Glossary

Biomass energy:
Changing farming wastes, grasses, trees, bark, sawdust, and other things into energy by burning it, changing it to a gas, or converting it to a liquid fuel.
Energy crops:
Crops grown specifically for their fuel value, including food crops such as corn and sugarcane, and nonfood crops such as poplar trees and switchgrass.
Fossil fuels:
Energy sources formed by the decay of plants, dinosaurs, and other animals over millions of years; coal, oil, and natural gas are fossil fuels.
Geothermal energy:
Using the heat from the earth to produce power.
Hydropower:
Using the energy in flowing water to make electricity.
Incineration:
Using rubbish or garbage to produce energy by burning it.
Nonrenewable fuels:
Fuels that cannot be easily made or "renewed." We can use up non-renewable fuels. Oil, natural gas, and coal are nonrenewable fuels.
Passive solar heater:
A solar water-heating or space-heating system that moves heated air or water without using pumps or fans.
Passive solar home:
A house that uses a room or another part of the building as a solar collector.
Photovoltaic energy
A type of solar energy that converts sunshine into electricity.
Renewable energy:
Types of energy that are "renewed" as we use them; solar, wind, and geothermal energy are forms of renewable energy.
Solar collectors:
Boxes, frames, or rooms that trap the sun's rays to produce heat.
Solar energy:
Energy from the sun. The heat that builds up in your car when it is parked in the sun is an example of solar energy.
Solar heating:
Using the sun's energy to heat our homes and water.
Sunspace:
A room that faces south, or a small structure attached to the south side of a house.
Wind power:
Using the wind to produce electricity by turning blades on a wind turbine.
Wind power plant:
A group of wind turbines interconnected to a common utility system.