Electricity production and distribution

Readings (I used permanent linking for Wikipedia articles to make sure I link to a version I've checked):

• Electricity generation
• Cogeneration
• Electric power distribution
• Electric power transmission
• War of Currents and ABB:s article on future of DC
• Overhead power line
• High-voltage direct currHigh-voltage direct currentent
• Residual current device
• Smart grid
• Distributed generation

Examples of possible exam questions (what they are like - just to know what kind of questions to expect):

1. Describe in short (3-6 sentences), why are high voltage levels used in electricity transmission. "It increases efficiency" is not enough as an answer.
2. Choose three electric power sources (coal, solar, nuclear, ... whatever you want) and write an essay of their advantages and disadvantages.
3. Multiple choice questions:
   
   1. Highest voltage levels in power transmission are typically
      
      1. About 20-100 kilovolts
      2. About 500-1000 kilovolts
      3. About 2-5 megavolts.
   2. Efficiency of a large electric generator is typically
      
      1. About 99 %
      2. About 90 %
      3. About 30-50 %
   3. The most common cause for lethal electric accidents is
      
      1. Fault in electricity distribution or in the device
      2. Plain stupidity or risk taking of the person involved
      3. Mistake in electric installations