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Electricity in the US in 2021 : An increase in coal-based generation

Good : solar and wind up by 13%.

Not-good: Coal up by 17%, makes up for drop in natural gas and hydroelectric. 

Electricity consumption increased by 2% in 2021, supporting economic growth pre-pandemic level.

 

The figure here is made using data available from the EIA. Some key takeaways:

  • The use of natural gas fell in response to a doubling of the fuel cost.
  • Coal-based electricity increased by 17%, the first increase since 2014.
  • Hydropower generation dropped and its share of total generation was lowest  (6%) since 2015, due to severe drought affecting generation in the Western region.
  • Solar and wind -based generation increased by 13%
  • Overall, electricity generated using fossil-fuels accounted for 60% of the overall production.

Why this information on a mobility site ?

As we move towards an all-electric future, it is clearly important to assess the cleanliness of the grid which will power these vehicles. Otherwise we risk moving the problem from the tailpipe to upstream flue-gas stacks. Increasing the contribution of renewable energy is imperative, and it is also important to consider the resilience of the grid. As this year shows, an increase in gas fuel prices and a drought resulted in an increase in  coal, the worst carbon footprint fuel being used. As the pandemic has highlighted, we are increasingly relying on goods and services delivered to our doorstep. So also consider that the electricity demand will only increase in the future (and substantially) as we electrify the transportation sector. Improved technologies, efficiencies and policy tools are clearly needed as we move ahead. 

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