A type of vertical-axis wind machine that has long, thin blades in the shape of loops connected to the top and bottom of the axle; often called an "eggbeater windmill."

The conversion of the complex carbohydrates in organic material into energy.

A two step process where in the first step natural gas is exposed to a high-temperature steam to produce hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide. The second step is to convert the carbon monoxide with steam to produce additional hydrogen and carbon ...

A means to increase the thermal efficiency of a steam electric generating system by converting some waste heat from the condenser into electricity. The heat engine in a bottoming cycle would be a condensing turbine similar in principle to a steam turbine ...

A metric unit of energy or work; the energy produced by a force of one Newton operating through a distance of one meter; 1 Joule per second equals 1 Watt or 0.737 foot-pounds; 1 Btu equals 1,055 Joules.

An abbreviation for one thousand cubic feet of natural gas with a heat content of 1,000,000 Btus, or 10 therms.

A large number of thermocouples connected in series.

Energy produced by the internal heat of the earth; geothermal heat sources include: hydrothermal convective systems; pressurized water reservoirs; hot dry rocks; manual gradients; and magma. Geothermal energy can be used directly for heating or to produce ...

The relationship of a building to true south, as specified by the direction of its longest axis.

The mean wind speed over a specified period of time.

A pump for circulating the heat transfer fluid in a hydronic heating system.

The ratio of solar collector array area to actual land area.

Those elements of building used to control the interior climate.

A mound of dirt next to exterior walls to provide wind protection and insulation.

As defined in the Energy Security Act (P.L. 96-294; 1980) as "any organic matter, including sewage, sewage sludge, and industrial or commercial waste, and mixtures of such matter and inorganic refuse from any publicly or privately operated municipal waste ...

The overall rate of heat loss from a building by means of transmission plus infiltration, expressed in Btu per hour, per degree temperature difference between the inside and outside.

A generic term for a glazed opening that allows daylight to enter into a building and can be opened for ventilation.

A heat absorbing reaction or a reaction that requires heat.

The cutting of a grid pattern of grooves in a semiconductor material, generally for the purpose of making interconnections.

A non-crystalline semiconductor material that has no long-range order.