Knowledge Base Dictionary
Explore the A–Z of renewable energy & e-mobility terminology. Jump directly to any letter below to start learning.
A
Key renewable energy & e-mobility terms that start with A.
Aggregator
An entity that pools multiple Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) to sell or manage them as a single resource.
API (Application Programming Interface)
A set of protocols enabling different software or devices (e.g., EV chargers, inverters) to exchange data and commands.
API2API Proxy Accelerator
Middleware that optimizes the flow between two or more APIs, reducing latency and improving compatibility in energy platforms.
AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure)
Smart meters and two-way communication networks enabling real-time energy monitoring and dynamic pricing.
ACE (Area Control Error)
In grid balancing, the difference between actual and scheduled generation within a control area, used to regulate frequency.
ACER (Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators)
A European Union body that fosters cooperation among national energy regulators, aiming to create a single EU energy market.
Automated Demand Response (ADR)
A system that automatically modifies energy consumption based on signals (price or grid conditions), reducing load without manual intervention.
B
Key terms starting with B in renewables & e-mobility.
BMS (Battery Management System)
Monitors and regulates battery pack performance, including charge, health, and safety.
BESS (Battery Energy Storage System)
Stores excess energy (e.g., from solar/wind) and dispatches it when needed, improving grid reliability.
B2G (Building-to-Grid)
Smart buildings that can export surplus power to the grid or adjust loads for grid services.
Balancing Market
A market mechanism where grid operators procure real-time or near real-time power to balance supply and demand.
Bilateral Trading
Direct energy trading between two parties (e.g., a generator and supplier) under mutually agreed terms, outside centralized exchanges.
C
Key terms starting with C in renewables & e-mobility.
CPMS (Charge Point Management System)
Software that manages EV charging stations: billing, diagnostics, load balancing, etc.
CCS (Combined Charging System)
A standard for EV charging connectors, supporting both AC and DC via a single inlet.
Communication Protocols
Standards (OCPP, EEBUS, Modbus, etc.) that enable interoperability among energy/EV devices.
Capacity Market
A system in which power generators are paid for reliable capacity (not just energy produced), ensuring long-term resource adequacy.
Carbon Credit
A tradable permit or certificate giving the holder the right to emit one ton of CO₂ or equivalent GHG, promoting emissions reduction.
D
Key terms starting with D.
DER (Distributed Energy Resource)
Small-scale generation or storage (e.g., solar, wind, batteries) located near the point of use.
Demand Response (DR)
Programs that shift or reduce energy usage during peak periods to stabilize the grid.
DSO (Distribution System Operator)
Entity overseeing the local grid, managing distribution assets, load balancing, and DER integration.
Day-Ahead Market
An electricity market where participants trade power one day before actual delivery, setting prices and schedules in advance.
Depth of Discharge (DoD)
The percentage of a battery’s capacity that has been used. Managing DoD is key to battery longevity.
E
Key terms starting with E.
EEBUS
A protocol that standardizes communication between energy-related devices (home, building, or EV).
EV (Electric Vehicle)
A vehicle powered by electric motors, typically using rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.
EMS (Energy Management System)
Software to monitor, control, and optimize energy resources in buildings or microgrids.
EEX (European Energy Exchange)
A major energy exchange in Europe where power, gas, and emissions allowances are traded.
Energy Flexibility
The ability of consumers or generators to adjust power consumption or production in response to price or grid signals.
F
Key terms starting with F.
Feed-in Tariff (FiT)
A policy mechanism guaranteeing a set price for renewable energy fed into the grid.
Frequency Regulation
Balancing supply and demand to maintain a stable grid frequency (50/60 Hz).
FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle)
Uses hydrogen fuel cells to generate electricity, offering zero tailpipe emissions.
Forward Market
Contracts to buy or sell electricity at a predetermined price for future delivery, mitigating price volatility.
Flexibility Market
A marketplace where participants trade the ability to increase or decrease load/generation to stabilize the grid.
G
Key terms starting with G.
GHG (Greenhouse Gas)
Gases like CO₂ and methane that contribute to climate change.
Grid-Tie Inverter
Converts DC (solar/battery) to AC synchronized with the grid for exporting surplus energy.
G2V (Grid-to-Vehicle)
Standard EV charging flow from the grid to the vehicle battery (one-way).
Guarantee of Origin
An EU certificate proving that a given share of energy was produced from renewable sources.
Grid Congestion
Occurs when demand for transmission capacity exceeds available capacity, often managed via redispatch or market mechanisms.
H
Key terms starting with H.
HEMS (Home Energy Management System)
Coordinates household energy usage, generation (e.g., solar), and EV charging.
HPC (High-Power Charging)
Fast-charging stations (100–350 kW) that significantly reduce EV charging times.
HomePlug Green PHY
A powerline communication standard used in low-power smart energy or EV charging applications.
Hybrid Inverter
An inverter that can manage both solar generation and battery storage, often providing backup power.
HVDC (High-Voltage Direct Current)
Transmission technology using direct current for efficient, long-distance power delivery with reduced losses.
I
Key protocols & terms starting with I.
IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers)
Organization creating standards (e.g., IEEE 1547 for DER, IEEE 2030.5 for smart energy).
IEEE 2030.5
Smart Energy Profile 2.0; a communication standard for utilities and DER integration.
IEC 61850
Standard for communication in substation automation and broader smart grid applications.
IEC 61851
Defines the EV conductive charging system (modes, infrastructure, safety).
IEC 62196
Covers EV charging connectors (Type 1, Type 2, Combo).
ISO 15118
Specifies communication between EVs and chargers, enabling plug-and-charge features.
Independent System Operator (ISO)
A non-profit entity overseeing a regional electricity grid, managing fair market operation and reliability.
Intraday Market
A continuous or hourly market where electricity can be traded shortly before real-time delivery, addressing last-minute imbalances.
J
Key terms starting with J.
Joule (J)
The SI unit of energy. (1 J = 1 watt-second). In practice, kWh is more common for electricity.
Joint Implementation (JI)
A Kyoto Protocol mechanism enabling emission-reduction projects in foreign countries.
J1772
A standard North American AC charging connector for electric vehicles, also known as the ‘SAE J1772’ plug.
Joule Heating
The process by which the passage of an electric current through a conductor releases heat (I²R losses).
K
Key terms starting with K.
kW & kWh
kW measures power (1,000 watts); kWh measures energy consumed or produced over time.
Kyoto Protocol
An international treaty aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions globally.
KNX
A global standard for home/building automation; can integrate energy management and EV charging.
Kilovolt (kV)
A unit of electrical potential equal to 1,000 volts (1 kV = 1,000 V), common in medium/high-voltage grids.
Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS)
A system that recovers and stores kinetic energy (e.g., from braking) for later use, used in some hybrid or Formula 1 cars.
L
Key terms starting with L.
LCOE (Levelized Cost of Energy)
The average cost of energy from a project over its lifetime, used for comparing energy sources.
Load Balancing
Distributing demand to prevent overloading. Common in EV charging or grid management.
LoRaWAN
Long-range, low-power wireless protocol for IoT, including remote energy asset monitoring.
Locational Marginal Pricing (LMP)
A pricing mechanism that reflects the value of energy at different locations, including congestion and loss costs in wholesale markets.
Liquidity Market
A market with high volumes of trades and participants, enabling easy entry and exit with minimal price impact.
M
Key terms starting with M.
Microgrid
A localized energy system that can operate with or without the main grid.
MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking)
Optimizes the voltage/current of solar panels to maximize energy production.
Modbus
A serial communication protocol widely used in industrial and energy devices (e.g., inverters).
Market Coupling
Aligning multiple national or regional electricity markets under a common mechanism, improving cross-border trade.
M2M (Machine-to-Machine)
Automated data exchange and actions between networked devices (e.g., smart meters, EV chargers) without human intervention.
N
Key terms starting with N.
Net Metering
A billing system crediting solar owners for surplus electricity fed back to the grid.
NMC (Nickel Manganese Cobalt)
A common lithium-ion battery chemistry for EVs, balancing cost and energy density.
Negative Pricing
When electricity market prices dip below zero—often due to high renewable output and low demand—producers pay consumers to take power.
Non-Wires Alternatives (NWA)
Solutions that use distributed energy resources or demand-side management to defer or replace traditional grid infrastructure upgrades.
O
Key protocols & terms starting with O.
OCPP (Open Charge Point Protocol)
An open standard for communication between EV charging stations and management systems.
OpenADR (Open Automated Demand Response)
A standard automating DR signals between utilities/ISOs and customer-side energy systems.
OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer)
Builds components or systems for rebranding by other companies (e.g., EV parts).
Ofgem (Office of Gas and Electricity Markets)
The UK’s energy regulator, tasked with protecting consumers while ensuring a secure, sustainable energy system.
Off-Peak Tariff
A lower electricity rate offered during periods of low demand, encouraging users to shift consumption times.
P
Key terms starting with P.
PPA (Power Purchase Agreement)
A long-term contract to buy electricity from a specific generator (often renewable).
P2G (Power-to-Gas)
Converts surplus electricity into hydrogen or methane for storage or further use.
Peak Shaving
Reducing electricity use during peak demand to avoid high costs or capacity issues, often via storage or DR programs.
Portfolio Optimization
Balancing a mix of generation and demand assets to minimize costs and risks while maximizing returns or reliability.
P2P Energy Trading
Peer-to-peer marketplace enabling prosumers to buy/sell electricity directly to each other, often via blockchain platforms.
Q
Key terms starting with Q.
Q(U) Control (Reactive Power Control)
Managing reactive power output to help maintain stable grid voltage.
QoS (Quality of Service)
Ensures reliable, timely data delivery in communication protocols for real-time control.
Q-Mode
An inverter operating mode that specifically manages reactive power (Q) to support grid voltage regulation.
Quantitative Commodity Analysis
Application of mathematical or statistical models to price and forecast commodity markets (e.g., power, gas).
R
Key terms starting with R.
REC (Renewable Energy Certificate)
Proof that one megawatt-hour of electricity was generated from a renewable source.
Repowering
Upgrading older renewable energy installations (e.g., wind turbines) for higher output.
Regulated Asset Base (RAB)
A valuation of a regulated utility’s infrastructure on which it can earn a permitted rate of return.
Real-Time Market
A short-term electricity market that matches supply and demand close to actual delivery (e.g., every 5 or 15 minutes).
S
Key terms starting with S.
SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition)
Real-time monitoring/control system for industrial processes, including power grids.
SoC (State of Charge)
Indicates the current energy level of a battery (percentage of its max capacity).
SoH (State of Health)
Represents a battery’s overall condition relative to its original capacity/performance.
SUNSPEC
Interoperability standards for solar PV, inverters, meters, and energy storage devices.
Spot Market
A market where financial instruments or commodities (like electricity) are traded for immediate delivery.
Smart Grid
An electricity grid using digital communications to monitor and manage transport of energy from generators to consumers in a secure, reliable manner.
T
Key terms starting with T.
TCO (Total Cost of Ownership)
All expenses over an asset’s lifecycle, from purchase to disposal.
Time-of-Use (ToU) Pricing
Electricity rates varying by time of day, encouraging off-peak consumption.
TCP/IP
Fundamental networking protocols for data exchange in most smart energy/EV solutions.
TSO (Transmission System Operator)
An organization responsible for transporting energy (electricity or gas) on a national or regional level, ensuring system stability.
Transactive Energy
A system where market-based economic and control mechanisms manage the generation, distribution, and consumption of power within the grid.
U
Key terms starting with U.
UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply)
Provides short-term backup power during outages, protecting sensitive loads.
Utility
Company or entity providing electricity distribution and sometimes generation.
UC/UD (Unit Commitment & Unit Dispatch)
Processes used by grid operators to decide which power plants to run and at what levels, optimizing cost and reliability.
Upstream Emissions
Greenhouse gas emissions associated with extracting, processing, and transporting fuel before it reaches the power plant or end user.
V
Key terms starting with V.
V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid)
Bi-directional charging allowing EVs to feed power back into the grid.
VPP (Virtual Power Plant)
Aggregated DERs controlled by software to act like a single large power plant.
V2H (Vehicle-to-Home)
Enables an EV to power household loads during outages or peak rates, using the car battery as backup storage.
Voltage Optimization
A technique where voltage levels are dynamically controlled (often reduced) to improve energy efficiency and lower consumption.
W
Key terms starting with W.
WAMS (Wide Area Monitoring System)
Real-time grid monitoring across large areas to detect and address issues promptly.
Wp (Watt-peak)
A solar panel’s rated power output under ideal test conditions.
Wheeling Service
Transmission of electricity through a third-party network. Generators pay for the right to ‘wheel’ power to distant customers.
Wind Curtailment
Reducing wind generation below its available output due to grid constraints or oversupply, often managed via controls or market signals.
X
Key terms starting with X.
XaaS (Anything-as-a-Service)
Subscription models like ‘Solar-as-a-Service’ or ‘Battery-as-a-Service’.
XMPP (Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol)
Originally for instant messaging; adapted for secure, extensible IoT/energy device communication.
X-Efficiency
An economic concept describing how effectively firms utilize inputs, often used to highlight hidden inefficiencies in regulated markets.
XML-based Protocol
Protocols that use XML for data representation, facilitating interoperability (e.g., IEC standards in the smart grid).
Y
Key terms starting with Y.
Yaw Control (Wind Turbine)
Mechanism rotating the nacelle to face the wind for optimal efficiency.
Yield
Total energy generated by a system (e.g., solar PV) over a specific period.
Yttrium-Based Battery
An emerging battery type using yttrium compounds to improve stability and performance, though not yet widespread.
Yearly Settlement
Accounting mechanism where energy imbalances or revenues are reconciled on an annual basis, common in some net-metering policies.
Z
Key terms starting with Z.
Zero Net Energy (ZNE)
A building that produces as much energy as it consumes annually, via on-site renewables.
ZEV (Zero Emission Vehicle)
A vehicle emitting no tailpipe pollutants (e.g., battery or hydrogen fuel cell).
Zoning Regulations
Local rules determining land usage. In renewables, these regulations can dictate solar array placements, turbine heights, etc.
Zonal Pricing
A pricing method dividing the grid into zones; energy within each zone has a single price, reflecting transmission constraints between zones.
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