|
Acronym/Term
|
Description
|
|
ADR
|
American Depository Receipt
|
|
ARRA
|
American Recovery and Reinvestment
Act. Also known as the $787 billion stimulus package President Obama
signed in February 2009.
|
|
a-Si
|
Amorphous silicon. A thin-film photovoltaic technology.
|
|
Base load capacity
|
The generating equipment normally operated to
serve loads on an around-the-clock basis.
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BEV
|
Battery electric vehicles
|
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Biodiesel
|
Any liquid biofuel suitable as a diesel fuel substitute
or diesel fuel additive or extender. Biodiesel fuels are typically
made from oils such as soybeans, rapeseed, or sunflowers, or from
animal tallow. Biodiesel can also be made from hydrocarbons derived
from agricultural products such as rice hulls.
|
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Biofuels
|
Liquid fuels and blending components
produced from biomass (plant) feedstocks, used primarily for transportation.
|
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Biomass
|
Organic non-fossil material of biological origin
constituting a renewable energy source.
|
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BIPV
|
Building Integrated Photovoltaics
(e.g. architectural glass)
|
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BLM
|
Bureau of Land Management
|
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BoS
|
Balance of System. Term used
for everything but the photovoltaic modules in solar PV systems
|
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BPEV
|
Battery-powered electric vehicles
|
|
Btu
|
British thermal unit (1 Btu
= 0.000293 kWh). The quantity of heat required to raise the temperature
of 1 pound of liquid water by 1 degree Fahrenheit at the temperature
at which water has its greatest density (approximately 39 degrees
Fahrenheit).
|
|
Candlestick
|
Candlestick analysis is a technical analysis discipline developed by Japanese rice traders in the 17th century. It is based on plotting the price of something in a simple graphic way which conveys the high and low prices as well as the open and close prices for a given period.
|
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CAES
|
Compressed Air Energy Storage
|
| CAIR |
Clean Air Interstate Rule |
|
Capacity
Factor
|
The ratio of the electrical
energy produced by a generating unit for the period of time considered
to the electrical energy that could have been produced at continuous
full power operation during the same period.
|
| Cap-and-Trade |
In this model, a company is assigned an emissions cap in the form of emissions permits which represent the right to emit a specific volume of the pollutant. Companies that need to emit more than their cap can buy credits on the open market from companies who managed to require fewer permits. |
|
CC
|
Correlation Coefficient
|
|
CCGT
|
Combined Cycle Gas Turbine
|
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CCS
|
CO2 Capture and Storage
|
|
CEV
|
City electric vehicles
|
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CFL
|
Compact Fluorescent Lamp
|
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CIGS
|
Copper Indium Gallium Selenide.
CIGS is mainly used in photovoltaic cells (CIGS cells), in the form
of polycrystalline thin films.
|
|
CLFR
|
Compact Linear Fresnel Reflector
|
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CO2
|
Carbon dioxide, one of the primary
greenhouse gases which have been linked to global warming
|
|
Cogeneration
|
Combined heat and power or CHP systems
|
|
Compound
Annual Growth Rate
|
The year over year growth rate
applied over a multiple-year period. The formula for calculating
CAGR is (Current Value/Base Value)^(1/# of years) - 1.
|
|
CPV
|
Concentrating PhotoVoltaic
|
|
CPVT
(or simply CPT)
|
Concentrating PhotoVoltaics
and Thermal
|
|
CRI
|
Color Rendering Index. Measures the ability of
a light source to reproduce colors faithfully.
|
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c-Si
|
Crystalline silicon. A photovoltaic technology.
|
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CSO
|
Chief Sustainability Officer
|
|
CSP
|
Concentrating Solar Power. A solar energy conversion
system characterized by the optical concentration of solar rays
through an arrangement of mirrors to heat working fluid to a high
temperature. Concentrating solar power (but not solar thermal power)
may also refer to a system that focuses solar rays on a photovoltaic
cell to increase conversion efficiency.
|
| CSS |
CO2 Capture & Sequestration |
|
CT
|
Combustion Turbine
|
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CVD
|
Chemical Vapor Deposition is the process used to grow polysilicon.
|
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DC
|
Direct Current
|
|
DHS
|
Department of Homeland Security
|
|
Dispatchability
|
See Dispatchable generation
|
|
Dispatchable generation
|
Refers to sources of electricity which can be
turned on or off as a function of demand. Most renewable energy
sources such as wind are intermittent and the power output cannot
be controlled. Base-load generation sources, such as nuclear, cannot
be turned on and off to accommodate short-term demand variations.
Sources like solar thermal (CSP) can provide dispatchable generation
when combined with thermal storage.
|
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DOE
|
Department Of Energy
|
|
DSC
|
Dye Solar Cell
|
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DSS
|
Directional Solidification System. Specialized furnaces that melt polysilicon and cast multi-crystalline ingots, are used to produce solar wafers, which are key components of solar cells.
|
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E85
|
A fuel containing a mixture
of up to 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline.
|
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EAA
|
|
|
EGS
|
Enhanced (or engineered) Geothermal
Systems
|
|
EIA
|
Energy Information Agency
|
|
EMEA
|
Europe, the Middle East and
Africa
|
|
EPIA
|
European Photovoltaic Industry Association
|
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EREV
|
Extended range electric vehicles
|
|
ESG
|
Environmental, Social and Governance
|
|
ETF
|
Exchange Traded Fund
|
| ETS |
Emissions Trading Scheme |
| EU ETS |
European Union's Emissions Trading Scheme which is a form of cap and trade |
|
Ethanol
|
A clear, colorless, flammable oxygenated hydrocarbon.
Ethanol is typically produced chemically from ethylene, or biologically
from fermentation of various sugars from carbohydrates found in
agricultural crops and cellulosic residues from crops or wood. It
is used in the United States as a gasoline octane enhancer and oxygenate
(blended up to 10 percent concentration). Ethanol can also be used
in high concentrations (E85) in vehicles designed for its use.
|
|
EV
|
Electric Vehicle
|
|
FCF
|
Free Cash Flow.
|
|
FERC
|
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The Federal
agency with jurisdiction over interstate electricity sales, wholesale
electric rates, hydroelectric licensing, natural gas pricing, oil
pipeline rates, and gas pipeline certification. FERC is an independent
regulatory agency within the Department of Energy and is the successor
to the Federal Power Commission.
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FES
|
Flywheel Energy Storage
|
|
FFV
|
Flex-fuel vehicles
|
|
Flexible-Fuel
Vehicles
|
Vehicles that can operate on
(1) alternative fuels (such as E85); (2) 100-percent petroleum-based
fuels; (3) any mixture of an alternative fuel (or fuels) and a petroleum-based
fuel. Flexible fuel vehicles have a single fuel system to handle
alternative and petroleum-based fuels.
|
|
FOSG
|
Friends of the Supergrid. A group of companies
and organizations with a mutual interest in promoting the policy
agenda for a European Supergrid. .
|
|
Fuel Cell
|
A device capable of generating an electrical current
by converting the chemical energy of a fuel (e.g., hydrogen) directly
into electrical energy. Fuel cells differ from conventional electrical
cells in that the active materials such as fuel and oxygen are not
contained within the cell but are supplied from outside. It does
not contain an intermediate heat cycle, as do most other electrical
generation techniques.
|
|
FY
|
Fiscal Year. Used by publicly traded companies to specify their fiscal schedule, which can be different than calendar years.
|
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GEA
|
Geothermal Energy Association
|
|
Generation
|
The total amount of electric energy produced by
generating units and measured at the generating terminal in kilowatt-hours
(kWh) or megawatt-hours (MWh).
|
|
Geothermal
Energy
|
The heat that is extracted from
hot water or steam that is mined from geothermal reservoirs in the
earth's crust. Water or steam can be used as a working fluid for
geothermal heat pumps, water heating, or electricity generation,
and then is reinjected back into the earth.
|
|
Geothermal Heat Pump
|
A heat pump in which the refrigerant exchanges
heat (in a heat exchanger) with a fluid circulating through an earth
connection medium (ground or ground water). The fluid is contained
in a variety of loop (pipe) configurations depending on the temperature
of the ground and the ground area available. Loops may be installed
horizontally or vertically in the ground or submersed in a body
of water.
|
|
GHG
|
Greenhouse gases. GHG absorb and emit thermal infrared radiation from the planet’s surface to cause the greenhouse effect. The most abundant GHG in the atmosphere and the biggest contributors to the greenhouse effect are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane and ozone.
|
|
GHP
|
Geothermal Heat Pump
|
|
GV
|
Gasoline vehicles
|
|
GW
|
Gigawatts. One billion watts or one thousand megawatts.
|
|
GWEC
|
Global Wind Energy Council
|
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GWh
|
Gigawatt-hour. One billion watt-hours.
|
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Hammer
|
The hammer is known in candlestick analysis as a bullish "long shadow reversal" which is a fairly reliable indicator when accompanied by expanding volume and confirmed by a gap up or a long white candlestick.
|
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HB-LED
|
High Brightness Light-Emitting
Diode
|
|
HCPV
|
High Concentration PhotoVoltaic
|
|
Head and shoulders
|
The head and shoulder formation is one of the most reliable trend reversal patterns in technical analysis. It is a bearish topping formation which, when completed successfully by a breakdown of the neckline, signals a measured move down equal to the distance from head to neckline. .
|
|
Heliostat
|
A mirror which tracks the sun's movement during
the day and reflects the sun's heat on a central receiver located
on top of a tower. Used in power tower solar thermal plants.
|
|
HEV
|
Hybrid Electric Vehicle
|
|
HPEV
|
High performance electric vehicles
|
|
HTS
|
High Temperature Superconductor. Resistance-free conductors made of ceramic materials that exhibit superconducting properties at temperatures between 20 to 130 Kelvin (-423 to -225 degree Fahrenheit), therefore requiring less expensive cooling systems than those needed for low temperature superconductors (LTS). The first high temperature superconductor was discovered in 1986.
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HVAC
|
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning
|
|
HVDC
|
High-Voltage Direct Current.
Used primarily for transmission lines
|
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ICE
|
Internal Combustion Engine
|
|
IEA
|
International Energy Agency
|
|
IFCL
|
Inherently Fault Current Limiting (superconductor
technology)
|
|
IGCC
|
Integrated Gasification Combined
Cycle. IGCC is a technology that turns coal into gas - synthesis
gas (syngas). It then removes impurities from the coal gas before
it is combusted.
|
|
IMF
|
International Monetary Fund.
|
|
Incremental Capacity
|
Capacity added on an annual basis.
|
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Insolation
|
The amount of radiation from
the sun received at the surface of the earth in a particular geographic
location or region.
|
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IPCC
|
|
|
IPO
|
Initial Public Offering
|
|
IPP
|
Independent Power Producer
|
|
ITC
|
Investment Tax Credit. It is also the ticker symbol
for ITC Holdings Corp., a major U.S. transmission grid operator
|
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KERS
|
Kinetic energy recovery systems
|
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kW
|
Kilowatt. One thousand watts.
|
|
kWh
|
Kilowatt-hour. A measure of
electricity defined as a unit of work or energy, measured as 1 kilowatt
(1, 000 watts) of power expended for 1 hour. One kWh is equivalent
to 3, 412 Btu.
|
|
Kyoto Protocol
|
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change was adopted in December 1997
|
|
Landfill
Gas
|
Gas that is generated by decomposition
of organic material at landfill disposal sites. The average composition
of landfill gas is approximately 50 percent methane and 50 percent
carbon dioxide and water vapor by volume. The methane in landfill
gas may be vented, flared, combusted to generate electricity or
useful thermal energy on-site, or injected into a pipeline for combustion
off-site.
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Large Cap
|
A publicly traded company with a market capitalization
of over $10 billion
|
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LED
|
Light-Emitting Diode
|
|
LEED
|
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
(LEED) is a rating system devised by the United States Green Building
Council (USGBC)
|
|
Levelized
cost
|
Levelized cost, Cost which includes
all the costs of producing the energy over the plant lifetime: initial
investment, operations and maintenance, cost of fuel, cost of capital
and tax credits. In $/MWh
|
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Li-Ion
|
Lithium-ion batteries
|
|
LOHAS
|
An acronym for Lifestyles of
Health and Sustainability, a market segment focused on health and
fitness, the environment, personal development, sustainable living,
and social justice.
|
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LSV
|
Low-speed vehicles
|
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LTS
|
Low Temperature Superconductivity operate at temperatures
below (<10 Kelvin, -441 degree Fahrenheit)
|
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M&A
|
Mergers and Acquisitions
|
|
MHK
|
Marine and Hydrokinetic
|
|
Micro
Cap
|
A publicly traded company with
a market capitalization from $50 million and $300 million
|
|
Mid Cap
|
A publicly traded company with a market capitalization
from $2 billion to $10 billion
|
|
MOCVD
|
Metal Organic Chemical Vapor
Deposition. This is a process used in the systems that manufacture
LED materials
|
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MSW
|
Municipal Solid Waste. Residential
solid waste and some nonhazardous commercial, institutional, and
industrial wastes.
|
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Mtoe
|
Million tons oil equivalent. A common energy measure.
|
|
MW
|
Megawatt. One million watts of electricity.
|
|
MWh
|
Megawatt-hour. One thousand
kilowatt-hours or 1 million watt-hours.
|
|
Nameplate Capacity
|
The maximum rated output of a generator under
specific conditions designated by the manufacturer. Nameplate capacity
is usually indicated in units of kilovolt-amperes (kVA) and in kilowatts
(kW) on a nameplate physically attached to the generator.
|
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NaS
|
Sodium Sulfur
|
|
NEV
|
Neighborhood Electric Vehicles
|
|
NiMH
|
Nickel metal hydride batteries
|
| NZ ETS |
New Zealand’s Emission Trading Scheme |
|
Ocean Energy
|
Energy conversion technologies that harness the
energy in tides, waves, and thermal gradients in the oceans.
|
|
OLED
|
Organic Light Emitting Diodes
|
|
OPEC
|
Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries
|
|
OPV
|
Organic PhotoVoltaic.
|
|
ORC
|
Organic Rankine Cycle. ORC is
named for its use of an organic, high molecular mass fluid with
a liquid-vapor phase change, or boiling point, occurring at a lower
temperature than the water-steam phase change . The fluid allows
Rankine cycle heat recovery from lower temperature sources such
as industrial waste heat, geothermal heat, solar ponds, etc. The
low temperature heat is converted into useful work, that can itself
be converted into electricity.
|
|
OREC
|
Ocean Renewable Energy Coalition
|
|
OTC
|
Over-The-Counter market, which refers to stocks
traded through a dealer network as opposed to a centralized exchange
|
|
OTCBB
|
Over-The-Counter Bulletin Board
|
|
OTEC
|
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion
|
|
OWC
|
Oscillating Water Column
|
|
PEM
|
Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (fuel cells)
|
|
PHEV
|
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle
|
|
PHOLED
|
Phosphorescent Organic Light Emitting Diode
|
|
Photovoltaic (PV) Cell
|
An electronic device consisting of layers of semiconductor
materials fabricated to form a junction (adjacent layers of materials
with different electronic characteristics) and electrical contacts
and being capable of converting incident light directly into electricity
(direct current).
|
|
PPO
|
Price Performance Oscillator
|
|
Pumped-Storage
Hydroelectric Plant
|
A plant that usually generates electric energy
during peak load periods by using water previously pumped into an
elevated storage reservoir during off-peak periods when excess generating
capacity is available to do so. When additional generating capacity
is needed, the water can be released from the reservoir through
a conduit to turbine generators located in a power plant at a lower
level.
|
|
PV
|
Photovoltaics
|
|
RE
|
Renewable Energy
|
|
REG
|
Recovered Energy Generation
|
|
Renewable Energy Resources
|
Energy resources that are naturally replenishing
but flow-limited. They are virtually inexhaustible in duration but
limited in the amount of energy that is available per unit of time.
Renewable energy resources include: biomass, hydro, geothermal,
solar, wind, ocean thermal, wave action, and tidal action.
|
| RES |
Renewal Energy Standards |
| ROA |
Return-on-Assets |
| ROE |
Return-on-Equity |
|
RPS
|
Renewable Portfolio Standards
|
|
SEGS
|
Solar Energy Generating Systems, the largest solar
CSP plant in the world in California's Mojave Desert.
|
|
SEIA
|
Solar Energy Industries Association.
|
|
Small
Cap
|
A publicly traded company with
a market capitalization from $300 million to $2 billion
|
|
Base load capacity
|
The generating equipment normally operated to
serve loads on an around-the-clock basis.
|
|
SSL
|
Solid-State Lighting
|
|
Solar Thermal Collector
|
A device designed to receive solar radiation and
convert it to thermal energy. Normally, a solar thermal collector
includes a frame, glazing, and an absorber, together with appropriate
insulation. The heat collected by the solar collector may be used
immediately or stored for later use. Solar collectors are used for
space heating; domestic hot water heating; and heating swimming
pools, hot tubs, or spas.
|
|
Spandrel
|
In a steel-framed building, the spandrel is a panel like area between the head of a window on one level and the sill of a window immediately above.
|
|
SRI
|
Socially Responsible Investing
|
|
SWRO
|
Seawater Reverse Osmosis
|
|
Synbio
|
Short for synthetic biology
|
|
TACAS
|
Thermal & Compressed Air
Energy Storage
|
|
TCS
|
Trichlorosilane.
|
|
TES
|
Thermal Energy Storage
|
|
TFPV
|
Thin Film PhotoVoltaic.
|
|
TGI
|
Abbreviation for The
Green Investor
|
|
The
Green Investor
|
The Green
Investor is an investment newsletter dedicated to renewable
energy, green stocks and the community of green investors. The place
where investors and profitable green ideas meet.
|
|
Thermoelectric
Power Plant
|
A term used to identify a type
of electric generating station, capacity, capability, or output
in which the source of energy for the prime mover is heat.
|
|
TTM
|
Trailing Twelve Months, often used in financial reporting. It is also the ticker symbol for Tata Motors Ltd.
|
|
UEV
|
Urban electric vehicles
|
|
UPS
|
Uninterruptible Power Supplies
|
|
V2G
|
Vehicle-to-grid
|
|
VC
|
Venture Capital
|
|
VLRA
|
Valve-Regulated Lead-Acid
|
|
Wind
Energy
|
Kinetic energy present in wind
motion that can be converted to mechanical energy for driving pumps,
mills, and electric power generators.
|
|
WSHP
|
Water Source Heat Pump
|
|
WTE
|
Waste-To-Energy
|
