Glossary

Machine Learning

**Machine Learning** is a subfield of artificial intelligence that focuses on developing algorithms and statistical models that enable computer systems to learn patterns from data and improve their performance on specific tasks without being explicitly programmed for every rule. ML systems build models from examples, using techniques such as supervised learning, unsupervised learning, semi-supervised learning, and reinforcement learning. These models can make predictions, classify...

Magnetic Confinement Fusion

**Magnetic Confinement Fusion** is an advanced method of sustainable energy production that aims to replicate the nuclear processes powering the Sun and other stars. By using powerful magnetic fields, this technique confines and stabilizes plasma—an extremely hot, electrically charged gas—within a controlled environment. The goal is to achieve the conditions necessary for hydrogen nuclei to overcome their natural repulsion and fuse, releasing massive amounts of energy in the form of...

Marginal Abatement Cost Curve (MACC)

A **Marginal Abatement Cost Curve (MACC)** is an analytical tool used to assess the cost-effectiveness of various measures aimed at reducing environmental pollutants, particularly greenhouse gas emissions. By plotting the cost of abatement (on the vertical axis) against the quantity of potential emissions reductions (on the horizontal axis), a MACC provides a visual representation that helps policymakers and businesses identify the most efficient strategies for meeting environmental...

Marine propulsion

**Marine propulsion** refers to the systems and technologies used to move vessels through water. It includes engines, motors, propellers, thrusters, batteries, fuel systems, transmissions and control systems that generate and transfer power to propel ships, boats, ferries and other marine craft. Traditional marine propulsion often relies on diesel, petrol, heavy fuel oil or gas engines, while newer alternatives include battery-electric systems, hybrid propulsion, hydrogen fuel cells,...

Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT)

**Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT)** is an advanced technology integrated into solar power systems to optimize the energy output from photovoltaic (PV) cells. By continuously monitoring the voltage and current output of a solar panel, MPPT adjusts the electrical operating point to harness the maximum possible power. This dynamic adjustment is crucial because solar panels operate under varying conditions, such as changes in sunlight intensity, temperature, and shading, which can impact...

Methane (CH4)

**Methane (CH4)** is a colorless, odorless, and highly flammable gas that is the simplest hydrocarbon, composed of one carbon atom bonded to four hydrogen atoms. It is a potent greenhouse gas, significantly contributing to global climate change. Methane is the primary component of natural gas and is extensively used as a fuel source for heating, electricity generation, and industrial processes. Natural sources of methane include wetlands, termites, and oceans, while human activities such as...

Microgrid

A **Microgrid** is a localized energy system that can operate independently or in conjunction with the main electrical grid. It comprises various distributed energy resources (DERs), such as solar panels, wind turbines, energy storage systems like batteries, and localized control systems. The primary purpose of a microgrid is to enhance energy reliability, improve efficiency, and support sustainability goals by integrating renewable energy sources and providing a resilient backup during grid...

Mixed Oxide Fuel (MOX)

**Mixed Oxide Fuel (MOX)** is a type of nuclear fuel that combines uranium oxide (UO₂) and plutonium oxide (PuO₂) to create an efficient and sustainable source of energy for nuclear reactors. Primarily, MOX is utilized as an alternative to traditional uranium-based fuels, offering a way to recycle plutonium, which is a byproduct of spent nuclear fuel. By incorporating plutonium into its composition, MOX reduces the amount of nuclear waste and enhances the utilization of natural uranium...

Module-Level Power Electronics (MLPE)

**Module-level Power Electronics (MLPE)** are small devices that attach to each solar panel to help it work better. In traditional solar systems, all panels are connected together, so if one panel has a problem—like shade or dirt—it can hurt the whole system’s performance. MLPE fixes this by letting each panel work on its own. There are two main types: microinverters, which change the panel’s power from DC to AC right at the source, and power optimizers, which adjust the DC power before...

Molten Salt Reactor (MSR)

A **Molten Salt Reactor (MSR)** is an advanced type of nuclear reactor that utilizes a liquid mixture of salts as both fuel and coolant. Unlike traditional reactors that use solid fuel rods and water or gas as a coolant, MSRs dissolve fissile or fertile material into the molten salt, which acts as the primary heat transfer medium. This innovative design offers several significant advantages, including improved safety features and enhanced efficiency. One of the standout characteristics of...

Monocrystalline Silicon Panels

**Monocrystalline Silicon Panels** are a type of solar panel created from a single continuous crystal structure of silicon. These panels are renowned for their high efficiency and sleek black appearance, which results from their unique manufacturing process. During production, high-purity silicon is formed into bar-shaped ingots and then sliced into thin wafers. These wafers are used to create the individual solar cells that make up the panel. One of the key advantages of Monocrystalline...

Montréal Climate Partnership

The **Montréal Climate Partnership** is an independent initiative that unites economic, philanthropic, institutional and community organizations to accelerate climate action in the Montréal region. Its mission is to mobilize partners to help achieve the city’s targets: a 55% reduction in greenhouse-gas emissions by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050. MCP supports collaboration across key sectors such as buildings, transportation and energy, and aims to turn climate plans into concrete action....

Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA)

**Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA)** is a sophisticated decision-making framework that evaluates and prioritizes multiple conflicting criteria. In an increasingly complex world, decisions are rarely straightforward, often involving a trade-off between various quantitative and qualitative factors. MCDA provides a structured approach to navigate these complexities, ensuring that all dimensions of a decision are systematically considered and balanced. This method employs a range of...

Multi-Regional Input-Output (MRIO) Models

**Multi-Regional Input-Output (MRIO)** models are tools used to estimate environmental impacts across global supply chains. They link economic data from many countries and sectors to show how producing goods or services in one place depends on inputs from elsewhere. By combining trade flows with emissions data, MRIO models help estimate impacts like Scope 3 emissions, embodied carbon, or resource use. They are widely used when supplier-specific data isn’t available, offering economy-wide...

Mycelium

**Mycelium** is the vegetative, root-like structure of fungi, composed of a network of fine, thread-shaped filaments called hyphae. It grows through soil, wood, or other organic materials, breaking them down with enzymes and absorbing nutrients. Mycelium plays a crucial ecological role in decomposition, nutrient cycling, and forming symbiotic relationships with plants (mycorrhizae), which help plants absorb water and minerals. Beyond its natural functions, mycelium is increasingly used in...