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GLOSSARY Printable version  

Baseload Unit: An electricity-generating plant that is normally operated continuously to meet the constant or minimum load on an electric system (see Load and Electric System).

Capacity Factor: A measure of power plant reliability calculated as the ratio of the actual output of the plant over a period of time to its output if it had operated at full capacity the entire time.

Circuit: A pathway through which electricity moves.

Compact Fluorescent Light bulb (CFL): A light bulb made up of a twisted glass tube and an electronic control device--called a ballast--at the base of the tube. A CFL uses up to 75 percent less energy to generate the same amount of light as a traditional incandescent light bulb.

Electric System: Physically connected generating plants, transmission lines, and related equipment operated as an integrated unit.

Equivalent Availability Factor: A measure of power plant reliability calculated as the amount of time that a plant is able to produce electricity over a certain period, divided by the total amount of the time in the period.

Flue Gas: The combustion exhaust gas that exits a fireplace, oven, furnace or boiler.

HVAC: The acronym for Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning.

Kilowatt (kW): One thousand watts (see Watt).

Kilovolt (kV): One thousand volts (see Volt).

Kilowatt–hour (kWh): One thousand watt-hours (see Watt-hour).

Load: The amount of electric power delivered or required at any specific point or points on an electric system. The requirement originates at the electricity-consuming equipment of consumers. (see Electric System).

Megawatt (MW): One million watts (see Watt).

Megawatt–hour (MWh): One million watt-hours (see Watt-hour).

Mercury: A chemical element that can be deposited into bodies of water by natural sources such as soil and rock erosion, volcanoes and forest fires, and by human activities such as mining, manufacturing and coal burning. Mercury contained in certain types of fish eaten by pregnant women or children is a health concern.

Nitrogen Oxides (NOx): A by-product of combustion. If not handled properly, NOx can combine with water, oxygen and other chemicals in the atmosphere to create haze and ozone.

Particulate Materials: Tiny bits of solid materials such as dust and soot. Particulates are produced by many sources, one of which is coal combustion.

Peak Load: The maximum load on an electric system (see Load and Electric System).

Renewable Energy: Energy that comes from resources that constantly renew themselves, are inexhaustible and cause relatively few environmental impacts.

Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs): Renewable energy certificates represent the title to environmental benefits associated with energy produced from a renewable energy generation facility and are sold separately from the electricity commodity. RECs are combined with energy produced by Platte River’s other resources to form a more affordable renewable energy product (see Renewable Energy).

Stack: A chimney that creates a draft to carry the gaseous byproducts of combustion safely away.

Substation: An electric system facility used to change voltage from one level to another and/or switch circuits or lines in- and out-of-service (see Circuit, Electric System and Voltage).

Sulfur Dioxide (SO2): A by-product of combustion. If not handled properly, SO2 can combine with water, oxygen and other chemicals in the atmosphere to create acid rain.

Volt: A unit of voltage (see Voltage).

Voltage: The force that causes electricity to flow through a circuit (see Circuit).

Watt: A unit of electricity.

Watt-hour: The amount of energy used in one hour by a device requiring one watt of electricity for operation (see Watt).

Voltage: The force that causes electricity to flow through a circuit (see Circuit).

 
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