Definitions & abbreviations
ACM
In April 2013, the Consumer Authority, the Dutch Competition Authority and the Independent Post and Telecommunications Authority joined forces to create a new regulator: the Authority for Consumers & Markets (ACM). As part of its remit, the ACM oversees compliance with the Electricity Act 1998 and the Gas Act.
Attribution
Attribution of the impact relative to other entities contributing to the impact (part of the value and impact model).
Cable Pooling
The use of shared cables for wind and solar power feed in.
Caidi (customer average interruption duration index)
The average duration of individual power outages.
CBL (cross border lease)
A cross-border lease is a structured finance transaction by virtue of which a business sells the user rights of certain non-current assets to a foreign company, only to lease these assets back.
CO2
Carbon dioxide. This is mainly released during the burning of fossil fuels such as natural gas and coal and contributes to the greenhouse effect.
CO2 equivalent
The effect of greenhouse gases other than CO2 converted into CO2 values.
Committee of Shareholders
The Committee of Shareholders as referred to in section 158 (10) Book 2 of the Netherlands Civil Code, if this has been appointed by the General Meeting of Shareholders.
Corporate Governance
The Dutch Corporate Governance Code contains principles and best-practice provisions governing the relationship between the Executive Board, the Supervisory Board and the General Meeting of Shareholders/shareholders themselves. The principles and provisions are aimed at detailing responsibilities for long-term value creation, risk management, effective management and supervision, remuneration and relationships with shareholders/the shareholders’ meeting and with other stakeholders.
Eco-costs
Eco-costing is a method of expressing the environmental burden of a product. It is based on the costs that will be incurred in preventing that burden.
Energy transition
The transition from energy generation from fossil fuels to sustainable energy generation (e.g. from sun, wind or water).
Flex-market
In a flexible electricity market, supply and demand are better matched. Flexibility is created by energy users switching demand to off-peak periods. Intelligent systems also make it possible for power from renewables, for example, to be stored and for generation demand to be shifted in time without users having to alter the pattern of consumption.
FTE (full-time equivalent)
Equivalent of the number of employees with a full working week.
Guarantee of Origin
A Guarantee of Origin Certificate shows that electricity has been generated by a wind, hydro, solar or biomass installation.
DC (direct current) network
A network allowing DC power from renewables to be used directly without the need for an inverter to produce alternating current.
Geothermal energy
Energy derived from the heat found in the earth’s crust.
Regulated domain
The activities of the network operator which arise from the tasks that are the exclusive preserve of the network operator and for which maximum tariffs are set by the ACM. This includes:
the construction, maintenance, renewal and management of connections to the electricity grid with a load value up to 10 MVA;
the construction, maintenance, renewal and operation of electricity and gas networks;
the transportation of gas and electricity;
the metering services for small consumers
the effective assurance of the safety and reliability of the networks;
the promotion of the safe use of equipment and installations that consume electricity and gas;
the facilitation of the free market to enable customers to switch to another energy supplier, among other things.
Degree-day
A degree-day is a unit for quantifying energy demand. The measure is obtained by multiplying the number of degrees temperature difference between indoor temperature and average outdoor temperature over a given 24-hour period. If the outdoor temperature is 1°C below the temperature below which heating is required – taken as 18°C – that counts as 1 degree-day, and so on. If the average outdoor temperature is 18°C or above, the number of degree-days (for heating purposes) is zero.
Green bond
A debt instrument used exclusively to finance new and existing environmentally sound projects.
GRI (Global Reporting Initiative)
Global organisation that issues guidelines for CSR reporting.
Impact
In the context of the value and impact model) The effects of the actual outcome compared with the effects of the predetermined ‘counterfactual’ or reference scenario.
Smart grids
A ‘smart grid’ refers to electricity distribution networks in which ICT and sensor technology systems are used in substations and medium voltage transformer stations. The capacity has also been increased by raising the voltage from 10 kV to 20 kV.
LTIF (Lost Time Injury Frequency)
Number of accidents resulting in time off work times a million divided by the number of worked hours.
Interoperability
The ability of various autonomous, heterogeneous systems to communicate and interact with each other.
Feed-in
The supply of electricity fed into the electricity grid from power generating sources.
Supply chain responsibility
A situation in which a company assumes responsibility for the entire chain involved in its activities and for the impact which these activities have in social, ecological and economic terms and renders account accordingly, including engaging in a dialogue with stakeholders. The whole process is result-driven.
Customer perception
The extent to which customers perceive convenience. It is measured using the Net Effort Score (NES). This score is given by deducting the percentage of customers experiencing difficulty with the service from the percentage of customers finding it easy.
Climate Agreement
The Climate Agreement aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions in the Netherlands by 49% compared with 1990 levels by 2030. Talks relating to the Climate Agreement were begun by businesses, civil society organisations and public authorities in 2018. A start is due to be made with implementing the plans coming out of the Climate Agreement in 2019.
Security of supply
The ability of customers to rely on the uninterrupted supply of electricity, gas and heat, as well as uninterrupted feed-in to the grid.
m3 of gas
A cubic metre (1,000 litres) of natural gas. The average natural gas consumption per household is about 1,800 m3 per year.
Methane
A gaseous hydrocarbon, chief component of natural gas.
Microgrid
The local network of energy sources that is able to function independently of the grid.
Net debt
The sum of long- and short-term interest-bearing liabilities less cash and cash equivalents and investments.
Net investments
Capital expenditures less contributions received from third parties.
Grid losses
There are two components to grid losses or network losses: technical losses and administrative losses. Technical grid losses refers to the electrical energy that is dissipated in overcoming the inherent resistance of cables, transformers and other components in the network. Administrative grid losses refers to losses due to fraud and theft of electricity and loss of potential income due to empty properties.
NOx
Nitrogen oxides, gases produced during the burning of fuels. These gases cause acid rain and smog.
NTA8120
The NTA (Netherlands Technical Agreement) 8120 comprises standards for the assurance of the safety of employees and the public, the protection of industrial and built-up areas and nature, the security of transport and distribution, and the efficient and optimal management of grids.
Zero energy homes
Homes that produce as much energy as they consume.
Output
The effects of an activity – within the context of the value and impact model – over which Alliander has some control.
PCB (polychlorinated biphenyl)
Chemical name for chloride compound with strong heat-resistant properties.
Sufferance tax
A levy charged by local authorities for the assets of utilities running either overhead or belowground across public land or water as well as surface assets.
Regional Energy Strategy (RES)
The RES focuses on the energy task facing a region, including the potential for electricity generation from renewables, potential savings and the actual plans for balancing supply and demand. All the provincial and municipal authorities are expected to have an RES in place by 2020.
Regulation
With respect to public utilities, the process whereby the government sets the maximum rates that network operators are permitted to charge for their services.
Result
The effects of the output – within the context of the value and impact model – translated to system level.
Remuneration Report
The Remuneration Report of the Supervisory Board concerning the remuneration policy of Alliander, as drawn up by the Selection, Appointment and Remuneration Committee of the Supervisory Board.
Saidi (System average interruption duration index)
Average interruption duration per customer.
Saifi (System average interruption frequency index)
Interruption frequency per customer
SASensor
A sensor-based control system for the faster localisation and resolution of interruptions in the grid.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The latest United Nations goals for sustainable development of the world in the period 2015–2030.
SF6
An inert gas that is 5.1 times heavier than air and has a CO2 equivalent of 22,800. SF6 has good electrical insulating properties and is therefore frequently applied in electrical engineering, such as in medium-voltage and high-voltage units. In the case of combustion (e.g. due to an arc), toxic waste products such as S2F10 occur. Also, in the case of major leakages, there is the risk of SF6 displacing oxygen which can lead to suffocation.
Smart meter
The smart meter enables remote reading of electricity and gas meters to obtain information on consumption and status. In addition, a smart meter can execute remote instructions. The communication with the meter takes place via the cable network (Power Line Communication) or via GPRS.
Solvency ratio
The solvency ratio is obtained by dividing total equity including the profit for the period by total assets less the expected dividend distribution for the current year and deferred income.
Stakeholders
Stakeholders are individuals and groups who have any form of interest in Alliander such as employees, shareholders, customers, financiers, suppliers and public authorities.
Transparency
The extent to which things can be clearly seen through something – specifically the provision of a clear view of a company’s activities.
Phasing-out of gas
The gradual discontinuation of a mains gas supply and use of gas as a fuel.
Outcome
The effects of the result – within the value and impact model – on people and/or ecosystems.
VCA (Veiligheid Checklist Aannemers)
A certifiable checklist for contractors by which they can demonstrate that they are complying with health and safety standards.
Substation
A power system installation on the high voltage network either connecting two or more high-voltage networks or forming a connection to the high-voltage network.
VET (Voortgang Energietransitie)
Proposed Energy Transition Advancement legislation aimed at supporting and accelerating the energy transition by amending the regulations governing electricity and gas networks. The changes are partly necessary in view of the increase in intermittent power supplies (solar, wind) and feed-in from decentralised sources, which demand high standards of reliability and affordability of the systems.
Deregulated domain
The activities that are carried out in competition and/or arise from the statutory tasks and are offered at the customer’s request. This includes the construction, maintenance, renewal and management of connections to the electricity network with a load of 10 MVA and above for specific customer groups, including public transport and public lighting.
Free cash flow
Cash flow from operating activities less net investments in non-current assets.
Working capital
Inventories plus trade receivables and other receivables, less short-term non-interest-bearing debt and other liabilities.