Residential Distributed Energy Program mark RDEP Residential Distributed
Energy Program Texas Shared Consumption & Grid Reduction Initiative

Program Documentation

Glossary of Terms

Terminology used in the Residential Distributed Energy Program's documentation and communications.

Aggregate Demand Reduction
The total reduction in electricity consumption achieved across all participating residences in a region, expressed in kilowatt-hours or as a percentage of baseline regional consumption.
Approved Installer
A regional installation contractor that has met the program's licensing, insurance, and quality-assurance requirements and has been authorized to perform program-related installations.
Baseline Consumption
The measured or estimated electricity consumption of a residence prior to enrollment in the program, used as the reference point for measuring post-installation reduction.
DER (Distributed Energy Resources)
Small-scale power generation or storage technologies (including residential solar, batteries, and demand-response capable equipment) that operate at the edge of the grid rather than at central generation facilities.
Demand Reduction
A decrease in the amount of electricity a residence draws from the grid, typically achieved through improved efficiency measures such as insulation, air sealing, and equipment upgrades.
Demand Response
A grid operator program in which participating residences or businesses reduce or shift electricity consumption during high-demand periods, often in exchange for compensation or reduced rates.
Distributed Storage
Residential-scale battery systems that store electricity for use during grid outages, peak demand periods, or grid services participation. When operated in coordination with a grid services provider, distributed storage can provide value to the grid beyond backup power for the residence.
ERCOT (Electric Reliability Council of Texas)
The organization responsible for operating the electric grid serving approximately 90% of Texas, managing wholesale electricity markets and grid reliability.
Grid Services
Services that residential-scale energy resources (typically batteries) provide to grid operators, including frequency regulation, voltage support, and demand shifting. Grid services participation can generate revenue that offsets residential equipment cost.
Grid Stress
Conditions in which electricity demand approaches or exceeds available generation and transmission capacity, creating risk of outages, mandatory conservation events, or price volatility.
Interconnection
The technical and regulatory process by which a new generation facility or large electricity consumer is connected to the grid. Pending interconnection queues indicate the volume of proposed new capacity awaiting grid connection.
kWh (Kilowatt-Hour)
The standard unit of electricity consumption, equivalent to one kilowatt of power used for one hour.
Peak Demand
The maximum electricity consumption observed across the grid during a defined period, typically occurring on hot summer afternoons in Texas when air conditioning load is highest.
REP (Retail Electricity Provider)
In Texas deregulated markets, the company from which a residence purchases electricity. REPs are separate from the utility that owns the physical distribution infrastructure (the TDU).
Shared Consumption Program
A structure in which participating residences receive residential-scale battery systems at reduced cost, with the batteries participating in grid services markets to generate revenue that offsets the equipment cost.
TDU (Transmission and Distribution Utility)
In Texas deregulated markets, the company that owns and maintains the physical electricity infrastructure (poles, wires, meters) serving a region. TDUs are separate from the REPs that sell electricity to residences.