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Energy
The capacity to do work; the basic unit of energy is the joule (J).
Power
The rate at which energy is used; calculated as Power = Energy / time with the unit for power being the watt.
Net energy
The amount of energy available from a resource minus the energy needed to make it available.
Net energy ratio
The energy obtained per unit energy used to obtain it; also known as energy returned on investment.
Net energy yield
The amount of high-quality energy available from a resource minus the high-quality energy needed to make it available.
Energy efficiency
How much useful work is obtained from each unit of energy.
Energy conservation
The practice of reducing or eliminating unnecessary energy waste.
First Law of Thermodynamics
States that energy can be converted from one form to another, but none is lost.
Second Law of Thermodynamics
States that in any energy conversion, some energy is converted into lower quality energy (usually heat) that cannot perform useful work.
Rebound effect
A phenomenon where increased efficiency leads to increased consumption.
Conventional crude oil
Abundant oil with medium net energy yield, causing pollution and CO2 emissions.
Crude oil (petroleum)
A natural, combustible liquid containing hydrocarbons.
Peak production
The point in time after which the production from an oil well starts to decline.
Petrochemicals
Chemical products derived from petroleum, often as byproducts of crude oil refining.
Proven oil reserves
Quantities of oil that are confirmed to be recoverable from known deposits.
Shale oil
Oil found integrated within bodies of shale rock.
Kerogen
A component of shale oil that is capable of being distilled.
Oil sands (tar sands)
Deposits containing heavy oil, primarily bitumen, found in locations like Canada.
Bitumen
A viscous form of petroleum found in oil sands.
Natural gas
A fossil fuel primarily made up of methane, along with smaller amounts of propane, butane, and hydrogen sulfide.
Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)
A gas that is stored in pressurized tanks for use in rural locations.
Liquefied natural gas (LNG)
Natural gas that has been cooled to a liquid form for transport, though with low net energy yield.
Fracking
A technique involving hydraulic fracturing to extract oil and gas by injecting water, sand, and chemicals.
Horizontal drilling
A drilling technique that accesses oil and gas trapped in horizontal formations.
Coal
A solid fossil fuel formed from the remains of land plants.
Peat
Partially decayed plant matter from swamps and bogs with low heat content.
Lignite
Brown coal characterized by low heat content and low sulfur content.
Bituminous coal
Soft coal known for its high heat content and large supplies, generally with high sulfur content.
Anthracite
A high-grade coal known for its high heat content and low sulfur content.
Synfuels
Synthetic fuels produced from coal gasification or liquefaction.
Nuclear fission
A nuclear reaction that generates heat used to produce steam for turbines.
Light-water reactors
Nuclear reactors that boil water to generate steam, fueled by uranium.
Control rods
Materials inserted or withdrawn to manage the rate of a nuclear reaction.
Moderator
A substance that cools nuclear fuel rods and helps to maintain the nuclear reaction.
Half-life
The time required for a radioactive isotope to decay to half its initial quantity.
Fusion
The process where two isotopes combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing energy.
Hydropower
Energy derived from the kinetic energy of moving water; an indirect form of solar energy.
Active solar heating system
A system that captures solar energy in a heat-absorbing fluid.
Passive solar heating system
A system that absorbs and stores solar heat directly within insulated structures.
Solar thermal systems
Systems that collect sunlight to generate steam for electricity.
Photovoltaic (PV) cells
Devices that convert solar energy directly into electrical energy.
Geothermal energy
Heat energy stored within the earth's crust.
Geothermal heat pump system
System that utilizes temperature differences between the earth's surface and underground for heating.
Biomass
Organic materials that can be burned for energy.
Ethanol
A type of alcohol produced from plants for use as fuel.
Cellulosic ethanol
Ethanol made from non-edible plant materials.
Superinsulation
Extremely well-insulated buildings that do not require traditional heating.
Green architecture
The practice of designing energy-efficient and resource-saving buildings.
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
Standards set by the U.S. Green Building Council for sustainable building.
Living or green roofs
Landscaped roofs that incorporate soil and vegetation.
Cogeneration
The simultaneous production of electricity and useful heat from the same energy source.
Joule (J)
The standard unit of energy.
British Thermal Unit (BTU)
A unit of energy where 1 BTU equals 1.05 kilojoules.
Calorie (cal)
A unit of energy equal to 4.184 joules.
Kilowatt Hour (kWh)
A unit of energy indicating continuous use of one kilowatt for one hour.
Therm
A unit of energy equivalent to 100,000 BTUs.
Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFÉ)
Regulations related to the fuel efficiency of vehicles.
Feed-in-tariff
Obligation for utilities to purchase electricity from homeowners with solar power.
Generator
A device that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.
