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Glossary of Energy Terms
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Algae: Primitive plants, usually aquatic, capable of synthesizing their own food by photosynthesis. Alternative fuel: As defined in the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPACT):
BBacteria: Single-celled organisms that break down the wastes and bodies of dead organisms, making their components available for reuse by other organisms. Best available control technology: (BACT) Technology required to reduce emissions of air pollutant which is a combination of production processes, methods, systems, and techniques that will result in the lowest achievable level of emissions. Biodiesel: A biofuel produced through transesterification, a process which reacts alcohol with triglycerides to produce biodiesel and glycerin. Biodiesel can be made from soybean or rapeseed oils, animal fats, waste vegetable oils or micro algae oils. Bioenergy: Renewable energy produced from organic matter. Organic matter may either be used directly as a fuel or processed into liquids or gases. Biofuels: Fuels made from biomass. Biofuels include ethanol, biodiesel, and methanol. Biogas: A combustible gas derived from anaerobic digestion or fermentation of biological waste. Biogas is composed of primarily methane and carbon dioxide. Biogas is cleaner than coal and produces more energy with fewer emissions. Biomass: Includes all plants, trees and organic matter on the earth. Biomass is a renewable source of energy because the natural process of photosynthesis constantly produces new organic matter in the growth of trees and plants. Biomass is used to make heat, electricity and liquid fuels. Biotechnology: Technology that use living organisms to improve or facilitate cellular processes such as energy metabolism, engineer drugs for medicines, improve plants or animals, or to produce microorganisms for specific uses. 
CCellulose: The main carbohydrate in living plants, present in the cell walls. Clean Air Act: (CAA) The purpose of this act is to protect and enhance the quality of the nation's air resources. Originally enacted in 1963 the CAA includes vehicle emission standards, regulating the emission of pollutants such as lead, ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter. Climate Change: A describes short and long-term affects on the Earth's climate as a result of human activities such as fossil fuel combustion, vegetation clearing, and burning. Conservation: Preserving and renewing natural resources. It entails protecting, and improving natural resources according to principles that will ensure the highest economic or social benefits. Corporate average fuel economy: (CAFE) Federal standards enacted in 1975 to regulate and improve the average fuel economy of cars and light trucks sold in the US. Council on Environmental Quality: (CEQ) An advisory council to the President established by the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. The CEQ coordinates federal environmental efforts and works closely with agencies and other White House offices in the development of environmental policies and initiatives. 
D Department of Energy (DOE): A federal government agency created in 1977, which is responsible for energy policy and nuclear safety. They are entrusted to provide technical information, policy and institutional leadership, diversity in energy sources, a more productive and competitive economy, improved environmental quality, and a secure national defense. Diesel engine: An engine that operates on diesel fuel and principally relies on compression-ignition for engine operation (unlike a spark-ignition engine). 
E E-10: A mixture of 10% ethanol and 90% gasoline based on volume. E-85: A mixture of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline based on volume. Ecosystem: A community of organisms, interacting with each other, plus the environment in which they live and react. Emissions: Waste substances released into the air or water. Energy: The ability to do work. Energy Crops: Crops grown specifically for their fuel value. Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct): A comprehensive legislative package that mandates and encourages energy efficiency standards, alternative fuel use, research and development on conventional fuels, and the development of renewable energy technologies. Also establishes several guidelines for radioactive waste disposal. Environment: All the natural and living things around us. The earth, air, weather, plants, and animals all make up our environment. Ethanol: Made by converting the carbohydrate portion of biomass into sugar, this is then converted into ethanol in a fermentation process similar to brewing beer. Ethanol is the most widely used biofuel today. 
F Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP): A program of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) that implements energy legislation, provides project financing, technical assistance, coordination and reporting, and new initiatives for the federal government. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC): This is an independent regulatory agency within the U.S. DOE that has jurisdiction over interstate electricity sales, wholesale electric rates, natural gas pricing, oil pipeline rates, and gas pipeline certification. It also licenses and inspects private, municipal, and state hydroelectric projects and oversees related environmental matters. Federal Water Pollution Control Act: A federal regulatory law administered by the states. The act created the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System. Flexible-fuel vehicle: A vehicle with a single fuel tank designed to run on varying blends of unleaded gasoline with either ethanol or methanol. Fossil fuel: A non renewable energy source such as coal, oil, and gas. These Solid, liquid or gaseous fuels formed in the ground after millions of years by chemical and physical changes in plant and animal remains under high temperature and pressure. Fuel: Any material with one type of energy that can be converted to another usable energy. Fuel cell: A device that converts the chemical energy of a fuel directly to electricity and heat, without combustion. Fuel cycle: The series of steps required to produce electricity. The fuel cycle includes acquiring the raw fuel source, processing the fuel, transport, electricity generation, and waste management. 
GGas engine: Internal-combustion engine similar to a gasoline engine but using natural gas instead of gasoline vapor. Geothermal Energy: Energy produced by the internal heat of the earth; geothermal heat sources include: hydrothermal convective systems; pressurized water reservoirs; hot dry rocks; manual gradients; and magma. Where the temperatures are hot enough, geothermal energy can be used to generate electricity. Greenhouse effect: A warming of the Earth and its atmosphere caused by greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, and chlorofluorocarbons blocking the escape of heat from the atmosphere. H Hybrid electric vehicle: A vehicle that is powered by two or more energy sources, one of which is electricity. Emissions from hybrid electric vehicles are also significantly lower than conventionally powered motor vehicles. Hydroelectric power: The generation of electricity through the use of the gravitational force of falling water. 
I Inorganic compounds: Molecules that consist of combinations of elements that are not carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, or nitrogen and do not have the organized anatomical structure of animal or vegetable life. M Mitigation: Steps taken to avoid or minimize negative environmental impacts. Municipal solid waste: (MSW) Garbage or refuse that is generated by residential, commercial, and industrial wastes not regulated as a hazardous waste. Municipal waste does not include agricultural and wood wastes.
NNational Ambient Air Quality Standards: (NAAQS) Federal standards established by the Clean Air Act. National Environmental Policy Act: (NEPA) A federal law enacted in 1969 and is the United States’ basic national agreement for protection of the environment. It establishes policy, sets goals, and provides means for carrying out the policy. National Forest Management Act: A federal law passed in 1976 requires the preparation of Regional Guides and Forest Plans. National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Pollutants: (NESHAPS) Federal standards that control pollutants considered toxic to humans. Natural Gas: Natural gas is a gaseous fossil fuel consisting primarily of methane. It is found in oil fields, natural gas fields, and also, in smaller quantities, in coal beds. Neat Fuel: Fuel that is free from dilution with other fuels. Nitrogen fixation: The transformation of atmospheric nitrogen into organic nitrogen compounds that can be used by growing plants. This process can be carried out by lightning, by atmospheric fixation, or by microorganisms.
O Organic: Derived from living organisms and is made up of carbon-based compounds including hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen. Ozone: Ozone gas is a molecule which consists of three oxygen molecules. It is naturally occurring in the earth's atmosphere at all levels. It is an essential chemical in the stratosphere where it protects the earth of ultraviolet radiation from the sun. P Photosynthesis: A process of using energy in sunlight to convert water and carbon dioxide into carbohydrates and oxygen. Photosynthesis is the key initial step in the growth of biomass.
R Renewable Energy Source: An energy source that is replenished continuously in nature or that is replaced after use through natural means. Renewable energy sources include the sun, the winds, flowing water, biomass and geothermal energy. Municipal solid waste (MSW) is also considered to be a renewable energy resource Resource Conservation and Recovery Act: (RCRA) A federal law enacted in 1976 regulating solid and hazardous waste. Its aim is protecting the environment from solid waste contamination.
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Smog: A visible haze caused by air pollution and ozone. Solar Energy: Solar energy is energy that comes directly from the sun. The sun is a constant natural source of heat and light, and its radiation can be converted to electricity. Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA): A national trade association of solar energy equipment manufacturers, retailers, uppliers, installers, and consultants. Starch: A complex carbohydrate which is insoluble in water many plants store the energy produced in the photosynthesis process in the form of starch. Syngas: A syntheses gas produced through gasification of biomass.
T Thermal Energy: The energy available from the thermal motion of particles. U U.S. Department of Energy (DOE): A department of the federal government, established by the Carter Administration in 1977. It is responsible for the energy policy, nuclear safety, conservation, regulation, research, development, and demonstration. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): A government agency, established in 1970, responsible for protecting the environment and public health. EPA seeks to safeguard the natural environment and also controls emissions from motor vehicles, fuels, and fuel additives. 
WWave Energy: This is the generation of electricity through conversion of ocean current, swell, wave action, tidal, or thermal gradients. Wind Energy: Energy available from the movement of the wind across a landscape caused by the heating of the atmosphere, earth, and oceans by the sun. Windmill: Windmills were used to supply mechanical energy, for example to pump water or grind grain. Modern day wind turbines produce electricity. |
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