Renewable Glossary

A

  • Alternative Energy: Energy generated from sources other than fossil fuels, including renewables like wind, solar, and hydroelectric power.
  • Anaerobic Digestion: A biological process where microorganisms break down organic matter (like plant material or food waste) in the absence of oxygen to produce biogas and digestate.
  • Biodegradable: Capable of being broken down by natural processes, reducing pollution and waste.

B

  • Bioenergy: Renewable energy produced from organic materials, such as plant biomass, animal waste, and food scraps, converted into fuel or electricity.
  • Biogas: A type of bioenergy generated by the anaerobic digestion of organic matter, primarily consisting of methane and carbon dioxide.
  • Biomass: Organic material derived from plants and animals that can be used to produce bioenergy.

C

  • Carbon Footprint: The total amount of greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide, that are emitted into the atmosphere as a result of the activities of a person, company, or product.
  • Carbon Neutrality: Achieving a balance between emitting carbon and absorbing carbon from the atmosphere in carbon sinks.
  • Circular Economy: An economic model that aims to reduce waste by reusing, repairing, refurbishing, and recycling existing materials and products.

D

  • Decarbonization: The process of reducing carbon emissions, often through the use of renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies.
  • Distributed Generation (DG): The decentralized production of electricity from renewable energy sources, typically near the point of use, like solar panels on homes.

E

  • Energy Efficiency: Using less energy to perform the same task or produce the same result, often through improved technology and practices.
  • Energy Storage: Technologies or systems (like batteries or pumped hydro) that store energy for later use, helping to balance supply and demand.
  • Ethanol: A biofuel made from corn, sugarcane, or other plant materials, often used as a gasoline additive to reduce emissions.

F

  • Feed-in Tariff (FiT): A policy mechanism designed to accelerate investment in renewable energy by offering long-term contracts and guaranteed prices to producers.
  • Fossil Fuels: Non-renewable energy sources such as coal, oil, and natural gas formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals.

G

  • Geothermal Energy: Renewable energy generated from the heat stored beneath the Earth’s surface, used for electricity production, heating, and cooling.
  • Grid Parity: The point at which the cost of renewable energy equals or is less than the cost of electricity from the grid.
  • Greenhouse Gases (GHGs): Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to global warming. Major GHGs include carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide.

H

  • Hydroelectric Power: Renewable energy generated by harnessing the power of moving water, typically through dams on rivers or streams.
  • Hydrogen Fuel Cell: A device that generates electricity through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, emitting only water and heat as byproducts.

I

  • Inverter: A device that converts direct current (DC) produced by solar panels or other renewable sources into alternating current (AC) for use in homes and businesses.

L

  • Lifecycle Assessment (LCA): The process of evaluating the environmental impact of a product from its creation to disposal, including raw material extraction, production, transportation, and end-of-life treatment.

M

  • Microgrid: A small-scale, localized energy grid that can operate independently from the main electrical grid and often incorporates renewable energy sources.

N

  • Net Metering: A billing mechanism that credits solar energy system owners for the electricity they add to the grid, allowing them to offset their energy use and costs.
  • Net Zero Energy: A building or system that produces as much renewable energy as it consumes over a certain period.

O

  • Off-Grid: Refers to systems (often solar or wind) that operate independently from the main electrical grid, often used in remote areas.
  • Onshore & Offshore Wind: Onshore wind refers to wind turbines located on land, while offshore wind refers to those situated in bodies of water.

P

  • Photovoltaics (PV): Technology that converts sunlight directly into electricity using solar cells made of semiconductor materials.
  • Power Purchase Agreement (PPA): A contract between a renewable energy provider and a consumer to buy power at a predetermined rate over a certain period.

R

  • Renewable Energy: Energy derived from sources that are naturally replenishing and sustainable over time, like solar, wind, geothermal, and hydro.
  • Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS): A regulatory mandate to increase the production of energy from renewable sources.
  • Recycling: The process of collecting and processing materials that would otherwise be discarded as waste and turning them into new products.

S

  • Solar Power: Renewable energy harnessed from the sun’s radiation, typically through photovoltaic panels or concentrated solar power systems.
  • Sustainable Development: Development that meets current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

T

  • Tidal Energy: Renewable energy generated from the movement of tides, which can be harnessed for electricity production.
  • Thermal Energy: Heat energy, which can be harvested from the Earth’s core (geothermal) or from solar thermal systems to provide heat or generate power.

W

  • Wind Power: Renewable energy harnessed from the movement of wind using turbines to produce electricity.
  • Waste-to-Energy (WtE): The process of generating energy in the form of electricity or heat from the treatment of waste materials, reducing waste and providing renewable power.

Z

  • Zero Emissions: Systems, technologies, or processes that do not produce greenhouse gases or other pollutants during their operation.