Letter B

BATTERY - A device that stores energy and produces electric current by chemical action.

BIOMASS - Energy resources derived from organic matter. These include wood, agricultural waste and other living-cell material that can be burned to produce heat energy. They also include algae, sewage and other organic substances that may be used to make energy through chemical processes.

BREADBOARD - A thin board that has a prototype circuit and connections for curcuits laid out on it.

BRITISH THERMAL UNIT (BTU) - The standard measure of heat energy. It takes one BTU to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit at sea level. For example, it takes about 2,000 Btus to make a pot of coffee. One BTU is equivalent to 252 calories, 778 foot-pounds, 1055 joules, and 0.293 watt-hours.