Glossary
The following definitions reflect those used by the International Energy Agency (IEA); definitions used by other organisations and publications may vary.
E&P
exploration and production
EAF
electric arc furnace
ECA
export credit agency
ECBM
enhanced coalbed methane recovery
EEA
European Economic Area
EERE
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of Energy (United States)
EFRC
Energy Frontier Research Center (United States)
EGR
enhanced gas recovery
EGSE
Experts Group on Science for Energy, (formerly known as the Ad Hoc Group on Science and Energy Technologies)
EITs
economies in transition: Russia, Former Soviet Union (FSU) and East & Central Europe (ECE)
ENARD
electricity networks analysis, research and development
EOR
enhanced oil recovery
EPA
Environmental Protection Agency (United States)
EPC
engineering, procurement and construction
ERE
Emergency Response Exercise
ERR
Emergency Response Review
ERU
emission reduction units
ES
electricity storage
ESCO
energy service company
ESMIG
European Smart Meters Industry Group
ETBE
ethyl tertiary butyl ether
ETC
energy technology collaboration
ETP
Energy Technology Perspectives(IEA publication)
ETS
emissions trading scheme
EUA
European Union allowances
EUP
Energy-using product
Eurostat
Eurostat is the statistical office of the European Union
EV
electric vehicle
ExternE
external costs of energy (research project of the European Commission)
electric vehicle (EV)
a plug-in, battery electric vehicle. It is sometimes also termed ‘battery electric vehicle’. EVs do not have an internal combustion engine.
electricity generation
the total amount of electricity generated by power only or combined heat and power plants including generation required for own use. This is also referred to as gross generation.
electricity production
the total amount of electricity generated by a power plant. It includes own-use electricity, as well as transmission and distribution losses.
emergency response exercises
main objective is to train relevant government officials and oil industry stakeholders in emergency procedures. The IEA’s work in this area began with the development of Emergency Response Exercises for its member countries in the wake of oil supply disruptions in the 1970s, which threatened the global economy.
emission quota
the portion or share of total allowable emissions assigned to a country or group of countries within a framework of maximum total emissions and mandatory allocations of resources or assessments (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change).
emission reduction units (ERU)
representing 1 tonne of CO2 equivalent, generated under the Kyoto Protocol’s Joint Implementation provisions.
Energy Development Index
a composite measure of energy use in developing countries (developed by the IEA). Inputs are commercial energy consumption per capita, share of commercial energy in total final consumption (TFC), and share of population with access to electricity.
energy efficiency
something is more energy efficient if it delivers more services for the same energy input, or the same services for less energy input. For example, when a compact florescent light (CFL) bulb uses less energy than an incandescent bulb to produce the same amount of light, the CFL is considered to be more energy efficient. For more information
energy efficiency indicators
show policy makers where energy savings can be made.
energy intensity
a measure of total primary energy use per unit of gross domestic product.
energy poverty
a lack of access to modern energy services. These services are defined as household access to electricity and clean cooking facilities (e.g. fuels and stoves that do not cause air pollution in houses).
energy security
the uninterrupted availability of energy sources at an affordable price.
energy technology roadmap
focuses on a single technology and outlines a clear and systematic path for its deployment within a set time period. The roadmapping process involves detailed analysis and assessments of aspects such as research, development and deployment of the technology, the legal, regulatory and financial issues, and consumer acceptance issues.
enhanced oil recovery (EOR)
also known as tertiary oil recovery, it follows primary recovery (oil produced by the natural pressure in the reservoir) and secondary recovery (using water injection). Various EOR technologies exist, such as steam injection, hydrocarbon injection, underground combustion and CO2 flooding.
ethanol
is produced from fermenting any biomass high in carbohydrates. Today, ethanol is made from starches and sugars, but advanced generation technologies will allow it to be made from cellulose and hemicellulose, the fibrous material that makes up the bulk of most plant matter.
exchange-traded commodity
traded on an exchange which is controlled by rules and regulations, such as the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX). A non-exchange traded commodity is traded between physical buyers and sellers outside of such an exchange.
EJ
exajoule (1 joule x 1018)