Introduction to Renewable Energy Directives

**Absorption chiller #

** A device that uses heat to create cooling. It can be powered by renewable energy sources such as solar thermal energy or geothermal energy.

**Active solar power system #

** A solar power system that uses mechanical or electrical devices to collect, convert, and distribute solar energy. This includes photovoltaic (PV) systems and solar thermal systems.

**Average daily global solar radiation #

** The amount of solar radiation that a location receives on average per day. It is measured in watt-hours per square meter (Wh/m²).

**Biomass #

** Organic matter, such as wood, agricultural waste, or municipal solid waste, that can be converted into fuel or electricity.

**Biomass power plant #

** A power plant that generates electricity by burning biomass.

**Carbon footprint #

** The total amount of greenhouse gases produced to directly and indirectly support human activities, usually expressed in equivalent tons of carbon dioxide (CO2).

**Concentrated solar power (CSP) #

** A type of solar power system that uses mirrors or lenses to concentrate a large area of sunlight onto a small area. The concentrated sunlight is then used to generate heat, which is converted into electricity.

**Demand #

side management (DSM):** The practice of using various strategies to reduce energy demand during peak times, such as using energy-efficient appliances or shifting energy usage to off-peak hours.

**Distributed generation (DG) #

** The generation of electricity from small-scale power sources that are located close to the point of use.

**Electricity grid #

** A network of power lines and transformers that transmit and distribute electricity from power plants to consumers.

**Embodied energy #

** The total amount of energy required to produce a good or service, including the energy used to extract, process, transport, and dispose of the materials used in its production.

**Energy audit #

** A survey and analysis of a building or facility's energy use and efficiency.

**Energy efficiency #

** The use of less energy to perform the same function.

**Energy efficiency ratio (EER) #

** A measure of the efficiency of an air-conditioning or heating system. It is the ratio of the system's cooling or heating capacity (in British thermal units per hour, or Btu/h) to the power input (in watts).

**Energy service company (ESCO) #

** A company that provides energy efficiency services, such as energy audits, retrofits, and operations and maintenance, to commercial and industrial customers.

**Energy storage #

** The capture of energy produced at one time for use at a later time.

**Feed #

in tariff (FIT):** A policy that requires utility companies to purchase renewable energy from independent power producers at a fixed price.

**Geothermal energy #

** Heat energy from the Earth's interior that can be used to generate electricity or provide heating and cooling.

**Greenhouse gas (GHG) #

** A gas that traps heat in the atmosphere, contributing to global warming and climate change. The most common greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O).

**Heat pump #

** A device that uses a small amount of energy to move heat from one place to another, providing heating and cooling.

**Hydroelectric power #

** Electricity generated by using the energy of flowing or falling water.

**Inverter #

** A device that converts direct current (DC) from a renewable energy source, such as solar panels or wind turbines, into alternating current (AC) that can be used by the electricity grid.

**Life #

cycle assessment (LCA):** A method for evaluating the environmental impact of a product or service, including all stages of its life cycle, from raw material extraction to disposal.

**Net metering #

** A policy that allows customers with renewable energy systems, such as solar panels or wind turbines, to receive credit for excess electricity they generate and feed back into the electricity grid.

**Passive solar power system #

** A solar power system that uses natural means, such as windows and insulation, to collect, convert, and distribute solar energy.

**Photovoltaic (PV) system #

** A system that converts sunlight directly into electricity using solar panels.

**Renewable energy certificate (REC) #

** A tradable certificate that represents proof that one megawatt-hour (MWh) of renewable energy has been generated and fed into the electricity grid.

**Renewable portfolio standard (RPS) #

** A policy that requires utility companies to generate a certain percentage of their electricity from renewable energy sources.

**Solar thermal energy #

** Heat energy from the Sun that can be used for hot water, heating, and cooling.

**Thin #

film solar panel:** A type of solar panel made from thin layers of photovoltaic material, such as amorphous silicon or cadmium telluride.

**Tracking system #

** A system that moves solar panels or mirrors to follow the Sun's movement, maximizing the amount of sunlight they receive.

**Utility #

scale renewable energy:** Renewable energy projects that generate electricity on a large scale, typically for sale to utility companies.

**Wind turbine #

** A machine that converts the kinetic energy of wind into mechanical or electrical energy.

**Wind power #

** Electricity generated by using the energy of wind.

** Zero net energy building #

** A building that produces as much energy as it consumes on an annual basis.