Renewable Energy Technology and Systems
Expert-defined terms from the Professional Certificate in Renewable Energy Directives course at London School of International Business. Free to read, free to share, paired with a globally recognised certification pathway.
**Absorption Chiller #
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An absorption chiller is a refrigeration system that uses heat as its driving po… #
It can be powered by renewable energy sources such as solar thermal energy or geothermal energy.
**Aerogenerator #
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An aerogenerator, also known as a wind turbine, converts wind energy into mechan… #
An aerogenerator, also known as a wind turbine, converts wind energy into mechanical energy that can be used to generate electricity.
**Alternating Current (AC) #
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Alternating current is an electric current that changes direction periodically a… #
Alternating current is an electric current that changes direction periodically and can be produced by renewable energy sources such as wind turbines and solar panels.
**Anemometer #
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An anemometer is a device used to measure wind speed and is an essential compone… #
An anemometer is a device used to measure wind speed and is an essential component of wind resource assessment.
**Biomass #
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Biomass refers to organic matter derived from plants or animals that can be conv… #
Biomass refers to organic matter derived from plants or animals that can be converted into fuel or electricity.
**Biomass Energy #
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Biomass energy is the energy derived from the conversion of organic matter into… #
Biomass energy is the energy derived from the conversion of organic matter into fuel or electricity, typically through combustion, anaerobic digestion, or fermentation.
**Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) #
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Concentrated solar power is a renewable energy technology that uses mirrors to f… #
Concentrated solar power is a renewable energy technology that uses mirrors to focus sunlight onto a central point, generating heat that is converted into electricity.
**DC #
to-DC Converter:**
A DC #
to-DC converter is an electronic device that converts direct current from one voltage level to another. It is commonly used in renewable energy systems to convert the low voltage DC output of a solar panel or wind turbine to a higher voltage suitable for battery storage or grid connection.
**Direct Current (DC) #
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Direct current is an electric current that flows in one direction only, typicall… #
Direct current is an electric current that flows in one direction only, typically generated by renewable energy sources such as solar panels and fuel cells.
**Energy Payback Time #
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Energy payback time is the time it takes for a renewable energy system to genera… #
Energy payback time is the time it takes for a renewable energy system to generate as much energy as was used in its production, installation, and maintenance.
**Geothermal Energy #
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Geothermal energy is the heat energy generated and stored in the Earth's interio… #
Geothermal energy is the heat energy generated and stored in the Earth's interior, which can be harnessed for electricity generation or direct use in buildings.
**Grid #
Connected System:**
A grid #
connected renewable energy system is a system that is connected to the electricity grid and can sell excess electricity back to the grid.
**Hydroelectric Power #
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Hydroelectric power is electricity generated from the energy of flowing or falli… #
Hydroelectric power is electricity generated from the energy of flowing or falling water, typically through the use of turbines and generators.
**Inverter #
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An inverter is an electronic device that converts direct current (DC) to alterna… #
An inverter is an electronic device that converts direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC), making it suitable for use with electrical appliances and the electricity grid.
**Load Balancing #
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Load balancing is the process of distributing electrical load across multiple so… #
Load balancing is the process of distributing electrical load across multiple sources, such as renewable energy systems and the electricity grid.
**Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) #
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Maximum power point tracking is a technique used in solar panels and wind turbin… #
Maximum power point tracking is a technique used in solar panels and wind turbines to maximize the amount of electricity generated by tracking the point of maximum power output.
**Microgrid #
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A microgrid is a small #
scale electricity network that can operate independently of the main electricity grid, typically using renewable energy sources.
**Net Metering #
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Net metering is a billing arrangement that allows customers with renewable energ… #
Net metering is a billing arrangement that allows customers with renewable energy systems to sell excess electricity back to the grid, offsetting their electricity costs.
**Off #
Grid System:**
An off #
grid renewable energy system is a system that is not connected to the electricity grid and relies solely on renewable energy sources for electricity generation.
**Photovoltaic (PV) Cell #
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A photovoltaic cell is a device that converts sunlight directly into electricity… #
A photovoltaic cell is a device that converts sunlight directly into electricity, typically using semiconductor materials.
**Photovoltaic (PV) Module #
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A photovoltaic module is a group of photovoltaic cells connected together to for… #
A photovoltaic module is a group of photovoltaic cells connected together to form a larger unit, typically used in solar panels.
**Photovoltaic (PV) System #
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A photovoltaic system is a complete installation of photovoltaic modules, includ… #
A photovoltaic system is a complete installation of photovoltaic modules, including inverters, charge controllers, and batteries.
**Power Curve #
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A power curve is a graph that shows the relationship between wind speed and the… #
A power curve is a graph that shows the relationship between wind speed and the power output of a wind turbine.
**Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) #
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A renewable energy certificate is a tradable certificate that represents the env… #
A renewable energy certificate is a tradable certificate that represents the environmental attributes of one megawatt-hour of renewable energy generation.
**Renewable Energy Directive (RED) #
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The Renewable Energy Directive is a European Union directive that sets targets f… #
The Renewable Energy Directive is a European Union directive that sets targets for the use of renewable energy in the EU.
**Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) #
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The Renewable Energy Sources Act is a German law that promotes the use of renewa… #
The Renewable Energy Sources Act is a German law that promotes the use of renewable energy through feed-in tariffs and other incentives.
**Rotor #
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The rotor is the rotating part of a wind turbine that captures the wind's energy… #
The rotor is the rotating part of a wind turbine that captures the wind's energy and converts it into mechanical energy.
**Solar Tracker #
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A solar tracker is a device that moves a solar panel or array to follow the sun'… #
A solar tracker is a device that moves a solar panel or array to follow the sun's movement, maximizing energy production.
**Storage #
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Energy storage is the process of capturing and storing energy from renewable ene… #
Energy storage is the process of capturing and storing energy from renewable energy sources for later use.
**Turbine #
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A turbine is a machine that converts the kinetic energy of a fluid (such as wind… #
A turbine is a machine that converts the kinetic energy of a fluid (such as wind or water) into mechanical energy.
**Utility #
Scale System:**
A utility #
scale renewable energy system is a system that has a capacity of at least one megawatt and is connected to the electricity grid.
**Vertical #
Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT):**
A vertical #
axis wind turbine is a type of wind turbine that has its rotor shaft positioned vertically, perpendicular to the direction of the wind.
**Watt #
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A watt is a unit of power equal to one joule per second #
A watt is a unit of power equal to one joule per second.
**Watt #
Hour:**
A watt #
hour is a unit of energy equal to one watt of power used for one hour.
**Wind Rose #
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A wind rose is a graphical representation of wind direction and frequency at a g… #
A wind rose is a graphical representation of wind direction and frequency at a given location.
**Wind Speed #
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Wind speed is the rate at which wind is moving, typically measured in miles per… #
Wind speed is the rate at which wind is moving, typically measured in miles per hour or meters per second.
**Wind Turbine #
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A wind turbine is a machine that converts the kinetic energy of wind into mechan… #
A wind turbine is a machine that converts the kinetic energy of wind into mechanical energy, typically used to generate electricity.