Quantifying avoided emissions from renewable generation

Abstract

Quantifying the reduced emissions due to renewable power integration and providing increasingly accurate emissions analysis has become more important for policy makers in the age of renewable portfolio standards (RPS) and emerging carbon markets. This study focuses on the method of quantifying the reduced CO2, NOx, and SO2 emissions due to renewable penetration on the electric power grid. A simplified model is used which calculates avoided emissions from the marginal generators that are displaced if generation from a renewable source were to come online. Analyzing the reduced greenhouse gas emissions from these load shape following generators provides a more telling story of the benefits of time varying nature of renewable power sources. This study gives an updated picture and retrospective analysis into 3 major regions of the US electric grid and a look into the emission savings possibilities brought on by renewable generation using a windmill feasibility study as an example.