scenarios

• 450 Scenario: A scenario presented in the World Energy Outlook, which sets out an energy pathway consistent with the goal of limiting the global increase in temperature to 2°C by limiting concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere to around 450 parts per million of CO2.
• BLUE Map Scenario: This IEA scenario is target-oriented: it sets the goal of halving global energy-related CO2 emissions by 2050 (compared to 2005 levels) and examines the least-cost means of achieving that goal through the deployment of existing and new low-carbon technologies.
• Current Policies Scenario: A scenario in the World Energy Outlook that assumes no changes in policies from the mid-point of the year of publication (previously called the Reference Scenario).
• New Policies Scenario: A scenario in the World Energy Outlook which takes account of broad policy commitments and plans that have been announced by countries, including national pledges to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and plans to phase out fossil-energy subsidies, even if the measures to implement these commitments have yet to be identified or announced.
• Deferred Investment Scenario: A scenario created in the World Energy Outlook 2004, in which producing countries delay investment in infrastructure to meet demand.

smart grid

an electricity network that uses digital and other advanced technologies to monitor and manage the transport of electricity from all generation sources to meet the varying electricity demands of end users. Smart grids co-ordinate the needs and capabilities of all generators, grid operators, end users and electricity market stakeholders to operate all parts of the system as efficiently as possible, minimising costs and environmental impacts while maximising system reliability, resilience and stability.

smart meters 

The European Smart Meters Industry Group (ESMG) defines four minimum functionalities of a smart meter:  remote reading, two-way communication, support for advanced tariffing and payment systems and remote disablement and enablement of supply. 

spot price

the price that is quoted for immediate settlement of a transaction.

steam coal

all other hard coal that is not classified as coking coal. Also included are recovered slurries, middlings and other low-grade coal products not further classified by type. Coal of this quality is also commonly known as thermal coal.

subsidies

any government action directed primarily at the energy sector that lowers the cost of energy production, raises the price received by energy producers or lowers the price paid by energy consumers.

syngas

a synthetic gas primarily composed of hydrogen and carbon monoxide produced by a chemical process.

synthetic fuels

any liquid fuel obtained from coal, natural gas or biomass. The best known process is the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. An intermediate step in the production of synthetic fuel is often syngas, a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen produced from coal which is sometimes directly used as an industrial fuel.