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Glossary

Ancillary Services
Support services in the power system required to ensure that electricity can be transmitted reliably, efficiently, and securely across the grid while maintaining power quality.
Black - Out
A cut-off of electrical power, especially as a result of a shortage, a mechanical failure, or overuse by consumers.
Brown - Out
A reduction or cut-back in electric power, especially as a result of a shortage, a mechanical failure, or overuse by consumers.
Carbon Offset
A financial instrument aimed at a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions being emitted. Carbon offsets are measured in metric tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent. One carbon offset represents the reduction of one metric ton of carbon dioxide or its equivalent in other greenhouse gases.
Carbon Footprint
The total amount of greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions caused by an organization, event or product.
Demand Response
Shifting demand for electricity to non-peak periods or reducing electricity use during periods of peak demand.
Demand-Side Management (DSM)
Refers to the use of demand (loads) to help manage the constantly changing requirements of the electricity system.
Energy Efficiency
The efficient use of energy; consuming less energy to provide the same level of energy service.
Firming
The process by which a backup resource is used to supplement the output of an intermittent resource to ensure that the total energy provided is sufficient to meet customer load.
Greenhouse Gas
Gases in an atmosphere that absorb and emit radiation within the thermal infrared range.
Grid Balance®
An energy management program that balances the electricity grid using demand-side assets in a continuous, real-time way — this service ensures that supply and demand remain balanced and consumers have electricity on demand at all times so they can meet their consumption needs. Grid Balance is also known as Regulation Service by electricity system operators.
Independent System Operator (ISO)
Refers to the independent operator of the real time electricity system.
  • AESO - Alberta Electric System Operator
  • CAISO - California Independent System Operator
  • ERCOT - Electric Reliability Council of Texas
  • IESO - Independent Electricity System Operator (Ontario)
  • ISO-NE - Independent System Operator New England
  • Midwest ISO
  • NBSO - New Brunswick System Operator
  • NYISO - New York ISO
  • PJM Interconnection
  • SPP - Southwest Power Pool
kWh - Kilowatt hour
The kilowatt hour is most commonly known as a billing unit for energy delivered to consumers by electric utilities.
Load Factor
Refers to the average load divided by the peak load over a period of time, usually calculated over a one-hour period.
Load Shedding
A procedure in which parts of an electric power system temporarily reduce the supply of electricity to an area to prevent failure of the entire system due to overloading.
MW - Megawatt
A measure of the instantaneous amount of power required (and supplied) in the electricity system.
MWh - Megawatt hours
Similar to KWh, this unit is often used for metering larger amounts of electrical energy to industrial customers and in power generation.
Operating Reserve
The generating capacity available to the system operator within a short interval of time to meet demand in case a generator goes down or there is another disruption to the supply.
Peak Demand
The maximum demand on an electric system in a designated period of time.
Peak Load
The maximum demand for electricity from all of the customers of a utility or over a geographic area.
Programmable Logic Controller (PLC)
Digital computers used for automation of electromechanical processes, such as control of machinery on factory assembly lines, amusement rides, or lighting fixtures. PLCs are used in many industries and machines. Unlike general-purpose computers, the PLC is designed for multiple inputs and output arrangements, extended temperature ranges, immunity to electrical noise, and resistance to vibration and impact.
Regional Transmission Organization (RTO)
In the United States, an organization that is responsible for moving electricity over large interstate areas.
Regulation Service (Grid Balance®)
The fundamental requirement to balance the moment by moment changes in supply and demand in the electricity system.
SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition)
Generally refers to industrial control systems computer systems that monitor and control industrial, infrastructure, or facility-based processes, as described below:
  • Industrial processes include those of manufacturing, production, power generation, fabrication, and refining, and may run in continuous, batch, repetitive, or discrete modes.
  • Infrastructure processes may be public or private, and include water treatment and distribution, wastewater collection and treatment, oil and gas pipelines, electrical power transmission and distribution, Wind farms, civil defense siren systems, and large communication systems.
  • Facility processes occur both in public facilities and private ones, including buildings, airports, ships, and space stations. They monitor and control HVAC, access, and energy consumption.
Smart Grid
Smart grids use two-way communications systems to monitor and automatically optimize the operation of the elements of the power system - from the generator through the high-voltage network and distribution system, to end-use consumers and their thermostats, appliances and other household devices. Communications take place in real-time, helping to balance the demand and supply of generation in the electricity market.
Spinning Reserve
The unloaded section of synchronized power that is able to respond immediately to serve the load, and is fully available within ten minutes.
Variable Frequency Drive (VFD)
A system for controlling the rotational speed of an alternating current (AC) electric motor, by controlling the frequency of the electrical power supplied to the motor. A variable frequency drive is a specific type of adjustable-speed drive. Variable-frequency drives are widely used. In ventilation systems for large buildings, variable-frequency motors on fans save energy by allowing the volume of air moved to match the system demand. They can also be found on pumps, elevator, conveyor and machine tool drives.
Voltage Optimization
The systematic reduction in the voltage at the energy consumer to reduce energy use, power demand and reactive power demand.
Water Energy Nexus
The fundamental requirement to balance the moment by moment changes in supply and demand in the electricity system.