Energy transition explained

A unit of energy representing one billion (1 000 000 000) watt hours and is equivalent to one million kilowatt hours. Gigawatt hours are often used as a measure of the output of large electricity power stations.

Connection point between the transmission network and the distribution network.

A device used to warm the interior of a building by transferring thermal energy from a cooler space to a warmer space using the refrigeration cycle, being the opposite direction in which heat transfer would take place without the application of external power.

A water tank used for storing hot water for space heating or domestic use.

A combination of an air source heat pump and a standard boiler. They're an alternative to traditional boilers that are greener and can also be more cost-effective.

A device that combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity. Can be used in vehicles to drive the electric motor. 

A semiconductor light source that emits light when current flows through it. They use 
significantly less energy than traditional lighting such as incandescent light bulbs.

A type of rechargeable battery in which lithium ions move from the negative electrode (cathode) through an electrolyte to the positive electrode (anode) during discharge, and back when charging. It has become the dominant type of battery used for energy storage in recent years. There are different types of lithium ion battery chemistry that have different properties in terms of energy density, discharge rates and safety. It is a very active area of research and development to improve the performance (e.g. increase the number of cycles, discharge rates) and cost (e.g. costs have fallen dramatically in recent years and are expected to fall further).

A method of hydrogen production where a reaction occurs between two electrodes in a solution composed of water and liquid electrolyte.

A demand connected to the electricity network that consumes energy.

The ratio (in %) between the average energy consumed over a certain period of time divided by the peak energy demand occurring over that time. Load factors are always less than 100% because the average energy demand can never be bigger than the peak energy demand.

A term used to describe initiatives to establish a marketplace to coordinate the generation, supply, storage, transport, and consumption of energy from decentralised energy resources (e.g., renewable energy generators, storage and demand-side response providers) within a confined geographical area.