G

 

Gas Turbine Plant: A plant in which the prime mover is a gas turbine. A gas turbine consists typically of an axial-flow air compressor, one or more combustion chambers, where liquid or gaseous fuel is burned and the hot gases are passed to the turbine and where the hot gases expand to drive the generator and are then used to run the compressor.  [DOE Glossary of Electricity Terms]

Gateway: A device that connects one network with another, when the 2 networks are using different protocols. The term can also refer to a system capability that provides direct access to other remote networks or services.

GenCo: Generation Company.

Generating Unit: Any combination of physically connected generator(s), reactor(s), boiler(s), combustion turbine(s), or other prime mover(s) operated together to produce electric power.  [DOE Glossary of Electricity Terms]

Generation (Electricity): The process of producing electric energy by transforming other forms of energy; also, the amount of electric energy produced, expressed in watthours (Wh).  [DOE Glossary of Electricity Terms]

Generation Company: A regulated or non-regulated entity (depending upon the industry structure) that operates and maintains existing generating plants. The generation company may own the generation plants or interact with the short-term market on behalf of plant owners. In the context of restructuring the market for electricity, the generation company is sometimes used to describe a specialized "marketer" for the generating plants formerly owned by a vertically-integrated utility. [DOE Glossary of Electricity Terms]

Generator: A machine that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.  [DOE Glossary of Electricity Terms]

Generator Nameplate Capacity: The full-load continuous rating of a generator, prime mover, or other electric power production equipment under specific conditions as designated by the manufacturer. Installed generator nameplate rating is usually indicated on a nameplate physically attached to the generator.  [DOE Glossary of Electricity Terms]

GID (Generic Interface Definition): identifies explicitly which features of existing APIs (such as DAF and DAIS) will be implemented to exchange data implemented in CIM-based databases, to extend these capabilities to include features needed in utility operations, and to specify the exact formats to use when implemented over different types of middleware (e.g. Corba or Microsoft COM).

GIF (Graphic Interchange Format): A common format for image files using compression defined by CompuServe. GIF format files of simple images are often smaller than the same file would be if stored in JPEG format, but GIF format is limited to 256 or less colors.

Gigabit Ethernet: Part of the IEEE 802.3 standard for data rates of 1000 Mbps or 1 Gbps. See 1000Base-LX, 1000Base-CX, 1000Base-SX, and 1000Base-T.

Gigawatt (GW): One billion watts. [DOE Glossary of Electricity Terms]

Gigawatthour (GWh): One billion watthours. [DOE Glossary of Electricity Terms]

GIS (Geographical Information System): comprising a graphical database of geographical maps of the power system, and a database of asset information. The term is used almost interchangeably with AM/FM.

Gopher: The predecessor to the World Wide Web, gopher is a system that organizes information in a hierarchical menu, allowing one to find and access information quickly. Created at the University of Minnesota, home of the Golden Gophers.

GPS (Global Positioning System): GPS is a satellite-based system that provides time and 3-dimensional location information to commercially available receivers. These receivers are often used by utilities to provide very accurate time at dispersed locations.

Granularity: The relative fineness or coarseness by which a mechanism can be adjusted.

Grid: The layout of an electrical distribution system. [DOE Glossary of Electricity Terms]

GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications): GSM is the cellular phone technology used in Europe and most countries around the world. It is gradually being introduced into the United States.

GUI (Graphical User Interface): The method whereby a user interacts with a computer through icons, windows, pointing devices, etc. as opposed to a text or command line interface where all commands and actions are typed out.

Guru: Any person with a lot of experience in a certain topic or area of study.