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Biomass
Plant materials and animal waste used especially as a source
of fuel.
BTU (British Thermal The heat equal to 1/180 of the heat required to raise the
Unit)
temperature of one pound of water from 32 degrees Fahrenheit
to 212 degrees Fahrenheit at a constant pressure of one
atmosphere.
Chemical Energy
The potential energy locked within a system and released
during a chemical reaction.
Climate Change
Any significant change in measures of climate, such as
temperature, precipitation, or wind, lasting for an extended
period of a decade or longer.
Conservation
The process of controlling resources; for example, limiting soil
erosion, reducing sediment in waterways, conserving water,
and improving water quality.
Efficiency
The ratio of the useful energy delivered by a dynamic system to
the energy supplied to it.
Electrical Energy
Energy associated with the flow of electrons.
Electricity
The flow of electrical power or charge.
Energy
The ability to do work; types include heat, light, sound,
chemical, nuclear, mechanical, electrical.
Environment
External surroundings.
Exhaustible Energy Any source of energy that is limited and cannot be replaced
when it is used, such as oil, coal, and natural gas.
Fossil Fuel
A natural fuel such as coal or gas formed in the geological past
from the remains of living organisms.
Geothermal
Energy stored in the earth in the form of heat.
Greenhouse Effect
The phenomenon whereby the earth's atmosphere traps solar
radiation, caused by the presence in the atmosphere of gases
such as carbon dioxide, water vapor, and methane that allow
incoming sunlight to pass through but absorb heat radiated
back from the earth's surface.
Heat (Thermal)
Energy in transit.
Energy
Hydroelectric Energy The use of flowing water from waterfalls and dams to produce
electricity.
Hydrogen
The first and simplest element on the periodic table. It is one of
the most common elements in the galaxy.
Inexhaustible Energy An energy source that will never run out.
Joule
The unit of energy or work in the MKS system of units, equal to
the work done by a force of one Newton-meter.
Kinetic Energy
The energy possessed by a body as a result of its motion.
Law of Conservation Energy can be neither created nor destroyed. There is a fixed
of Energy
amount of energy present in different forms that can be
Light (Radiant)
Energy
Mechanical Energy
Natural Gas
Newton-Meter
Non-Renewable
Energy
Nuclear Energy
Petroleum
Photovoltaic Cell
Potential Energy
converted from one form to another, but energy does not go
away.
Energy visible to the eye.
Energy produced by mechanical devices, such as gears,
pulleys, levers, or internal combustion engines.
Gas usually found within the vicinity of petroleum reserves.
A unit measure of work.
A resource that cannot be replaced once used.
The power of the atom.
Oil.
A device that converts light into electricity.
The energy that a piece of matter has because of its position or
nature or because of the arrangement of parts.
Power
The rate at which work is performed or energy is expended.
Power Grid
A system by which electrical power is delivered throughout a
region.
Renewable Energy
A resource that can be replaced when needed.
Solar Energy
Energy from the sun.
Sustainable
Refers to the use of resources in ways that prevent their being
depleted or permanently damaged.
Watt
A measure of power equal to one joule of work per second.
Wind Energy
Energy derived from wind by means of windmills or wind
turbines.
Wind Farm
A collection of wind turbines used to create electricity.
Wind Turbine
A propeller driven by the wind and connected to a generator.
The wind makes it turn the generator, which produces
electricity.
Work
A result of a force moving an object a certain distance.
Active Solar System A solar energy collection system that uses electrical or
mechanical components to heat water or heat and cool
buildings or produce electricity.
Alternative Fuels
Fuels to eventually replace dwindling supplies of fossil fuels,
such as biodiesel and hydrogen.
Battery
A direct current voltage source made up of one or more units
that convert chemical, thermal, nuclear, or solar energy into
electrical energy that can be stored until it is needed.
Electrolysis
Process of splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen by means
of an electric current.
Electromagnetic
A field of electromagnetic energy produced by electricity flowing
Field
through power lines.
Electron
A negatively charged particle.
Emissions
Substances discharged into the air (as by a smokestack or an
automobile engine)
Energy Carrier
Moves energy in a usable form from one place to another, like
electricity or hydrogen.
Energy Conservation Conserving resources through efficient and prudent use.
Fuel Cell
Device that combines hydrogen, or other fuels, and oxygen and
produces electricity in the process.
Generator
A device used to convert mechanical energy into electrical
energy.
Hydrogen
The first and simplest element on the periodic table. It is one of
the most common elements in the galaxy.
Natural Resources
Naturally occurring materials found within the Earth or its
atmosphere.
Passive Solar System A solar energy collection system that does not require electrical
or mechanical components; can directly heat water or buildings
or reduce solar heat gain or provide lighting.
Power Grid
A system of high-tension cables by which electrical power is
distributed throughout a region.
Power Plant
Any unit that converts some form of energy into electrical
energy, such as a hydroelectric or steam-generating station, a
diesel-electric engine in a vehicle, or a nuclear power plant.
Smart Grid
An electrical power distribution network that can transmit
electricity, including two-way, digital communications between
producers and consumers. A smart grid includes an intelligent
monitoring system that keeps track of all electricity flowing in
the system. It also incorporates the use of superconductive
transmission lines for less power loss, as well as the capability
of integrating alternative sources of electricity such as solar and
wind.
Steam Reforming
Process in which high-temperature steam separates hydrogen
from carbon atoms in methane (CH4).
Sustainable
Engineering that focuses on the development of a sustainable
Engineering
future through renewable energy, wise use of natural resources,
recycling, and assessment of environmental impact.
Transformer
A device used to increase or decrease voltage supplied to a
circuit.
Turbine
A machine for producing power in which a wheel or rotor is
made to revolve by a fast-moving flow of water, steam, gas, or
air.
Audit
A methodical examination and review.
Biodegradable
Items that can easily degrade by natural processes such as
exposure to sun and water or the action of bacteria or fungi.
By-Product
A product from a manufacturing process that is not considered
the principal material.
Climate Change
Any significant change in measures of climate, such as
temperature, precipitation, or wind, lasting for an extended
period of a decade or longer.
Compost
The conversion of dead vegetation into useful soil through the
process of decay.
Conduction
The movement of heat through a solid material or between two
solid materials that touch each other.
Convection
The way in which heat travels by movement or circulation
within liquids or gases. Warmer masses of fluid usually rise
while cooler masses usually sink.
Energy Conservation Reduction in the amount of energy consumed in a process or
system, or by an organization or society, through economy,
elimination of waste, and rational use. (e.g. turning lights out
when you leave the room)
Energy Efficiency
Long term energy reduction due to the installation of efficient
building materials, equipment and appliances.
Heat
The transfer of thermal energy.
Incinerate
To destroy by burning.
Insulation
A material used to prevent the passage of heat, electricity, or
sound.
Integrated Waste
Employing several waste control and disposal methods such
Management
as source reduction, recycling, re-use, incineration, and
landfills to minimize the environmental impact of residential,
commercial and industrial waste streams.
Landfill
Disposal of solid waste by burying in layers of the earth in low
ground.
Organic Materials
Materials with carbon-based structures that originate from or
relate to living organisms.
Pollution
A contaminant to the environment, especially human-made
waste.
Product Life Cycle
The stages a product goes through, including obtaining raw
materials, processing, manufacturing, packaging, transporting,
using, and disposing or recycling.
Radiation
The way in which heat travels through air in the form of
electromagnetic waves.
Raw Material
A material that is human-made or is from natural resources
that is used to produce a product.
Recycle
The process of making new products from materials that were
used in another product.
Reduce
To decrease the amount of products purchased or produced
with the intent of minimizing waste.
Reuse
The process of reusing a product so the product’s life does not
end; instead, it becomes a continuous cycle.
Solid Waste
Garbage and other waste.
Sustainable
Engineering
Engineering that focuses on the development of a sustainable
future through renewable energy, wise use of natural
resources, recycling, and assessment of environmental impact.
Temperature
The degree or intensity of average thermal energy present in
one location of a substance or object.
Thermal Energy
Energy created by friction between vibrating atoms and
molecules.
Trash
Waste material; refuse.
Waste-to-Energy Plant A plant that shreds and burns waste. The heat energy is then
used to produce electricity for industrial processes.