The world of energy systems evolves rapidly, bringing with it a wave of new acronyms, technical terms, such as peak shaving, and concepts that can feel overwhelming.
At 91影视, we鈥檙e committed to making clean energy accessible and understandable. That鈥檚 why we鈥檝e created this glossary鈥攁 resource to help you navigate the language of decentralized energy, battery storage, and peak shaving with confidence.
Whether you鈥檙e exploring general topics or searching for a specific term, our glossary is here to demystify the energy landscape and empower your understanding.
ARPA-E is the US Department of Energy鈥檚 agency that specifically finances innovation and invention in the energy sector, i.e. high-risk, high-reward research and development that transforms the way we generate, store, distribute, and consume energy. It was created in 2007 by executive order to fill the critical gap in American innovation in energy technology. This gap in new ideas and new inventions is caused by the lack of funding opportunities for ideas after their discovery in DOE laboratories/other government facilities. In 2022, the agency has funded over projects that have gone forward into implementation.
assist grid operators by complementing generation and transmission pipelines. There are a variety of ancillary services, some built in, such as voltage control, reactive power support, frequency regulation, and system strength tests. Some are supportive in the transmission phase, such as spinning reserves (for instant use and can be dispatched within ten minutes) or black start capability, an emergency backup plan to restart electrical services after a major outage.
AI is a branch of computer science that focuses on making computers think better and problem-solve. AI improves the interpretation of data, identifies formulas that can be updated, and thinks about better ways to do its computations. This means that computers can think and analyze improvements without being explicitly programmed to suggest new formulations. It鈥檚 used to make predictions, find patterns in data and learn from experience. AI systems can read text, recognize speech and images, understand language, solve problems, and control physical devices.
In the energy sector, AI is being applied for predictive analytics (such as predicting customer demand), machine learning (such as pattern recognition), and deep learning (such as automation). It can be used, for example, to optimize energy grids in homes or offices, thereby managing energy flows. There are meaningful benefits to using AI in the power sector, including increased reliability, improved production rates, reduced human error, and lowered costs.
Backup Power entails providing auxiliary power sources like generators or energy storage systems to ensure a continuous and reliable electricity supply during grid outages or emergencies.
BOP is the general term used to describe all the necessary equipment and auxiliary systems to transmit and distribute electricity in a plant. This includes substations, transformers, transmission lines, distribution lines, and electrical meters. All these parts are required to ensure a sustainable power supply system, and parts may vary based on the type of facility.
A battery is any device that has two electrodes and stores chemical energy that can be converted into electrical energy. The battery鈥檚 electrodes are typically made from metal. Its storable energy is created by a chemical reaction.
There are many types of batteries, including lead acid, alkaline, lithium-ion, nickel-cadmium, and others. A traditional lead acid battery can be found in cars, where a device called the alternator charges the battery when the engine is running and provides power to the car鈥檚 electrical system when it鈥檚 not.
In essence, you can control energy costs (both for domestic and commercial use) with battery energy storage systems. On a power grid/electrical grid, for example, when electricity demand is low (such as during the late night hours), surplus energy produced in the system can be saved for use later on (for example, during peak periods of consumption).
鈥淏ehind-the-Meter鈥� is a term that describes the parts of an energy supply system which come after a building鈥檚 electrical meter. BTM systems, like battery storage or microgrids, are connected to a specific building or group of buildings and flow energy into the electrical infrastructure. The parts of an energy supply system on the other side of the electrical meter are referred to as 鈥渇ront-of-the-meter.鈥�
Black Start refers to the ability of a power plant or system to independently restart and restore operations without relying on external power sources after a complete blackout or system failure.
The California Independent System Operator (CAISO) is an agency that manages the electric power grid for almost all of California. CAISO鈥檚 directives are threefold: to serve its customers in the wholesale electricity market, encourage clean, affordable energy from various sources within the marketplace, and maintain a secure power grid. They do this by balancing customer demand with available resources.
A non-profit organization committed to accelerating the adoption of green building/sustainable design practices in Canada. They ensure access to tools, education, and certification programs that help Canadians reduce their environmental impact. 91影视 is a member of this group; we share the common goal of sustainable, renewable energy.
Coincident peak demand is typically set during the prior year. For example, your coincident peak charge for 2014 is billed based on your 2013 performance. Coincident peak involves external information to predict when it occurs.
There are many factors that affect the occurrence of a coincident peak. Weather is a major one, but there are also other variables, such as the current state of the distribution and transmission lines.听
Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) is an electricity supply option for many residential and small-business customers. Customers may choose to purchase their electricity from a third-party provider, called a retail supplier, instead of buying directly from a utility company. CCAs are non-profit entities that aggregate the buying power of individual customers within a region to offer energy at a lower cost. CCAs often have the mandate to provide energy from renewable sources.
A Connection Impact Assessment is a detailed assessment of a specific project or supplementary energy resource (like a solar or wind farm) prepared by the utility prior to approving interconnection. The assessment spotlights the project鈥檚 feasibility, technical demands for its operation, and its impact/value-adding to the grid. The CIA also determines any applicable costs to the project proponents if new infrastructure investments are required.
The consumption charge is the portion of an electricity bill calculated on the total volume of energy used over a billing period, measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). It reflects how much energy a customer consumes in aggregate 鈥� as distinct from a peak/demand charge, which reflects how fast electricity is drawn at any given moment (measured in kW or MW).
Across all ISO and RTO markets, the consumption charge is the foundational energy cost applied to every customer. It is typically calculated by multiplying total kWh consumed during the billing period by the applicable energy rate, which may be a fixed price, a tiered rate, or a time-differentiated rate (such as on-peak vs. off-peak pricing)
The demand charge is the estimated cost of transmitting and distributing electricity. Unlike energy charges which are typically billed on a $/kWh basis, demand charges are typically billed on a $/kW basis based on a facility鈥檚 peak load during the month.
Demand charge management (DCM) is a technique to reduce energy demand at peak periods when prices are high. There are two types of DCM techniques: interruptible loads and on-site generation. Interruptible loads allow us to decrease our power usage during peak hours. This occurs by turning off or limiting the usage of equipment like computers or reducing temperature setpoints during peak hours.
On-site generation refers to generating power near the building premises/on the property where it will be used. Examples include solar panels, wind turbines, and fuel cells. Our clients have an additional way of managing their demand charges with 91影视. We specialize in providing energy storage solutions for commercial and industrial clients, which reduces the demand charges.
A Demand Management Program (DMP) is a set of initiatives that aim to reduce the peak-hour demands for electricity by influencing consumer behaviour. This program includes, but is not limited to, time-of-use pricing, smart meters, and load shedding.
For example, 91影视 participates in this program in the Con Edison territory in New York. The DMP provides economic incentives for consumers to shift their usage from periods with high electricity demand to periods with low or no demand. During peak periods when energy usage is high, prices are expectedly higher, and consumers are expected to opt out of consumption. This reduces peak demand, reduces the burden on local electricity grids.
Demand response (DR) is a strategy used by electricity service providers to influence supply and demand in a particular grid system. In DR programs, customers commit to reducing demand when called on by the utility. There is typically a stand-by price for enrolling in the program and an additional payment if you are available to reduce load when called. It is important to note that a demand response program and a demand management program are essentially the same thing.
The Department of Energy () is a U.S. federal government agency responsible for overseeing national energy policy, promoting energy efficiency, and ensuring the country鈥檚 energy security. It also plays a key role in scientific research, nuclear energy, and the development of energy technologies.
Direction of transmission (DOT) is a measure of the cost to move electricity from where it is generated to where it is used. In Canada, the majority of power generation comes from hydroelectric and nuclear energy sources, transmitted through high voltage direct current (HVDC) lines that operate efficiently in all directions. HVDC allows for an electric power grid with no limitations on the direction of the flow of electricity.
Distributed energy resources (DERs) are any form of electricity generation or storage that is not located within a central power plant. They may include battery storage systems, solar panels on rooftops, wind farms, electric car batteries, and heat pumps.
These sources of energy can be distributed closer to where energy is used.
A distributed energy resource aggregator (DERA) aggregates multiple DERs across various sites within a region to participate in wholesale energy markets, which typically have a minimum size threshold, preventing most DERs from participating on their own. The system operators that manage energy markets do not have visibility into small assets such as DERs, so by aggregating many together, we can participate in energy markets and compete against larger power plants, such as polluting natural gas peaker plants. Not to be confused with Community Choice Aggregators, which is different from a DERA in that a group partners to buy energy.
Distribution Deferral is the strategic delay of investments in new distribution infrastructure by implementing alternative solutions, such as demand-side management or energy efficiency measures, to meet growing demand without immediate capital expenditures.
Distribution network operators (DNOs) are the companies responsible for the delivery of electricity to households and businesses in a particular geographical region. DNOs typically generate their own power supply, distributing it to customers through the national grid. It is their job to ensure that customers have access to an interrupted supply of electricity at an affordable price.
An energy distribution network鈥攖he facility, the grid, the seller鈥攊s run by the Distribution System Operator (DSO). The DSO can be the owner of the network or operate as a subsidiary of the local power generation facility.
An electric vehicle (EV) is any car, truck, train or plane that uses electrical motors with batteries to power itself. Other electricity-powered vehicles are included in this definition depending on whether they require a driver or they can carry passengers (e.g. drones, golf carts, trams, cable cars or shuttle buses on rail lines).
A provincially delegated, not-for-profit authority responsible for enforcing electrical safety legislation, licensing electrical contractors, inspecting installations, and promoting public electrical safety across Ontario.
Energy arbitrage is an energy distribution tactic where a service provider will buy and store electrical power during off-peak time periods for redistribution during peak time periods. This creates revenue and reduces the burden on local networks to supply uninterrupted power during peak demand periods.
An energy market platform (EMP) refers to a service provider involved in one or more aspects of the energy distribution market. EMPs can now operate via the internet, offering customers digital services for buying electricity and purchasing smart meters and energy-saver technologies, especially analytical research software for commercial entities in the industry. This includes consortiums – various individual energy production companies aggregate their available resources and service a grid or larger area (by supplying to the local utility and/or selling electricity to a nearby city or country).
Also referred to as an 鈥淓PA rating鈥� or an 鈥淓nergy Star rating,鈥� the rating is a standardized national benchmark that helps architects and building owners assess energy use relative to similar buildings in the program. An Energy Star-qualified building means the building meets EPA criteria for energy efficiency and displays the Energy Star building label.听听
ESaaS is a business model where customers are able to enjoy the benefits of energy storage with no up-front costs via a shared savings agreement with the developer.
Commonly known as battery storage or battery energy storage systems (BESS), these allow energy to be stored and used later on. These systems can be linked to a power grid. They can also be independently owned and operated and integrated into a grid network.
An Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) contract is awarded to a contractor working under a national utility. The EPC contract allows the contractor to begin work on the engineering design and construction and procure specific materials and equipment in order to complete the construction project.
The (FERC) is an independent board of policymakers that regulates the transmission and distribution of electricity and other energy resources between the individual states of the USA (e.g. crude oil, petrol, natural gas, and hydroelectric power). FERC is tasked with encouraging fair competition and fair pricing in energy markets. The commission reviews proposals to build liquified gas terminals and interstate gas pipelines. It also issues licenses for hydroelectric power plants.
A FIT is a financial instrument鈥攁 relative increase in the price of a consumable good鈥攗sed to encourage investors and small-scale companies involved in renewable energy specifically. It is a monetary incentive: companies that engage in the development of renewable energy and supply to market receive greater returns in revenue. They are typically long-term contracts of ten to thirty years.
FERC 2222 is a that aims to increase fair competition in the energy industry by allowing DERs to enter the markets of regional energy sectors. It does this by removing obstacles in the wholesale marketplace, such as limitations on who can provide service, what type of DERs are permitted to operate in a given region, and monopolies.
Frequency Regulation involves managing grid frequency in real-time by adjusting power generation or consumption to maintain system stability within acceptable limits.
Front-of-the-meter (FTM) is a classification that groups parts of an energy supply chain as well as energy generation and storage systems that feed the grid and are positioned in front of the meter. Electric power flows from a power plant, a solar farm, or wind turbines along distribution channels (e.g. power cables) into the area鈥檚 grid. That electrical power flows through the meter (the counter that measures usage) to the receiver of power. Those parts of the supply chain are classified as front-of-the-meter and function as energy storage, with energy storage capacity ranging from several megawatt-hours to hundreds.
A type of commercial rental agreement where the price of rent is fixed. The tenant does not bear responsibility for costs associated with the property. The landlord pays the insurance and costs of any repairs. This scenario allows a tenant to invest capital in energy conservation, apart from the property鈥檚 energy efficiency measures.
All electricity customers in Ontario pay a Global Adjustment (GA), which covers the cost of building new electricity infrastructure in the province, regulated rates paid to electricity suppliers under contract, and the costs of delivering the province’s energy efficiency and conservation programs. In general, the GA is lower when the Ontario Price is higher, and vice-versa.
All electricity customers in Ontario pay Global Adjustment as either a Class A or Class B customer.
The Green Button is a standard protocol practiced in the USA and Canada. Green Button allows utility customers (electricity, water, and gas) to easily access and share their energy consumption data with third-party apps and energy management services.
A comprehensive program of ratings and certifications for all types of commercial buildings (not including residences) aimed at encouraging environmentally-friendly practices. It functions as an internal approach to education, testing, and implementation. The Green Globes, through the Green Building Initiative, provides guidance and upholds particular standards, but the achieving of these standards is driven by a company鈥檚 own culture and will to practice energy efficiency.
is an entity that identifies and upholds environmental, social and governance (ESG) benchmarks for real assets, infrastructure, and development projects. GRESB data can be used to monitor the energy efficiency of investments, engage with managers about compliance, and publicize sustainability discourses in the real asset industry.
Hour ending is a measure of an hour, or 60 minutes of time, but specifically, a timeframe where the ending hour is at its 00 starting point. the time period from 02:00 AM to 03:00 AM is the hour ending 3, or HE3.
The HOEP is the average of the twelve market clearing prices (MCP) set in each hour. A new MCP is set every five minutes. Averages are weighted by the amount of electricity used throughout the province within each hour.听The wholesale price of electricity is determined in the real-time market administered by the IESO. All electricity consumers in Ontario pay the wholesale price, also referred to as the commodity price, except for those who have entered into a retail contract. The IESO calculates the hourly Ontario energy price (HOEP), which is charged to large consumers that participate in the market, as well as local distribution companies (LDCs) who recover it from the subset of customers that pay the market price.听
Hydro is the popular, common term for electricity in Ontario. This is due to the layperson鈥檚 understanding that most of their electricity is generated by hydroelectric power plants/hydroelectric dams.
Ontario’s largest electricity transmission and distribution utility, responsible for operating the province’s high-voltage transmission network and delivering electricity to residential, commercial, and industrial customers. HONI is a subsidiary of Hydro One and operates under the regulatory oversight of the Ontario Energy Board (OEB).
The operates across the electricity industry of Ontario: it is an independent, not-for-profit agency that regulates the power system in real time, planning for the province鈥檚 future energy demand needs. IESO is also tasked with incentivizing conservation and designing a more efficient marketplace to support advancement in the province鈥檚 electrical energy sector.
In the energy sector, there are independent companies that organize and operate distribution channels to supply electrical power to regional grids. They do not form part of the state-owned utility, are not typically owner-operators, but may be subsidiaries that operate autonomously (this ensures diversity and competition in the marketplace, as well as greater access to electricity for those outside major cities/beyond the jurisdiction of metropolitan areas).
听Some examples are the IESO, CAISO, ISO-NE, and NYISO.
The total generating capacity 鈥� measured in kilowatts (kW) or megawatts (MW) 鈥� that a supplier must have available to meet peak demand obligations within a given market. In ISO capacity markets such as NYISO and ISO-NE, Load Serving Entities (LSEs) are required to procure sufficient ICAP to cover their share of forecasted peak load plus a reserve margin, ensuring grid reliability. A customer’s ICAP obligation is typically determined by their demand during designated peak hours and is recovered through capacity charges on their electricity bill.
Independent System Operator New England () is a transmission organization that services six states in the USA: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
A unit measure for the rate of electricity consumed by a machine or building. A kilowatt is 1000 watts of electrical power.
The Kilowatt-hour is the total amount of electrical power consumed in one hour. If the rate of usage is 1kW, then after an hour, an appliance would draw and use 1000 watts.
LEED is a third-party certificate program under the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). It is a nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance sustainable buildings. Certificate levels are as follows: Certified, Silver, Gold or Platinum. The levels are based on points obtained in six areas: sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, material and resources, indoor environmental quality, and innovation in design.听听
Your LDC, also referred to as your utility, is responsible for transmitting, connecting and disconnecting energy to your home, and reading and maintaining your home’s electric or gas meter. The LDC also maintains the lines and other equipment used to transmit electricity or gas.听
The carbon emissions rate 鈥� measured in kg or tonnes of CO鈧� per MWh 鈥� associated with a one-unit change in electricity consumption or generation at a specific node on the grid, at a specific point in time. LMEs reflect which generators are operating on the margin at that location, accounting for local grid constraints and the prevailing fuel mix. Analogous to Locational Marginal Prices (LMPs), LMEs vary by location and time, making them a more precise tool for carbon accounting than broad regional averages.
First launched in 2010, Ontario鈥檚 Long-Term Energy Plan (LTEP) was a policy and implementation program that phased out coal-fired electricity generation. It was a future-facing, 20-year initiative that sought consultation from the consumer-public, indigenous communities, and stakeholders in the energy and environmental sectors. After its third update, it was retired as a provincial program, having achieved a cleaner energy industry, eliminating about 90% of emissions from the system.
The MEF is a statistical number that represents the changes in carbon emissions as a result of influencing changes in demand and/or reducing emissions in power generation. It can be used in predictions by modulating the demand load.
A megawatt (MW) is a unit measure of electrical energy that represents one million watts outputted during one hour of time. This measure is used to calculate usage on a large-scale, such as the output/power generation of a power plant or nuclear reactor.
The megawatt-hour is the total amount of electrical power consumed in one hour. If the rate of usage is 1 MW, then after an hour, an appliance would draw and use 1,000,000 watts.
Under a the landlord pays for most of the costs associated with the building, but tenants are responsible for some expenses. Usually, these expenses cover things that are directly related to the tenant鈥檚 use of the space, like janitorial service, interior M&R, or a share of utilities.听A modified gross lease is somewhere in between a full gross lease and a triple net lease. The terms may vary from lease to lease, and the degree to which stakeholders are invested in energy efficiency projects or other renovations may vary with them.听
NRCan is a Canadian governmental department that was formed by merging the departments of Forestry, Energy, Mines, and Resources. The department administers federal regulations, manages natural resources like forests, minerals, and metals, and liaises with other North American governments. Their core aim is to manage natural resources sustainably.
The was established in 2010. This diverse collective includes manufacturers, academics, power generation companies, developers of technology and materials, start-up teams, government departments, engineering firms, and end-of-the-line consumers. The majority of its members are domiciled in New York. They work together to operate as an expert resource group for companies and organizations participating in the energy sector of New York.
Theis an independent, non-profit ISO responsible for the state of New York鈥檚 electricity grid network. It ensures competitive pricing in electrical energy markets. It is also responsible for determining and upgrading the state鈥檚 infrastructure.
is a public-service organization operating in the state of New York, USA. They provide general and expert information on energy efficiency, renewable energies, and cost-reduction for end-users.
Also known as demand charge management, where a grid system supplier allows battery-stored energy to supplement the supply to end-users during the period of their peak demand. This shifts them from peak demand charges in that time period to one of lower cost per kWh. This helps reduce their overall cost of energy.
Ontario鈥檚 independent energy regulator, the , serves the public interest. It discusses and codifies rules that ensure consumers are treated fairly, provides oversight on how electricity companies operate, and that the energy system is reliable and sustainable.
The OPA was an independent, non-profit entity reporting to Ontario鈥檚 Department of Energy. It was merged with Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) in 2015, with the mandate of forecasting Ontario鈥檚 energy supply and demand, assessing the existing infrastructure, promoting integration between generation, transmission, and storage aspects in grid systems, and aligning the province with conservation and sustainability practices.
With hydroelectric, solar, oil, gas, nuclear, and biomass varieties of power generation, the is one of the largest power producers on the North American continent.
Operating reserves refer to extra generating capacity that is available to a power system operator to maintain grid reliability in the event of sudden increases in electricity demand or unexpected supply disruptions. Operating reserves are typically categorized into spinning reserves, which are online and can respond immediately, and non-spinning reserves, which can be brought online within a short period, usually 10 to 30 minutes. These reserves ensure grid stability, prevent power outages, and provide flexibility, particularly as renewable energy sources like wind and solar introduce variability into the system.
Typically defined by utilities as the electrical demand (kW) over a given 15-minute interval in a given billing cycle. The largest 15-minute interval in the billing cycle sets the demand charge on your electricity bill.听Peak demand is most often set by many pieces of equipment turning on at the exact same time, thereby setting a peak.听
Class A consumers are assessed their portion of GA costs based on the percentage that their peak demand contributes to the top five Ontario system peaks. For example, if a Class A consumer is assessed to be responsible for one per cent of Ontario鈥檚 peak demand for the five highest hours of the base period, they will be charged for one per cent of the total GA costs through the subsequent billing period. Class A consumers receive an annual notification from their utility with their percentage of peak demand, called the peak demand factor.听听
Peak load is the highest usage 鈥� also known as peak usage 鈥� during a specific period of time. 听Peak load is the opposite of base load, which is the lowest amount of energy a building needs to run.听
is a regional transmission organization (RTO) that coordinates the movement of wholesale electricity in all or parts of Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia.听
听financing programs allow select financiers to provide loans for approved projects. These loans are repaid through an annual property tax assessment.听PACE programs can be found nationwide. They facilitate clean energy, energy efficiency, and water conservation projects by providing building owners and operators with the needed financial backing.听听
An RTO is involved in the transmission phase of an energy supply system. Its operations are centered on monitoring the transmission of electrical power by providing adequate checks and balances (system controls). Testing and safety are also primary concerns, as an RTO can operate in interprovincial and interstate networks.
Resource adequacy refers to a utility鈥檚 capacity鈥攈aving enough generated resources to satisfy the projected demand load of a particular region being supplied. It also includes generating energy reserves as a requirement of supply contracts.
is an NRCAN-managed funding program that incentivizes smart-grid projects that facilitate the transition from unsustainable energy to renewable resources. It boasts a grand total of up to $25,000,000 in support over several years. Some of the key components of this type of funding are providing knowledge and empowerment to communities and end-users, job creation, diversity in labor and hiring practices, and building more capacity to increase reliability.
is a service model whereby customers can access and use software programming through a digital platform without buying, downloading, installing, and managing software on their personal equipment. SaaS uses cloud server technology to deliver computer applications to end-users.
Spinning/Non-Spinning Reserve distinguishes between immediately available power generation capacity (spinning reserve) connected to the grid and ready for deployment, and reserve capacity that can be brought online quickly (non-spinning reserve) to address sudden increases in demand or unexpected power plant failures.
The state of charge (SOC) of a battery cell reflects its capacity that is available for use, measured against the rated capacity. When the SOC is rated at 100%, a battery cell is said to be fully charged. When the SOC is rated at 0%, the battery cell is completely discharged.
SSME refers to a version of battery storage technology specific to 91影视. It utilizes battery storage from a stationary system, or it can be mobile (attached to a truck or special vehicle, or enclosed within a mobile trailer or towable apparatus).
In commercial real estate (CRE), this term generally means the practice of developing, redeveloping and operating CRE in ways that cause zero, minimal or improved environmental impact.听听
Sustainable Energy Utilities (SEUs) are a new type of collective organized by state or municipal governments to help businesses and residents in their jurisdictions find appropriate financing mechanisms for approved energy efficiency projects.听SEUs can either connect businesses to the best financiers, or they can finance the projects themselves.听
A is a type of evaluation done to assess the impact of a particular DER or other energy project on the power grid it would be connected to or the impact of a potential modification to an existing connection. These impact assessments look at how the integration may affect the reliability of the system.
A TWh, or terawatt-hour, is a unit measure of electrical energy that represents one trillion watts outputted during one hour of time. This measure is large enough to calculate usage on the national or continental scale (such as calculating a single country鈥檚 energy demand).
Time of Use Bill Management involves strategically controlling and optimizing energy consumption patterns to minimize costs by adjusting usage during different time periods, such as shifting activities to lower-rate periods and reducing demand during peak-rate hours.
T&D, together or separately, are terms for parts of an energy system circuit. Transmission refers to the moving of energy resources from generation sites to operators in grid networks. This includes management and contingency planning.
Distribution refers to the apportioning of electrical supply and delivering it to end-users. Primary concerns are the capacity to store and/or deploy, as well as utilizing infrastructure without major debilitation.
Transmission Congestion Relief includes measures taken to alleviate bottlenecks or congestion in the transmission system, enhancing the efficient flow of electricity and preventing disruptions.
Transmission Deferral involves postponing investments in new transmission infrastructure through alternative solutions like grid optimization or distributed energy resources to address capacity constraints.
Within an energy grid鈥檚 immediate and broader network, there is the transmission of energy, such as petroleum, chemicals, gas and/or electrical power from their sources, along channels like pipelines and high-voltage cables. The transmission system operators secure, manage, and upgrade such infrastructure for local and regional transmission of power.
A is a type of rental agreement whereby the tenant is contractually obligated to pay all the expenses of the leased property (real estate taxes, insurance, maintenance costs, rent and utility bills). The most effective way to implement a triple net lease is to submeter tenant spaces. If this is not possible, each tenant can pay for a certain percentage of the utility bill; this is known as a modified gross lease.听
Utility Incentives Programs are offered by utility companies to provide financial incentives for energy efficiency projects. These incentives can make energy retrofits and upgrades more feasible for a property and can also inform which utility company an energy manager chooses. It can be in the form of rebates, tax mitigation, or direct funding for projects.
Vehicle Grid Integration (VGI) is an umbrella term for any technology or interactivity that allows interconnection between EVs and an electrical power grid.
Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) refers to technology that allows car batteries to flow electrical power back to the power grid when necessary. An end-user or grid operator can treat connected vehicles as high-capacity batteries/backup storage cells for the electrical grid.
In the case of 91影视鈥檚 Peak Drive program, EVs are BTM-connected, i.e., behind a building鈥檚 electrical meter, and so, technically, 鈥渧ehicle-to-building鈥� (V2B).
Vehicle-to-home (V2H) refers to an energy system network connection that allows for a two-way power flow between an EV and a residential building. This means that a fully charged EV can be used as an energy saver, i.e., the energy stored in your EV battery can be redirected into your home鈥檚 electrical system during a grid鈥檚 peak period, lessening your demand total and reducing overall demand charges.
A virtual power plant (VPP) is a network of remote, stand-alone power generation sources and distributors acting in concert as one facility (to consistently provide a large-enough supply). The participants are integrated using IoT devices.
Voltage Support refers to providing additional power to regulate and maintain voltage levels on the electricity grid, ensuring the quality and reliability of the electrical supply.
The Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program (ZEVIP) is a multimillion-dollar , which concludes in 2027. The goal is to popularize vehicles/transportation that have a near-zero contribution of harmful pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions. Administered by NRCAN, the main thrust is to resolve the lack of charging and refuelling stations in Canada. This encourages companies and consumers to access, choose to use, and innovate electric and/or battery-powered EVs securely.
This glossary provides a quick guide to terminology and technical language that will help you understand the ever-evolving world of energy. Are we missing a term you think we need to add or do you have a suggestion on definitions?听 Email us at听info@peakpowerenergy.com
Contact us about your battery development needs, or if you have a question about optimizing your current energy storage asset.