UDC - The acronym for utility distribution company, an entity with its own distribution system for the delivery of energy to and from the ISO-controlled grid. The UDC provides regulated, retail service to eligible end-use customers who are not yet eligible for direct access, or who choose not to arrange services through another retailer.
UNCONDITIONED SPACE - A space that is neither directly nor indirectly conditioned space, which can be isolated from conditioned space by partitions and/or closeable doors. [See California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Section 2-5302]
ULEV (ULTRA-LOW EMISSION VEHICLE) - A vehicle certified by the California Air Resources Board to have emissions from zero to 50,000 miles no higher than 0.040 grams/mile (g/mi) of non-methane organic gases, 1.7 g/mi of carbon monoxide, and 0.2 g/mi of nitrogen oxides. Emissions from 50,000 to 100,000 miles may be slightly higher (See chart in Chapter 2.)
ULTRAHIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION - Transporting electricity over bulk-power lines at voltages greater than 800 kilovolts.
UNBUNDLING - Disaggregating electric utility service into its basic components and offering each component separately for sale with separate rates for each component. For example, generation, transmission and distribution could be unbundled and offered as discrete services.
UNIVERSAL SERVICE - Electric service sufficient for basic needs (an evolving bundle of basic services) available to virtually all members of the population regardless of income.
UNLEADED GASOLINE - Gasoline without tetraethyl lead to conform with federal and state regulations.
UPGRADE (Electric utility) - Replacement or addition of electrical equipment resulting in increased generation or transmission capability.
UPRATE (Electric utility) - An increase in the rating or stated measure of generation or transfer capability.
URANIUM - A radioactive element, found in ores, of which atoms can be split to create energy.
URANIUM ENRICHMENT - The process of increasing the percentage of pure uranium above the levels found in naturally occurring uranium ore, so that it may be used as fuel.
UTILITY - A regulated entity which exhibits the characteristics of a natural monopoly. For the purposes of electric industry restructuring, "utility" refers to the regulated, vertically-integrated electric company. "Transmission utility" refers to the regulated owner/operator of the transmission system only. "Distribution utility" refers to the regulated owner/operator of the distribution system which serves retail customers.
U-value or U-factor - A measure of how well heat is transferred by the entire window - the frame, sash and glass - either into or out of the building. U-value is the opposite of R-value. The lower the U-factor number, the better the window will keep heat inside a home on a cold day.