Renew-ictionary
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Capacity factor is the ratio of the actual output of a power plant to its nameplate capacity, and is usually expressed as a percent. To calculate the capacity factor, the total energy a power plant produces during a period of time is divided by the total energy this power plant would produce during the same period of time if it were operating at full capacity or in other words, nameplate capacity.
Cogeneration or Combined Heat and Power (CHP) is the simultaneous production of both useful heat and power. Lower temperature heat levels are defined as CHP, while higher temperature heat and power is defined as cogeneration. The lower heat levels tend to be used for space heating and water heating, while the higher temperatures are used for industrial processes. Cogeneration and CHP are both technologies that can bridge the gap between fossil fuel use today, and the use of renewable fuels in the near future. With the use of "fuel switching," these technologies can increasingly produce heat and power using renewable fuels.
D
A diversion hydro system diverts a part of a river, and it is this diverted portion that flows through the blades of a turbine to generate electricity. This form of hydropower has significantly fewer environmental impacts than impounding.
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Energy and power are not interchangeable terms. Power is the rate at which energy is expended, and is expressed in watts (W), kilowatts (KW), megawatts (MW), gigawatts (GW), and terawatts (TW). While energy is power multiplied by time, and is measured in kilowatt hours (kWh), megawatt hours (MWh), gigawatt hours (GWh), and terawatt hours (TWh). Heat is the transfer of energy, felt in temperature changes.
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A feed-in tariff is a procurement policy for renewable energy sources of power. The FIT works by paying a fixed price over a specific time period, preferably longer term (15-20 years) for the power produced by a renewable energy system that is fed into the electrical grid.
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Impoundment is the typical large-scale system that dams water and holds it in a reservoir to be released when electricity is needed via a generator. Released water turns a turbine(s) that drives a generator, producing electricity.
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Local Renewables (LR) describes a wide range of renewable energy sources generated and used locally, coupled with energy efficiency.
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Power is the rate at which energy is expended, and is expressed in watts (W), kilowatts (KW, 1,000 watts), megawatts (MW, 1,000 kilowatts), gigawatts (GW, 1,000 megawatts), and terawatts (TW, 1,000 gigawatts).
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Pumped hydro storage is where the differential in height between two reservoirs serves to produce electricity when the upper reservoir is released to the lower reservoir as it passes through turbines. The process is repeated when off-peak electrical power is used to pump the lower reservoir back up to the higher reservoir. Pumped hydro storage is currently the most common form of energy storage.
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The Smart Grid differs from the uni-directional flow, blind spots, and vulnerability to cascading failure of today's electric grid. The Smart Grid changes this by using advanced sensors and internet technology to precisely match supply and demand. It is no longer supply that is the focus of grid operators, but demand. With the smart grid, supply from long distance lines can be modulated according to local, decentralized production (such as rooftop PV systems). Advanced electrical equipment, like air conditioning systems and dishwashers can adapt their duty cycle to off-peak hours. Energy efficiency is greatly increased, and many more renewable energy resources can be connected to the grid.
Solar readiness is the pre-wiring and plumbing of buildings for future installations of solar projects. It also entails that roof inclinations and orientations are favourable in accessing solar resources, in addition to community design for solar access maximization and leaving room in buildings for inverters and/or water tanks.
Sustainable energy sources are energy sources that have the ability to be replenished on a human time-scale, and include renewable energy sources and energy efficiency. Energy savings is the most efficient "source" of energy.