Comparing Q3 2022 to Q3 2021

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 862 lb CO₂ per MWh in the third quarter of 2022, which was down 7 percent from the same time frame in 2021.

Comparing performance in 2022 to 2005

The Power Sector Carbon Index for Q3 of 2022 was 35% lower than in the annual value in 2005, from 1,321 lb CO₂ per MWh to 862 lb CO₂ per MWh (or 599 to 391 g CO₂ per kWh). As of Q3 of 2022, the rolling annual average carbon intensity was 802 lb CO₂ per MWh (or 364 g CO₂ per kWh), which is 39% lower than the annual value in 2005. Total annual rolling CO₂ emissions were 1,553 million metric tonnes, which was 36% lower than in 2005.

Highlights of the 2022 Q3 results

• Total generation was up 2% in 2022 Q3 (1205 million MWh) when compared to 2021 Q3 (1181 million MWh).
• Coal generation was down 16% in 2022 Q3 (236 million MWh) when compared to 2021 Q3 (282 million MWh). Coal represented 20% of total generation in 2022 Q3
• Natural Gas generation was up 11% in 2022 Q3 (536 million MWh) when compared to 2021 Q3 (481 million MWh). Natural Gas represented 45% of total generation in 2022 Q3
• Hydro generation was up 5% in 2022 Q3 (62 million MWh) when compared to 2021 Q3 (59 million MWh). Hydro represented 5% of total generation in 2022 Q3
• Wind generation was up 4% in 2022 Q3 (81 million MWh) when compared to 2021 Q3 (78 million MWh). Wind represented 7% of total generation in 2022 Q3
• Solar generation was up 23% in 2022 Q3 (61 million MWh) when compared to 2021 Q3 (50 million MWh). Solar represented 5% of total generation in 2022 Q3
• Nuclear generation was down 1% in 2022 Q3 (201 million MWh) when compared to 2021 Q3 (203 million MWh). Nuclear represented 17% of total generation in 2022 Q3
• Other generation was down 10% in 2022 Q3 (8 million MWh) when compared to 2021 Q3 (9 million MWh). Other represented 1% of total generation in 2022 Q3
• Other Renewables generation was up 1% in 2022 Q3 (18 million MWh) when compared to 2021 Q3 (18 million MWh). Other Renewables represented 2% of total generation in 2022 Q3