Sustainable Energy Solutions

**Anthropogenic greenhouse gases (GHGs) #

** GHGs emitted due to human activities, primarily from burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes. The main anthropogenic GHGs are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O).

**Biomass energy #

** Energy derived from organic materials, such as wood, agricultural waste, and municipal solid waste. Biomass can be burned directly or converted into biofuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel.

**Capacity factor #

** The ratio of the actual electrical energy produced by a generator during a specific period to the maximum possible electrical energy that could have been produced during the same period, assuming the generator operated at full nameplate capacity continuously.

**Carbon capture and storage (CCS) #

** A technology that captures CO2 emissions from large point sources, such as power plants and industrial facilities, and stores it deep underground in geological formations to prevent its release into the atmosphere.

**Carbon footprint #

** The total amount of GHG emissions associated with a product, service, or organization, measured in CO2 equivalents.

**Decentralized energy systems #

** Energy systems that generate and distribute power at or near the point of consumption, such as rooftop solar panels and small-scale wind turbines.

**Demand #

side management (DSM):** Strategies to influence electricity consumption patterns by consumers, such as time-of-use rates, energy efficiency programs, and demand response.

**Energy efficiency #

** Using less energy to perform the same task, thereby reducing energy waste and saving money.

**Energy independence #

** A country's ability to meet its energy needs without relying on foreign imports.

**Energy justice #

** Ensuring that all people have access to affordable, reliable, and clean energy, regardless of their socio-economic status or location.

**Energy poverty #

** The lack of access to modern energy services, such as electricity and clean cooking facilities, which affects billions of people worldwide, particularly in developing countries.

**Energy storage #

** Technologies that store energy for later use, such as batteries, pumped hydro storage, and thermal storage.

**Energy transition #

** The shift from fossil fuel-based energy systems to low-carbon, renewable energy systems.

**Feed #

in tariffs (FITs):** A policy mechanism to incentivize renewable energy deployment by providing long-term contracts and guaranteed prices for renewable energy producers.

**Fossil fuels #

** Fuels derived from ancient fossilized organic materials, such as coal, oil, and natural gas.

**Green jobs #

** Jobs that contribute to preserving or restoring the environment, such as renewable energy technicians, energy auditors, and conservation scientists.

**Greenhouse effect #

** The warming of the Earth's surface due to the trapping of heat by GHGs, such as CO2, CH4, and N2O.

**Grid modernization #

** Upgrading and improving the electrical grid infrastructure to accommodate a higher penetration of renewable energy sources, improve reliability, and enhance cybersecurity.

**Life #

cycle assessment (LCA):** An analytical method that evaluates the environmental impacts of a product, process, or service throughout its entire life cycle, from raw material extraction to end-of-life disposal.

**Levelized cost of energy (LCOE) #

** The cost of generating electricity from a specific source over its lifetime, including capital, operating, and fuel costs, divided by the total amount of electricity produced.

**Microgrids #

** Decentralized energy systems that can operate independently from the main grid, providing power to a specific area or community.

**Net #

metering:** A billing arrangement that allows renewable energy system owners to receive credits for excess electricity they generate and feed back into the grid.

**Photovoltaics (PV) #

** A technology that converts sunlight directly into electricity using solar cells.

**Renewable energy certificates (RECs) #

** Certificates that represent the environmental attributes of renewable energy generation, which can be traded separately from the physical electricity.

**Renewable portfolio standard (RPS) #

** A policy mechanism that requires electricity suppliers to generate a certain percentage of their electricity from renewable sources.

**Smart grids #

** Electrical grids that use advanced communication and control technologies to optimize energy production, distribution, and consumption.

**Solar thermal energy #

** Energy harnessed from the sun's heat, typically using mirrors or evacuated tubes, to generate electricity or provide space heating and cooling.

**Stranded assets #

** Fossil fuel-based energy infrastructure that becomes economically unviable due to regulatory, technological, or market changes, leading to significant financial losses.

**Sustainable energy #

** Energy sources that are renewable, clean, and equitable, meeting the present energy needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

**Transmission system operator (TSO) #

** An entity responsible for operating, maintaining, and developing the high-voltage transmission grid, ensuring the safe and reliable delivery of electricity from generators to distribution system operators and ultimately to consumers.

**Variable renewable energy (VRE) #

** Renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, that are intermittent and dependent on weather conditions, making their output variable and challenging to integrate into the grid.

**Volt/VAR optimization (VVO) #

** A technology that optimizes the voltage and reactive power in electrical distribution systems to improve efficiency, reduce energy losses, and enhance system reliability.

**Wind energy #

** Energy harnessed from the wind using wind turbines to generate electricity.

**Zero #

carbon energy:** Energy sources that emit no GHGs during operation, such as solar, wind, hydropower, and nuclear.