Renewable Energy terms starting with I

54 terms

Igneous rock A crystalline rock formed by the cooling and solidification of molten or partly molten material (magma).
Imhoff treatment system In wastewater treatment, a tank without aeration or oxygenation where solids settle out. The solids are digested in a separate compartment in the bottom.
Impact The effect, influence, alteration, or imprint caused by an action.
Impermeable Refers to a rock matrix that water cannot infiltrate.
Impingement The entrapment of aquatic organisms on the outer part of an intake structure or against a screening device during periods of intake water withdrawal.
IMPLAN Input-output economic model based on economic accounts showing the flow of commodities to industries from producers and institutional consumers.
Impoundment (surface) A body of water or sludge confined by a dam, dike, floodgate, or other barrier.
Impulsive noise Noise from impacts or explosions (e.g., from a pile driver, forging hammer, punch press, or gunshot), which is brief and abrupt, and its startling effects…
In attainment In compliance with air-quality standards. Areas that are in attainment have air quality that is as good as or better than specified in the National…
In situ (in si'too) the natural or normal place; confined to the site of origin without invasion or spread to neighboring tissues.
In-migration People moving into an area.
Incidental take permit A permit issued under Section 10 of the Federal Endangered Species Act to private parties undertaking otherwise lawful projects that might result in the…
Incinerator Any device used to burn solid or liquid residues or wastes as a method of disposal.
Inclined grate A type of furnace in which fuel enters at the top part of a grate in a continuous ribbon, passes over the upper drying section where moisture is removed…
Incremental energy costs The cost of producing and transporting the next available unit of electrical energy.
Independent Power Producer A company or individual that is not directly regulated as a power provider. These entities produce power for their own use and/or sell it to regulated…
Indian trust assets Lands, natural resources, or other assets held in trust or restricted against alienation by the United States for Native American tribes or individual…
Indian trust resources Those natural resources, either on or off Indian lands, retained by or reserved by or for Indian tribes through treaties, statutes, judicial decisions…
Indirect effects Secondary effects that occur in locations other than that of the initial action or significantly later in time.
Indirect impacts Impacts that occur away from the place of origin. Effects that are related to, but removed from, a proposed action by an intermediate step or process.
Indirect liquefaction Conversion of biomass to a liquid fuel through a synthesis gas intermediate step.
Induction Generator A device that converts the mechanical energy of rotation into electricity based on electromagnetic induction.
Induration The hardening of a rock, usually sedimentary, by drying, pressure, or cementation.
Industrial waste Materials discarded from industrial operations or derived from manufacturing processes.
Infiltration Leakage of ground water into a sewage collection system.
Infiltration pond A shallow impoundment designed to infiltrate stormwater into the soil. Also referred to as an infiltration basin.
Inflow Water (and pollutants) that enter sewage systems through street inlets, roof drains, and similar sources.
Influent Wastewater going into the sewage treatment plant.
inoculum (pl.: inocula) 1. A small piece of tissue cut from callus, or an explant from a tissue or organ, or a small amount of cell material from a suspension…
Inorganic compounds Those compounds lacking carbon but including carbonates and cyanides. Compounds not having the organized anatomical structure of animal or vegetable life.
Inset fans An alluvial fan that occurs on top of an older alluvial fan.
Insolation The solar power density incident on a surface of stated area and orientation, usually expressed as Watts per square meter or Btu per square foot per hour.
Intaglio An impression, design, or figure created on the ground by man through the placement of rocks or mounding of earth.
Integrated resource planning See least cost planning.
Intensive management Planned, active treatment to improve the quality and quantity of timber within a stand.
Interbasin flow Surface water or groundwater flow between two hydrologic basins.
Interbasin transfer of water A transfer of water rights and/or a diversion of water (either groundwater or surface water) from one drainage or hydrographic basin to another.
Interbasin transfers The transfer of water to another water management basin.
Interconnection A connection or link between power systems that enables them to draw on each other's reserve capacity in time of need.
Interdune flat The area between dunes, generally flat and often erosion-resistant.
Intermittent Stream A stream that flows for a portion of the year but occasionally is dry or reduced to a pool stage when losses from evaporation or seepage exceed the…
Intermontane basin An alluvium-filled valley between mountain ranges, often formed over a graben.
Interpretive site Information communicated via plaques, markers, and other methods, about the natural and/or cultural resources, their history and values, that are found at…
Interruptible load Energy loads that can be shut off or disconnected at the supplier's discretion or as determined by a contractual agreement between the supplier and the…
Intrusive An igneous rock that forms under the Earth's surface. Examples include granite, diorite, and gabbro.
Invasive species Any species, including noxious and exotic species, that is an aggressive colonizer and can out-compete indigenous species.
Invertebrate An animal, such as an insect or mollusk, that lacks a backbone or spinal column.
Inverter A device that converts direct current electricity (from for example a solar photovoltaic module or array) to alternating current for use directly to…
Investment Tax Credit A tax credit granted for specific types of investments.
Investor Owned Utility (IOU) A power provider owned by stockholders or other investors; sometimes referred to as a private power provider, in contrast to a public power provider that…
Irradiance The direct, diffuse, and reflected solar radiation that strikes a surface.
Irrigation The controlled application of water for agricultural purposes through manmade systems to supply water requirements that are not satisfied by rainfall.
Irrigation Non-Expansion Area (INA) A geographic area in Arizona that has been designated as having insufficient groundwater to provide a reasonably safe supply for the irrigation of the…
Issues Unresolved conflicts regarding alternative uses of available resources. Subjects of public interest.