Glossary of Terms



Putting the pieces together
Like many industries, the renewable energy sector is chock-full of acronyms. Below is a list of terms that are frequently used at MISO, regarding policy, and at regulatory agencies.
Policy Terms
CEIP: Clean Energy Incentive Program, a program of the Clean Power Plan to encourage early investment in renewables
CPP: Clean Power Plan, EPA proposal [111(d) Rule] to cut carbon pollution from power plants
ITC: Investment Tax Credit, a federal subsidy for solar energy set to expire by 2021
PTC: Production Tax Credit, a federal subsidy for wind energy set to expire by 2019
RES: Renewable Energy Standard
RPS: Renewable Portfolio Standards
SIP: State Implementation Plan, a state’s plan for compliance with the Clean Power Plan
Regulatory Agency Terms
CPP: Clean Power Plan, EPA proposal [111(d) Rule] to cut carbon pollution from power plants
DCEO: Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
FAC: Federal Advisory Council
FERC: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
PUC: Public Utilities Commission, a quasi-judicial state body that regulates electric utilities
RGOS: Regional Generation Outlet Study
RTO: Regional Transmission Operators
General Terms
APC: Adjusted Production Cost
AWEA: American Wind Energy Association
Capacity Factor: The net capacity factor of a power plant is the ratio of the actual output of a power plant over a period of time and its potential output if it had operated at full nameplate capacity the entire time. Typical capacity factor for wind power: 20-40%
MW: Megawatt – a unit of electricity. Many turbines are ~2 MW
Nameplate Capacity: Rated Power Output Capacity (stated on the package)
RE: Renewable Energy
RFP: Request for Proposal
RERP: Renewable Energy Resources Program
RES: Renewable Energy Standard
RPS: Renewable Portfolio Standard
MISO Terms
BPM: Business Practice Manual
DPI: Definitive Point of Interconnection
DPP: Definitive Planning Phase
EMT: Energy Market Tariff
E-NRIS: External Network Resource Interconnection Study
ERIS: Energy Resource Interconnection Service
FeS: Feasibility Study
FS: Facility Study
GIA: Generator Interconnection Agreement appendix (often at MISO)
GIP: Generation Interconnection Projects
IC: Interconnection Customer
IPSAC: Interregional Planning Stakeholder Advisory Committee (joint committee between MISO & PJM)
IPTF: Interconnection Process Task Force (of MISO)
IR: Interconnection Request
IRP: Integrated Resource Plan
ISO: Independent System Operators
LSE: Load Serving Entity
MEP: Market Efficiency Project (MISO)
MISO: Midcontinent Independent System Operator, the electricity grid operator of the Midwest
MTEP: Midwest Transmission Expansion Plan
MVP: Multi-Value Project
NRIS: Network Resource Interconnection Service
OATT: Open Access Transmission Tariff
OMS: Organization of MISO States
PAC: Planning Advisory Committee (MISO planning committee)
Pancaking: Fees that are tacked on as electricity flows through a number of transmission systems
POI: Point of Interconnection
Postage Stamp: Flat rates charged for transmission service without regard to distance
PJM: Pennsylvania, Jersey, Maryland. The electricity grid operator of this area.
PRM: Planning Reserve Margin
RECB: Regional Expansion Criteria and Benefits Task Force
SIS: System Impact Study
SPA: System Planning & Analysis
SPP: Southwest Power Pool, the ISO/RTO in the southwest US.
Tariff: Document listing the terms and conditions, including a schedule of prices, under which utility services will be provided.
TO: Transmission Operator