Renewable energy dictionary/H-L

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HARNESS

(ani). The gear or tackle, other than a YOKE, used on draft animals to pull a vehicle or drive an implement. It differs from a yoke, which joins together draft animals.

F - harnais

S - arnes

HEAD

(hydr) (meas). [1] The vertical distance from the point where water enters an intake to the point where the water leaves a HYDROPOWER device. It is generally measured in feet or meters. The product of the head times the FLOW is a measurement of potential POWER. [2] The vertical distance a liquid must be pumped from its source to its point of use or storage.

F - chute d'eau [1]-[2]

S - altura

HEADER

(sol). The pipe that runs across the top of an ABSORBER PLATE to gather or distribute HEAT TRANSFER FLUID from or to the grid pipes that run across the absorber surface. Some headers run along the bottom of the absorber plate.

F - entree-sortie

S - tubo colector

HEADRACE

(hydr). A CANAL or conduit that feeds water into a mill, WATER WHEEL, or TURBINE.

F - bief d'amont

S - canal de llegada

HEAD WATER

(hydr). The water upstream of a DAM or a HYDROPOWER plant.

F - eau d'amont

S - aguas arriba

HEAT CAPACITY

(heat) (meas). The amount of heat required to raise by one degree the temperature of a unit mass of a substance.

F - capacite thermique

S - capacidad calorifica

HEAT ENERGY

(heat). ENERGY in the form of heat.

F - energie thermique

S - energia calorifica

HEAT EXCHANGER

(heat) (impl). A device, such as a coiled copper tube immersed in a tank of water which is used to transfer heat from one FLUID to another through a separating wall. A CONDENSER is one type of heat exchanger.

F - echangeur de chaleur

S - termopermutador

HEAT GAIN

(heat). The increase of heat in a space resulting from DIRECT RADIATION and from the heat given off by such other sources as THERMAL MASS, a stove, a fireplace, humans, or animals.

F - apport de chaleur

S - ganancia calorifica

HEATING VALUE

(heat) (meas). The amount of heat produced by the complete combustion of a specific amount of fuel. This is a measure of FUEL EFFICIENCY.

F - pouvoir calorifique

S - valor calorifico

HEAT LOSS

(heat). An unwanted decrease in the amount of heat contained in a space. Heat is usually lost through CONVECTION.

F - perte de chaleur

S - perdida calorifica

HEAT PUMP

(heat) (impl). A mechanical device that transfers heat from a heat source to a HEAT SINK. This process causes the source to cool and the sink to become warmer.

F - pompe a chaleur

S - bomba calorifica

HEAT RATE TRANSFER COEFFICIENT

(heat) (meas). The rate at which heat is transferred per hour, per unit surface, per degree of temperature difference.

F - coefficient de transmission de chaleur

S - coeficiente de transferencia del consumo calorifico

HEAT-REFLECTIVE GLASS

(sol). A type of glass designed to reflect SOLAR RADIATION.

F - verre a pouvoir reflechissant thermique

S - vidrio reflector de calor

HEAT SINK

(sol). A body that is capable of accepting and storing heat. It therefore may also act as a heat source.

F - puits de chaleur

S - sumidor de calor

HEAT TAX

(heat). Referring to the HEAT ENERGY that becomes unavailable for further use whenever ENERGY is converted from one form to another.

F - chaleur perdue

S - gravamen calorifico

HEAT TRANSFER FLUID

(sol). (See: HEAT TRANSFER MEDIUM)

F - fluide caloporteur

S - fluido de termotransferencia

HEAT TRANSFER MEDIUM

(sol). The FLUID that is heated in a SOLAR COLLECTOR for conducting heat to another place or substance.

F - caloporteur

S - medio de termotransferencia

HELICAL SAIL WINDMILL

(wind). The name for a particular type of HORIZONTAL-AXIS, SAIL ROTOR WINDMILL. It usually is used for low-lift water pumping.

F - eolienne a ailes helicoidales

S - molino con aspas helicoidales

HELIO-ELECTRICAL PROCESS

(sol). A process by which PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES convert SOLAR ENERGY into electricity.

F - processus helioelectrique

S - proceso helioelectrico

HELIOSTAT

(sol) (impl). A solar-focusing instrument consisting of a mirror mounted on an AXIS that is moved by clockwork. The heliostat reflects sunbeams in one direction, usually to a central ABSORBER located in a TOWER.

F - heliostat

S - heliostato

HELIOTHERMAL

(sol). [1] A process that uses SOLAR RADIATION to produce heat. [2] A device that absorbs RADIATION on a blackened surface and converts it into heat.

F - heliothermique

S - heliotermico

HELIOTHERMAL PROCESS

(sol). A process by which SOLAR ENERGY is used to provide THERMAL ENERGY for space heating, space cooling, and domestic water heating.

F - processus heliothermique

S - proceso heliotermico

HELIOTHERMOMETER

(sol) (meas). An instrument that measures heat from the sun.

F - heliothermometre

S - heliotermometro

HELIOTROPIC

(sol) (impl). Turning toward light. It describes devices that TRACK the sun, following its movement across the sky.

F - heliotropique

S - heliotropico

HORIZONTAL AIR MILL

(wind) (arc). (See: HORIZONTAL-AXIS WINDMILL)

F - moulin a vent a arbre horizontal

S - molino de aire horizontal

HORIZONTAL AXIS SAIL ROTOR

(wind). A WIND MACHINE with cloth sails in which the WIND SHAFT is situated on a horizontal plane.

F - eolienne a ailes en toile sur axe horizontal

S - rotor de eje horizontal

HORIZONTAL AXIS WINDMILL

(wind). A WINDMILL driven by a ROTOR on a horizontal WIND SHAFT.

F - eolienne a arbre horizontal

S - molino de eje horizontal

HORIZONTAL WATERMILL

(hydr). A WATERMILL driven by a horizontal wheel mounted on a vertical shaft. (Syn: Greek Mill; Norse Mill)

F - moulin a eau horizontal

S - molino hidraulico horizontal

HORIZONTAL WATER WHEEL

(hydr). (See: HORIZONTAL WATERMILL)

F - roue hydraulique horizontale

S - rueda hidraulica horizontal

HORSEPOWER

(gen). A unit of POWER equal to 33,000 FOOT POUNDS per minute, 550 foot pounds per second, or 746 WATTS.

F - cheval-vapeur

S - potencia util

HOT DRY ROCK

(geo) A system for using GEOTHERMAL POWER. A hole is drilled and the deep rock cracked. This may be done hydraulically, as is done in conventional oil fields, or with explosives. Water is injected into the fractured rock, allowed to heat, and then withdrawn as steam for use as an ENERGY source.

F - roche chaude et seche

S - roca seca caliente

HOT WATER RESERVOIR

(geo). (See: GEOTHERMAL RESERVOIR)

F - reservoir d'eau chaude

S - tanque de agua caliente

HOUR ANGLE

(sol) (meas). The angular displacement of the sun east or west of the local meridian due to the rotation of the Earth on its AXIS at 15 [degrees] per hour (morning [+] afternoon [-]).

F - angle horaire

S - angulo hora

HUB EXTENSION

(wind). A piece of pipe that sticks out from the front of the hub of a ROTOR on a WINDMILL. It provides a place to attach GUY WIRES to strengthen the BLADES or SAILS.

F - rallonge de moyeu

S - extension del cubo

HUMIDIFIER

(gen). A mechanical means for increasing the relative humidity in an enclosed area by injecting water vapor into the air.

F - humidificateur

S - humidificador

HUMUS

(biocon). Well-decomposed organic soil material consisting of the residues from plant and animal matter together with the cell substances of soil organisms and various inorganic materials.

F - humus

S - humus

HYBRID GENERATOR

(biocon). A two-stage BIOGAS DIGESTER design consisting of a larger batch-fed, ACID-producing, cold phase, and a smaller CONTINUOUS-FEED, METHANE-producing, heated phase. Alternatively, any digester that separates acid and methane production.

F - generateur hybride

S - generador hibrido

HYBRID POWER SYSTEM

(gen). A system, such as one might find within a home, that derives its heating, lighting, and other ENERGY from several interconnected sources. One or more of these sources generally would come from RENEWABLE ENERGY.

F - energie heterogene, systeme d'

S - sistema de energia hibrida

HYBRID SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM

(sol). A heating or cooling system that uses both ACTIVE SOLAR HEATING and PASSIVE SOLAR HEATING methods in its design. At least one of the system's significant THERMAL ENERGY FLOWS is by natural means, and at least one is by forced means.

F - energie solaire heterogene, systeme d'

S - sistema de energia solar hibrida

HYDRATE

(chem). A solid material resulting from the combination under pressure of a gas with water.

F - hydrate

S - hidrato

HYDRAULIC RAM

(hydr) (impl). A water pump that uses the ENERGY of descending water to raise a part of the water to a height greater than that of the source. It requires no other power than the energy from the descending water.

F - belier hydraulique

S - ariete hidraulico

HYDRAULIC RETENTION TIME

(biocon) (meas). The number of days an average volume of SLURRY remains in a BIOGAS DIGESTER.

F - duree de retention hydraulique

S - periodo de retention hidraulica

HYDROELECTRIC

(hydr). Relative to a system in which the potential ENERGY of falling water is harnessed by releasing it from DAMS or through a PENSTOCK downward through WATER TURBINES.

F - hydro-electrique

S - hidroelectrico

HYDROLOGIC CYCLE

(hydr). The cycle in which water passes through different states. It begins as atmospheric water vapor. It then becomes a liquid through precipitation. Next it flows along the ground surface, where it is useful as an energy source. Finally, it returns to its original form through evaporation and transpiration.

F - cycle hydrologique

S - ciclo hidrologico

HYDROLOGY

(hydr). The science of water systems on or beneath the Earth's surface.

F - hydrologie

S - hidrologia

HYDROLYSIS

(alc) (chem). The chemical process that breaks complex organic molecules into simple molecules. For example, STARCH and CELLULOSE can be hydrolyzed by ACIDS or ENZYMES to produce simple sugars, which can be FERMENTED to form ETHANOL.

F - hydrolyse

S - hidrolisis

HYDROMETER

(impl) (meas). An instrument used to determine the density or SPECIFIC GRAVITY of FLUIDS.

F - hydrometre

S - hidrometro

HYDROPOWER

(hydr). POWER produced by falling water. The term is used to identify a type of electricity-generating station or any energy output in which the main mover is driven by FLOWing water.

F - puissance hydraulique

S - potencia hidraulica

HYDROPOWER SYSTEM

(hydr). A system in which the potential ENERGY of FLOWing water is used to create electricity or to mechanically drive machines, by impounding it behind DAMS and then diverting it through a CHANNEL to a WATER TURBINE.

F - systeme de puissance hydraulique

S - sistema de potencia hidraulica

HYDROXYL

(biocon). A monovalent group consisting of a hydrogen atom and an oxygen atom linked together. Most BASES contain hydroxyl groups. (See also: BASE)

F - hydroxyle

S - hidroxilo

HYGROMETER

(impl) (meas) (sol). A device for measuring the humidity of the air. It is used in designing SOLAR HEATING and SOLAR COOLING systems.

F - hygrometre

S - higrometro

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IMPERMEABLE DRY ROCK

(geo). Rock systems in GEOTHERMAL regions where the heat is contained almost entirely in impermeable rock.

F - roche seche impermeable

S - roca seca impermeable

IMPULSE TURBINE

(hydr). A TURBINE driven by high velocity JETS of water or steam that are produced by forcing the water or steam through a nozzle.

F - turbine a action

S - turbina de impulsion

INCIDENT ANGLE

(sol) (hydr). [1] The angle between the sun's rays and a line perpendicular (normal) to the irradiated surface. The incident angle determines both the intensity of the DIRECT RADIATION component striking the surface and the ability of the surface to reflect, transmit, or ABSORB the sun's rays. [2] In the case of HYDROPOWER devices, the angle between the water intake and a line perpendicular to the BUCKETS.

F - angle d'incidence

S - angulo incidente

INCIDENT RADIATION

(sol) (meas). The quantity of RADIANT ENERGY striking a surface per unit time and unit area.

F - rayonnement incident

S - radiacion de incidencia

INDIAN-TYPE DIGESTER

(biocon). A BIOGAS DIGESTER primarily designed to produce METHANE. These digesters usually have FLOATING GAS CAPS.

F - digesteur type indien

S - digestor de tipo indio

INDIRECT CONVERSION

(sol). The indirect use of SOLAR ENERGY from such sources as solar-produced winds, thermal currents in air and water, and wave action.

F - conversion indirecte

S - conversion indirecta

INDIRECT SOLAR ENERGY

(sol). A system in which SOLAR ENERGY is COLLECTED and used through mechanical means.

F - energie solaire indirecte

S - energia solar indirecta

INDIRECT SOLAR GAIN

(sol) . A PASSIVE SOLAR HEATING system in which heat is stored between the COLLECTING and the distributing surfaces (e.g., TROMBE WALL).

F - apport solaire indirect

S - ganancia solar indirecta

INDIRECT SOLAR HEATING

(sol). A method of solar heating in which SOLAR RADIATION is COLLECTED in FLAT PLATE or CONCENTRATING COLLECTORS that are mounted on a roof, a wall, or apart from a building. Pumps or fans are used to circulate HEAT TRANSFER FLUIDS through the collectors and then back to a heat storage medium.

F - chauffage solaire indirect

S - calefaccion solar indirecta

INDUCTION MOTOR

(elec) (wind). A common type of motor, which, when modified slightly and driven by the rotary action of a WINDMILL or TURBINE, provides ALTERNATING CURRENT (ac).

F - moteur a induction

S - motor de induccion

INFILTRATION

(heat). The unchecked movement of outdoor air into a building through cracks around windows and doors or in walls, roofs, and floors. Infiltration generally refers to cold air during the winter and hot air during the summer.

F - infiltration

S - infiltracion

INFLUENT

(biocon). BIOMASS mixed with water for use in a BIOGAS DIGESTER.

F - affluent

S - influente

INFRARED RADIATION

(sol). Electromagnetic RADIATION from the sun or a warm body that has wavelengths longer than the red end of the visible spectrum. Infrared radiation is experienced as heat.

F - radiation infrarouge

S - radiacion infraroja

INOCULATION

(biocon). Adding a SEED of ANAEROBIC BACTERIA to a BIOGAS GENERATOR.

F - inoculation

S - inoculacion

INOCULUM

(biocon). A sample of partially DIGESTED SLURRY, and its associated BACTERIA, that is added at the start of DIGESTION to a BIOGAS DIGESTER. It provides sufficient micro-organisms for the digestion process to proceed at a satisfactory rate. Without this seeding, there generally is a prolonged wait before a digester begins producing gas. (Syn: seed)

F - inoculum

S - inoculum

INSOLATION

(sol). The rate at which ENERGY from the sun reaches the Earth's surface. Insolation generally is measured in BTU/square feet (meters)/day.

F - insolation

S - insolacion

INSULATED STEAM COOKER

(sol). A small, insulated cooking box in which steam acts as the heating agent. Water heated to steam by a SOLAR COLLECTOR flows into the box, condenses, and drips back into the COLLECTOR.

F - rechaud a vapeur isole

S - cocinilla aislada de vapor

INTEGRATED HEATING

(sol). A method of SOLAR HEATING in which SOLAR RADIATION is intercepted and absorbed by a massive exterior wall or roof pond, which usually doubles as a heat storage container. Heat flows to the rooms by CONDUCTION, or natural CONVECTION. This is a form of PASSIVE SOLAR HEATING.

F - chauffage integre

S - calefaccion solar integrada

INTEGRATED SYSTEM

(biocon). A system in which the outputs of one activity are used as inputs in other related activities. For example, a BIOGAS system in which the EFFLUENT is used as a nutrient to enrich an aquaculture environment. In exchange, BIOMASS from the aquaculture may be used as INFLUENT to the DIGESTER.

F - systeme integre

S - sistema integrado

INVERTER

(elec) (wind). A device that converts DIRECT CURRENT (dc) to ALTERNATING CURRENT (ac). It often is used with WIND GENERATORS.

F - onduleur

S - invertidor

IRRIGATION WHEEL

(hydr). (See: NORIA)

F - roue hydraulique d'irrigation

S - rueda de irrigacion

ISOLATED SOLAR GAIN

(sol). A PASSIVE SOLAR HEATING system in which heat is collected in one area to be used in another. (See also: SOLAR GREENHOUSE)

F - apport solaire isole

S - ganancia solar aislada

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JACKET

(prod) (impl). An enclosure around a PRODUCER GAS GENERATOR through which cooling liquid flows. (See also: WATER JACKET)

F - chemise d'eau

S - cubierta

JET

(auto) (hydro). A nozzle of a specific size that limits the FLOW of water to a TURBINE or the flow of fuel in a CARBURETOR.

F - gicleur

S - lanza

JET STREAM

(wind). Strong winds concentrated in a relatively narrow, shallow stream in the upper troposphere.

F - jet-stream

S - manga de aire

JIB SAILS

(wind) (arc). Triangular COMMON SAILS, set on radiating SPARS.

F - clinfoc

S - aspas triangulares

JOULE

(meas). A unit of ENERGY or work equal to one WATT per second or 0.737 foot pounds.

F- Joule

S- Joule

S LAW

(gen) (heat). The law stating that: [1] The rate at which heat is produced by a steady current in any part of an electric circuit is jointly proportional to the resistance and to the square of the current. [2] The internal ENERGY of an ideal gas depends only on its temperature regardless of volume and pressure.

F - loi de Joule

S - ley de Joule

JUMPER

(elec). A length of wire, usually with clips on each end, for making temporary electrical connections.

F - fil volant

S - puente

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KAPLAN TURBINE

(hydr). A propeller-type of WATER TURBINE with variable pitch BLADES that adjust automatically in accordance with the HEAD.

F - turbine de Kaplan

S - turbina Kaplan

KENAF

(biocon). An annual East Indian plant, which may be used effectively in BIOGAS production.

F - kenaf

S - hibiscus cannabinus

KILN

(heat). A high temperature oven, furnace, or heated enclosure used to process a substance by burning, firing, or drying. Kilns often are described by the direction that air passes through them (i.e., UPDRAFT or DOWNDRAFT).

F - four

S - horno

KILOWATT

(elec). A unit of POWER equal to 1,000 WATTS or to ENERGY consumption at a rate of 1,000 JOULES per second. It is usually used as a measure of electrical energy. Commonly abbreviated as kW.

F - kilowatt

S - kilovatios

KILOWATT HOUR

(elec) (meas). A unit of POWER consumption equal to the amount of power multiplied by the amount of time the power is used. A 100-watt light bulb burning for 10 hours uses one kilowatt-hour of power.

F - kilowattheure

S - kilovatio-hora

KINETIC ENERGY

(gen). The ENERGY that a body possesses by virtue of its motion.

F - energie cinetique

S - energia cinetica

KNOT

(wind). A measure of WIND SPEED equal to one nautical mile per hour. One knot equals 1.15 miles per hour.

F - noeud

S - nudo

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LANGLEY

(sol) (meas). A unit of SOLAR RADIATION intensity, equal to 1.0 gram CALORIE per square centimeter.

F - langley

S - langley

LATITUDE

(gen) (meas). An angular position north or south of the equator, measured in degrees along a meridian of a point.

F - latitude

S - latitud

LEADING EDGE

(wind). The vertical edge of a WINDMILL BLADE that lies on the side towards which the blade moves. The opposite edge is called the TRAILING EDGE.

F - arete avant

S - borde anterior

LIFE-CYCLE COSTING

(gen) (meas). A method for estimating the comparative costs of ALTERNATIVE ENERGY or other systems. Life-cycle costing takes into consideration such long-term costs as ENERGY consumption, maintenance, and repair.

F - evaluation du cycle de vie

S - calculo del coste de la vida util

LIFT

(wind). The aerodynamic force that "pulls" the BLADES of a WINDMILL and causes them to rotate.

F - portance

S - impulsion

LIFT COEFFICIENT

(wind) (meas). The ratio of LIFT forces to FLOW forces.

F - coefficient de portance

S - coeficiente de impulsion

LIFT-TYPE DEVICES

(wind). WIND MACHINES that provide aerodynamic LIFT in a wind stream.

F - eoliennes a portance

S - aparatos impulsores

LIME

(chem). A white powder composed of calcium oxide that forms a highly ALKALINE solution when mixed with water. It is used in various ways, including as a means to increase the pH (POTENTIAL HYDROGEN) of MASH in ALCOHOL STILLS or BIOGAS DIGESTERS.

F - chaux

S - cal

LIME KILN

(chem). A KILN used to make LIME from coral or limestone.

F - four a chaux

S - horno de cal

LIMEWATER

(biocon) (chem). A CALCIUM HYDROXIDE solution often used as a gas SCRUBBER.

F - eau de chaux

S - agua de cal

LINED FIREBOX

(gen). A firebox fitted with special insulating material.

F - chambre de combustion garnie

S - caja de fuego revestida

LIQUID-BASED SOLAR HEATING SYSTEM

(sol). A SOLAR HEATING system in which a liquid HEAT TRANSFER MEDIUM is heated in SOLAR COLLECTORS. The liquid generally is either water or an antifreeze solution.

F - chauffage solaire a liquide, systeme de

S - sistema de energia solar a base de liquidos

LIQUID SLURRY

(biocon). SLURRY comprising less than 10 percent solid material.

F - boue liquide

S - fango liquido

LIQUID-TYPE COLLECTOR

(sol). (See: LIQUID-BASED SOLAR HEATING SYSTEM)

F - capteur a liquide

S - colector de tipo liquido

LIVE CURB

(wind) (arc). The circular timber rim or wall plate supporting a WINDMILL CAP that revolves on ROLLERS or WHEELS.

F - chemin de roulement

S - soporte movil

LOAD

(elec) (meas). The output of one or several electric machines or transformers. Load also denotes the POWER carried by a particular circuit.

F - charge

S - carga

LOADING RATE

(biocon) (meas). The amount of BIOMASS added to a DIGESTER over a specific period of time.

F - taux de charge

S - velocidad de carga

LOLLY AXIS

(wind). (See: YAW AXIS)

F - axe de lacet

S - eje de relingar

LORENA STOVE

(biocon). An inexpensive, yet efficient, cook stove made of a sand, clay, and water mixture known as "lorena."

F - cuisiniere lorena

S - estufa lorena

LOW HEAD TURBINE

(hydr). A WATER TURBINE that is designed to function with a low HEAD.

F - turbine pour chutes faibles

S - turbina de poco desnivel

LUFF

(wind). To turn the BLADES of a WINDMILL into the wind so they will rotate.

F - lofer

S - cenir el viento