall use the larger of the two Frequency Bias Settings in its ACE equation. B) The Balancing Authority's Frequency Bias Setting shall be modified to reflect the combined Frequency Bias Setting of both Balancing Areas. C) The Balancing Authority shall not adjust its Frequency Bias Setting, but instead import the other Balancing Authorities ACE reading. D) The Balancing authority shall use the average of the two Frequency Bias Settings in its ACE equation. B) The Balancing Authority's Frequency Bias Setting shall be modified to reflect the combined Frequency Bias Setting of both Balancing Areas. In a capacity deficiency situation, which actions should be considered if time permits prior to Firm Load Shed? A) Request the RC declare a NERC EEA Level 3 B) Ensure all available resources in use C) Implement local Load Management Procedures D) All the Above D) All the Above How often should the Transmission Operator and Balancing Authority review and update their Loss of Control Room Functionality Operating Plan? A) Every two years B) Annually C) As needed D) Every three years B) Annually A Balancing Area has separated from the Interconnection during a severe thunder storm and is in a blackout condition. Several plants tripped off-line including a 200 MW blackstart capable unit and a blackstart capable hydro plant located 175 miles from the load center connected by a 345 kV system. What actions should the BA take to restore the area? A) Open all breakers in area first then isolate the transmission paths into the power plants. B) Isolate the transmission paths into the power plants. Order the hydro plant on line and begin energizing customer loads. C) Close all the breakers that tripped to the blackstart capable units. D) Isolate the transmission paths into the power plants, Bring the 200 MW blackstart unit on line to support the power plants auxiliaries, add load in 10 MW blocks while increasing generation, Bring on additional generation. D) Isolate the transmission paths into the power plants, Bring the 200 MW blackstart unit on line to support the power plants auxiliaries, add load in 10 MW blocks while increasing generation, Bring on additional generation. A Balancing Authority's largest single contingency is a unit rated at 1,000 MW. Which of the following disturbances would constitute a reportable disturbance for Disturbance Control Performance evaluation based on the NERC DCS criteria? A) The loss of 715 MW of firm load. B) The loss of 3 generating units totaling 1,300 MW over a period of 3 hours. C) The loss of a 750 MW generating unit at 100% output. D) The loss of a 950 MW generating unit at 100% output. D) The loss of a 950 MW generating unit at 100% output. Where should the synchronization of islands occur? A) Remote Locations B) Predefined locations C) Outside of BA D) Control Room B) Predefined locations Which of the following is considered to be a reliability event? 1) Low voltage 2) Loss of a small generator 3) SOL or IROL exceeded 4) Loss of Energy Management System A) 1 and 3 B) 3 and 4 C) 1 and 2 D) 2 and 3 A) 1 and 3 A severe lightning storm has hit your transmission system and damaged two 345 kV lines (unable to be re-energized) and tripped two large generators of 500 MW and 700 MW off line. No additional generators are available and the parallel 230 kV are loaded at their emergency limits. What should the system operator do? A) Wait for the generator operator to report on when the generators can be back on line B) Remove system protection from the over loaded transmission lines to prevent tripping C) Shed Load D) Place all shunt reactors in service C) Shed Load If a circuit breaker does not have a synch-check, reclosing relay and has a large standing phase angle across it, how can the system operator know if it is safe to close the breaker avoiding shock torque to the neighboring generators? A) Ask the generator operators to change reactive to a leading power factor and then check the frequency. B) If the voltage is within +/- 10 % it is OK to close the breaker. C) Obtain help from the Regional operating committee engineers to advise you. D) Use the synchroscope in the substation control room as a guide to show you how to adjust the system to improve the phase angle. D) Use the synchroscope in the substation control room as a guide to show you how to adjust the system to improve the phase angle. When a system is in an island, how much load needs to be shed to compensate for a 1 Hz deviation in frequency? A) 1 to 2 % B) 3 to 5 % C) 10 to 12 % D) 6 to 10 % D) 6 to 10 % A radial transmission line is overloaded. Which action must a Transmission Operator do to unload the line? A) Lower interchange schedule. B) Shed load at the end of the radial line. C) Raise interchange schedule. D) Notify Balancing Authority to increase generation B) Shed load at the end of the radial line. When a high voltage transmission line's circuit breaker has tripped open as the result of a fault, a synchronous check type relay will monitor certain values on the line side of the open circuit breaker, and the bus side of the open circuit breaker. Before the synchronous check relay will close the open circuit breaker back, which of the following values must be within a certain limit before the circuit breaker will close automatically? A) Voltage magnitudes B) Frequency of the voltages, Voltage magnitudes, Phase Angle between the voltages C) Phase Angle between the voltages D) Frequency of the voltages B) Frequency of the voltages, Voltage magnitudes, Phase Angle between the voltages Your system is on the verge of a voltage collapse and all reactive resources are at maximum output. You have determined that shedding firm load will alleviate the problem. Before shedding the load, with whom must you confirm the action? A) No one B) The Load Serving Entity C) The Reliability Coordinator D) Other affected Transmission Operators A) No one System Restoration plans should establish the transmission system backbone using the highest voltage line available because of the ________ impedance of the ____________voltage lines. A) higher: lower B) capacitance; higher C) power flow; reactive D) lower; higher D) lower; higher You are a Reliability Coordinator experiencing a flow gate that has become overloaded because a parallel 345 kV line has relayed out causing an SOL violation. What would you do to relieve this violation? A) Order the line be placed back in service within 30 minutes. B) Notify the affected Reliability Coordinator and ask them to resolve this issue C) Implement the appropriate transmission loading relief procedures D) Issue a warning to the Transmission Operators that lost the 345 kV line. C) Implement the appropriate transmission loading relief procedures If you are still in an emergency after utilizing your own resources, reserves and readily available operating reserve including scheduling assistance from others, you should ______________. A) drop transmission lines B) put reactor banks in service C) manually shed load D) reduce voltage on the transmission system C) manually shed load A Transmission Operator is implementing their system restoration plan after a major system disturbance. When they are ready to energize a blacked-out area, the system operator must _________________. A) Close any capacitor banks which are open B) Turn all voltage regulators to the manual position C) Increase blackstart generator to maximum output D) Isolate the load D) Isolate the load Re-synchronization with the Interconnection should only be attempted at a _____________. A) Substation with a synchroscope B) Generating plant with an auto-synchronization relay C) Substation with auto re-closing relays D) Substation with an auto-synchronization relay A) Substation with a synchroscope During on-peak hours, a Transmission Operator suddenly recognizes that a heavily loaded transmission system has insufficient reactive resources to maintain nominal voltage. It is determined that firm load shedding will be necessary to avoid a potential voltage collapse on the transmission system. What would be the proper notification through predetermined communication paths in this circumstance? A) Its Reliability Coordinator and all other potentially affected Balancing Authorities and Transmission Operators B) Its Reliability Coordinator and all other potentially Purchasing Entities. C) All Balancing Authorities and Transmission Operators in the Interconnection electronically D) The Shift manager and Regional organization A) Its Reliability Coordinator and all other potentially affected Balancing Authorities and Transmission Operators Bulk Electric System facilities shall not be removed from service by a System Operator if removing those facilities would burden neighboring systems unless: 1) the Generator Operator coordinates with the Transmission Operator 2) the Transmission Operator coordinates with the Reliability Coordinator 3) the market is making money 4) The Generator Operator gets permission from its Purchase-Selling Entity A) 2 and 4 B) 3 and 4 C) 2 and 3 D) 1 and 2 D) 1 and 2 If a Transmission Operator or Balancing Authority is unable to restore Real and/or Reactive Power Balance, they must request emergency assistance from the Reliability Coordinator. If Operating reserves are not available, corrective action need to include: A) Reduce interchange between systems B) Implement manual load shedding. C) Reduce voltage on the distribution system. D) Notify the RRO. B) Implement manual load shedding. A System Operator is in the process of restoring load after a system collapse. The system currently has three generators online with a combined capacity of 1200 MWs. Current load on the system is 500 MWs. What is the maximum load that the System Operator can restore at one time without risking the re-collapse of the system. A) 25 MWs B) 80 MWs C) 35 MWs D) 60 MWs D) 60 MWs A Balancing Area's ACE is -40 MW at 1525 hours when the Balancing Authority loses 800 MW of generation. Initial governor action arrests frequency decay and shows the BA's ACE is now -852 MW. At 1542 hours, the BA's ACE is -42 MW and the system frequency is 60.001 Hz. Assuming this event meets the Disturbance Control Standard (DCS) reporting criteria, what other actions is the BA required to take? A) The BA must over generate for the hour to minimize inadvertent B) The BA recovered more than 80% of its most severe single largest contingency within 15 minutes. C) No further system operating action is required. D) The BA must notify the RC that Energy Emergency Alert is required to return ACE to ZERO. C) No further system operating action is required. What is the role of a Reliability Coordinator during system restoration? A) Direct Balancing to bring on generation B) Coordination between the Transmission Operators restoration plan C) Ensure that all breakers are open prior to restoration start D) Direct control over breaker operations B) Coordination between the Transmission Operators restoration plan Balancing Authority A has a peak load forecast of 5,000 MW at Hour Ending 1500 hour. Net Interchange Schedules are -1,500 MW (imports) for Hour Ending 0400 through 2200 hour. 500 MW is a Firm Schedule Total generation on-line is 7,500 MWs. A thunderstorm trips 3,000 MWs of generation at 1215 with a minimum re-synchronizing time of 3 hours. Generation also trips generation in the sourcing Balancing Authority which forces the exporting BA to instantly cut a 1,000 MW schedule to this BA to zero. A) Notify the RC that this BA is in an EEA Level 2; start all available generation; schedule emergency interchange purchases; demand-side management B) Notify the RC that this BA is in EEA Level 3; Notify Balancing Authorities and Transmission Operator that Load Shed is imminent. C) Notify the RC that this BA is in EEA Level 1; notify all power plants to be on alert. D) Notify the RC that this BA is shed 200 MW of load. A) Notify the RC that this BA is in an EEA Level 2; start all available generation; schedule emergency interchange purchases; demand-side management During system restoration, which of the following could cause problems if not considered? A) Cold-load pick up. B) The cost of the generation that is available. C) The interchange transactions that were in place prior to the system collapse. D) The ACE reading of your area. A) Cold-load pick up. A Balancing Authority that is operating asynchronously (separated from the Interconnection) should switch its AGC to which mode __________. A) tie line bias control B) flat frequency control C) flat tie-line control D) manual control B) flat frequency control A Transmission Operator Area has an instantaneous automatic Under-Frequency Load Shed Scheme segmented into a sequence of 4 Steps: Step 1 = 59.500Hz. removes 25MW; Step 2 = 59.300Hz. removes 20MW; Step 3 = 59.100Hz. removes 20MW; Step 4 = 58.900Hz. removes an additional 15MW. Step 3 & 4 will automatically reset and re-close restoring load when the frequency returns to 60.00 Hz. A large event occurs causing the system frequency to fall to 59.000Hz. and returns to 60.00Hz after 12 minutes. Assuming a constant load factor, what is the total load the TOP must restore manually once the frequency has recovered to 60.000Hz.? A) 45 MW B) 80 MW C) 65 MW D) 25 MW A) 45 MW You are ready to restore power to a generator facility. Which of the following Transmission lines would be the best choice to energize the facility? A) 10-mile, underground transmission cable. B) 25-mile, underground transmission cable. C) 25-mile, overhead transmission line. D) 10-mile, overhead transmission line. D) 10-mile, overhead transmission line. Resources that a system operator should use to identify, and correct emergency conditions include: A) Field Personnel B) Personal Experience C) Operating Procedures D) All the Above D) All the Above System Operators monitor system conditions closely so that A) They can keep busy B) They can identify changes that may signal a problem C) They can determine market participation D) They can identify maintenance plans B) They can identify changes that may signal a problem A 100-mile transmission line from Substation A to Substation B trips. The field crew reports a Zone 1 target at Substation A and a Zone 2 target at Substation B. The fault is anticipated to be _________. A) midway between A and B B) within 10 miles of A C) within 10 miles of B D) outside of the line segment B) within 10 miles of A You are a Reliability Coordinator in area Z. You have issued a Transmission Loading Relief procedure to relieve a constrained flowgate on the contract path that includes the Reliability Coordinator in area M where the Sink Balancing Authority is located. You have notified all other Reliability Coordinators via the Reliability Coordinator Information System. The Sink Balancing Authority for the curtailed Interchange Transaction should be notified by whom? A) Reliability Coordinator for area M B) The Power Marketer that set up the Interchange Transaction C) The Transmission Provider for the Sink Balancing Authority D) Reliability Coordinator for area Z A) Reliability Coordinator for area M In a Power System, cold load can best be described as which of the following? A) Load that is not factored into the interchange transaction B) Load at an ice plant C) Load that has been de-energized for an extended period D) Load that has been shed C) Load that has been de-energized for an extended period 150 MW is flowing into the high side of a 200 MVA transformer. If the transformer windings have a 2 to 1 ratio what MW value is flowing out of the low side winding of the transformer? A) 250 MW B) 200 MW C) 75 MW D) 150 MW D) 150 MW The Roxboro - Milburnie Black 230-kV line has 80 MW and 60 MVAR flowing into Milburnie Substation. What is the power factor? A) 80% B) 130% C) 60% D) 100% A) 80% Which entity integrates resource plans ahead of time, maintains load-interchange-generation balance within a Balancing Authority Area, and supports Interconnection frequency in real time? A) Reliability Coordinator B) Transmission Operator C) Load Serving Entity D) Balancing Authority D) Balancing Authority Which action (s) does a Reliability Coordinator have the authority to direct all reliability entities within its area to take to return the system to a reliable state. A) Re-dispatch generation B) Re-configure transmission C) Reduce load D) All the Above D) All the Above All real-time system operators must monitor ___________. A) Power flow within the system B) Status of generation and transmission C) System Voltage D) All the Above D) All the Above A Transmission line is loaded at 125% of its System Operating Limit. A parallel line is out for structure maintenance and will take several hours to return to service. Which of the following actions would be acceptable in these conditions? A) Re-dispatch generation to decrease loading on the line. B) Open the overloaded line immediately. C) Decrease the voltage setpoints on the generators in the area D) Wait until the parallel line is restored. A 25% overload is acceptable if the parallel line is returned by the end of the day. A) Re-dispatch generation to decrease loading on the line. Which of the following would you expect to experience during a Geo-Magnetic disturbance? A) System frequency declines below an acceptable operating level, and generator governors are required to take action to arrest the frequency decline. B) Significant low frequency induced currents enter the system through the grounded transformer neutrals, causing system overloads and harmful system wide harmonics. C) System voltages increase beyond safe operating levels. Requiring the operator to take action to absorb VARs from the system or decrease voltage schedules. D) Significant high frequency induced currents enter the system through the grounded transformer neutrals, causing system overloads and harmful system wide harmonics. B) Significant low frequency induced currents enter the system through the grounded transformer neutrals, causing system overloads and harmful system wide harmonics. Two phase conductors of a 138kV transmission line come in contact due to a storm, creating a phase to phase fault. The distance relay at each end of the line tripped and isolated the line. What two measured parameters of the line caused the distance relay to operate? A) Resistance and Impedance B) Temperature and length C) MWs and MVARs D) Voltage and current D) Voltage and current Which equipment should be used first for maintaining or increasing system voltages? A) Transmission Breakers B) Shunt Capacitor Banks C) Shedding unnecessary load D) Generator Reactive maximum output B) Shunt Capacitor Banks The maximum and minimum voltage, current, frequency, real and reactive power flows on individual equipment under steady state, short-circuit and transient conditions, as permitted by the equipment owner is ____________. A) Always changing. B) The point of collapse C) The System Operating Limit D) Equipment Rating D) Equipment Rating There is a 50 MVAR rated capacitor in your system that is currently supplying 45 MVARs to the system. Which of the following conditions is most likely the cause? A) The voltage is low in the area of the capacitor. B) The frequency is above 60.00 Hz. C) The frequency is below 60.00 Hz. D) The voltage is high in the area of the capacitor. A) The voltage is low in the area of the capacitor. What would be the expected result at a bus when a long transmission line is placed in service from that bus with the other end of the line open? A) Bus voltage will decrease. B) MVARs would begin flowing into the open- ended line. C) Nothing. D) Bus voltage would increase. D) Bus voltage would increase. What is a contingency? A) Actual loading on a circuit B) The unexpected loss of telecommunications C) The unexpected failure of a system component D) An operating procedure C) The unexpected failure of a system component Voltage is dropping on a 345 kV transmission system. Which of the following devices can be used to increase voltage in the 345 kV system? 1. Shunt Capacitor 2. Generator 3. Under-load tap changer increases to raise distribution voltage 4. Shunt Reactor A) 2 and 4 B) 1, 2 and 3 C) 1 and 2 D) 3 and 3 C) 1 and 2 If a Transmission Operator is experiencing an SOL and anticipates having to shed firm load to return to within limits, which entity (ies) must be notified? A) All Reliability Coordinators and Balancing Authorities. B) Its Reliability Coordinator only. C) All Reliability Coordinators and all Balancing Authorities and Transmission Operators. D) Its Reliability Coordinator and all other potentially affected Balancing Authorities and Transmission Operators. D) Its Reliability Coordinator and all other potentially affected Balancing Authorities and Transmission Operators. A 360 MW Interchange Transaction is curtailed to 0 MWs at 1540. What was the hourly integration for hour ending 1600? A) 240 MWh B) 0 MWh C) 120 MWh D) 360 MWh A) 240 MWh An Arranged Interchange involves the following entities: Source Balancing Authority, Sink Balancing Authority, two Intermediate Balancing Authorities, two Transmission Service Providers and four PSEs. Which entities must receive the Arranged Interchange for reliability assessment? A) Source and Sink Balancing Authorities and the two Transmission Service Providers B) Source, Intermediate and Sink Balancing Authorities, the two Transmission Service Providers and all four PSEs C) Source and Sink Balancing Authorities and all four PSEs D) Source, Intermediate and Sink Balancing Authorities and the two Transmission Service Providers D) Source, Intermediate and Sink Balancing Authorities and the two Transmission Service Providers In developing and setting up an Arranged Interchange, which of the following would transition the Arranged Interchange to the Confirmed Interchange status? A) The TSP's and BA's listed on the Tag have approved the Tag. B) The BA's and TSP's listed on the Tag have enter the information in their EMS C) All PSE's listed on the Tag have provided approval. D) All RC's listed on the tag have provided approval. A) The TSP's and BA's listed on the Tag have approved the Tag. Which entity is responsible for notifying all involved parties of Interchange that has been transitioned to confirmed status? A) The Sink Purchasing-Selling Entity B) The Reliability Coordinator C) The Sink Balancing Authority D) The Source Balancing Authority C) The Sink Balancing Authority Two Balancing Authorities have arranged for an Interchange Agreement. However, in this deal a High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Transmission Operator is on the scheduling path. What must the Balancing Authorities in whose area the HVDC tie is controlled do prior to implementing the Interchange Agreement? A) Coordinate the Interchange Schedule with the Transmission Operator of the HVDC tie. B) Request the RC to complete the transaction. C) Nothing needs to be done with the HVDC Transmission Operator because they will rectify any amount of Megawatt flow as long as it does not exceed their operating limits. D) Send the HVDC Transmission Operator a copy of the Interchange Agreement after the Schedule has started ramping. A) Coordinate the Interchange Schedule with the Transmission Operator of the HVDC tie. Which entities may determine the deviation of a Dynamic Schedule constitutes a reliability concern? Also, what entity must then notify that determination? A) A Reliability Coordinator or Transmission Operator makes the determination and must notify the Sink Balancing Authority. B) Only the Reliability Coordinator may make the determination and must notify the Purchasing-Selling Entity. C) Only the Transmission Operator may make the determination and must notify the Source Balancing Authority. D) A Reliability Coordinator or Transmission Operator makes the determination and must notify the Purchasing-Selling Entity. D) A Reliability Coordinator or Transmission Operator makes the determination and must notify the Purchasing-Selling Entity. Who is responsible for notifying involved entities when an Arranged Interchange transitions to a Confirmed Interchange? A) The Purchase-Selling Entity B) The Reliability Coordinator C) The Sink Balancing Authority D) The Source Balancing Authority C) The Sink Balancing Authority Which of the following Dynamic Schedules must have a modified tag? A) The Dynamic Schedule is 200 MW and the hourly integrated value is 230 MWH. B) The Dynamic Schedule is 300 MW and the hourly integrated value is 320 MWH. C) The Dynamic Schedule is 100 MW and the hourly integrated value is 120 MWH. D) The Dynamic Schedule is 275 MW and the hourly integrated value is 300 MWH. A) The Dynamic Schedule is 200 MW and the hourly integrated value is 230 MWH. The transmission system must be operated so that instability, uncontrolled separation, or cascading outages will not occur as a result of the most severe single contingency AND A) System operating violations B) Specified multiple contingencies C) External disturbances D) All multiple contingencies B) Specified multiple contingencies A System Operator identifies a transmission line that is operating at 100% of its SOL. What should be done? A) Reduce line voltage. B) Monitor for necessary action. C) De-energize the line. D) Immediately reduce the loading. B) Monitor for necessary action. You receive an alarm that indicates low oil pressure on an underground transmission cable. SCADA shows the pressure is continuing to drop. What is the first step you would take to protect the line? A) Isolate the line. B) Notify field personnel to identify the problem. C) Lower the line loading and dispatch maintenance personnel. D) Schedule maintenance for the next day. A) Isolate the line. When evaluating a line outage request, you must show that your transmission system can handle the outage without violating IROL or SOL due to which of the following? A) Protection Systems misoperations B) Contingencies C) Extra High Voltage tie-line outages D) Large Generator failures B) Contingencies A 345 kV line has a MW flow of 400 and a MVAR flow of 300. The thermal limit of the line is 600 MVA. Assuming the line voltage is 352 kV, what is the MVA loading on the line and is the line within its thermal limits? A) 500 MVA/Yes B) 700 MVA/Yes C) 500 MVA/No D) 700 MVA/No A) 500 MVA/Yes When a Transmission Operator recognizes that potential or actual line loading and voltage or reactive levels are such that a single Contingency could threaten the reliability of the Interconnection, what should the Transmission Operators do? A) By facsimile to each other entity using a standard form. B) Inform its Reliability Coordinator and known impacted BA and TOPs C) Individual telephone calls to each other entity - Reliability Coordinator first. D) Individual telephone calls to each other entity - Transmission Operators first. B) Inform its Reliability Coordinator and known impacted BA and TOPs To predict the system's near-term load pattern, a system operator must have information including weather forecasts and . A) Generator efficiency ratings B) Sufficient metering C) Generator overhaul schedules D) Past load patterns D) Past load patterns A major disturbance occurs with substantial loss of load. The disturbance report states that the cause of the disturbance was angle instability. Angle instability is the result of: A) A shortage of reactive reserve. B) A loss of generator excitation. C) Exceeding voltage limits. D) A loss of magnetic bonds. D) A loss of magnetic bonds. Steady-State Stability occurs when _________________ are taking place. A) no significant system disturbances B) only single system contingencies C) only specified multiple contingencies D) large power angles changes A) no significant system disturbances What is defined as an automatic protection system designed to detect abnormal or predetermined system conditions and take corrective actions other than and/or in addition to the isolation of faulted components to maintain system reliability. A) Lockout Relay B) Protective Relay Scheme C) Undervoltage Load Shedding D) Special Protection System D) Special Protection System A 50 MVA transformer has 30 MW's of load. How many MVARs can flow through the transformer? A) 0 MVAR B) 50 MVAR C) 40 MVAR D) 30 MVAR C) 40 MVAR Station A's primary bus is connected to Station B's primary bus by a 230 kV transmission line. Both stations have a 100 MVAR switchable shunt capacitor bank currently offline. The SOL on this line is 350 MVA. The System Operator notices that the flows on the line are as follows: 345 MW from Station A towards Station B 100 MVAR from Station B towards Station A What should the system operator do to return the system to its operating limits? A) Energize a Reactor Bank at station A B) Place the capacitor bank on-line at Station B C) Place the capacitor bank on-line at Station A D) Remove the transmission line from service C) Place the capacitor bank on-line at Station A The maintenance and relay testing organization wants to take a 161 kV shunt capacitor bank out of service to replace some capacitor cans and change out an insulator. Since this is not emergency work, when would be the best time to schedule the shunt capacitor outage? A) During the summer when peak loading is at its highest B) During a winter morning C) Anytime shunt reactors are also in outage D) During projected light loading times D) During projected light loading times What type of relay uses a combination of current transformer (CT) measurements and potential transformer (PT) measurements and operates when the ratio of the PT measurement to CT measurement is below a certain limit for a given period of time? A) Differential relay B) Distance relay C) Lockout relay D) Time overcurrent relay B) Distance relay Protective relays such as Transmission Line relays and Transformer Differential relays have current flowing to them that is proportional to the current that is in the primary circuit. In most cases, what is used to transform the current from the primary circuit to a smaller proportional amount that flows to the protective relay? A) Series Capacitors. B) Current Transformers. C) Potential Transformers. D) Voltage reduction relays. B) Current Transformers. Transmission Operators frequently use distance relays to protect their transmission lines. These distance relay schemes quite often use __________zones of protection. A) three B) 3 for each phase totaling 9 C) five D) one A) three Voltage collapse is an uncontrollable reduction in system voltage caused by a deficiency of reactive power to serve the inductive load. This condition can be a result of which of the following? 1. Heavy power transfers 2. Forced transmission outages 3. Forced reactive resource outages such as Generators and Shunt Capacitors A) 3 only B) 1 and 2 C) 1, 2 and 3 D) 2 only C) 1, 2 and 3 If reactive resources are limited, a Transmission Operator should: 1) Keep voltage schedules as low as the voltage schedules allow 2) Consider reducing real (MW) power to increase reactive (MVAR) availability 3) Ensure sufficient dynamic reserves are available 4) Increase loading on the transmission system A) 1 and 2 B) 3 and 4 C) 2 and 3 D) 2 and 4 C) 2 and 3 There is a high voltage alarm on a 500 MW generator. The generator operator notices that the overvoltage relay repeatedly attempts to lower the generator voltage but can't. The generator operator quickly switches the generator voltage regulator from automatic to manual and manually adjusts the voltage of the generator back down to a normal voltage level. After inspection, the test engineers indicate that the voltage regulator is broken and will be out for several hours. At what reactive level should the generator operator have on the generator while the voltage regulator is out of service for repairs? A) Keep the generator at the lowest voltage level as possible to keep from damaging it from unexpected high voltage levels. B) Operate the generator at just under the high voltage alarm point to make sure the generator does not slip a pole in case of a voltage emergency on the transmission system. C) Take the generator off line immediately. D) Operate the generator voltage within its safe limits at a level to maintain the voltage schedule at the interconnection of the generator facility and the transmission operators common point. D) Operate the generator voltage within its safe limits at a level to maintain the voltage schedule at the interconnection of the generator facility and the transmission operators common point. As system loads increase, how should the System Operator respond to the impact of load increase on the power system? A) capacitor banks should be removed from service and generators should be operating a maximum reactive output B) the reactive requirements will increase, and the operator must ensure voltage levels and reactive resources are controlled C) Tap changing transformers should be turned to manual and capacitor banks should be removed from service D) the reactive requirements will decrease, and the operator should reduce voltage B) the reactive requirements will increase, and the operator must ensure voltage levels and reactive resources are controlled What is the main cause for having low voltage on the Transmission and Distribution system? A) The generators on the system producing megavars in excess of their megawatts. B) A shortage of reactive resources. C) An excessive amount of reactive power. D) Not enough transmission lines in service to carry the load. B) A shortage of reactive resources. Which of the following actions is used to prevent voltage collapse when reactive resources are insufficient? A) Lower transmission voltage regulator settings. B) Reduce generator output. C) Offset scheduled frequency. D) Implement load reduction. D) Implement load reduction. Balancing Authority A is experiencing voltages of 0.9 per unit (pu). Neighboring Balancing Authority B requests emergency energy assistance from BA A. What should BA A do? A) Balancing Authority A should implement voltage reduction B) Balancing Authority B should increase generation C) Balancing Authority A should start generation D) Balancing Authority B should increase voltage C) Balancing Authority A should start generation A system operator is anticipating a heavy load day. Which of the following would alert a system operator to a potential voltage collapse? A) System voltages are low B) ULTC adjustments fail to change the voltage C) Reactive power outputs approaching maximum D) All the Above D) All the Above A 500-kV tie line between two Transmission Operators also crosses the boundary between two Reliability Coordinators. The substation at one end of the line is just within Reliability Coordinator A's area, while the other end is well within Reliability Coordinator B's area. The line often has voltage problems due to heavy unscheduled flow. Which of the following statements is correct? A) The Reliability Coordinators should not be involved, the Transmission Operators should handle the voltage control. B) Both Reliability Coordinators should have Operating Procedures, Processes, or Plans to address voltage control issues on the line. C) Reliability Coordinator B is responsible for directing voltage control for the line terminals. D) Reliability Coordinator A is responsible for directing voltage control for the line terminals. B) Both Reliability Coordinators should have Operating Procedures, Processes, or Plans to address voltage control issues on the line. When a Reliability Coordinator refers to a GMD, what is being referred to? A) Generation Monitoring Device B) Ground Modeled Distribution C) General Modeling Display D) Geo-Magnetic Disturbance D) Geo-Magnetic Disturbance The Reliability Coordinator shall identify sources of large _______________________ that may be contributing to Frequency Error, Time Error, or Inadvertent Interchange and shall discuss corrective actions with the appropriate Balancing Authority. A) Wheeling Errors B) Balancing Authority Errors C) Area Control Errors D) Regional Errors C) Area Control Errors A portion of a Reliability Coordinator Area is experience declining voltage and is running short on reactive reserves. Which Operating Instruction should the Reliability Coordinator give? A) Lower transfers across area and decrease generation B) Increase transfers across area and decrease generation C) Lower transfers across area and increase generation D) Increase transfers across area and increase generation C) Lower transfers across area and increase generation Some inadvertent interchange is unavoidable. Which of the following would help keep inadvertent interchange down to a minimum? A) Run one generator on AGC and the rest on manual so all the AGC signals strength can be used. B) Schedule small blocks of megawatts across three consecutive hours. C) Have correct interchange schedules and accurate tie line metering. D) Increase the frequency bias setting in the ACE equation. C) Have correct interchange schedules and accurate tie line metering. Transmission Operator A has a local procedure that requires opening one end of the 161 kV line to relieve a constrained facility. Opening the 161 kV line forces the megawatt flow to take alternate paths. The Reliability Coordinator should use this Operating Procedure___________________? A) if it will work B) It is approved by NERC C) It is approved by the other Reliability Coordinators D) if it has been agreed to by all affected entities D) if it has been agreed to by all affected entities Conditions that might require a Reliability Coordinator to notify other Reliability Coordinators include which of the following? 1. Sabotage events 2. Interconnection Reliability Operating Limit violations 3. Voltage reductions 4. Insufficient resources 5. Arming of special protection systems A) 1, 3, and 5 only B) 3, 4, and 5 only C) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 D) 1, 2, and 3 only C) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 Which entity shall initiate an Energy Emergency Alert and act to mitigate the emergency condition? A) Reliability Coordinator B) Transmission Owner C) Transmission Operator D) Balancing Authority A) Reliability Coordinator Which entity is the key point of contact when emergencies occur or are expected to occur? A) Transmission Operators B) Interchange Authority C) Balancing Authority D) Reliability Coordinator D) Reliability Coordinator Interchange Schedules must begin and end at times agreed to by ___________________________. A) Source, Sink, and Intermediate Balancing Authorities B) Source and Sink Balancing Authorities and Purchasing Selling Entities C) Sending and Receiving Balancing Authorities and Transmission Operators D) Sending and Receiving Balancing Authorities and Transmission Service Providers A) Source, Sink, and Intermediate Balancing Authorities The Frequency schedule for the Interconnection is 60.000 Hz. The Balancing Authority operator notices that the actual frequency has been running from 60.035 to 60.045 for 30 minutes. This indicates to the Balancing Authority Operator that there ___________________. A) is less generation than load. B) are voltage schedules that are too high C) is a large generator that has tripped off line D) is more generation than load D) is more generation than load A disturbance in Balancing Authority 2 causes frequency to drop to 59.94 Hz. A line from Balancing Authority 1 to Balancing Authority 2 increases to above its thermal limit. What action should the Reliability Coordinator take? A) Contact Balancing Authority 2 to discuss or direct mitigating actions. B) Raise generation to help restore frequency. C) Shed load in Balancing Authority 1 to help restore frequency. D) Open the overloaded line. A) Contact Balancing Authority 2 to discuss or direct mitigating actions.