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The unit of measurement of electrical current produced in a circuit.
The amount of electric power delivered or required for which a generator, turbine, transformer, transmission circuit, station, or system is rated by the manufacturer.
Carbon Dioxide is the main product from the combustion of fossil fuels, such as gas, oil and coal. While CO2 has been implicated as having a possible role in the global greenhouse debate, it is not currently regulated.
The sequential or simultaneous process in which useful heat/steam is generated, used in a variety of process applications, and then directed into a turbine to generate electricity and/or mechanical work from the useful thermal energy still available for use.
A cogeneration technology in which additional electricity is produced sequentially from otherwise lost waste heat exiting from one or more gas-fired turbines. The exiting heat flow is routed to an exhaust-fired conventional boiler or to a heat recovery steam generator for utilization by a steam turbine in the production of electricity. This process increases the efficiency of an electric generating system by turning the rejected heat into thermal steam rather than discharging it into the atmosphere.
A flow of electrons in an electrical conductor. The strength or rate of movement of the electricity is measured in amperes.
The capacity for doing work as measured by the capability of doing work (potential energy) or the conversion of this capability to motion (kinetic energy). Energy has several forms, some of which are easily convertible and can be changed to another form useful for work. Most of the world's convertible energy comes from fossil fuels that are burned to produce heat that is then used as a transfer medium to mechanical or other means in order to accomplish tasks. Electrical energy is usually measured in kilowatthours, which heat energy is usually measured in British thermal units.
The primary source that provides the power that is converted to electricity through chemical, mechanical, or other means. Energy sources include coal, petroleum and petroleum products, gas, water, uranium, wind, sunlight, geothermal, and other sources.
Any naturally occurring organic fuel, such as coal, crude oil, and natural gas.
A device that produces electrical energy directly
from the controlled electrochemical oxidation of the fuel. It
does not contain an intermediate heat cycle, as do most other
electrical generation techniques.
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The process of producing electric energy by transforming other forms of energy; also, the amount of electric energy produced, expressed in kilowatthours.
Energy from the internal heat of the earth may be residual heat, friction heat, or a result of radioactive decay. The heat is found in rocks and fluids at various depths and can be extracted by drilling and/or pumping.
The layout of an electrical distribution system.
One thousand watts.
The amount of electric power delivered or required at any specific point or points on a system. The requirement originates at the energy-consuming equipment of the customers.
One million watts.
A naturally occurring mixture of hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon gases found in porous geological formations beneath the earth’s surface, often in association with petroleum. The principal constituent is methane.
Various oxides of nitrogen are formed
in the combustion of fossil fuels, such as gas, oil and coal.
Some NOx is formed from the nitrogen bound in the fuel when it
is combusted and some NOx (thermal NOx) is formed at high temperatures
from the nitrogen in the air. NOx , in combination with volatile
organic compounds (VOC) and sunlight, lead to the formation of
ozone.
Emissions of NOx are strictly regulated, monitored and enforced
by local, state and federal environmental agencies to protect
people, animals and vegetation.
A council formed in 1968 by the electric utility industry to promote the reliability and adequacy of bulk power supply in the electric utility systems of North America. NERC consists of nine regional reliability councils and encompasses essentially all the power systems of the contiguous United States, Canada, and some in Mexico.
A mixture of hydrocarbons usually existing in the liquid state in natural underground pools or reservoirs. Gas is often found in association with oil.
In most instances,
underground service is considerably more expensive than overhead.
In Florida, the established standard is overhead service, and
the utilities regulated by the Florida Public Service Commission
(PSC) have their set prices based on the cost to serve with overhead
facilities. Customers can and do request underground service,
but must pay the cost difference between overhead and underground
service.
There are places where overhead service is not practical, such
as downtown areas where buildings are built right up to the sidewalk.
In such locations, underground is the standard and there is no
cost differential paid by customers in that area.
Underground service is generally more reliable than overhead,
but maintenance is more difficult and costly. Regardless of whether
the lines are constructed overhead or underground, they are built
in compliance with all applicable safety rules and regulations.
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A distribution transformer that is installed on the ground on concrete pads and provides underground electrical service to customers.
The maximum load during a specified period of time.
A plant usually housing old, low-efficiency steam units, gas turbines, diesels, or pumped–storage hydroelectric equipment normally used during the peak-load periods.
Capacity of generating equipment normally operated during the hours of highest daily, weekly, or seasonal loads. Some generating equipment may be operated at certain times as peaking capacity and at other times to serve loads on an around-the-clock basis.
A naturally occurring, oily, flammable liquid composed mostly of hydrocarbons. Crude oil is occasionally found in springs or pools, but usually is drilled from wells beneath the earth’s surface.
Device that produces electrical current by converting light or similar radiation.
The engine, turbine, water wheel, or similar machine that drives an electric generator.
An energy source that is regenerative or virtually inexhaustible. Typical examples are wind, geothermal and water power.
The shutdown of a generating unit, transmission line, or other facility, for inspection or maintenance, in accordance with an advance schedule.
Substations are like interchanges on interstate highways or intersections on city streets, depending on the voltages involved and the amount of power passing through them. Enclosed by fences, substations contain transformers, switches, circuit breakers and other devices used to control and direct the flow of electric power through the energy delivery grid.
Sulfur dioxide is a product of fossil fuel combustion, such as
the burning of oil or coal. Small amounts of sulfur contained
in the fuel is converted into sulfur dioxide in the combustion
process.
Emissions of sulfur dioxide are strictly regulated, monitored
and enforced by local, state and federal environmental agencies
to protect people, animals and vegetation.
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A term used to identify a type of electric generating station, capacity, capability, or output in which the source of energy for the prime mover is heat.
A device used to raise or lower electrical voltage.
There is no specific standard
for transmission-level voltage. It refers to that part of the
electric system dedicated to the delivery of bulk power from power
plants to transmission substations scattered around the transmission
grid.
Electric power is transmitted at very high voltages because losses
(much like heat losses) are minimized at elevated voltage levels.
For a given amount of power delivered, doubling the transmission
voltage cuts the electrical losses by 75 percent.
A machine for generating rotary mechanical power from the energy in a steam of fluid (such as water, steam, or hot gas). Turbines convert the kinetic energy of fluids to mechanical energy through the principals of impulse and reaction, or a mixture of the two.
The electrical unit of power.
Sources: Energy Information Administration; 1998; Tampa Electric; 1999.
