BGE Renewable Energy & Sustainability 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is considered a renewable energy source?
- Natural gas
- Coal
- Solar power (Correct answer)
- Petroleum
Correct answer: Solar power
Solar power is considered a renewable energy source because it harnesses energy from the sun, which is an inexhaustible natural resource. Unlike fossil fuels like natural gas, coal, and petroleum, solar energy replenishes naturally and does not deplete finite resources.
Question 2: What is the main environmental benefit of using wind energy for electricity generation?
- Reduces air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions (Correct answer)
- Requires minimal land use
- Provides constant energy output
- Uses fossil fuel backup power
Correct answer: Reduces air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions
The main environmental benefit of wind energy is that it generates electricity without burning fossil fuels, thereby producing no air pollutants or greenhouse gas emissions during operation. This significantly contributes to combating climate change and improving air quality.
Question 3: Which technology is used to store excess renewable energy for later use?
- Hydraulic pumps
- Battery storage systems (Correct answer)
- Coal reserves
- Gas turbines
Correct answer: Battery storage systems
Battery storage systems are essential for integrating intermittent renewable energy sources like solar and wind into the grid. They store excess electricity generated during periods of high production and discharge it when demand is high or generation is low, improving grid stability and reliability.
Question 4: Which government policy promotes the use of renewable energy?
- Subsidies for fossil fuels
- Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) (Correct answer)
- Coal industry tax breaks
- Reduced regulations for power plants
Correct answer: Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS)
Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) are state-level policies that mandate utilities to generate a certain percentage of their electricity from renewable energy sources by a specific date. These policies are a key driver for increasing renewable energy deployment and investment.
Question 5: What is a major challenge associated with solar and wind energy?
- Intermittency due to weather dependence (Correct answer)
- Excessive carbon emissions
- High water consumption
- Limited land availability
Correct answer: Intermittency due to weather dependence
A major challenge with solar and wind energy is their intermittency, meaning their output fluctuates based on weather conditions like sunlight availability and wind speed. This variability makes it difficult to consistently match electricity supply with demand without reliable storage or backup power.
Question 6: Why is energy efficiency important in sustainability efforts?
- Increases power plant production
- Lowers energy consumption and emissions (Correct answer)
- Eliminates the need for electricity
- Reduces electricity costs for businesses only
Correct answer: Lowers energy consumption and emissions
Energy efficiency is crucial for sustainability because it means achieving the same level of service or output with less energy input. This directly leads to reduced overall energy consumption, which in turn lowers greenhouse gas emissions and decreases the strain on natural resources.
BGE Renewable Energy & Sustainability 1
Which of the following is considered a renewable energy source?