Authoritative definitions for clean energy technology, from hydrogen production to battery storage and beyond. Your comprehensive reference for industry terminology.
A solar panel that generates electricity from both its front and rear surfaces, capturing reflected light from the ground or roof surface. Bifacial panels can produce 10-30% more energy than traditional single-sided panels, especially when installed with optimal ground reflectivity.
Achieving net-zero carbon dioxide emissions by balancing carbon emissions with carbon removal or elimination. Organizations achieve carbon neutrality through efficiency improvements, renewable energy adoption, and carbon offsets. Many companies target carbon neutrality by 2030-2050.
Small-scale power generation or storage technologies located at or near the point of consumption. DERs include solar panels, battery storage, wind turbines, fuel cells, and electric vehicles. Aggregated DERs can provide grid services and enhance energy resilience.
The process of using electrical energy to drive a non-spontaneous chemical reaction, specifically splitting water molecules (Hâ‚‚O) into hydrogen gas (Hâ‚‚) and oxygen gas (Oâ‚‚). When powered by renewable electricity, electrolysis produces green hydrogen with zero carbon emissions.
Protection against electromagnetic pulse events that could damage electronic equipment. EMP-hardened microgrids use Faraday cages, surge protection, and fiber optic communications to ensure continued operation during electromagnetic attacks or solar storms.
The practice of storing energy when electricity prices are low (off-peak) and discharging/selling when prices are high (peak). Battery storage systems can earn revenue through arbitrage, especially in markets with time-of-use pricing or real-time wholesale rates.
The amount of energy stored per unit volume (Wh/L) or mass (Wh/kg) of a battery or storage system. Higher energy density means more energy can be stored in a smaller, lighter package. Solid-state batteries achieve 400+ Wh/kg compared to 250 Wh/kg for conventional lithium-ion.
An electrochemical device that converts hydrogen and oxygen into electricity, with water and heat as the only byproducts. Fuel cells achieve 50-60% electrical efficiency and over 80% combined heat and power efficiency, providing clean backup power for hours or days.
Hydrogen produced using renewable energy sources like solar or wind power through electrolysis, resulting in zero carbon emissions during production. Green hydrogen is considered the cleanest form of hydrogen and is essential for decarbonizing hard-to-electrify sectors like heavy industry and long-haul transportation.
The process of connecting a distributed energy resource to the utility grid. Interconnection requires utility approval, metering installation, and compliance with technical standards (IEEE 1547). Forerunner Energy handles all interconnection paperwork for customers.
A federal tax credit that reduces the cost of installing solar and storage systems. The ITC allows businesses and homeowners to deduct a percentage (currently 30% under the Inflation Reduction Act) of the installation cost from their federal taxes.
The ability of a microgrid or energy system to disconnect from the main utility grid and operate autonomously using local generation and storage. Island mode provides energy independence and protection from grid outages, with seamless transition in under 100 milliseconds.
A unit of energy equal to one kilowatt (1,000 watts) of power sustained for one hour. A typical US home uses 30 kWh per day. Battery storage capacity is measured in kWh - a 10 kWh battery can power a home for several hours during an outage.
The average cost per unit of electricity generated over a project's lifetime, including capital costs, operations, maintenance, and fuel. LCOE enables comparison across different energy technologies. Solar LCOE has dropped 90% since 2010 to under $0.05/kWh.
Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System - a tax benefit allowing businesses to depreciate solar and storage equipment over 5 years. Combined with the ITC and bonus depreciation, businesses can recover 50-60% of system costs through tax benefits in the first year.
A unit of energy equal to one megawatt (1,000 kilowatts or 1 million watts) sustained for one hour. Commercial and utility-scale storage is measured in MWh. A 100 MWh battery can power approximately 10,000 homes for one hour.
A localized electrical grid that can operate independently from the main utility grid (island mode) or connected to it. Microgrids integrate distributed energy resources like solar, batteries, and generators with intelligent controls to provide resilient, reliable power with high-availability, islandable operation.
A billing arrangement where solar system owners receive credit for excess electricity they export to the grid. The utility meter runs backward when you produce more than you consume, offsetting future electricity purchases. Policies vary by state and utility.
A building that produces as much renewable energy as it consumes over a year. Net zero buildings combine high-efficiency design, solar generation, and smart energy management. Forerunner Energy helps commercial buildings achieve net zero status.
The highest level of electricity consumption during a given period, typically occurring during hot summer afternoons. Utilities charge commercial customers demand charges based on their peak usage. Battery storage can reduce peak demand and lower electricity costs by 20-40%.
Proton Exchange Membrane electrolyzer - a device that uses a solid polymer electrolyte to split water into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity. PEM electrolyzers offer high efficiency (up to 95%), rapid response times (sub-second), and compact design, making them ideal for integration with variable renewable energy sources.
The technology that converts sunlight directly into electricity using semiconductor materials. When photons from sunlight strike a PV cell, they knock electrons loose, creating an electrical current. PV efficiency has increased from 6% in the 1950s to over 23% in modern panels.
A long-term contract (typically 10-25 years) between an energy producer and a buyer. The producer installs, owns, and maintains the energy system with no upfront cost to the buyer, who purchases the electricity at a fixed or escalating rate, often below utility prices.
An advanced battery technology that replaces the liquid electrolyte in conventional lithium-ion batteries with a solid material. Solid-state batteries offer higher energy density, faster charging, longer lifespan (20+ years), improved safety (no fire risk), and better performance in extreme temperatures.
A network of distributed energy resources aggregated and coordinated through software to function as a single power plant. VPPs can provide grid services, participate in energy markets, and enhance grid stability without building new centralized generation.