The angle between true south and the point on the horizon directly below the sun.

Single-celled organisms, free-living or parasitic, that break down the wastes and bodies of dead organisms, making their components available for reuse by other organisms.

The conversion of one form of energy into another by the action of plants or microorganisms. The conversion of biomass to ethanol, methanol, or methane.

A unit of luminous intensity; the magnitude to the candela is such that the luminance of the total radiator, at the temperature of solidification of platinum, is 60 candelas per square centimeter.

An air pollution control device used to filter particulates from waste combustion gases; a chamber containing a bag filter.

A cell produces electric energy by the galvanic oxidation of carbon; commonly used in household appliances.

A generator producing alternating current by the rotation of its rotor, and which is powered by a primary mover.

Power generated by a utility unit that operates at a very high capacity factor.

The amount of heat given off by a person at rest in a comfortable environment; approximately 50 Btu per hour (Btu/h).

The amount of money needed to purchase equipment, buildings, tools, and other manufactured goods that can be used in production.

The non-combustible residue of a combusted substance composed primarily of alkali and metal oxides.

The ratio of light output of a fluorescent lamp operated on a ballast to the light output of a lamp operated on a standard or reference ballast.

A colorless, odorless noncombustible gas with the formula CO2 that is present in the atmosphere. It is formed by the combustion of carbon and carbon compounds (such as fossil fuels and biomass), by respiration, which is a slow combustion in animals and pl ...

A device for optimizing the anaerobic digestion of biomass and/or animal manure, and possibly to recover biogas for energy production. Digester types include batch, complete mix, continuous flow (horizontal or plug-flow, multiple-tank, and vertical tank), ...

An instrument for measuring the force or velocity of wind; a wind guage.

A vessel or tank where heat produced from the combustion of fuels such as natural gas, fuel oil, or coal is used to generate hot water or steam for applications ranging from building space heating to electric power production or industrial process heat.

The heat liberated by the combustion of a unit quantity of a fuel under specific conditions; measured in calories.

The maximum load that a generating unit, power plant, or other electrical apparatus can carry under specified conditions for a given period of time, without exceeding its approved limits of temperature and stress.

A reserve appliance; for example, a standby generator for a home or commercial building.

A turbine in which the flow of a steam or gas is essentially parallel to the rotor axis.