A measure of a fuel's (liquid) ease of self-ignition.

An approximate unit of heat produced by a resting person, equal to about 18.5 Btu per square foot per hour.

A type of heating system where water is heated in a boiler and either moves by natural convection or is pumped to heat exchangers or radiators in rooms; radiant floor systems have a grid of tubing laid out in the floor for distributing heat. The temperatu ...

Any machine capable of producing power to do work. An electric or hydraulic motor, steam engine or similar drive, acting directly on the deck machinery. Note—In a diesel electric motor is the prime mover.

Crops grown specifically for their fuel value. These include food crops such as corn and sugarcane, and nonfood crops such as poplar trees and switchgrass. Currently, two energy crops are under development: short-rotation woody crops, which are fast-growi ...

A large power plant that generates power for distribution to multiple customers.

A material formed from the incomplete combustion or destructive distillation (carbonization) of organic material in a kiln or retort, and having a high energy density, being nearly pure carbon. (If produced from coal, it is coke.) Used for cooking, the ma ...

The ratio of the coincident, maximum demand or two or more loads to the sum of their noncoincident maximum demand for a given period; the reciprocal of the diversity factor, and is always less than or equal to one.

The part of a wind energy conversion device blade, or airfoil, that is the last to contact the wind.

The turning or twisting force generated by an electrical motor in order for it to operate.

Plant-like organisms with cells with distinct nuclei surrounded by nuclear membranes, incapable of photosynthesis. Fungi are decomposers of waste organisms and exist as yeast, mold, or mildew.

A geothermal energy resource that consists of high temperature rocks above 300 F (150 C) that may be fractured and have little or no water. To extract the heat, the rock must first be fractured, then water is injected into the rock and pumped out to extra ...

The process by which water in air changes from a vapor to a liquid due to a change in temperature or pressure; occurs when water vapor reaches its dew point (condensation point); also used to express the existence of liquid water on a surface.

Conventional turbine generators are used with the dry steam resources. The steam is used directly, eliminating the need for boilers and boiler fuel that characterizes other steam-power-generating technologies. This technology is limited because dry-steam ...

To send electricity through a electricity transmission and distribution network; a conductor or power line that is carrying current.

Period of time a system or appliance (or component of) is expected to function at its nominal or design capacity without major repair.

A federal government agency created in 1977, that is entrusted to contribute to the welfare of the United States by providing technical information, and a scientific and educational foundation for technology, policy and institutional leadership to achieve ...

The environmental, social, and economic impacts of producing a good or service that are not directly reflected in the market price of the good or service.

The process of sending or moving electricity from one point to another; usually defines that part of an electric utility's electric power lines from the power plant buss to the last transformer before the customer's connection.

A type of hydropower turbine that contains a runner that has water passages through it formed by curved vanes or blades. As the water passes through the runner and over the curved surfaces, it causes rotation of the runner. The rotational motion is transm ...