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ENERGY <br />The capacity for doing work. Forms of energy include: thermal, mechanical, electrical <br />and chemical. Energy may be transformed from one to another. <br /> <br />ENERGY EFFICIENCY <br />Using less energy/electricity to perform the same function. Programs designed to use <br />electricity more efficiently---doing the same with less. <br /> <br />FOSSIL FUELS <br />Oil, coal, natural gas or their by-products. Fuel that was formed in ~e earth in <br />prehistoric times from remains of living cell organisms. <br /> <br />FUEL <br />A material that is consumed, giving up its molecularly-stored energy which is then used <br />for other purposes, such as to do work (e.g., run a machine). A substance that can be <br />used to produce heat. <br /> <br />FUEL CELL <br />A device or an electrochemical engine with no moving parts that converts the chemical <br />energy of a fuel, such as hydrogen, and an oxidant, such as oxygen, directly into <br />electricity. The principal components ora fuel cell are catalytically activated electrodes <br />for the fuel (anode) and the oxidant (cathode) and an electrolyte to conduct ions between <br />the two electrodes, thus producing electricity. <br /> <br />GAS <br />Gaseous fuel (usually natural gas) that is burned to produce heat energy. <br /> <br />GENERATION <br />The act of producing electricity by changing other forms of energy--such as fossil fuel or <br />renewable energy. <br /> <br />GREENHOUSE GASES <br />Substances that can adversely effect human health and the environment when they <br />accumulate in the atmosphere and trap radiant energy; they include sulfur dioxide, nitrous <br />oxide, and carbon dioxide. <br /> <br />HEATING LOAD <br />The rate at which heat must be added to a space in order to maintain the desired <br />temperature within the space. <br /> <br />MUNICIPAL UTILITY <br />A provider of utility services owned and operated by a municipal government. <br /> <br />Glossary of Terms <br /> Page 2 <br /> <br /> <br />