Comparing Q2 2018 to Q2 2017

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 890 lb CO₂ per MWh in the second quarter of 2018, which was down 5 percent from the same time frame in 2017.

Comparing Performance in 2018 to 2005

The Power Sector Carbon Index for Q2 of 2018 was 33% lower than in the annual value in 2005, from 1,321 lb CO₂ per MWh to 890 lb CO₂ per MWh (or 599 to 404 g CO₂ per kWh). As of Q2 of 2018, the rolling annual average carbon intensity was 949 lb CO₂ per MWh (or 430 g CO₂ per kWh), which is 28% lower than the annual value in 2005. Total annual rolling CO₂ emissions were 1,775 million metric tonnes, which was 27% lower than in 2005.

Highlights of the 2018 Q2 Results

• Total generation was up 4% in 2018 Q2 (1020 million MWh) when compared to 2017 Q2 (979 million MWh).
• Coal generation was down 8% in 2018 Q2 (260 million MWh) when compared to 2017 Q2 (282 million MWh). Coal represented 26% of total generation in 2018 Q2
• Natural Gas generation was up 16% in 2018 Q2 (345 million MWh) when compared to 2017 Q2 (299 million MWh). Natural Gas represented 34% of total generation in 2018 Q2
• Hydro generation was down 7% in 2018 Q2 (85 million MWh) when compared to 2017 Q2 (92 million MWh). Hydro represented 8% of total generation in 2018 Q2
• Wind generation was up 9% in 2018 Q2 (75 million MWh) when compared to 2017 Q2 (68 million MWh). Wind represented 7% of total generation in 2018 Q2
• Solar generation was up 24% in 2018 Q2 (30 million MWh) when compared to 2017 Q2 (24 million MWh). Solar represented 3% of total generation in 2018 Q2
• Nuclear generation was up 6% in 2018 Q2 (196 million MWh) when compared to 2017 Q2 (185 million MWh). Nuclear represented 19% of total generation in 2018 Q2
• Other generation was down 5% in 2018 Q2 (10 million MWh) when compared to 2017 Q2 (10 million MWh). Other generation represented 1% of total generation in 2018 Q2
• Other Renewables generation was up 0% in 2018 Q2 (19 million MWh) when compared to 2017 Q2 (19 million MWh). Other Renewables represented 2% of total generation in 2018 Q2