Glossary

An ACCU is a unit issued to a person by the Clean Energy Regulator (Regulator) by making an entry for the unit in an account

Accredited Certificate Provider – a person accredited under the NSW ESS to create ESCs for Recognised Energy Saving Activities.

Australian Energy Foundation

AEF

AEMO, also known as an Australian Energy Market Operator. Is a body that manages electricity and gas systems and markets across Australia. Helping to ensure

AESS, is your Annual Energy Savings Statement.

Approved Measurement and Verification Professional. A person approved by the Victorian Essential Services Commission (ESC) to validate Measurement and Verification plans for the creation of

Accredited Provider – a person accredited under the Victorian Essential Services Commission (ESC) to create VEECs for Prescribed Activities.

Article 6 of the Paris Agreement relates to the trading of carbon offsets between countries, also known as flexible mechanisms. There is an ongoing debate

An air source heat pump, also known as an ASHP, is a type of heat pump that absorbs heat from a colder place and releases

The alternative waste treatment method provides an incentive to develop new alternative waste treatment (AWT) facilities, or expand existing AWT facilities to increase the capacity

Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS). It is the process of capturing energy from biomass via pyrolysis. The output is electricity or heat and

Biochar is a stable, carbon-rich form of charcoal that is produced by pyrolysis of biomass. When applied to soil it can increase soil fertility, crop

Biomass is plant or animal material used to produce electricity or heat. Examples include forestry by-products, crop waste, animal waste and food processing waste. Biomass

Building management system, used to control the operation of the energy using equipment in the building.

A certificate that is equivalent to 1 tonne CO2-e. Credits often refer to instruments issued under a cap and trade scheme, where companies are allocated

The act of offsetting all scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions associated with a product or service.

1 carbon offset = 1 tonne of CO2-e avoided or removed from the atmosphere. Avoided emissions covers activities that alter behaviour that would have otherwise

Electricians must submit a Certificate of Compliance for electrical work (CCEW) under the Gas and Electricity (Consumer Safety) Act 2017 and Gas and Electricity (Consumer

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) or carbon capture and sequestration is the process of capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) before it enters the atmosphere, transporting it,

A mechanism for non-Annex 1 countries  to create carbon credits under the Kyoto protocol and sell those to Annex 1 countries to meet their Kyoto

Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) is a not-for-profit charity that runs the global disclosure system for investors, companies, cities, states and regions to manage their environmental

The Clean Energy Council (CEC) is the peak body for the clean energy industry in Australia. It is a not-for-profit, membership-based organisation. It represents and

A Certificate of Electrical Safety (COES) must be provided for all electrical installation work in Victoria and issued within 30 calendar days of the completion

The Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI) is a voluntary carbon offsets scheme. It is an integral component of the Emissions Reduction Fund and allows land managers

The Clean Energy Regulator is the Australia Government body responsible for accelerating carbon abatement for Australia through the administration of the National Greenhouse and Energy

Commercial Lighting Formula

Climate Active is an accreditation program for Australian companies to certify their organisations, products, services, events, buildings or precincts as carbon neutral. The program is

The concept that your actions are having a net positive benefit to the climate. This is generally achieved through surrendering more carbon offsets than your

Certified Measurement and Verification Professional, see M&V.

Carbon dioxide removal certificates where CO2 is physically captured from the atmosphere and stored for a minimum of 50 years. It is a voluntary market

Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) is the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)’s market-based greenhouse gas offset mechanism. Corsia has specific eligibility

Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme

Direct air capture (of CO2) using technology, not nature-based solutions.

Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning

Energy attribute certificate – generic term for a certificate issued for 1MWh of renewable electricity generated. Used interchangeably with renewable energy certificate (REC).

Electronically Commutated

Energy conservation measure

Energy consuming system

Founded in 2009, the Energy Efficiency Council (EEC) is a not-for-profit membership association for businesses, universities, governments and NGOs. It focuses on building a market

Energy Efficiency Improvement Scheme

Energy Efficiency Ratio

Emissions and Energy Reporting System

There are several operating schemes, both mandatory and voluntary. The International Emissions Trading Association provides and overview of the mandatory markets in operation around the

A mathematical model describing the energy use profile before implementation of a project (baseline phase) and after an implementation of a project (operating phase) occurs.

Electricity or gas savings or both.

Energy productivity is the ratio of economic output to energy consumption. By implementing efficiency measures, EP100 members improve their energy productivity and reduce greenhouse gas

The Emissions Reduction Fund is a voluntary scheme that aims to provide incentives for a range of organisations and individuals to adopt new practices and

An energy savings certificate (ESC) is a tradeable certificate created under Division 7 of Part 9 of the Electricity Supply Act 1995. Each ESC represents

The Essential Services Commission (ESC) promotes the long-term interests of Victorian consumers with respect to the price, quality and reliability of essential services.

Energy Service Companies

Energy Saving EC Motor

The NSW Energy Savings Scheme (ESS) provides financial incentives to install, improve or replace energy savings equipment and appliances in NSW households and businesses. The ESS

Energy Safe Victoria/p>

The Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (GEMS) Regulator is based in the Australian Government’s Department of the Environment and Energy, and is responsible for administering

Greenhouse Gas Reduction Scheme, closed now.

Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere. They all have different global warming potentials (GWP) over different time frames, the higher the number, the worse

A gigajoule (GJ) is the equivalent to 1 billion joules. A joule is a measure of the energy required to send an electrical current of

Accreditation scheme for voluntary carbon offset and renewable energy projects. The tradable instruments are Verified Emission Reductions (VERs). The Gold Standard label can also be

also known as a Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) represents 1 MWh of renewable electricity generation, typically from sources such as solar PV, wind, hydro, geothermal,

The GHG Protocol is the most widely used greenhouse gas accounting standard for companies. It provides guidance on the calculation of scope 1, 2 and

The Installation of High Efficiency Appliances for Business method (Business Appliances) is used to calculate electricity savings from the installation of high efficiency refrigerated cabinets,

The high efficiency commercial appliances method sets out the rules for projects that reduce emissions by improving the efficiency of air conditioners, close control air

The Home Energy Efficiency Retrofits (HEER) method may be used to calculate energy savings from a range of household and small business energy efficiency upgrades.

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning is the technology of indoor and vehicular environmental comfort. Its goal is to provide thermal comfort and acceptable indoor air

International Renewable Energy Certificate created under the International REC Standard.

Industrial Electricity and Fuel Efficiency

Industrial Equipment Upgrades

In Home Display

Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

Integrated Part-Load Value

International Measurement and Verification Protocol

Information Privacy Principles

Accredited Certificate Provider – a person accredited under the NSW ESS to create ESCs for Recognised Energy Saving Activities.

International Union for Conservation of Nature

Key Account Manager

Large-scale Generation Certificate under the Australian Renewable Energy Target.

The Large-scale Renewable Energy Target (LRET) incentivises the development of renewable energy power stations in Australia through a market for the creation and sale of

Measurement and verification (M&V) is the process of using measurements to reliably determine savings resulting from an energy management program. Savings cannot be directly measured,

Metered Baseline Method

Minimum Energy Performance Standards

Meter Installation Reference Number

Mandatory Safety Training

National Australian Built Environment Rating System

Accredited Certificate Provider – a person accredited under the NSW ESS to create ESCs for Recognised Energy Saving Activities.

National Association of Energy Services Companies

Nationally determined contribution is a country’s greenhouse gas reduction commitment under the Paris agreement.

Nationally Determined Contribution

National Energy Productivity Plan

Net-zero is a term meaning to get to zero emissions, there is no current standard on what getting to net-zero means. For governments a net-zero

Negative emissions technologies, which remove CO2 from the atmosphere and sequester it.

National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Scheme. Large energy users and greenhouse gas emitters that exceed the thresholds must report their detailed energy and emissions data

National Metering Identifier

Net Part-Load Value

New Zealand Energy Certificate, equivalent to 1 MWh of renewable electricity

New Zealand Energy Certificate System, the Renewable Energy Certificate registry in New Zealand managed by Certified Energy

Occupational Health and Safety

The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change. It was adopted by 196 Parties at COP 21 in Paris, on 12

Project Based Activities

Project Based Activities

Power Conversion Equipment

Power Factor Correction

Project Impact Assessment with Measurement and Verification

Plumbing Installation Certificate

Power Purchase Agreement is a direct agreement between a renewable energy project developer and an end-user for the sale of renewable electricity. Behind the meter,

Solar Photovoltaic

Race To Zero is a global campaign to ally leadership and support from businesses, cities, regions, investors for a healthy, resilient, zero carbon recovery that

Refrigerated Display Cabinet

RE100 is the global corporate renewable energy initiative bringing together large businesses committed to 100% renewable electricity. The members must be influential based on their

Renewable Energy Certificate

A carbon offset created from reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD) in developing countries under the UNFCCC framework. Several REDD+ projects have been

Retailer Energy Productivity Scheme

Recognised Energy Savings Activities

A residual mix sets out the proportion of electricity from each generation technology (coal, gas etc.) that remain in the power grid after all certified

The Renewable Energy Target is an Australian Government scheme designed to encourage the additional generation of electricity from sustainable and renewable sources. The Renewable Energy

Reason For Investigation

Request for Information

Refrigerated Storage Cabinet

Registered Training Organisation

Small Business Energy Saver Program

Science Based Targets initiative

The science based targets initiative (SBTi) is a partnership between CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Wide Fund

State Electricity Commission

Subject Matter Expert

Specific/System Part-Load Value

Single Point of Contact

Small-Scale Renewable Energy Scheme

Small-scale Technology Certificate under the Australian Renewable Energy Target.

Sustainability Victoria

Solar Water Heater

The Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) is an industry-led effort, chaired by Michael Bloomberg, with 32 global expert members from the private sector.

Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures

Tradeable Instrument for Global Renewables (TIGR) Registry is an online platform for tracking and transferring renewable energy certificates (RECS), enabling developers to generate,verify and sell

Unsolicited Consumer Agreement

The VBA oversees regulation of building and plumbing practitioners to aid the achievement of efficient and competitive building and plumbing industries in Victoria.

Verified Carbon Standard is the program operated by Verra and is the most widely used voluntary greenhouse gas program internationally. Verified Carbon Units (VCUs) are

Verified Carbon Unit under the Verra Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) program. Eligible for use under the Climate Active Program.

Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificate

Victorian Energy Efficiency Target, under the VEET Act 2007

Virtual Energy Manager

Voluntary Emission Reduction under the Gold Standard.

Verified emission reductions (VERs) are essentially a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) from a project that is independently audited (i.e., verified) against a third-party

Verra is a not for profit organisation that administers the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Program under which VCUs are created. Operating since 2006 it is

Victorian Energy Upgrades is a Victorian government energy efficiency program that gives every Victorian household and business the opportunity to receive rebates or discounts on

Variable Frequency Drive

Variable Speed Drive

used to track reductions in energy use, usually from energy efficiency activities, can be measured in either MWhs of energy saved or in Tonnes of

Willingness to Pay

Wastewater Treatment Plants