Glossary
Balance of System (BOS)
**Balance of System (BOS)** refers to the various components and infrastructure in a solar energy system that support and complement the solar panels, but are not directly involved in the generation of electricity. BOS components are essential for the effective and efficient capture, storage, and...
Benthic Carbon Sequestration
**Benthic Carbon Sequestration** refers to the process through which carbon dioxide (CO₂) is captured and stored in the sediments of ocean and freshwater ecosystems. This natural mechanism plays a crucial role in mitigating climate change by trapping carbon that would otherwise contribute to...
Betz Limit
The **Betz Limit**, also known as Betz's Law, is a theoretical maximum efficiency for energy conversion by a wind turbine. Identified by German physicist Albert Betz in 1919, it states that no wind turbine can capture more than 59.3% of the kinetic energy in wind. This is because some of the wind...
Biochar Production
**Biochar Production** refers to the process of creating biochar, a carbon-rich product derived from organic materials through pyrolysis. Pyrolysis is a thermochemical decomposition of organic matter at elevated temperatures in the absence of oxygen. Biochar can be made from a variety of organic...
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)
**Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)** is a critical parameter for assessing water quality, representing the amount of dissolved oxygen needed by aerobic microorganisms to break down organic material in a given water sample over a specific period, typically five days. This measure is crucial for...
Biodiversity
**Biodiversity** refers to the variety of life on Earth, including the different species of plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms, as well as the genetic diversity within these species. It also encompasses the ecosystems they form, such as forests, coral reefs, and wetlands. Biodiversity is...
Biofuels
**Biofuels** are renewable energy sources derived from organic materials such as plants, algae, and animal waste. These sustainable fuels are designed to replace conventional fossil fuels, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating the impact of climate change. Common types of...
Black Carbon Emissions
**Black Carbon Emissions** refer to fine particulate matter produced from the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, biofuel, and biomass. These tiny particles, commonly known as soot, are a major component of atmospheric particulate matter (PM2.5) and significantly contribute to air pollution....
Blue Carbon
**Blue Carbon** refers to the carbon captured by the world's oceanic and coastal ecosystems, primarily by habitats such as mangroves, seagrasses, and salt marshes. These aquatic environments play a crucial role in absorbing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, thereby helping to...
Boiling Water Reactor (BWR)
A **Boiling Water Reactor (BWR)** is a type of light water nuclear reactor used primarily for generating electricity. Unlike other reactor designs, a BWR directly boils water to create steam within the reactor vessel, without the need for a separate steam generator. This steam is then directed...
Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV)
**Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV)** are innovative systems that incorporate photovoltaic materials into the structure of a building. Unlike conventional solar panels that are added to existing buildings, BIPVs are seamlessly integrated into the building's envelope as essential...