Glossary
This glossary provides terms and definitions for the insert product name key ref here] software and products.
The following cross-references are used in this glossary:
- See refers you from a nonpreferred term to the preferred term or from an abbreviation to the spelled-out form.
- See also refers you to a related or contrasting term.
A
- ac capacity (mw)
- The maximum amount of alternating current power that the system can deliver.
- alarm
- A notification that is triggered by abnormal equipment or system conditions based on defined thresholds.
- analytics
- The science of studying data in order to find meaningful patterns in the data and evaluate performance, efficiency, and trends based on those patterns.
- anemometer
- An instrument on the nacelle that measures wind speed.
- array layout
- The geometric arrangement of solar modules on a site, optimized for shading, orientation, and land use.
- asset
- A manageable object that is either deployed or intended to be deployed in an operational environment.
- availability
- The delivery of reliable service during scheduled periods.
- azimuth angle
- The compass direction that the solar panels face, measured in degrees from north.
B
- blade pitch
- The angle of a turbine blade relative to the oncoming wind, adjusted to control rotor speed and power output.
C
- capacity factor
- The actual energy produced divided by the theoretical maximum output over a period, expressed as a percentage.
- cell
- The smallest unit of a battery where electrochemical reactions occur to store and release energy. Cells are connected in series or parallel to form modules or strings.
- central inverter
- A large inverter unit that manages power from multiple strings of solar panels.
- curtailment
- The intentional reduction of a renewal device's power output below its maximum possible level, often due to grid congestion, market conditions, or system imbalances.
- cut-in speed
- The minimum wind speed at which a wind turbine begins to generate powe
- cut-out speed
- The maximum wind speed at which a wind turbine shuts down to prevent damage from high winds.
D
- data interval
- A time period in minutes for the summary data record.
- dc-dc converter
- A device that optimizes voltage levels within the direct current (DC) system to improve energy transfer efficiency.
- depth of discharge (dod)
- The percentage of stored energy extracted from a battery during a cycle; higher DoD yields more usable energy but may reduce life.
- deviation
- A measurable difference between the expected and actual values (for example, PR deviation, temperature deviation).
- downtime
- A period during which an asset or system is not operational.
E
- efficiency
- A metric that shows how well a system converts available energy to output.
- event
- An occurrence of significance to a task or system. Events can include completion or failure of an operation, a user action, or the change in state of a process.
F
- fault
- A condition that causes a component in an implementation model to fail. A fault is the root cause of one or more defects identified by observing one or more failures.
G
- gearbox
- A mechanical system that increases the rotor shaft speed to a level that is suitable for the generator to produce electricity efficiently.
- generator
- A device that converts mechanical energy from the rotor into electrical energy.
- grid meter
- A device that measures the amount of energy that is exported to or imported from the electrical grid for billing and monitoring purposes.
H
- hub
- The central part of the rotor that connects blades to the main shaft.
I
- inverter
- A device that converts the direct current (DC) power that is generated by solar panels into alternating current (AC) power for use on the electrical grid.
- inverter clipping
- Loss of potential energy when the DC input exceeds the inverter’s rated AC output capacity.
K
- kpi (key performance indicator)
- A metric that is computed from performance data that indicates a level of compliance against expectations.
L
- load‑mitigation control
- Algorithms that adjust turbine operation to reduce structural loads during high‑wind or gust events.
- logger
- A device that collects and transmits operational data from field devices to the Renewables cloud.
M
- mfm meter
- A multi-function meter that monitors and measures electrical parameters, including voltage, current, and power.
- module
- A cluster of battery cells that are grouped together to provide a specific voltage and capacity. A module sits between a single cell and an energy block.
N
- nacelle
- The housing that is located on top of the tower and contains critical components including the gearbox, generator, and control systems.
- normalization
- The process of adjusting data to a common basis for comparison, such as energy normalized by irradiation).
P
- performance ratio (pr)
- A dimensionless metric (actual ÷ theoretical output) that normalizes production for irradiance and temperature.
- pitch system
- A system that regulates the angle of the blades to control the rotor's speed and manage power output during varying wind conditions.
- power curve
- A graph that shows the electrical power output of a wind turbine as a function of wind speed.
- power plant controller (ppc)
- A centralized system that ensures that the solar power plant operates within grid requirements, managing power output and stability.
- power rating
- The maximum instantaneous power the BESS can deliver or absorb, independent of energy capacity.
- preventive maintenance
- Proactive maintenance that is performed on a regular basis, which is designed to maintain assets, locations, or building systems in a higher functions manner and avoid larger and more costly maintenance
R
- rated wind speed
- The wind speed at which a turbine produces its maximum (rated) power output.
- reactive power
- The component of electrical power used to maintain voltage levels; often managed by turbine converters.
- rotor
- The component of a wind turbine that comprises blades that are designed to capture wind energy efficiently.
S
- scada(supervisory control and data acquisition)
- A monitoring system used to collect turbine data and control operations remotely.
- solar irradiance
- The power per unit area received from the sun (W/m²), driving PV electricity generation.
- state of charge (soc)
- The current level of stored energy expressed as a percentage of full capacity.
- string
- A series of connected battery cells or modA group of auxiliary storage devices connected in a series on the system. The order and location in which each device is connected to the system determines the physical address of the device.ules that are arranged to achieve the desired voltage or capacity.
- string combiner box
- An electrical enclosure that aggregates and protects the output from multiple strings of solar panels before sending it to the inverter.
- string inverter
- A smaller inverter unit that manages power from individual strings of solar panels.
- string sizing
- The process of grouping modules into series strings to match inverter voltage and current specifications.
T
- tilt angle
- The inclination of a fixed‑mount PV array relative to horizontal, selected to maximize seasonal irradiance capture.
- tracker
- A mechanical system that adjusts the orientation of solar panels to maximize sunlight capture throughout the day.
- turbine availability
- The percentage of time a turbine is operational and able to generate power, excluding planned downtime.
W
- wake effect
- The turbulence created behind an operating wind turbine, which can reduce the energy production of turbines downwind.
- wind sensor
- Device that measure wind speed and direction to inform the control system and optimize turbine performance.
- wind shear
- The difference in wind speed or direction over a relatively short distance in the atmosphere.
Y
- yaw system
- A mechanical system that adjusts the turbine's orientation to face the wind direction for maximum energy production.