Renewable Energy Glossary

Electrical current that periodically reverses direction. The standard form of electricity delivered by power grids.

The minimum level of electricity demand over a period, traditionally met by plants that run continuously such as nuclear or coal.

A system that stores electrical energy in batteries for later discharge, used to balance supply and demand on the grid.

Fuel derived from biological sources such as corn, sugarcane, or algae. Includes ethanol and biodiesel.

The ratio of actual output over a period to the maximum possible output if operating at full capacity continuously.

The total greenhouse gas emissions caused directly or indirectly by an individual, organization, event, or product.

A technology that uses mirrors or lenses to focus sunlight onto a small area to generate heat for electricity production.

The intentional reduction of renewable energy output below what could be produced, often due to grid congestion or oversupply.

The process of reducing carbon dioxide emissions from energy systems, industry, and transportation.

Electrical current that flows in one direction only. Produced by solar panels and batteries.

Electricity production at or near the point of use, such as rooftop solar panels, rather than at large centralized power plants.

The process of using electric current to drive a non-spontaneous chemical reaction, commonly used to split water into hydrogen and oxygen.

A policy guaranteeing renewable energy producers a fixed price for electricity supplied to the grid over a set period.

A unit of power equal to one billion watts. Used to express the capacity of large power plants or national energy systems.

The process of incorporating variable renewable energy sources into existing electricity grids while maintaining reliability and stability.

A device that converts direct current to alternating current, essential for connecting solar panels and batteries to the grid.

A unit of energy equal to one kilowatt of power sustained for one hour. The standard billing unit for household electricity consumption.

The total lifetime cost of building and operating a power plant divided by its total energy output, expressed per unit of energy.

A unit of power equal to one million watts. A typical large wind turbine has a capacity of 2-15 MW.

A state in which greenhouse gas emissions produced are balanced by an equivalent amount removed from the atmosphere.

A semiconductor device that converts light directly into electricity through the photovoltaic effect.

A long-term contract for the purchase of electricity from a specific renewable energy project at a predetermined price.

A tradable certificate representing proof that one megawatt-hour of electricity was generated from a renewable source.

An electricity network that uses digital technology to monitor and manage electricity flows, improving efficiency and reliability.

The power per unit area received from the sun in the form of electromagnetic radiation, typically measured in watts per square meter.