Enviro Energy Test Vocabulary

Photovoltaic (PV)- the process of converting sunlight into electricity using semiconducting materials

Passive solar - uses the design and materials of a building to capture and distribute solar heat naturally.

Active Solar - uses mechanical devices and systems to collect and convert sunlight into electricity or heat

Biofuels/biodiesel- renewable fuel alternative to petroleum-based diesel, made from renewable sources like vegetable oils, animal fats or recycled greases

EROI (Energy Return on Investment) - ratio that measures the amount of energy returned from a fuel source compared to the energy invested in extracting. A higher amount means more efficient and potentially profitable energy source.

“on the grid” - connected to the grid and can draw power from it when needed

“off the grid” - operate independently without relying on the grid

Waste-to-energy (WTE) - a process that converts waste materials into usable energy through technologies

Wind turbine- converts kinetic energy of wind into electrical energy

Wind farm- collection of wind turbines design to generate electricity from the wind

Generator- converts mechanical energy into electricity

Heat pump- transfers heat from one place to another, instead of generating it, and it can be used for both heating and cooling

Hydrogen fuel cell- uses the chemical energy of hydrogen or other fuels to clean efficiently produce electricity

Thermal mass (in homes) - uses the ability of certain materials to absorb, store and release heat, effectively acting as a “heat battery” to regulate indoor temperatures

E85 fuel- fuel blend primary composed of ethanol and gasoline