Advanced scientific principles Flashcards
(260 cards)
What major changes occurred in the English electricity industry in 1990?
Privatisation of the 12 regional electricity boards
Which of the following organisations owns and operates power stations that generate electricity from various sources?
Generators
What is the primary role of the Transmission System Owner in the UK power system?
Owning and maintaining the high-voltage transmission system
How does the system operator balance electricity demand and generation output?
By asking generators to increase output
What is distributed generation (DG) in the power system context?
Generation connected to the distribution network
In a three-phase AC generator, how are the windings on the stator arranged to produce a three-phase output?
Windings are connected in a star configuration
What is the purpose of step-up transformers in the UK power system?
To increase the voltage for long-distance transmission
Which type of electricity generation method is known for its ability to produce electricity without significant transmission losses over long distances?
High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC)
What is the primary source of heat for most electricity generation methods in the UK?
Fossil fuels and nuclear fission
What is the purpose of combined heat and power (CHP) generation systems?
To maximize waste heat by using it for heating or production processes
What is the term for a chemical solution that contains many ions and is used in battery production?
Electrolyte
Which two companies took over the CEGB’s big coal-fired power stations in 1991 in the UK?
National Power and Powergen
In the UK, which organization is responsible for the transportation of electricity between power stations and from region to region?
National Grid
What type of electricity generation method uses the Sun’s heat energy transferred to fluids to produce electricity?
Solar thermal
Which type of electricity generation system captures waste heat or thermal energy for heating schemes or production processes?
Combined heat and power (CHP)
What is the primary purpose of the interconnectors between the UK and Europe?
To pool capacity and diversity of supplies
Which of the following is NOT a current interconnector between the UK and Europe?
750 MW between England and Ireland
What type of network carries electricity from primary substations to customers at low voltage levels in urban and rural areas?
Secondary distribution network
Which type of transformer is used to decrease the voltage from high voltage transmission systems to a more manageable level for local distribution?
Step-down transformer
What is the name for the network of circuits, overhead lines, underground cables, and substations that link power stations and distribute electricity around the country?
Power grid
Which of the following is NOT a common voltage supply system used for electricity distribution in work premises?
Two-phase AC
In the UK, where is direct current (DC) occasionally used for public electricity supplies?
Links between England, the Netherlands, Ireland, and France
What is the primary purpose of DC battery systems in modern installations?
To store excess electricity for vehicle charging points
Why is alternating current (AC) the distribution system of choice for electricity suppliers worldwide?
AC allows for a wider range of circuit arrangements and supply voltages.