Unit 6B - Renewable Energy Vocab

Dam

A barrier that runs across a river or stream to control the low of water.

Diversion hydropower

Also called run-of-river, method of harvesting energy from moving water by channeling some of it though a canal. (panama canal.)

Energy efficiency

The percentage of energy put into a system that does useful work.

Externalities

Side effects or by-products that are not included in the costs of a product, can be positive or negative.

Fuel economy

The relationship between the distance traveled and the amount of fuel consumed by the vehicle, is measured typically as miles per gallon.

Geothermal energy

Energy from steam or hot water produced from hot or moten undergorund rocks.

Green buildings

A structure that minimizes the ecological footprint of its construction and operation by using sustainable materials, using minimal energy and water, reducing health impacts, limiting pollution, and recycling waste.

Hybrid electric vehicles

Mode of transportation that uses a gas engine and an electric motor.

Hydroelectric

Electricity generated by the kinetic energy of flowing water.

Hydrogen fuel cell

Device that produces electricity by separating hydrogen into protons and electrons, releasing water as a waste product.

Impoundment hydropower

Method of harvesting energy from moving water by building a large barricade to hold the water back and selectively allowing it to flow through turbines.

active solar energy

Energy that is captured form sunlight by using technology.

Internal combustion engine

An engine that burns fuel inside cylinders within the engine.

Kinetic energy

The energy an object has due to its motion.

Passive solar energy

A method of harvesting heat directly from sunlight.

Photovoltaic cells

Usually made form silicon, make up solar panels and collect solar rays to generate electricity.

Potential energy

Energy that is stored in an object or system.

Silting

When sediment becomes clogged behind a dam.

Tidal power

Method of harvesting energy from the movement of sea water caused by the gravitational pull of the moon.

Wind power

The energy captured by transforming the motion of air into electrical energy using a turbine.

Energy Star Program

Program developed by united states department of energy and the united states environmental protection agency to help reduce the amount of electricity used by computers and related devices.

CAFE standards

Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards enacted into law in 1975, established fuel efficiency standards for passenger cars and light trucks. The fuel economy rating for a manufacturer’s entire line of passenger cars must currently average at least 27.5 mpg for the manufacturer to comply with the standard.

Ethanol

Alcohol made by converting starches and sugars from plant material into alcohol and CO2.

LEED certification

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a certification system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council as a way of promoting and evaluating environmentally friendly construction projects.

Green roof

A roof constructed of various landscaping materials including soil, plants, and water collection systems

Concentrated Solar Power

The use of reflectors to focus sunlight on a receiver, which transfers heat to a turbine and that turbine spins to generate electricity through a generator.

Steam reforming

A reaction used for the manufacture of hydrogen, by reacting steam with natural gas at high temperature.

Electrolysis

A process by which an electric current breaks chemical bonds.

Smart Grid technology

A smart grid is an electrical grid which includes a variety of operational and energy measures including smart meters, smart appliances, renewable energy resources, and energy efficiency resources.

Carbon neutral

making no net release of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, especially through offsetting emissions by planting trees.

Battery electric vehicle

A mode of transportation that relies solely on electricity and stored energy.

Biodiesel

Biofuel that is derived from organic materials that can be used in place of traditional diesel fuel.

Biofuel

Fuels derived from living matter.