Comparing Q3 2019 to Q3 2018

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 935 lb CO₂ per MWh in the third quarter of 2019, which was down 7 percent from the same time frame in 2018.

Comparing performance in 2019 to 2005

The Power Sector Carbon Index for Q3 of 2019 was 29% lower than in the annual value in 2005, from 1,321 lb CO₂ per MWh to 935 lb CO₂ per MWh (or 599 to 424 g CO₂ per kWh). As of Q3 of 2019, the rolling annual average carbon intensity was 899 lb CO₂ per MWh (or 408 g CO₂ per kWh), which is 32% lower than the annual value in 2005. Total annual rolling CO₂ emissions were 1,696 million metric tonnes, which was 30% lower than in 2005.

Highlights of the 2019 Q3 results

• Total generation was flat in 2019 Q3 (1182 million MWh) when compared to 2018 Q3 (1184 million MWh).
• Coal generation was down 14% in 2019 Q3 (281 million MWh) when compared to 2018 Q3 (327 million MWh). Coal represented 24% of total generation in 2019 Q3
• Natural Gas generation was up 7% in 2019 Q3 (502 million MWh) when compared to 2018 Q3 (468 million MWh). Natural Gas represented 42% of total generation in 2019 Q3
• Hydro generation was down 9% in 2019 Q3 (61 million MWh) when compared to 2018 Q3 (66 million MWh). Hydro represented 5% of total generation in 2019 Q3
• Wind generation was up 21% in 2019 Q3 (66 million MWh) when compared to 2018 Q3 (55 million MWh). Wind represented 6% of total generation in 2019 Q3
• Solar generation was up 18% in 2019 Q3 (33 million MWh) when compared to 2018 Q3 (28 million MWh). Solar represented 3% of total generation in 2019 Q3
• Nuclear generation was flat in 2019 Q3 (210 million MWh) when compared to 2018 Q3 (209 million MWh). Nuclear represented 18% of total generation in 2019 Q3
• Other generation was down 3% in 2019 Q3 (10 million MWh) when compared to 2018 Q3 (11 million MWh). Other represented 1% of total generation in 2019 Q3
• Other Renewables generation was down 2% in 2019 Q3 (19 million MWh) when compared to 2018 Q3 (20 million MWh). Other Renewables represented 2% of total generation in 2019 Q3