Anemometer

or wind gauge is the description given to various instruments that measure the local speed of a flow field, particularly wind speed.

Roughness

Term used to describe the unevenness of the earth's surface and the frictional effect it has on air streams.

BSH

Abbreviation for the Bundesamt für Seeschifffahrt und Hydrografie (Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency) in Hamburg

CO2 neutrality

Describes processes or conditions that do not change the current global balance of CO2.

Feed-in remuneration

Fixed price paid for the feed-in of electricity from renewable sources into the public electricity grid. In Germany, this price is set by the Renewable Energies Act (EEG).

Emission

Output of (harmful) substances such as CO2 into the environment.

Final energy

Final energy describes the part of the energy that can be used by the consumer after the losses incurred through conversion and transmission.

Energy supplier

Companies that generate electricity from fossil fuels or renewable sources and market it

Renewable energies

Energy from sources that are continually regrowing (e.g. plants) or are available in unlimited quantities (wind, solar energy)

European Wind Energy Association

Organisation that actively promotes wind power in Europe and worldwide.

Financial investor

Investors in the financial sector who make investments purely with an eye to returns (unlike strategic investors, usually in the same sector)

Foundation

The foundations make the wind power station solid and conduct all loads generated by the wind rotor and the movement of the station into the ground.

Generator

Transforms kinetic energy into electrical energy

Nacelle

The nacelle houses the wind power station's machinery. It is mounted on the tower in such a way that it can revolve, and turns automatically into the wind so as to optimise the energy generated. The nacelle houses the drive train consisting of all the energy-transmitting components. The rotor's movement is transmitted to the generator via the drive shaft and a gear unit. This transforms the mechanical energy into electrical energy. The nacelle also contains all subsystems such as controls, air-conditioning, oil and hydraulic supplies, data capture and security systems.

Green field development

Describes development from the first project phase on previously undeveloped site (as opposed to the takeover of existing projects).

HGB

Commercial code containing German accounting regulations; decisive for the ability of German companies oriented on the capital market to pay dividends.

Obstruction lighting

A wind power station must always be highlighted if it exceeds a certain height. There is a difference between daytime lighting and night lighting. During the daytime, power stations are distinguished by coloured markers and/or white lamps, at night by red ones. The markings for each height are regulated in the "General Administrative Regulations for the Identification of Aviation Obstacles" (AVV).

High-voltage electricity

Electricity with a voltage of more than 1,000 volts, facilitates the transmission of electrical energy with as few losses as possible

International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)

International accounting regulations, the aim of which is to make the financial statements of companies in different regions (mostly oriented on the capital market) comparable.

Infrastructure funds

Funds that specialise in investments in public supplies (e.g. in the transport or energy sectors)

IPP

Independent power producer

Joint venture

Enterprise formed by two or more companies

Limited liability partner

A partner in a limited partnership who is only partly liable with his assets, unlike a general partner

Output curve

The relationship between wind speed and electricity output

Aviation markings

In Germany, wind power plants are generally subject to the guidelines for general aviation obstacles, i.e. they must be highlighted if they exceed a total height of 100 m, in special cases even if they are less than 100m high.

Megawatt

One million watt (physical unit of power, corresponds to work done per unit of time)

"Milestone" principle

Payment of a purchase price in instalments as the project progresses

Monopile

In the building industry, a monopile is a type of foundation for offshore constructions. As the name implies, a monopile foundation consists of a single round steel post, the upper end of which shows above the water

Hub

Part of the wind power station to which the rotors are attached

Nominal capacity

The nominal capacity is the power a wind power station can convert or generate according to the manufacturer. This maximum capacity can differ to the actual capacity due to the local wind conditions.

Offshore

Off the coast, in the sea

Onshore

On the mainland

Prime Standard

Segment of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange with the highest transparency standards

Repowering

The replacement of older wind power turbines by more modern, high-capacity and consequently more efficient ones

Rotor

The rotor is screwed to the thick drive shaft. This large rotor usually has three rotor blades that collect the wind. When the wind is strong enough, the rotor begins to turn.

Rotor blade

Rotating part of the wind power plant that turns to transmit the wind's kinetic energy to the generator

Power-to-gas technology

Power-to-gas technology converts electricity from renewable energy sources into hydrogen or synthetic gas for storage in the gas grid

Tower

The tower is the largest component of any wind power station and weighs several hundred tons. The height of the tower depends on its location. If the ground is very uneven ("roughness"), as in the forest, higher towers are used because the wind blows more strongly and consistently in higher strata. Smaller towers are used in coastal areas and at locations where the ground is more even. The towers in the Sontra wind farm are hybrid constructions made of concrete and steel. The lower part consists of 20 concrete rings, the upper of two steel segments.

Agent

Specialises in the distribution and marketing of wind farms to investors via smaller funds.

Remuneration system

System that regulates the amount of feed-in remuneration paid

Supply security

Energy consumer security in terms of price, quality and quantity of energy required

Convertible bond

Interest-bearing security that gives the owner the right to convert it into shares at a previously fixed rate during specified conversion periods

Wind power station

Transforms the wind's kinetic energy into electrical energy and feeds it into the electricity grid.

Windsock

An instrument that shows the direction in which the wind is blowing.

Wind speed

The strength of the wind in a specific region