Renewable Energy Glossary
Explaining Key Industry Terms
A
ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution)
A process to resolve disputes between a customer and an energy supplier without going to court, typically via an energy ombudsman.
Aggregate Consumption
The total energy usage across multiple sites or meters over a defined period, often used in portfolio-level sustainability reporting.
AMR Meter (Automated Meter Reading)
A meter that automatically sends energy usage data to suppliers, supporting accurate billing and energy monitoring.
Annual Quantity (AQ)
An estimate of a site’s annual gas consumption, based on historical data and used for billing and forecasting.
B
Balancing Mechanism
A system used by National Grid ESO to balance electricity supply and demand in real time, increasingly important as renewable generation fluctuates.
Baseload
The minimum, continuous level of electricity demand that must be met at all times. Some low-carbon technologies can contribute to baseload-style generation.
BESS (Battery Energy Storage System)
A technology that stores electricity (often from on-site renewables like solar PV) for use later. BESS can increase renewable self-consumption, reduce peak demand charges, provide resilience, and support grid flexibility.
Bioenergy
Renewable energy produced from organic materials such as plant matter, agricultural waste, or anaerobic digestion.
C
Capacity Market
A mechanism that ensures sufficient electricity generation capacity is available in the future, including low-carbon and flexible technologies.
Carbon Credit
A tradable permit representing the right to emit a specific amount of carbon dioxide, often used by businesses to offset emissions.
Carbon Footprint
The total greenhouse gas emissions caused directly and indirectly by a business, activity, product, or site, usually measured in tonnes of CO₂e (carbon dioxide equivalent).
Carbon Intensity
The amount of CO₂ emitted per unit of electricity generated, usually measured in grams of CO₂ per kWh.
Carbon Reporting
The process of measuring, calculating, and disclosing greenhouse gas emissions associated with a business’s activities (including energy use).
Change Of Occupier (CoO)
The process used when a business moves in or out of a premises to ensure the correct party is billed and the energy account is updated.
CHP (Combined Heat and Power)
A highly efficient system that generates electricity and captures usable heat from the same energy source, reducing overall emissions.
CCL (Climate Change Levy)
A UK government tax on business energy use designed to encourage energy efficiency and lower carbon emissions. Discounts or exemptions may apply in certain circumstances.
CfD (Contracts For Difference)
A UK mechanism that supports low-carbon electricity generation. It helps stabilise revenues for generators by paying the difference between a strike price and a reference market price (or receiving money back when prices are higher).
Corporate PPA (Power Purchase Agreement)
A long-term contract where a business buys electricity directly from a renewable generator, often to provide price certainty and support decarbonisation.
D
Decarbonisation
The reduction of carbon emissions through measures such as renewable energy adoption, electrification, and improved energy efficiency.
Demand Side Response (DSR)
When a business adjusts energy consumption in response to grid signals, helping balance renewable generation and reduce peak demand.
DUoS (Distribution Use Of System)
Charges for using the local electricity distribution network, which can vary by region and time of use.
E
EV Charging Points
Infrastructure that supplies electricity to charge electric vehicles. Charging can be managed to reduce peak costs and increase use of on-site renewables.
Energy Consumption
The amount of energy used over a given period, typically measured in kWh or MWh and used as the basis for emissions calculations.
Energy Efficiency
Technologies or practices that reduce energy use while maintaining output, often the first step in a renewable or net zero strategy.
Energy Mix
The combination of energy sources used to meet demand, including renewables, nuclear, and fossil fuels.
EPC (Energy Performance Certificate)
A rating that assesses the energy efficiency of a building, from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient).
Export Tariff
A payment received for electricity exported back to the grid from on-site generation such as solar PV.
ESOS (Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme)
A mandatory UK scheme requiring large organisations to assess energy use and identify cost-effective energy-saving measures every four years.
F
Feed-in Tariff (FiT)
A former UK scheme that paid for renewable electricity generation and export (closed to new applicants).
Flexible Energy Contract
A contract that allows energy to be purchased in stages over time, often used to manage market exposure.
G
Generation Asset
On-site or contracted infrastructure that produces electricity, such as solar PV, wind, CHP, or other low-carbon systems.
Green Energy
Energy generated from renewable sources such as wind, solar, hydro, or biomass.
Green Tariff
A tariff where electricity consumption is matched with renewable generation or backed by certificates such as REGOs.
Guarantees Of Origin (REGOs)
Certificates that prove electricity has been generated from renewable sources in the UK.
H
Half-Hourly (HH) Metering
Metering that records electricity usage every 30 minutes, enabling detailed monitoring and optimisation (including around renewables and flexible loads).
Heat Pumps
Low-carbon heating systems that move heat rather than generating it through combustion. They are often used to decarbonise space heating and hot water, and can pair well with solar PV and smart controls.
I
Inverter
Equipment (commonly used in solar PV and battery systems) that converts electricity from DC to AC so it can be used on-site and/or exported to the grid.
L
LEDs (Light-Emitting Diodes)
Highly efficient lighting technology that uses significantly less electricity than older lighting types and typically lasts longer.
Load Factor
A measure of how evenly energy is used over time, often used when designing renewable, EV charging, or storage strategies.
M
Microgeneration
Small-scale renewable energy generation installed at a single site, such as rooftop solar or small wind turbines.
Min-Met (Mineralogical And Metallurgical Exemption)
A relief that can exempt eligible mineralogical and metallurgical processes from the Climate Change Levy (CCL), subject to qualifying criteria.
N
Net Zero
A state where a business’s greenhouse gas emissions are reduced as far as possible and any remaining emissions are offset or removed.
Nuclear Energy
Electricity generated using nuclear fission. It is generally classed as low-carbon rather than renewable, but it is often included in decarbonisation and “clean power” discussions.
O
On-Site Generation
Energy produced at the point of use, commonly via solar PV, wind, CHP, or other low-carbon technologies, reducing reliance on imported grid electricity.
P
PSDS (Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme)
A UK government grant scheme that funds public sector bodies to install heat decarbonisation and energy efficiency measures in their buildings.
R
Renewable Energy Certificate
Documentation that verifies renewable electricity generation or renewable matching (for example, REGOs in the UK).
RTS (Radio Teleswitch Service)
A legacy system that uses a radio signal to switch some older multi-rate meters between peak and off-peak rates (commonly linked to electric heating).
S
SECR (Streamlined Energy And Carbon Reporting)
A UK reporting framework requiring qualifying organisations to disclose energy use, emissions, and energy efficiency actions.
SEG (Smart Export Guarantee)
A UK scheme where licensed electricity suppliers pay eligible small-scale generators for exporting renewable electricity back to the grid.
Smart Meter
A digital meter that provides near real-time energy data, supporting accurate billing and better monitoring.
Solar Energy / Solar PV (Photovoltaics)
Technology that converts sunlight into electricity using photovoltaic panels, often installed on roofs or ground-mounted arrays.
Supply Capacity
The maximum electrical demand a site can draw, which can affect network charges and the design of on-site generation and EV charging.
T
TNUoS (Transmission Network Use Of System)
Charges related to maintaining the national high-voltage transmission network, relevant for larger energy users.
Triads
The three half-hour periods of highest national electricity demand during winter, historically used to calculate certain network charges for larger users.
U
Unit Rate
The cost per unit of electricity or gas consumed.
