Comparing Q2 2024 to Q2 2023

The Carnegie Mellon Power Sector Carbon Index provides a comprehensive picture of the carbon intensity of electricity production in the during the previous 12 months and over an extended period to 2001. The CMU index also provides a summary of how much electricity generation is from coal, natural gas, nuclear, and renewables. According to the Carnegie Mellon Power Sector Carbon Index, U.S. power plant emissions averaged 694 lb CO₂ per MWh in the second quarter of 2024, which was down 3 percent from the same time frame in 2023.

Comparing performance in 2024 to 2005

The Power Sector Carbon Index for Q2 of 2024 was 47% lower than in the annual value in 2005, from 1,321 lb CO₂ per MWh to 694 lb CO₂ per MWh (or 599 to 315 g CO₂ per kWh). As of Q2 of 2024, the rolling annual average carbon intensity was 752 lb CO₂ per MWh (or 341 g CO₂ per kWh), which is 43% lower than the annual value in 2005. Total annual rolling CO₂ emissions were 1,483 million metric tonnes, which was 39% lower than in 2005.

Highlights of the 2024 Q2 results

• Total generation was up 6% in 2024 Q2 (1068 million MWh) when compared to 2023 Q2 (1005 million MWh).
• Coal generation was up 2% in 2024 Q2 (145 million MWh) when compared to 2023 Q2 (142 million MWh). Coal represented 14% of total generation in 2024 Q2
• Natural Gas generation was up 3% in 2024 Q2 (433 million MWh) when compared to 2023 Q2 (420 million MWh). Natural Gas represented 41% of total generation in 2024 Q2
• Hydro generation was down 3% in 2024 Q2 (62 million MWh) when compared to 2023 Q2 (64 million MWh). Hydro represented 6% of total generation in 2024 Q2
• Wind generation was up 22% in 2024 Q2 (125 million MWh) when compared to 2023 Q2 (103 million MWh). Wind represented 12% of total generation in 2024 Q2
• Solar generation was up 27% in 2024 Q2 (90 million MWh) when compared to 2023 Q2 (71 million MWh). Solar represented 8% of total generation in 2024 Q2
• Nuclear generation was up 4% in 2024 Q2 (190 million MWh) when compared to 2023 Q2 (183 million MWh). Nuclear represented 18% of total generation in 2024 Q2
• Other generation was up 3% in 2024 Q2 (7 million MWh) when compared to 2023 Q2 (7 million MWh). Other represented 1% of total generation in 2024 Q2
• Other Renewables generation was down 3% in 2024 Q2 (15 million MWh) when compared to 2023 Q2 (15 million MWh). Other Renewables represented 1% of total generation in 2024 Q2