Renewable Energy Technologies & Applications Flashcards

What is 'net metering' and how does it benefit a PV system owner?

Answer: A billing mechanism crediting customers for excess electricity fed to the grid

Net metering allows PV owners to receive bill credits for surplus electricity exported to the grid, effectively using the grid as a virtual battery.

In offshore wind development, what is a key advantage of floating foundation systems over fixed monopile foundations?

Answer: Ability to access deeper water sites (>60 m) with strong wind resources

Floating foundations unlock wind resources in water depths exceeding ~60 meters where fixed-bottom structures become uneconomical, opening vast new offshore areas.

Which pumped hydro storage characteristic makes it the dominant form of utility-scale energy storage globally?

Answer: Lowest cost per MWh of stored energy at large scale and long lifespan

Pumped hydro dominates grid storage because of its very low cost per MWh at scale and extremely long asset life (50+ years), despite moderate round-trip efficiency (~70–85%).

What does the 'specific yield' metric represent for a wind turbine installation?

Answer: Annual energy production per kW of rated capacity

Specific yield (kWh/kW/year) equals the annual energy generation divided by the rated capacity, indicating how effectively the site's wind resource is utilized — equivalent to annual capacity factor hours.

In a solar resource assessment, what does a 'P90' energy estimate mean for project financing?

Answer: There is a 90% probability that actual energy production will meet or exceed this estimate

P90 means there is a 90% probability that actual energy production will equal or exceed the estimated value, representing a conservative scenario used by lenders to assess project risk.

Which renewable energy application best describes 'agrivoltaics'?

Answer: Co-locating solar PV panels with crops or livestock on the same land

Agrivoltaics (agrophotovoltaics) involves installing elevated solar panels above farmland so crops, livestock, or beekeeping can continue beneath, maximizing dual land use.

What is the primary purpose of a 'power purchase agreement' (PPA) in renewable energy project development?

Answer: To secure long-term revenue by locking in the price a buyer pays for electricity

A PPA is a long-term contract between a generator and a buyer that specifies the price, volume, and duration of electricity sales, providing revenue certainty needed to secure project financing.