Glossary
Kilowatt is a measure of 1,000 watts of electrical power. A kilowatt hour is a composite unit of energy equivalent to one kilowatt(1 kW) of power sustained for one hour.
Megawatt is a measure of 1,000,000 watts of electrical power. A megawatt hour is a composite unit of energy equivalent to one megawatt (1 MW) of power sustained for one hour.
Gigawatt is a measure of 1,000,000,000 watts of electrical power. A gigawatt hour is a composite unit of energy equivalent to one gigawatt (1 GW) of power sustained for one hour.
Voltage is the difference in electrical potential between two points. The difference in electric potential between two points (i.e., voltage) in a static electrical field is defined as the work needed per unit of charge to move a test charge between the two points. The derived unit for voltage is named volt. Voltage is what makes electric charges -- electricity -- move.
Electric power transmission is the bulk movement of electrical energy from a generating site, such as a power plant, to an electrical substation. This is distinct from the local wiring between high-voltage substations and customers, which is typically referred to as electric power distribution. Transmission lines are usually carried at much higher voltages, such as above 110 kV and above, while distribution lines carry a much lower voltage, such as 33 Kv or lower.
Substations transform voltage from high to low, or the reverse, or perform any of several other important functions. Between the generating station and consumer, electric power may flow through several substations at different voltage levels.
A substation may include Transformers to change voltage levels between high transmission voltages and lower distribution voltages, or at the interconnection of two different transmission voltages.
TDU (Transmission and Distribution Utility) is a utility company that owns, operates and recovers the cost of the transmission and distribution lines. A TDU may be a private or public company. In Texas, the largest TDUs are private companies and are often called IOUs (Investor-Owned Utilities).
ERCOT (The Electric Reliability Council of Texas) is the independent operator of the electric grid in most of Texas.
PUC is the Public Utility Commission of Texas, a state agency which regulates among other activities, the rules governing electricity and electric companies in Texas, including oversight over rates.
TCEQ is the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the main agency regulating activities which impact the environment in Texas. TCEQ plays a role in electric production by setting the clean air and clean water standards for power plants, and issuing any required permits for power plants to operate.
Electric Cooperatives are not-for-profit businesses voluntarily owned and controlled by the people who use its services that are tasked with the delivery of electricity to its members. An electric cooperative may produce its own power, contract with others, or buy off the market depending upon its size and scope.
Municipal Electric Utilities are public power utilities operated by local governments to provide communities with reliable, responsive, not-for-profit electric service.
Other Resources
Public Utility Commission of Texas
The Public Utility Commission of Texas is the state regulatory agency charged with overseeing the electric market, transmission grid, consumer complaints and many other aspects. You can also learn how to participate in rulemaking, ratemaking, how to make complaints and how to participate in public meetings from this site.
Power to Choose Website
If you are in the competitive market of ERCOT, the power to choose website is a one-stop shop to look at different rates and offerings of Retail Electric Companies. One can also look at the individual websites of the REPs for more information.
Other comparison tools in the competitive market
In addition to the state-sanctioned Power to Choose website, there are a number of additional websites that are similar to Power to Choose but provides some more detailed information that some consumers might find helpful. These include EnergyBot (https://www.energybot.com/index.html) , Choose Texas Power (https://www.choosetexaspower.org/), and Texas Power Guide (https://texaspowerguide.com).
Recently, the Public Utility Commission also updated their website on how to save energy and it includes links to energy efficiency programs offered by various utilities. The website is called the Power to Save Texas and can be found here - https://www.powertosavetexas.org/
Texas Energy Efficiency (http://texasefficiency.com)
This site is a one-stop shop for energy efficiency in Texas, provided courtesy of the Electric Utility Marketing Managers of Texas (EUMMOT).
Office of Public Utility Council consumer website (https://www.opuc.texas.gov) OPUC was created in 1983, in response to legislative and consumer group concerns that residential and small commercial consumers were not receiving adequate representation in utility proceedings. OPUC represents residential and small commercial consumers in electric, telecommunications, and water and wastewater utility matters. The website includes information about energy efficiency programs, about rate proceedings and about how to make complaints if a company doesn't treat you right.
Sierra Club’s Lone Star Chapter Website (www.sierraclub.org/texas) tells you everything you need to know about our efforts in Texas to improve our state and ways to get involved or help!
American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) State and Local Policy Database https://database.aceee.org
The State and Local Policy Database is updated at least once per year with data collected for the State Energy Efficiency Scorecard and City Energy Efficiency Scorecard. Communities not included in the database can use the Local Energy Efficiency Self-Scoring Tool to compare their efficiency policies to other communities.
DSIRE (Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency) http://www.dsireusa.org The North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center has always striven to keep DSIRE a free and open resource, providing valuable information on thousands of policies and incentives for renewable energy and energy efficiency.
ERCOT http://www.ercot.com includes an important dashboard with daily retail electric data information, but also information on proposed changes to the market, transmission projects, meetings and ways to make comments or attend meetings.
SECO (State Energy Conservation Office). SECO (https://comptroller.texas.gov/programs/seco/) is a division within the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts that partners with Texas local governments, county governments, public K-12 schools, public institutions of higher education and state agencies, to reduce utility costs and maximize efficiency. SECO also adopts energy codes for single-family residential, commercial, and state-funded buildings. They have a variety of loans, grants and programs for public entities, including a Texas Renewable Energy Cooperative that enables institutions to purchase renewable energy directly for cost savings and long-term budget certainty.
SPEER (South-Central Partnership for Energy Efficiency as a Resource) https://eepartnership.org is a member organization whose mission is to accelerate the adoption of advanced building systems and energy efficient products and services in the South-central US. They offer trainings and initiatives on a wide variety of energy topics.
