Power Sector Carbon Index -- 2017 Q4 Update

Comparing Q4 2017 to Q4 2016

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 952 lb CO2 per MWh in the fourth quarter of 2017, which was down 4 percent from the same time frame in 2016.

Comparing Performance in 2017 to 2005

The Power Sector Carbon Index for Q4 of 2017 was 28% lower than in the annual value in 2005, from 1,321 lb CO2 per MWh to 952 lb CO2 per MWh (or 599 to 432 g CO2 per kWh). As of Q4 of 2017, the rolling annual average carbon intensity was 967 lb CO2 per MWh (or 439 g CO2 per kWh), which is 27% lower than the annual value in 2005. Total annual rolling CO2 emissions were 1,770 million metric tonnes, which was 27% lower than in 2005.

Highlights of the 2017 Q4 Results

  • Total generation was up 2% in 2017 Q4 (975 million MWh) when compared to 2016 Q4 (959 million MWh).
  • Coal generation was down 6% in 2017 Q4 (288 million MWh) when compared to 2016 Q4 (305 million MWh). Coal represented 29% of total generation in 2017 Q4
  • Natural Gas generation was up 4% in 2017 Q4 (305 million MWh) when compared to 2016 Q4 (293 million MWh). Natural Gas represented 31% of total generation in 2017 Q4
  • Hydro generation was up 1% in 2017 Q4 (60 million MWh) when compared to 2016 Q4 (59 million MWh). Hydro represented 6% of total generation in 2017 Q4
  • Wind generation was up 13% in 2017 Q4 (71 million MWh) when compared to 2016 Q4 (63 million MWh). Wind represented 7% of total generation in 2017 Q4
  • Solar generation was up 30% in 2017 Q4 (16 million MWh) when compared to 2016 Q4 (12 million MWh). Solar represented 2% of total generation in 2017 Q4
  • Nuclear generation was up 4% in 2017 Q4 (206 million MWh) when compared to 2016 Q4 (198 million MWh). Nuclear represented 21% of total generation in 2017 Q4
  • Other generation was up 6% in 2017 Q4 (10 million MWh) when compared to 2016 Q4 (10 million MWh). Other represented 1% of total generation in 2017 Q4
  • Other Renewables generation was up 1% in 2017 Q4 (20 million MWh) when compared to 2016 Q4 (20 million MWh). Other Renewables represented 2% of total generation in 2017 Q4