Policy and Regulation in Renewable Energy

**Abatement #

** Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through various measures, such as increasing energy efficiency or switching to renewable energy sources.

** Capacity factor #

** The ratio of the actual electrical energy produced by a generator over a period of time, to the maximum possible electrical energy that could have been produced over that same period, if the generator had been operating at full capacity continuously.

** Carbon capture and storage (CCS) #

** A technology that captures carbon dioxide emissions from sources like power plants and stores them underground, preventing their release into the atmosphere.

** Clean energy standard #

** A policy requiring electric utilities to generate a certain percentage of their electricity from clean energy sources, such as renewables and nuclear power.

** Demand #

side management:** A strategy to reduce energy consumption and peak demand through programs that encourage energy conservation and efficiency, such as time-of-use rates and demand response.

** Distributed energy resources (DERs) #

** Small-scale energy generation and storage technologies, such as rooftop solar panels and battery systems, that are connected to the electrical grid at the distribution level.

** Electric vehicle (EV) #

** A vehicle that runs on electricity, stored in a battery, rather than gasoline or diesel.

** Emission reduction target #

** A goal set by a government or organization to reduce greenhouse gas emissions over a specific period of time.

** Energy efficiency #

** Using less energy to perform the same task, thus reducing energy waste and conserving resources.

** Energy storage #

** The capture of energy produced at one time for use at a later time, often used to balance the supply and demand of electricity on the grid.

** Feed #

in tariff:** A policy that guarantees renewable energy producers a fixed price for the electricity they generate and sell to the grid, providing a stable revenue stream and incentivizing investment in renewable energy.

** Greenhouse gas (GHG) #

** A gas that traps heat in the atmosphere, contributing to climate change. The most common GHGs are carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide.

** Interconnection standards #

** Technical requirements for connecting renewable energy systems to the electrical grid, ensuring safe and reliable operation of the grid.

Net metering #

A policy that allows renewable energy system owners to receive credits for the excess electricity they generate and sell back to the grid.

** Non #

renewable energy:** Energy sources that cannot be replenished within a human lifetime, such as fossil fuels.

** Paris Agreement #

** An international treaty aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and limiting global temperature increase to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels.

** Power purchase agreement (PPA) #

** A contract between a renewable energy developer and a buyer, such as a utility or corporation, to purchase the electricity generated by a renewable energy project over a set period of time.

** Renewable energy certificate (REC) #

** A tradable commodity that represents the environmental attributes of one megawatt-hour (MWh) of renewable energy.

** Renewable portfolio standard (RPS) #

** A policy that requires electric utilities to generate a certain percentage of their electricity from renewable energy sources.

** Renewable portfolio standard carve #

out:** A specific requirement within a renewable portfolio standard that sets aside a certain percentage of the renewable energy target for specific renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind.

** Renewable thermal #

** The use of renewable energy sources, such as solar or geothermal, to generate heat or cool air, rather than electricity.

** Smart grid #

** An electrical grid that uses digital technology to optimize the delivery of electricity, improving efficiency, reliability, and flexibility.

** Solar leasing #

** A financing option for solar energy systems that allows homeowners and businesses to install solar panels with little to no upfront cost, and pay for the electricity generated over time.

** Sustainable development #

** Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, often achieved through the use of renewable energy and sustainable practices.

** Time #

of-use rates:** Electricity pricing that varies depending on the time of day, encouraging energy conservation and demand response during peak hours.

** Transmission system operator #

** An organization responsible for managing the high-voltage transmission system that carries electricity from power plants to distribution systems.

** Utility #

scale renewable energy:** Large-scale renewable energy projects, such as wind farms and solar power plants, connected to the electrical grid.

** Virtual power plant #

** A network of distributed energy resources, such as rooftop solar panels and battery systems, that are centrally managed and operated as a single power plant.

** Wind power purchase agreement (Wind PPA) #

** A contract between a wind energy developer and a buyer, such as a utility or corporation, to purchase the electricity generated by a wind energy project over a set period of time.

** Zero #

net energy building:** A building that produces as much renewable energy as it consumes over the course of a year, achieving a net-zero energy balance.