ARE Project Management (PjM) Practice Exam

What is a primary characteristic of Partial System Blackouts?

1. They affect only small, localized areas.

2. They often require coordinating multiple islands.

3. They result in complete system failure.

4. They are always caused by equipment failure.

The correct answer is: They often require coordinating multiple islands.

A primary characteristic of Partial System Blackouts is that they often require coordinating multiple islands. This occurs when parts of the power grid become isolated, leading to semi-independent sections of the grid, or "islands." Each island must operate independently while still needing to maintain some level of stability and reliability. This coordination is crucial for restoring normal operation and is indicative of the complexity involved in managing partial blackouts. While it’s true that partial blackouts affect specific areas rather than the entire system, the emphasis on coordination among multiple islands is key to understanding how these situations differ from complete failures. Complete system failures would impact the entire grid, and blaming equipment failure alone does not capture the broader systemic issues that could lead to a partial blackout. Thus, the characteristic of needing to coordinate multiple islands highlights the intricate nature of managing power distribution and stability during such events.