An emergency order issued by the United States Department of Energy (DOE) under Section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act. It allows the Secretary of Energy to temporarily order connections of facilities and the generation, delivery, or transmission of electricity to best meet an emergency caused by war, a sudden increase in demand, or a shortage of energy or facilities. These temporary orders can also exempt power plants from federal, state, or local environmental rules and have historically been used to prevent outages during severe weather events or supply shortfalls.
Also known as real or true power, is the portion of electrical power that does useful work in a circuit, such as generating heat, light, or mechanical energy. (see related: reactive power)
A preliminary document used by government agencies to solicit public feedback on potential new rules or reforms before they are officially proposed. It outlines initial ideas, asks specific questions, and serves as the first step in a larger regulatory process. The acronym is frequently used by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). It precedes a formal Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR) and allows agencies to gauge public opinion and gather information to develop a more informed proposal.
(see also: Essential reliability services) – Supplementary services essential for maintaining the reliable operation and stability of the electrical grid beyond the basic generation and transmission of energy. They are “behind-the-scenes” services that include real-time balancing of electricity supply and demand, maintaining voltage levels, and providing the capability to restart the grid after a widespread outage (black start).
Is an automated system that continuously monitors the electrical network and adjusts the power output of multiple generators. Its primary functions are to maintain system frequency (60 Hz in United States), in response to changes in the power demand, or load.
The minimum amount of electricity that a utility must provide to meet the consistent, ongoing needs of its customers. Historically, this steady demand was met by large power plants (like coal or nuclear) that ran continuously. Today, with more renewable energy, this minimum demand can be met by a flexible mix of various power sources, rather than relying solely on specific “baseload plants”.
A technology that stores electrical energy in rechargeable batteries for later use. Batteries help stabilize the grid, manage energy demand, and increase the use of renewable energy.
Any energy resource that provides energy directly to a home or business without passing through a utility company’s meter. Examples include rooftop solar and microgrids.
The process of creating electricity.
Heat derived from the Earth’s interior, which can be harnessed for electricity generation. It’s a renewable resource, as the Earth’s internal heat is continuously replenished.
The electrical grid is a vast, interconnected network comprising power plants, transmission lines, substations, and distribution lines. Its purpose is to generate, transmit, and deliver electricity from producers to consumers across a wide geographic area.
A variety of technologies that improve the capacity, efficiency, and reliability of existing power grids. They are often lower cost and faster to deploy than major grid infrastructure upgrades like building new transmission lines. These technologies optimize the flow of electricity across existing infrastructure.
Refers to the ability of an inverter to synchronize with frequency and voltage on the grid. These are more common than grid forming and refer to how this technology takes its cues from the grid, not the other way around.
Refers to the ability of an inverter to actively control frequency and voltage on the grid, helping to ensure grid stability. They can provide ancillary services, such as inertia, voltage regulation, and frequency response, essential for maintaining grid stability.
Refers to the many solutions that help the grid withstand major events, such as extreme weather, natural disasters, or cyber attacks, without disruption.
Fuel cell that carries energy generated from another source. It can be used in fuel cells to generate electricity with water as the only byproduct, or it can be burned for heat. Hydrogen can be produced from a variety of sources–renewable energy such as solar or wind, or gas plants, nuclear, and other energy sources–which dictate whether it can be considered “clean” or not.
A non-profit organization that represents state public service commissions, which regulate essential utility services like energy, telecommunications, and water. Its stated aim is to improve the quality and effectiveness of public utility regulation. It has eight committees:
It also has a task force focused on Innovation.
Non-profit organization that operates to assure the effective and efficient reduction of risks to the reliability and security of the grid. It oversees six regional reliability entities and encompasses all of the interconnected power systems of Canada and the contiguous United States, as well as a portion of the Mexican state of Baja California. Its responsibilities include working with all stakeholders to develop standards for power system operation, monitoring and enforcing compliance with those standards, assessing resource adequacy, and providing educational and training resources as part of an accreditation program. NERC also investigates and analyzes the causes of significant power system disturbances in order to help prevent future events and produces reports about the near and long-term reliability forecast.
A document used by government agencies to announce a potential new rule or amendment to an existing one. This is an official part of the law-making process, allowing public comment before the rule is finalized. The acronym is frequently used by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).
A government-owned, contractor-operated facility, funded and overseen by the United States Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). It specializes in the research and development of renewable energy, energy efficiency, energy systems integration, and sustainable transportation.
