ARE Project Management (PjM) Practice Exam

What is a requirement for Black Start Units?

1. Ability to maintain frequency and voltage under varying load

2. Must have and maintain procedures for the unit

3. Must be tested every 3 years

4. Must be able to run for 12 hours, or as defined by the TO restoration plan

The correct answer is: Ability to maintain frequency and voltage under varying load

The requirement for Black Start Units that emphasizes the ability to maintain frequency and voltage under varying load is fundamental for their operation during power system recovery after an outage. Black Start Units are essential in restoring power to the grid when it has gone completely dark, and they function as a source of power to re-energize the transmission system. Maintaining frequency and voltage stability is crucial because fluctuations can lead to further instability in the power grid. When these units are brought online to support the grid's reboot, they must be capable of adjusting their output to match the changing load conditions as other generators are brought back online. This responsiveness helps ensure that as electricity demand increases or decreases, the Black Start Units can effectively handle those variations, thus contributing to a stable and reliable restoration process. The other options, while relevant to operational standards or administrative requirements, do not directly address the critical technical capabilities that define the functionality of Black Start Units. Factors like procedural documentation and testing intervals contribute to the overall reliability and performance standards but do not encapsulate the core technical capability that ensures these units can effectively resume power supply under dynamic conditions.