PJM Generator Operator Capacity
Emergencies UPDATED ACTUAL Exam
Questions and CORRECT Answers
Unit Startup Notification Alert - CORRECT ANSWER -Place generating units into a state
of readiness (able to be brought online with 48 hours); when a reliability assessment determines
long lead time generation is needed for a future period; roughly 6 days prior to day needed
Maximum Generation/Load Management Alert - CORRECT ANSWER -Issued 1 or more
days prior to operating day in question; to provide early alert that system conditions may require
Maximum Generation Emergency (forecasted operating reserve requirement is greater than
scheduled operating reserve); set up Supplementary Status Report (but may not use till operating
day is in effect)
Primary Reserve Alert - CORRECT ANSWER -To alert member of the anticipated
shortage of operating reserve capacity; when the estimated operating reserve is less than the
forecasted primary reserve requirement
What does the primary reserve consist of? - CORRECT ANSWER -Synchronized and
non-synchronized reserves that can be brought online within 10 minutes
Where can you view current reserve requirements on PJM.com? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Data Viewer Guest
Voltage Reduction Alert - CORRECT ANSWER -To alert members that a voltage
reduction action may be required in a future critical period; when the estimated operating reserve
capacity is less than the forecasted synchronized reserve requirement
What actions are required of members for Unit Startup Notification/Max Gen Alert/Primary
Reserve Alert? - CORRECT ANSWER -Notify all stations, management and key
personnel; review plans to determine if any maintenance or testing can be deferred or cancelled;
inform PJM of any environmentally restricted units considering the need to obtain a temporary
variance from environmental regulators for specific generators to avoid load shed
, What actions are required of members for Voltage Reduction Alert? - CORRECT
ANSWER -Notify all stations, management and key personnel; SOS members/PJM
consider the issuing of Public Appeals; marketers proceed on heightened awareness of possible
emergency purchases
During periods of reserve deficiencies, other measures must be taken to maintain system
reliability including: - CORRECT ANSWER -‒Loading generation that is restricted for
reasons other than cost
‒Recalling non-capacity backed off-system sales ‒Purchasing emergency energy from
participants / surrounding pools
‒Load relief measures
Actions taken prior to entering into capacity related emergency procedures: - CORRECT
ANSWER -‒Review weather projections, load forecasts, reserve projections and
generation performance
‒Ensure LMPs are reflective of system conditions
‒Curtail all non-Firm exports (issue EEA1 if not already done)
‒Dispatch may elect to implement an interchange cap to stabilize the amount of interchange
during peak hours to protect against volatility
Primary Reserve Requirement/Synchronized Reserve Requirement are what percentage of large
single contingencies? - CORRECT ANSWER -150% of largest single contingency; 100%
of largest single contingency
Primary Reserve Warning - CORRECT ANSWER -Primary Reserve is less than Primary
Reserve Requirement (150% of largest single contingency) but greater than Synchronized
Reserve Requirement (100% of largest single contingency)
Member actions during Primary Reserve Warning: - CORRECT ANSWER -Notify all key
personnel and stations; ensure all deferrable maintenance or testing is halted; prepare to load
primary reserve; marketers still remain aware of emergency purchase possibility; inform PJM of
environmentally restricted units
Emergencies UPDATED ACTUAL Exam
Questions and CORRECT Answers
Unit Startup Notification Alert - CORRECT ANSWER -Place generating units into a state
of readiness (able to be brought online with 48 hours); when a reliability assessment determines
long lead time generation is needed for a future period; roughly 6 days prior to day needed
Maximum Generation/Load Management Alert - CORRECT ANSWER -Issued 1 or more
days prior to operating day in question; to provide early alert that system conditions may require
Maximum Generation Emergency (forecasted operating reserve requirement is greater than
scheduled operating reserve); set up Supplementary Status Report (but may not use till operating
day is in effect)
Primary Reserve Alert - CORRECT ANSWER -To alert member of the anticipated
shortage of operating reserve capacity; when the estimated operating reserve is less than the
forecasted primary reserve requirement
What does the primary reserve consist of? - CORRECT ANSWER -Synchronized and
non-synchronized reserves that can be brought online within 10 minutes
Where can you view current reserve requirements on PJM.com? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Data Viewer Guest
Voltage Reduction Alert - CORRECT ANSWER -To alert members that a voltage
reduction action may be required in a future critical period; when the estimated operating reserve
capacity is less than the forecasted synchronized reserve requirement
What actions are required of members for Unit Startup Notification/Max Gen Alert/Primary
Reserve Alert? - CORRECT ANSWER -Notify all stations, management and key
personnel; review plans to determine if any maintenance or testing can be deferred or cancelled;
inform PJM of any environmentally restricted units considering the need to obtain a temporary
variance from environmental regulators for specific generators to avoid load shed
, What actions are required of members for Voltage Reduction Alert? - CORRECT
ANSWER -Notify all stations, management and key personnel; SOS members/PJM
consider the issuing of Public Appeals; marketers proceed on heightened awareness of possible
emergency purchases
During periods of reserve deficiencies, other measures must be taken to maintain system
reliability including: - CORRECT ANSWER -‒Loading generation that is restricted for
reasons other than cost
‒Recalling non-capacity backed off-system sales ‒Purchasing emergency energy from
participants / surrounding pools
‒Load relief measures
Actions taken prior to entering into capacity related emergency procedures: - CORRECT
ANSWER -‒Review weather projections, load forecasts, reserve projections and
generation performance
‒Ensure LMPs are reflective of system conditions
‒Curtail all non-Firm exports (issue EEA1 if not already done)
‒Dispatch may elect to implement an interchange cap to stabilize the amount of interchange
during peak hours to protect against volatility
Primary Reserve Requirement/Synchronized Reserve Requirement are what percentage of large
single contingencies? - CORRECT ANSWER -150% of largest single contingency; 100%
of largest single contingency
Primary Reserve Warning - CORRECT ANSWER -Primary Reserve is less than Primary
Reserve Requirement (150% of largest single contingency) but greater than Synchronized
Reserve Requirement (100% of largest single contingency)
Member actions during Primary Reserve Warning: - CORRECT ANSWER -Notify all key
personnel and stations; ensure all deferrable maintenance or testing is halted; prepare to load
primary reserve; marketers still remain aware of emergency purchase possibility; inform PJM of
environmentally restricted units
