Glossary

Solar Energy: Energy obtained from sunlight, converted into electricity (photovoltaic) or heat (thermal).
Wind Energy: Energy generated by the movement of wind, typically captured by wind turbines.
Biomass: Organic material (plant or animal) used as a renewable energy source.
Biogas: Combustible gas produced from the anaerobic decomposition of organic matter.
Biodiesel: Renewable fuel derived from vegetable oils or animal fats.
Ethanol: Alcohol fuel produced from the fermentation of plant-based sugars.
Green Hydrogen: Hydrogen produced by water electrolysis using only renewable electricity.
Hydropower (Hydroelectric Energy): Energy generated from the movement of water in rivers or reservoirs.
Tidal Energy: Energy obtained from the rise and fall of ocean tides.
Geothermal Energy: Thermal energy sourced from within the Earth.

Photovoltaic (PV): System that converts sunlight directly into electricity through solar cells.
Wind Turbine: Device that converts the kinetic energy of wind into mechanical or electrical energy.
Gasification: Thermochemical process that converts solid biomass into a combustible gas.
Pyrolysis: Thermal decomposition of organic material in the absence of oxygen.
Electrolysis: Process of splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using electrical current.
Power-to-X (PtX): Technologies that convert renewable electricity into other energy carriers (e.g., hydrogen, synthetic fuels).
Smart Grid: Intelligent electricity network integrating generation, distribution, and consumption using digital technologies.
Energy Storage: Technologies used to store energy (e.g., batteries, hydrogen, compressed air).
Curtailment: The reduction or discarding of renewable energy output due to infrastructure or demand limitations.

Energy Transition: Shift from fossil fuel-based energy systems to renewable and sustainable sources.
Energy Efficiency: Efficient use of energy to reduce waste.
Carbon Footprint: Amount of CO₂ equivalent emitted by human activities.
Carbon Neutrality: Balance between the amount of carbon emitted and removed from the atmosphere.
Fiscal Incentives: Government-provided benefits to stimulate the adoption of renewable energy (e.g., tax exemptions).
Energy Policy: Set of strategies and actions guiding the production, distribution, and use of energy.
Distributed Generation: Energy production close to the point of consumption (e.g., rooftop solar panels).

kW (Kilowatt): Unit of electric power (1,000 watts).
MW (Megawatt): 1,000 kilowatts.
GW (Gigawatt): 1,000 megawatts.
kWh (Kilowatt-hour): Unit of energy used to measure consumption.
Capacity Factor: Ratio between actual energy generated and the maximum possible output of a plant.
Installed Capacity: Total generation capacity of a power plant or system.

Institutions