{"id":319,"date":"2026-05-27T11:15:28","date_gmt":"2026-05-27T11:15:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/routledgelearning.com\/sustainabilityprinciplesandpractice\/?page_id=319"},"modified":"2026-05-27T11:15:29","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T11:15:29","slug":"energy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/routledgelearning.com\/sustainabilityprinciplesandpractice\/energy\/","title":{"rendered":"Energy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-left is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-69934ac2 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-base-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/routledgelearning.com\/sustainabilityprinciplesandpractice\/flashcards\/\" style=\"background-color:#409750;font-style:normal;font-weight:300\">Back to all Flashcards<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<!-- Swiper -->\n<div class=\"swiper mySwiper\">\n    <div class=\"swiper-wrapper\">\n\n        \n        <!-- Swiper Slide -->\n        <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n          <!-- Flashcard -->\n           <button class=\"flip-card\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n            <div class=\"flip-card-inner\">\n              <div class=\"flip-card-front\"><p><p>barrel (bbl) <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n              <div class=\"flip-card-back\"><p>A liquid volume equal to 42 US gallons, used to indicate quantities of petroleum products.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/button>\n        <\/div>\n\n        \n        <!-- Swiper Slide -->\n        <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n          <!-- Flashcard -->\n           <button class=\"flip-card\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n            <div class=\"flip-card-inner\">\n              <div class=\"flip-card-front\"><p><p>biodiesel<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n              <div class=\"flip-card-back\"><p>A fuel made of oils from plant materials or animal fats and used as a diesel fuel substitute or diesel fuel extender.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/button>\n        <\/div>\n\n        \n        <!-- Swiper Slide -->\n        <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n          <!-- Flashcard -->\n           <button class=\"flip-card\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n            <div class=\"flip-card-inner\">\n              <div class=\"flip-card-front\"><p><p>biofuel<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n              <div class=\"flip-card-back\"><p>A liquid fuel made of plant material and used as a partial substitute for gasoline.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/button>\n        <\/div>\n\n        \n        <!-- Swiper Slide -->\n        <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n          <!-- Flashcard -->\n           <button class=\"flip-card\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n            <div class=\"flip-card-inner\">\n              <div class=\"flip-card-front\"><p><p>biomass<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n              <div class=\"flip-card-back\"><p>Plant or animal material, often wood or grasses, that can be converted into energy through burning or through conversion into a gas or liquid fuel which is then burned.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/button>\n        <\/div>\n\n        \n        <!-- Swiper Slide -->\n        <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n          <!-- Flashcard -->\n           <button class=\"flip-card\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n            <div class=\"flip-card-inner\">\n              <div class=\"flip-card-front\"><p><p>capital project  <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n              <div class=\"flip-card-back\"><p>A long-term investment in the improvement of a fixed asset, such as a building or infrastructure, requiring a comparatively high financial outlay.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/button>\n        <\/div>\n\n        \n        <!-- Swiper Slide -->\n        <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n          <!-- Flashcard -->\n           <button class=\"flip-card\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n            <div class=\"flip-card-inner\">\n              <div class=\"flip-card-front\"><p><p>combined heat and power (CHP)<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n              <div class=\"flip-card-back\"><p>The production of electricity and useful heat using a common energy source.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/button>\n        <\/div>\n\n        \n        <!-- Swiper Slide -->\n        <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n          <!-- Flashcard -->\n           <button class=\"flip-card\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n            <div class=\"flip-card-inner\">\n              <div class=\"flip-card-front\"><p><p>commissioning<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n              <div class=\"flip-card-back\"><p>The systematic process of verifying and documenting that building systems are functioning as intended.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/button>\n        <\/div>\n\n        \n        <!-- Swiper Slide -->\n        <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n          <!-- Flashcard -->\n           <button class=\"flip-card\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n            <div class=\"flip-card-inner\">\n              <div class=\"flip-card-front\"><p><p>embodied energy<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n              <div class=\"flip-card-back\"><p>The total energy used to produce, transport, and dispose of a product.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/button>\n        <\/div>\n\n        \n        <!-- Swiper Slide -->\n        <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n          <!-- Flashcard -->\n           <button class=\"flip-card\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n            <div class=\"flip-card-inner\">\n              <div class=\"flip-card-front\"><p><p>energy audit<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n              <div class=\"flip-card-back\"><p>A systematic, detailed analysis of how and where a building uses energy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/button>\n        <\/div>\n\n        \n        <!-- Swiper Slide -->\n        <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n          <!-- Flashcard -->\n           <button class=\"flip-card\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n            <div class=\"flip-card-inner\">\n              <div class=\"flip-card-front\"><p><p>energy efficiency<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n              <div class=\"flip-card-back\"><p>Using less energy to perform the same tasks.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/button>\n        <\/div>\n\n        \n        <!-- Swiper Slide -->\n        <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n          <!-- Flashcard -->\n           <button class=\"flip-card\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n            <div class=\"flip-card-inner\">\n              <div class=\"flip-card-front\"><p><p>energy service <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n              <div class=\"flip-card-back\"><p>The amount of useful work done by each unit of fuel.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/button>\n        <\/div>\n\n        \n        <!-- Swiper Slide -->\n        <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n          <!-- Flashcard -->\n           <button class=\"flip-card\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n            <div class=\"flip-card-inner\">\n              <div class=\"flip-card-front\"><p><p>energy services company (ESCO) <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n              <div class=\"flip-card-back\"><p>A company which provides measurement and verification and energy efficiency services for a building and whose fees are paid for out of the energy savings.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/button>\n        <\/div>\n\n        \n        <!-- Swiper Slide -->\n        <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n          <!-- Flashcard -->\n           <button class=\"flip-card\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n            <div class=\"flip-card-inner\">\n              <div class=\"flip-card-front\"><p><p>energy utilization index (EUI) <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n              <div class=\"flip-card-back\"><p>An index used to measure building efficiency, usually expressed as a ratio of Btu per square foot of gross floor area per year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/button>\n        <\/div>\n\n        \n        <!-- Swiper Slide -->\n        <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n          <!-- Flashcard -->\n           <button class=\"flip-card\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n            <div class=\"flip-card-inner\">\n              <div class=\"flip-card-front\"><p><p>fossil fuel<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n              <div class=\"flip-card-back\"><p>Combustible geologic deposits formed from partially decomposed remains of organisms trapped in the Earth\u2019s crust and converted to coal, oil, and natural gas by exposure to heat and pressure.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/button>\n        <\/div>\n\n        \n        <!-- Swiper Slide -->\n        <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n          <!-- Flashcard -->\n           <button class=\"flip-card\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n            <div class=\"flip-card-inner\">\n              <div class=\"flip-card-front\"><p><p>generator<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n              <div class=\"flip-card-back\"><p>A device that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/button>\n        <\/div>\n\n        \n        <!-- Swiper Slide -->\n        <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n          <!-- Flashcard -->\n           <button class=\"flip-card\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n            <div class=\"flip-card-inner\">\n              <div class=\"flip-card-front\"><p><p>grid<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n              <div class=\"flip-card-back\"><p>A network of interconnected transmission and distribution lines that distributes electricity from power generation stations to users.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/button>\n        <\/div>\n\n        \n        <!-- Swiper Slide -->\n        <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n          <!-- Flashcard -->\n           <button class=\"flip-card\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n            <div class=\"flip-card-inner\">\n              <div class=\"flip-card-front\"><p><p>measurement and verification (M&#038;V) <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n              <div class=\"flip-card-back\"><p>A written plan which verifies that investments in energy efficiency measures are providing the benefits expected.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/button>\n        <\/div>\n\n        \n        <!-- Swiper Slide -->\n        <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n          <!-- Flashcard -->\n           <button class=\"flip-card\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n            <div class=\"flip-card-inner\">\n              <div class=\"flip-card-front\"><p><p>net metering<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n              <div class=\"flip-card-back\"><p>A billing arrangement that allows customers who generate their own electricity to sell excess electricity to the local power utility.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/button>\n        <\/div>\n\n        \n        <!-- Swiper Slide -->\n        <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n          <!-- Flashcard -->\n           <button class=\"flip-card\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n            <div class=\"flip-card-inner\">\n              <div class=\"flip-card-front\"><p><p>net zero energy<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n              <div class=\"flip-card-back\"><p>A net-zero energy building is one which produces as much energy as it uses over the course of a year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/button>\n        <\/div>\n\n        \n        <!-- Swiper Slide -->\n        <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n          <!-- Flashcard -->\n           <button class=\"flip-card\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n            <div class=\"flip-card-inner\">\n              <div class=\"flip-card-front\"><p><p>peak oil<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n              <div class=\"flip-card-back\"><p>The point at which oil reaches its highest production levels, after which the rate of production declines.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/button>\n        <\/div>\n\n        \n        <!-- Swiper Slide -->\n        <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n          <!-- Flashcard -->\n           <button class=\"flip-card\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n            <div class=\"flip-card-inner\">\n              <div class=\"flip-card-front\"><p><p>peat<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n              <div class=\"flip-card-back\"><p>Partially decomposed plant material that has accumulated in a water-saturated anaerobic environment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/button>\n        <\/div>\n\n        \n        <!-- Swiper Slide -->\n        <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n          <!-- Flashcard -->\n           <button class=\"flip-card\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n            <div class=\"flip-card-inner\">\n              <div class=\"flip-card-front\"><p><p>petroleum<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n              <div class=\"flip-card-back\"><p>One of the three types of fossil fuel; also known as oil.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/button>\n        <\/div>\n\n        \n        <!-- Swiper Slide -->\n        <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n          <!-- Flashcard -->\n           <button class=\"flip-card\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n            <div class=\"flip-card-inner\">\n              <div class=\"flip-card-front\"><p><p>phantom power <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n              <div class=\"flip-card-back\"><p>Energy consumed by electronic devices when they are turned off or in standby mode.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/button>\n        <\/div>\n\n        \n        <!-- Swiper Slide -->\n        <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n          <!-- Flashcard -->\n           <button class=\"flip-card\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n            <div class=\"flip-card-inner\">\n              <div class=\"flip-card-front\"><p><p>photovoltaic cell<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n              <div class=\"flip-card-back\"><p>A semiconductor device which converts solar energy directly to electricity.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/button>\n        <\/div>\n\n        \n        <!-- Swiper Slide -->\n        <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n          <!-- Flashcard -->\n           <button class=\"flip-card\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n            <div class=\"flip-card-inner\">\n              <div class=\"flip-card-front\"><p><p>reserve<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n              <div class=\"flip-card-back\"><p>The total known amount of an economically recoverable resource.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/button>\n        <\/div>\n\n        \n        <!-- Swiper Slide -->\n        <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n          <!-- Flashcard -->\n           <button class=\"flip-card\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n            <div class=\"flip-card-inner\">\n              <div class=\"flip-card-front\"><p><p>resource<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n              <div class=\"flip-card-back\"><p>The total quantity of a material that exists in the Earth\u2019s crust, whether or not it has been discovered.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/button>\n        <\/div>\n\n        \n        <div id=\"flashcard-instruction\" class=\"sr-only\">Press Enter or Space to flip the card<\/div><div id=\"flip-announcement\" class=\"sr-only\" role=\"status\" aria-live=\"polite\"><\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"swiper-button-next\"><\/div>\n    <div class=\"swiper-button-prev\"><\/div>\n    <div class=\"swiper-pagination\"><\/div>\n    \n<\/div>\n<div role=\"region\" aria-live=\"polite\" id=\"announcement\" class=\"visually-hidden\"><\/div>\n\n<script>\n\nvar swiper = new Swiper(\".mySwiper\", {\n    pagination: {\n    el: \".swiper-pagination\",\n    type: \"fraction\",\n    },\n    navigation: {\n    nextEl: \".swiper-button-next\",\n    prevEl: \".swiper-button-prev\",\n    },\n});\n\n\n\nconst flipCards = document.querySelectorAll('.flip-card');\n  const announcement = document.getElementById('announcement');\n\n  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