The process of the absorption of heat from one location and its transfer to another for rejection or recuperation.

In reference to a wind energy conversion system, the area of a turbine blade surface that first comes into contact with the wind.

This compound of nitrogen and oxygen is formed by the oxidation of nitric oxide (NO) which is produced by the combustion of solid fuels.

A wood or gas burning appliance that is primarily used to provide ambiance to a room. Conventional, masonry fireplaces without energy saving features, often take more heat from a space than they put into it.

In alternating current, the current goes from zero potential or voltage to a maximum in one direction, back to zero, and then to a maximum potential or voltage in the other direction. The number of complete cycles per second determines the current frequen ...

A coil of tungsten wire suspended in a vacuum or inert gas-filled bulb. When heated by electricity the tungsten "filament" glows.

One thousand kilowatts, or 1 million watts; standard measure of electric power plant generating capacity.

A solar energy conversion device that uses a trough covered with a highly reflective surface to focus sunlight onto a linear absorber containing a working fluid that can be used for medium temperature space or process heat or to operate a steam turbine fo ...

A seal used to prevent the leakage of fluids, and also maintain the pressure in an enclosure.

Equal to gross generation less electricity consumption of a power plant.

A gas that does not react with other substances; e.g. argon or krypton; sealed between two sheets of glazing to decrease the U-value (increase the R-Value) of windows.

A passive solar heating system in which the sun warms a heat storage element, and the heat is distributed to the interior space by convection, conduction, and radiation.

The transmission of electricity through power lines.

The process by which materials expel or release gasses.

The process of characterizing the wind resource, and its energy potential, for a specific site or geographical area.

The heat that flows from the building interior, through the building envelope to the outside environment.

An electricity powered device that extracts available heat from one area (the heat source) and transfers it to another (the heat sink) to either heat or cool an interior space or to extract heat energy from a fluid.

The rate at which electricity is delivered to or by a system, part of a system, or piece of equipment expressed in kilowatts, kilovoltamperes, or other suitable unit, at a given instant or averaged over a specified period of time.

A valve used to mix heated water with cold in a heating system to provide a desired water temperature for end use.

A heating system that uses only outside air for combustion and vents combustion gases directly to the outdoors. These systems are less likely to backdraft and to negatively affect indoor air quality.