Helpful Terms

the ratio measuring how much energy a generating source actually produced during a period of time compared to how much it could have produced if running at full capacity over the same period.

the reduction or cessation of carbon-emitting activities.

the process of dismantling and removing a generating facility from a location.

the rate at which electricity is being used at any given moment.

the process of lowering energy consumption by improving customer's energy efficiency. This can involve weatherization (improving a building's insulation/resistance to extreme temperatures), efficiency upgrades for appliances, smart thermostats, and other technologies.

a method of generating power that, rather than focusing all the generators in a single location, spreads them out over a large area. Typically, this term is used in reference to residential solar panels that provide energy to a utility grid.

the measurement of power (watts, kilowatts, megawatts, etc.) x time (seconds, minutes, hours).

carbon-based fuels such as coal, natural gas, and oil that release carbon dioxide (CO2) when burned. These fuels also release other pollutants such as lead, mercury, and sulfur dioxide (SO2), all of which are known to cause negative health effects on humans.

a device that converts energy from a source into electricity. This can include solar & wind farms, hydropower, fossil fuel plants, and/or nuclear power plants. This term is also sometimes used in reference to an individual, organization, or company that produces electricity.

a unit indicating energy used. A data center that uses 200 MW of power running for 5 hours will have used 1 GWH of power.

sources of energy that aren't always available. Typically used in reference to wind and solar energy, as their availability can vary based on the weather or time of day.

a unit indicating energy used. A 100 watt lightbulb that runs for 10 hours will have used 1 kWh of energy. Likewise, a 1000 watt (1 kW) washer that runs for 1 hour will also have used 1 kWh of energy.

a standardized measurement comparing different energy sources by looking at what it would cost the current grid to generate the same amount of energy that a new generation project would produce. LACE is typically compared to LCOE. If LACE exceeds LCOE, then typically the project is viewed as more economically attractive.

a method of comparing different energy sources by taking into account the varying costs of permitting, staffing, fuel, maintenance, and other costs that different energy sources incur. Typically, values will be provided in $/MWh. The value provided indicates the average price that power should be sold for the generating system to break even at the end of its life.

a method of comparing different means of storing energy by taking into account variable such as the cost of permitting, cycle efficiency, cost of maintenance, and more. Values are typically measured in $/MWh.

a unit indicating energy used. A home using 10 kW of power for 100 hours will have used 1 MWh of energy.

the theoretical output of a generating source. For intermittent sources like wind or solar, it is the expected generation under ideal conditions.

a term typically associated with emissions reduction goals. It indicates a situation in which the amount of emissions being released is equal to the emissions being taken out of the atmosphere by carbon sinks like trees, water, and more.

the measure of energy (in joules/second) transferred or converted over time. The common unit used for power is watt.

a contract between a generator and a customer where the generator agrees to sell a predetermined amount of energy for a predetermined amount of time. This contract can also determine the price of the energy, the energy source, where it is delivered, and what specific times the energy is sold. PPAs are useful in Nebraska as they allow a public utility to increase their energy supply while simultaneously allowing both private developers and the areas they are located to benefit financially from the generation of energy.

a term used to indicated that a utility is publicly owned, locally controlled, and not-for-profit. As of 2025, Nebraska is the only state with 100% public power. This means we only pay the cost of producing electricity and maintaining the grid, keeping our rates lower than most other states.

energy that is created from sources such as wind and solar that cannot run out. Often is used interchangeably with clean energy; however, renewable energy does not include nuclear power while clean energy does.

a regional transmission organization (RTO) running from northern North Dakota & Montana down to northern Texas. It is responsible for ensuring that all utilities in the region have reliable sources of power, adequate transmission infrastructure, and that wholesale electricity prices are competitively low.

the infrastructure (transformers, inverters, power lines, etc.) and process of moving energy from a generating source to where it is being used.

a generation system of varying sizes that is intended to provide power to a utility grid, rather than an individual household or building.

the process of improving energy efficiency and resistance to changes in weather and temperature. Examples of weatherization include installing multi-pane windows, improving insulation, sealing gaps where air can enter or escape, installing more efficient heating and cooling systems, and more.