Utilities Energy Management and Monitoring Technology Terms, Definitions Glossary


AMI	Advanced Metering Infrastructure or AMI is the communications solution that creates a network between remote meters and utility operations centers, and allows real-time collection of data and information.
AMR	AMR stands for Automated Meter Reading, a state-of-the-art technology that enables utility companies to read electric meters remotely.
Base Load	The minimum amount of electric power delivered or required over a given period at a constant rate.
Cooperative Utility or "Co-op"	A type of utility in which the customers are also the owners. Co-ops are common in rural areas that are expensive to serve because of the long distances between users.
Demand	The level that electricity or natural gas is delivered to users at a given point in time. Electric demand is expressed in kilowatts.
Demand Interval	The time period during which flow of electricity is measured (usually in 15-, 30-, or 60-minute increments.)
Demand Response	Demand Response is the ability to provide peak load capacity through demand management (load control) programs. This methodology focuses on curtailment of loads during peak demand times thus avoiding the requirement to find new sources of generation capacity.
Demand Side Management (DSM)	The planning, implementation, and monitoring of utility activities designed to encourage consumers to modify patterns of electricity usage, including the timing and level of electricity demand.
Direct Control Load Management	The magnitude of customer demand that can be interrupted at the time of the seasonal peak load by direct control of the system operator by interrupting power supply to individual appliances or equipment on customer premises. This type of control usually reduces the demand of residential customers.
Distribution Provider	Provides and operates the "wires" between the transmission system and the end-use customer.
Energy Demand Management	Actions that influence the quantity or patterns of use of energy consumed by end users, such as actions targeting reduction of peak demand during periods when energy-supply systems are constrained. Also known as Demand Side Management (DSM).
Energy Management Practices	Involvement, as a part of the building's normal operations, in energy efficiency programs that are designed to reduce the energy used by specific end-use systems. This includes the following: EMCS, DSM Program Participation, Energy Audit, and a Building Energy Manager.
Energy Savings	A reduction in the amount of electricity used by end users as a result of participation in energy efficiency programs and load management programs.
Grid Solutions	Grid Solutions, also known as Intelligent Grid or Smart Grid Solutions, are power management systems that use cellular technologies to remotely monitor utility power grid systems, optimize transmission efficiency, and provide superior service.
Home Automation	Home automation is the use of computer and cellular technologies to remotely control basic home functions and features such as HVAC, lighting, and security systems.
Interconnection	Any one of the three major electric system networks in North America: Eastern, Western, and ERCOT.
Investor Owned Utility (IOU)	A utility owned by private investors as opposed to one owned by a public trust or agency; a commercial, for-profit utility as opposed to a co-op or municipal utility.
Kilowatt (KW)	A unit of power equal to 1000 watts. 746 kW equals one horsepower. A kW is equal to one kilojoule per second.
Load	An end-use device or customer that receives power from the electric system.
Load Control Program	A program in which the utility company offers a lower rate in return for having permission to turn off the air conditioner or water heater for short periods of time by remote control. This control allows the utility to reduce peak demand.
Load Management	Steps taken to reduce power demand at peak load times or to shift some of it to off-peak times. This may be with reference to peak hours, peak days or peak seasons. The main thing affecting electric peaks is air-conditioning usage, which is therefore a prime target for load management efforts. Load management may be pursued by persuading consumers to modify behavior or by using equipment that regulates some electric consumption.
Load Shed	Load shed, normally used in industrial, large commercial, and utility operations, is monitoring electric usage continuously (usually by automated instrumentation) and shutting down certain pre-arranged electric loads or devices if a certain upper threshold of electric usage is approached.
Megawatt (MW)	A megawatt is a unit for measuring power that is equivalent to one million watts (equivalent to one joule per second). Examples: One megawatt is equivalent to the energy produced by about 10 automobile engines.
Municipal Utility or "Muni"	A utility owned by a city to supply utility services to residents in that city. Generally, surpluses in revenues or over-expenditures are contributed to the city budget.
Off-Peak	Those hours or other periods defined by NAESB (North American Energy Standards Board) business practices, contract, agreements, or guides as periods of lower electrical demand.
On-Peak	Those hours or other periods defined by NAESB (North American Energy Standards Board) business practices, contract, agreements, or guides as periods of higher electrical demand.
Outage Monitoring	A utility management process that utilizes cellular technologies to remotely monitor power grids and alert the power company in real-time when they occur.
Peak Demand or Peak Load	Electric load that corresponds to a maximum level of electric demand in a specified time period.
Potential Peak Reduction	Represents the load that can be reduced either by the direct control of the utility system operator or by the consumer in response to a utility request to curtail load.
SCADA - Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition	A system of remote control and telemetry used to monitor and control the transmission system.
Smart Energy	The use of renewable resources to create electricity and to heat and cool buildings, as well as more efficient use of energy through conservation and high efficiency technologies.
Smart Grid	A smart grid integrates new innovative tools and technologies from generation, transmission and distribution all the way to consumer appliances and equipment. A modernized grid would create a digital energy system that will: Detect and address emerging problems on the system before they affect service, Respond to local and system-wide inputs and have much more information about broader system problems, Incorporate extensive measurements, rapid communications, centralized advanced diagnostics, and feedback control that quickly return the system to a stable state after interruptions or disturbances.
Smart Utility	The use of advanced sensing, communication, and control technologies by utility companies to generate and distribute electricity more effectively, economically and securely.
Telemetry	Telemetry is the wireless transmission of monitoring data to indicate or record measurements at a distance from the measuring instrument. Telemetry may also include two‐way communications for the purpose of remote machine management and control.
Wireless Monitoring	The use of cellular networks to track and collect data from remote wireless devices attached to either fixed or mobile assets.
Wireless M2M Communications	M2M is an acronym for Machine-to-Machine communications using CDMA or GSM wireless technologies. This technology is increasingly used in the utilities, telematics, transportation, and security and alarm industries.
Wireless Network Operator	Manages wireless telecommunications networks as a service sold to customers.
Wireless Service Provider	Combines wireless data connectivity and underlying support services, including specialized protocols and network services, technical support and monitoring, application development assistance and installation assistance, into a product offered to customers.

Glossary of Energy & Utility Industry Terms