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Energy Terms

A measure of the ability of a light source to show colors, based on a color rendering index.

A measure of light quality. The maximum CRI value of 100 is given to natural daylight and incandescent lighting. The closer a lamp's CRI rating is to 100, the better its ability to show true colors to the human eye.

A measure of the quality of a light source by expressing the color appearance correlated with a black body.

A power plant that uses two thermodynamic cycles to achieve higher overall system efficiency; e.g.: the heat from a gas-fired combustion turbine is used to generate steam for heating or to operate a steam turbine to generate additional electricity.

The process of burning; the oxidation of a material by applying heat, which unites oxygen with a material or fuel.

Air that provides the necessary oxygen for complete, clean combustion and maximum heating value.

Any wholly or partially enclosed space in which combustion takes place.

The gaseous byproducts of the combustion of a fuel.

A power plant that generates power by combusting a fuel.

A turbine that generates power from the combustion of a fuel.

A frequently used room or area that is maintained at a more comfortable level than the rest of the house; also known as a "warm room."

A building with more than 50 percent of its floorspace used for commercial activities, which include stores, offices, schools, churches, libraries, museums, health care facilities, warehouses, and government buildings except those on military bases.

Consists of businesses that are not engaged in transportation or manufacturing or other types of industrial activities. Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes for commercial establishments are 50 through 87, 89, and 91 through 97.

The process by which a power plant, apparatus, or building is approved for operation based on observed or measured operation that meets design specifications.

A smaller version of standard fluorescent lamps which can directly replace standard incandescent lights. These lights consist of a gas filled tube, and a magnetic or electronic ballast.

A type of anaerobic digester that has a mechanical mixing system and where temperature and volume are controlled to maximize the anaerobic digestion process for biological waste treatment, methane production, and odor control.

The process of degrading organic material (biomass) by microorganisms in aerobic conditions.

A self-contained toilet that use the process of aerobic decomposition (composting) to break down feces into humus and odorless gases.

A form of solar concentrating collector that does not track the sun.

The storage of compressed air in a container for use to operate a prime mover for electricity generation.