Deck 1: Introduction to the Smart Grid

Question 1

Identify the three most pressing factors driving the need for change in the traditional electric grid.

Answer 1

Expanding national and world population, all of whom will need some level of electric service.
Increased expectations of people in developing areas for more and better electric service.
Development of whole new generations of electrical and electronic devices that nearly all people want to own or use.

Question 2

List two environmental factors that also increased the need for change in the traditional grid.

Answer 2

The rapid development of alternative electrical energy sources.
The need to conserve water use and prevent water pollution.

Question 3

List the basic deficiencies in the traditional electric grid that increase its vulnerability to failure as power use continues to rise.

Answer 3

High rate of power loss from long distance transport
Limited ability to respond to peak load requirements
Lack of backup capacity

Question 4

Identify three new components of the smart grid.

Question 5

Home segments of the smart grid often use _____________________ technology that sends communications over the same lines that distribute AC power.

Question 6

More than half of Canadian electric power is produced from ___________________ at present.

Question 7

The total asset value of electrical facilities in the U.S.is around $8 billion and the industry's annual sales are around $3 billion, according to the U.S.Department of Energy.

Question 8

Describe some of the sources requiring the greatest demand for electric power.

Question 9

Coal-burning power plants are the predominant source of electricity generation in the U.S.

Question 10

Natural gas plants and ____________________ each produce about one-fifth (20%) of the nation's power.

Question 11

____________________ is the preferred form of energy because it is clean, easily controlled, and equally well-suited for micro and macro applications.

Question 12

The end points of the electric grid are ____________________.

Question 13

Briefly describe the traditional electric grid.

Question 14

The U.S.smart grid is developing primarily using ___________________ communication to transmit information.

Question 15

Discuss the importance of a power usage monitor in assisting the homeowner in improving energy efficiency.

Question 16

____________________ generating equipment for home installation is now available from several manufacturers and can be installed by a professional service or by the homeowner.

Question 17

A(n) ____________________ allows the homeowner to monitor power use over time and confirm the effectiveness of energy efficiency measures as well as efforts to reduce peak demand usage.

Question 18

A smart meter is the only device required to make a smart grid home more energy efficient.

Question 19

The generating capacity of the smart grid is decentralized.

Question 20

An efficient and safe method of meeting peak demands needs is to transport power into the high demand area from another part of the grid where demand is lower.