Electricity Glossary of Terms

C | D | F | G | K | L | M | P | R | T | U | W

C

COMPETITIVE POWER SUPPLIERS
Companies that sell power - also called electricity providers, electricity suppliers, power generators or energy marketers. Your power is delivered by the local electric utility/distribution company (DISCO).

D

DEREGULATION
Opening a market to competition, whose prices and practices were formerly fully regulated by government.

F

FERC (FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION)
The federal agency that regulates interstate energy transmission, sales, etc.

G

GENERATION
The process of changing other forms of energy, such as fossil fuels, nuclear or renewable energy, into electricity.

K

KILOWATT-HOUR (kWh)
The standard unit of measurement for electricity. 1 kWh = 1,000 watt hours. For example, one 100-watt light bulb used for 10 continuous hours consumes one kilowatt-hour (1,000 watt-hours) of electricity.

L

LINE LOSS
Describes the effect by which a measurable percentage of electricity is lost or unaccounted for as it traverses power lines before it is delivered to the end consumer.

M

MEGAWATT (MW)
One million watts.

P

PEAK DEMAND
The maximum power load during a specified period of time.

POWER
Electricity is commonly referred to as power.

PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION (PUC)
The state agency that typically regulates the sale of electric and natural gas utilities.

R

RENEWABLE ENERGY
Power that is produced with environmentally-clean power sources such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric.

T

TARIFF
A document, approved by the responsible regulatory agency, listing the terms and conditions, including a schedule of prices, under which utility services will be provided.

TRANSMISSION
The delivery of electricity from a generator to a local electric utility/distribution company (DISCO) over.

U

UTILITY DISTRIBUTION COMPANY (UDC)
The company that delivers power to your home or business, also known as your local electric utility/distribution company.

W

WATT
The electrical unit of power. The rate of energy transfer equivalent to 1 ampere flowing under a pressure of 1 volt at unity power factor.

WATTHOUR (wh)
An electrical energy unit of measure equal to 1 watt of power supplied to, or taken from, an electric circuit steadily for 1 hour.