Definitions Flashcards
(15 cards)
Anaerobic digestion
Anaerobic digestion is a biological process that results in the breakdown of organic matter by naturally occurring bacteria in an environment that has an absence of oxygen
Biodegradable plastic
Plastic that can be broken down by microorganisms, bacteria or other biological means
Biomass
Biomass is a general term for material derived from plants or animal manure
Cut in speed
The minimum wind speed required to turn the rotor of a wind turbine to start generating power
Cut out speed
The wind speed at which a wind turbine shuts down to prevent damage in extreme wind conditions
Direct renewable energy source
These renewable energies take energy from a renewable source such as the wind or waves in the ocean and can convert this into electrical energy directly
Fossil fuel
Fuel consisting of the remains of organisms preserved in rocks in the Earth’s crust with high carbon and hydrogen content
Fuel security
The uninterrupted availability of energy sources at an affordable price
Indirect renewable energy source
These take energy from a renewable source such as the Sun using a physical characteristic of the material being used, and convert this energy into electrical energy
Microgeneration
The small-scale generation of heat and power
Renewable energy source
A form of energy derived from natural sources that do not use up natural resources to harm the environment
SMART grid
A computer-controlled electricity network that switches input from one energy source to another as demand for energy varies on the grid
Sustainable development
To ensure that it meets the needs of the present without compromising compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
The law of conservation of energy
Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred from one form to another
Wind survival speed
The speed at which the turbine will fail which can lead to catastrophic results.
