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> Home > Resources > Glossary
Glossary
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Aggregator

Combines the load reduction capability of multiple customers in negotiating the sale and purchase of electric energy, the transmission of electricity, and other related services, such as demand response.

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Blackout

A total loss of electric power to a widespread area.

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Brownout

An event when electric power is reduced, not totally cut. This may cause lights to flicker and dim.

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CAISO (California Independent System Operator)

A not-for-profit public-benefit corporation whose responsibilities include operating the majority of California’s high-voltage wholesale power grid and planning the transmission needs of this infrastructure.

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Capacity

The amount of electric power delivered or required for which a generator, turbine, transformer, transmission circuit, station, or system is rated by the manufacturer. This also refers to the amount of load reduction capability a participant has at any given time.

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Capacity Payment

Payment given to the customer for being available to reduce their electric demand.

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Carbon Footprint

The impact our activities have on climate change and the environment measured by the greenhouse gases we produce.

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Congestion

Occurs when transmission capacity constraints take away the ability to supply the cheapest available generation to an area.

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CSP (Curtailment Service Provider)

A company that works with the end-use customer and the independent system operator to provide demand response capacity; also Demand Response Provider (DRP).

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Curtailable Load

The amount of electricity that can be reduced at a given time.

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Curtailment

The process of decreasing electricity consumption at a facility or group of facilities.

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Demand Charge

Based on the customer’s maximum demand on the system during each billing period.

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Demand Response

The act of relieving stress on the electric grid by reducing the demand for electricity.

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Demand Response Event

The period of time when participants are asked to curtail their load.

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DG (Distributed Generation)

Using electrical power generation technologies to supply electricity to the load being served.

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DRCC (U.S. Demand Response Coordinating Committee)

A non-profit organization that works to share expertise and information with policy makers and demand response practitioners.

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DRP (Demand Response Provider)

A company that works with the end-use customer and the independent system operator to provide demand response capacity; also Curtailment Service Provide (CSP)r.

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DSM (Demand-Side Management)

A program designed to provide an incentive to encourage consumers to modify patterns of electricity usage, including the timing and level of electricity demand.

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Economic Demand Response Programs

These demand response programs allow participants to set strike prices for reducing energy consumption, in some cases, bidding against power generators.

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Electric Demand

The amount of electricity, measured in kW, that a system uses at a given point in time.

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Electric Power Grid

The transmission and delivery of power from producers to end-users.

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Emergency Demand Response Programs

Demand response programs in which events are called in response to a power supply emergency.

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Energy Efficiency

Using less energy to produce the same amount of output.

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Energy Star

A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy joint program enabling the protection of the environment with energy efficiency.

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FERC

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

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Generation

The amount of electrical energy produced or the act of producing electrical energy.

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Generation Capacity

The total electrical output that can be supplied to the system load.

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IBCS (Internet-Based Communication System)

A required system for participation in ISO-NE demand response programs. This system is used to transmit data and measure electrical consumption.

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ICAP (Installed Capacity)

The amount of demand response and electricity generating assets in a market or region.

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IESO (Independent Electricity System Operator)

A not-for-profit corporate entity that maintains the supply and demand of electricity in Ontario, Canada.

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Index Price Control

Limits your exposure to index price spikes and generates significant energy savings through automatic response to fluctuating energy prices.

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Interruptible Load

The load that is available to be curtailed.

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IOU

Investor-owned utility

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ISO (Independent System Operator)

Federally regulated regional organization which coordinates, controls, and monitors the operation of the electrical power system of a particular region.

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ISO-NE

Independent System Operator of New England

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kW (Kilowatt)

A measurement of power, one thousand watts.

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kWh (Kilowatt-hour)

A measurement of power over time.

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LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)

The LEED Green Building Rating System provides standards for green construction.

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Load

The amount of electricity required or delivered in a system.

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M&V (Measurement and Verification)

Guidelines to measure and verify energy cost and savings.

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MW (Megawatt)

A measurement of power, one millon watts.

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NASEO (National Association of State Energy Officials)

National Association of State Energy Officials

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Negawatt Power Pool®

Simplifies energy incentive and demand response programs, enables you to contribute to grid stability on your terms, and maximizes financial benefits.

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NEPOOL (New England Power Pool)

A group of New England utilities that coordinate and manage the region’s electric supply and transmission systems.

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NERC (North American Electric Reliability Corporation)

An organization that works toward maintaining and increasing the reliability of the bulk power system in North America.

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NYISO (New York Independent System Operator)

A not-for-profit corporation that coordinates and monitors the reliability of New York’s electricity grid.

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NYSERDA (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority)

A public benefit corporation that researches and develops projects based on the effects of energy usage.

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Off-peak

A time of decreased energy demand.

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On-peak

A time of increased energy demand.

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Peak Demand

The highest level of electrical load during a certain period of time.

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Peaking Capacity

A generating capacity that can meet peak demand.

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Peaking Plant

Small generating units that only run when the base-load plants cannot supply all of the electricity needed to meet demand. These plants are expensive to operate and only run at peak periods for short amounts of time.

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PJM (PJM Interconnection)

A regional transmission organization (RTO) that manages the wholesale electricity market through all or parts of Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia.

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Power Factor

The ratio between apparent power and true power.

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Price Response

As wholesale electricity prices change, consumer level electrical usage will respond and change as well.

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REC (Renewable Energy Credit)

Environmental certificates that represent the creation of renewable energy. These certificates can be traded and sold.

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Smart Grid

A system that delivers electricity in a way that is more efficient, less costly, and more reliable.

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Transmission

The flow of energy from generation to distribution lines.

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UCAP (Unforced Capacity)

Stands for the amount of installed capacity (ICAP) that is available at a certain point in time.

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Watt

The electrical unit of power. Equals one joule per second.

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