The Energy Collective Group
This group brings together the best thinkers on energy and climate. Join us for smart, insightful posts and conversations about where the energy industry is and where it is going.
Post
Clean Power Plan Implementation Choices by States Could Affect Electricity Generation Mix
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Annual Energy Outlook 2016
In designing the Clean Power Plan, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provided states with implementation flexibility. Given the options available to states, EIA has produced several scenarios as part of an Issues in Focus analysis in the Annual Energy Outlook 2016 (AEO2016). Differences in emissions target types, emissions trading markets, and policy timelines have implications for electric capacity and generation in the United States.
The Clean Power Plan (CPP) scenarios tend to result in more electricity generation from renewables—especially solar and wind—and (in most cases) natural gas over the next 25 years compared with projections without the CPP (No CPP case). In all cases, coal generation declines, and generation from other fuels such as nuclear or hydroelectricity are relatively unchanged. Power-sector carbon dioxide emissions are lower and retail electricity prices are higher compared with a case without the CPP.
- Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Annual Energy Outlook 2016
- Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Annual Energy Outlook 2016
In the Clean Power Plan Rate case, states comply with rate-based standards to limit the amount of CO2 collectively emitted per unit of electricity generation. The rate is calculated as the emissions from existing fossil units divided by generation from existing fossil units plus generation from new builds of zero-carbon technologies and incremental demand-side energy efficiency. Compared to the mass-based Reference case, renewable generation is higher while natural gas use is lower. The CPP Rate case allows some increase in coal generation in later years as long as there is sufficient zero-carbon generation to offset the increased emissions associated with coal generation.
- Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Annual Energy Outlook 2016
- Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Annual Energy Outlook 2016
Principal contributors: Laura Martin, Thad Huetteman
Discussions
No discussions yet. Start a discussion below.
- Costs of Different Battery Storage Technologies Depend on Technical Characteristics
- Electric Power Sector Consumption of Fossil Fuels at Lowest Level Since 1994
- Electrified Vehicles Continue to See Slow Growth and Less Use than Conventional Vehicles
- The United States is a Net Energy Importer from Canada
Get Published - Build a Following
The Energy Central Power Industry Network is based on one core idea - power industry professionals helping each other and advancing the industry by sharing and learning from each other.
If you have an experience or insight to share or have learned something from a conference or seminar, your peers and colleagues on Energy Central want to hear about it. It's also easy to share a link to an article you've liked or an industry resource that you think would be helpful.
Sign in to Participate