The
The encyclopenergy dictionary supports the encyclopedia by listing words of the built environment jargon and provides their definition as their connotation and perceived meaning evolve in the built environment field.
Open source
A crowd-based
dictionary.
Definitions abound, new connotations and usage of words in the energy-efficient built environment is not always harmonised. We feel clarity and harmonisation of the jargon is a foundational step towards speaking the same language and adds crucial layers of clarity, transparency and accessibility to this sector. Hence, the encyclopenergy dictionary supports the encyclopedia by unpacking the built environment jargon and provides definitions in a glossary as words’ explanations crystallise. Should you feel like a listed word is wrongly defined, lacks reference, or you simply have something to comment on, feel free to engage in a discussion by clicking on the specific word’s name. This will redirect to the word’s passport, where the community forum takes place, improving the description accuracy to harmonise and standardise shared definitions.
| Word | Definition | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Energy geostructures | Energy geostructures are underground structures with the double role of structural support and heat exchanger … | doi.org/10.1680/geot.2006.56.2.81 |
| Energy tunnel | An energy tunnel is a tunnel specially equipped to exchange heat with the ground. It … | doi.org/10.1016/j.geothermics.2016.01.014 |
| Net-Zero Buildings | Buildings with zero net energy consumption combine maximum efficiency and onsite renewables. They produce as … | drawdown.org/publications/the-drawdown-review |
| District Heating | District systems heat space and water more efficiently. A central plant and pipe network channel … | drawdown.org/publications/the-drawdown-review |
| PV | Solar Photovoltaic Technology materials and devices convert sunlight into electrical energy. | www.energy.gov/eere/solar/solar-photovoltaic-technology-basics |
| Insulation | Insulation impedes unwanted airflow in or out of buildings. In new construction or retrofits, it … | drawdown.org/publications/the-drawdown-review |
| Net-Zero Buildings | Buildings with zero net energy consumption combine maximum efficiency and onsite renewables. They produce as … | drawdown.org/publications/the-drawdown-review |
| District Heating | District systems heat space and water more efficiently. A central plant and pipe network channel … | drawdown.org/publications/the-drawdown-review |
| Energy efficiency | Energy efficiency simply means using less energy to perform the same task – that is, … | www.eesi.org/topics/energy-efficiency/description#:~:text=Energy%20efficiency%20simply%20means%20using,household%20and%20economy%2Dwide%20level. |
| Energy flexibility | Within the context of energy, flexibility is the maneuverability of different energy and power demands … | doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2021.08.146 |
| OBR | On-Bill Recovery – also known as On-Financing (OBF) – allows customers to repay loans made … | encyclopenergy.org/on-bill-recovery-obr |
| ESCO | ESCO’s companies specialise in solutions to improve energy efficiency and offer implementation of various projects … | www.lawinsider.com/dictionary/energy-service-company#:~:text=Energyservicecompanymeansacompanythatprovidesabroad,ofenergyefficiencymeasures |
| Energy Performance Certificate | Energy performance certificates provide information to consumers on buildings they plan to purchase or rent. … | energy.ec.europa.eu/topics/energy-efficiency/energy-efficient-buildings/certificates-and-inspections_en#energy-performance-certificates |