DOE

Term Term Definition Options Unit of Measure
Batt Insulation that is made of material that is spun into a flexible cohesive block or "batt". There are many types of batt insulation, such as fiberglass, natural materials (cellulose or cotton fiber), plastic fibers, and mineral (or rock) wool. View None
Binary cycle Binary cycle geothermal power generation plants differ from Dry Steam and Flash Steam systems in that the water or steam from the geothermal reservoir never comes in contact with the turbine/generator units. Low to moderately heated (below 400¡F) geothermal fluid and a secondary (hence, "binary") fluid with a much lower boiling point that water pass through a heat exchanger. Heat from the geothermal fluid causes the secondary fluid to flash to vapor, which then drives the turbines and subsequently, the generators. Binary cycle power plants are closed-loop systems and virtually nothing (except water vapor) is emitted to the atmosphere. Resources below 400¡F are the most common geothermal resource, suggesting binary-cycle power plants in the future will be binary-cycle plants. View None
Demand control ventilation Demand control ventilation (DCV) is a ventilation system capability that provides for the automatic reduction of outdoor air intake below design rates when the actual occupancy of spaces served by the system is less than design occupancy. View None
Demand Response Participation

Demand response participation requires changes in electric usage by end-use customers from their normal consumption patterns in response to changes in the price of electricity over time, or to incentive payments designed to induce lower electricity use at times of high wholesale market prices or when system reliability is jeopardized.

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Direct digital control Direct digital control (DDC) is a control system that uses digital processors to directly control HVAC equipment. Such a system may be specific to the equipment controlled with pre-set programs, or be a separate system that has customizable programs. For multi-zone systems, the DDC system must Òreport to a central control panelÓ or bring together information from each zone. View None
Microturbine Microturbines are small electricity generators that can burn a wide variety of fuels including natural gas, sour gases (high sulfur, low Btu content), and liquid fuels such as gasoline, kerosene, and diesel fuel/distillate heating oil. Microturbines use the fuel to create high-speed rotation that turns an electrical generator to produce electricity. View None
Recovery The ratio of energy delivered to heat cold water compared to the energy consumed by the water heater, as determined following standardized DOE testing procedure. View None
Rigid Insulation that is made of a solid, rigid material. Examples include foam (polystyrene, polyisocyanurate, polyurethane) as well as fibers (fiberglass and mineral wool) that can withstand high temperatures. View None
Spray-on Insulation that can is semi-liquid and can be sprayed into place. Examples include different types of plastics, such as polyisocyanurate and polyurethane, as well as cementitious materials. View None
Zero Energy Ready Home A DOE Zero Energy Ready Home is a high performance home which is so energy efficient, that a renewable energy system can offset all or most of its annual energy consumption. View None
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