Comparing Q4 2018 to Q4 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 943 lb CO₂ per MWh in the fourth quarter of 2018, which did not change compared to the same time frame in 2017.

Comparing Performance in 2018 to 2005

The Power Sector Carbon Index for Q4 of 2018 was 29% lower than in the annual value in 2005, from 1,321 lb CO₂ per MWh to 943 lb CO₂ per MWh (or 599 to 428 g CO₂ per kWh). As of Q4 of 2018, the rolling annual average carbon intensity was 939 lb CO₂ per MWh (or 426 g CO₂ per kWh), which is 29% lower than the annual value in 2005. Total annual rolling CO₂ emissions were 1,791 million metric tonnes, which was 26% lower than in 2005.

Highlights of the 2018 Q4 results

• Total generation was flat in 2018 Q4 (990 million MWh) when compared to 2017 Q4 (989 million MWh).
• Coal generation was down 4% in 2018 Q4 (277 million MWh) when compared to 2017 Q4 (287 million MWh). Coal represented 28% of total generation in 2018 Q4
• Natural Gas generation was up 8% in 2018 Q4 (338 million MWh) when compared to 2017 Q4 (313 million MWh). Natural Gas represented 34% of total generation in 2018 Q4
• Hydro generation was up 6% in 2018 Q4 (65 million MWh) when compared to 2017 Q4 (61 million MWh). Hydro represented 7% of total generation in 2018 Q4
• Wind generation was down 8% in 2018 Q4 (68 million MWh) when compared to 2017 Q4 (74 million MWh). Wind represented 7% of total generation in 2018 Q4
• Solar generation was up 11% in 2018 Q4 (18 million MWh) when compared to 2017 Q4 (17 million MWh). Solar represented 2% of total generation in 2018 Q4
• Nuclear generation was down 5% in 2018 Q4 (195 million MWh) when compared to 2017 Q4 (206 million MWh). Nuclear represented 20% of total generation in 2018 Q4
• Other generation was down 10% in 2018 Q4 (10 million MWh) when compared to 2017 Q4 (11 million MWh). Other represented 1% of total generation in 2018 Q4
• Other Renewables generation was down 3% in 2018 Q4 (19 million MWh) when compared to 2017 Q4 (20 million MWh). Other Renewables represented 2% of total generation in 2018 Q4