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Spark and dark spreads indicate profitability of natural gas, coal power plants

RTOcoalgenerating capacitygenerationprices

Winter heating costs likely to be higher this winter than last winter

STEOconsumption/demandforecasts/projectionsheating oilnatural gaspricespropaneweather

As nuclear power plant retirements increase, natural gas-fired generation capacity grows

Henry Hubgenerating capacitypower plantspricesproduction/supplyspot prices

Nuclear power plant outages were relatively low this summer

Ohiodailygenerationnuclearoutagesweather

Chinese coal-fired electricity generation expected to flatten as mix shifts to renewables

ChinaIEOcoaldailygenerationinternational

Net generation from conventional hydroelectric power sources in California surpassed generation from natural gas-fired sources in April 2017

Californiagenerationhydroelectricnatural gasweather

Residential electricity prices up 3% in first half of 2017

STEOdailypricesresidential

Hurricane Irma briefly disrupts Florida’s natural gas consumption for electricity generation

Floridaconsumption/demandelectric generationweather

Hurricane Irma cut power to nearly two-thirds of Florida's electricity customers

Floridaconsumption/demanddailydistributionoutagesstatestransmissionweather

Coal plants installed mercury controls to meet compliance deadlines

coaldailyemissionsgeneration

Hurricane Harvey caused electric system outages and affected wind generation in Texas

ISORTOTexascapacityconsumption/demanddailydistributiongenerating capacitygenerationoutagespower plantsrenewablesstatestransmissionwholesale powerwind

Hurricane Irma may cause problems for East Coast energy infrastructure

Floridadailydisruptionweather

Electricity prices reflect rising delivery costs, declining power production costs

dailyprices

Hurricane Harvey headed for area with significant oil, natural gas infrastructure

Gulf CoastGulf of MexicoTexasdailyliquid fuelsnatural gasoil/petroleumpipelinesproduction/supplystatesweather

Residential small-scale solar photovoltaic electricity generation continues to set monthly record highs

generationresidentialsolar

California increased electricity imports and natural gas generation during solar eclipse

Californiadailygenerationrenewablessolar

Northwest heat wave leads to record levels of summer electricity demand

NorthwestOregonWashingtonconsumption/demanddailyelectric generationgenerationresidentialutilityweatherwholesale power

Natural gas-fired electricity conversion efficiency grows as coal remains stable

coaldailygenerationnatural gas

South Carolina utilities stop construction of new nuclear reactors

dailynuclearpower plants

Solar eclipse on August 21 will affect photovoltaic generators across the country

CaliforniaISORTOcapacitydailyelectric generationgenerating capacitypower plantsrenewablessolarstateswholesale power

Many states have adopted policies to encourage energy efficiency

consumption/demanddailyenergy efficiencypolicy

Natural gas-fired electricity generation so far this summer is below last year’s level

coaldailygenerationnatural gas

Per capita residential electricity sales in the U.S. have fallen since 2010

CaliforniaHawaiiconsumption/demanddailyefficiencysolarstates

Coal and natural gas operating heat rates to generate electricity diverge from 2006-15

coalgenerationnatural gas

California wholesale electricity prices are higher at the beginning and end of the day

CaliforniaISORTOcapacitydailyelectric generationelectricity generating fuel mixgenerating capacitygenerationhydroelectricnatural gasrenewableswholesale powerwholesale prices

The western U.S. sub-hourly wholesale electricity market is expanding

Californiaconsumption/demanddailyproduction/supplywholesale prices

EIA adds small-scale solar photovoltaic forecasts to its monthly Short-Term Energy Outlook

STEOcommercialdailyforecasts/projectionsgenerationrenewablesresidentialsolar

Monthly renewable electricity generation surpasses nuclear for the first time since 1984

capacitydailyelectric generationhydroelectricnuclearrenewablessolarwind

Construction costs for most power plant types have fallen in recent years

biomasscostsdailygenerationhydroelectricliquid fuelsnatural gasoil/petroleumpower plantssolarwind

Even as renewables increase, fossil fuels continue to dominate U.S. energy mix

biomasscoalconsumption/demanddailyhydroelectricliquid fuelsnatural gasnuclearoil/petroleumrenewables

Competition between coal and natural gas affects power markets

capacitycoaldailygenerationnatural gas

Wind and solar in March accounted for 10% of U.S. electricity generation for first time

dailygenerationrenewablessolarstateswind

Three Mile Island is the latest nuclear power plant to announce retirement plans

dailygenerationnuclearpower plantsretirements

Global access to electricity has increased over the past two decades

dailyinternational

NERC’s Summer Reliability Assessment highlights seasonal electricity reliability issues

NERCdailygeneration

As coal shipments decline, rail remains dominant mode of coal transport to power sector

coalrail

More than half of small-scale photovoltaic generation comes from residential rooftops

Californiacommercialdailygenerationrenewablesresidentialsolar

Landfill gas to electricity: A waste to energy success story

CO2electric generationgenerationwaste-to-energy

Energy storage and renewables beyond wind, hydro, solar make up 4% of U.S. power capacity

biomassdailygenerationgeothermalhydroelectricrenewablesstorage

Air conditioning and other appliances increase residential electricity use in the summer

RECSconsumption/demanddailyresidential

Large commercial buildings are more likely to use lighting control strategies

CBECScommercialdailylighting

California electricity mix in 2017 has involved more renewables, less natural gas

Californiadailynatural gasrenewablesstatesweather

U.S. nuclear capacity and generation expected to decline as existing generators retire

AEOdailyforecasts/projectionsgenerating capacitygeneration

Natural gas has displaced coal in the Northeast’s generation mix over the past 10 years

Northeastcoaldailygenerationnatural gas

Nuclear plants account for more than half of electricity generation in Illinois

Illinoisdailynuclearstates

Utility-scale solar has grown rapidly over the past five years

capacitydailygenerationsolar

Wind turbines provide 8% of U.S. generating capacity, more than any other renewable source

capacitydailygenerationrenewablesstateswind

Carbon intensity of energy use is lowest in U.S. industrial and electric power sectors

CO2commercialdailygenerationindustrialresidentialtransportation

Most U.S. nuclear power plants were built between 1970 and 1990

capacitydailygenerationnuclearstates

In 2016, natural gas exceeds coal for the first time in the U.S. electricity generation mix

coalelectric generationelectricity generating fuel mixgenerationnatural gas

More than half of utility-scale solar photovoltaic systems track the sun through the day

dailyelectric generationgenerationsolar

EIA expects natural gas to be largest source of U.S. electricity generation this summer

STEOdailyelectricity generating fuel mixforecasts/projectionsgenerationhydroelectricnatural gasweather

Most coal plants in the United States were built before 1990

capacitycoaldailygenerationstates

U.S. energy-related CO2 emissions fell 1.7% in 2016

CO2coaldailyemissionsgenerationnatural gas

Rising solar generation in California coincides with negative wholesale electricity prices

Californiadailygenerationrenewablessolarstates

U.S. households’ heating equipment choices are diverse and vary by climate region

RECSdailydistillate fuelnatural gasresidentialweatherwood

U.S. energy consumption rose slightly in 2016 despite a significant decline in coal use

coalconsumption/demanddailynatural gasoil/petroleumrenewables

Coal production increases during second half of 2016, but still below 2015 levels

coaldailygenerationminingnatural gasproduction/supply

Record precipitation, snowpack in California expected to increase hydro generation in 2017

Californiadailygenerationhydroelectricstatesweather

Hydroelectric generators are among the United States’ oldest power plants

dailygenerating capacitygenerationhydroelectric

U.S. wind generating capacity surpasses hydro capacity at the end of 2016

CaliforniaIEOMidwestNERCNorthwestOregonRTOTexasWashingtoncapacitycapacity factordailyelectric generationelectricity generating fuel mixgenerating capacitygenerationhydroelectricpower plantsrenewablesstatesweatherwholesale powerwind

Projected electricity generation mix is sensitive to policies, natural gas prices

AEOdailyenvironmentgenerationnatural gaspricesresources

U.S. coal production and coal-fired electricity generation expected to rise in near term

coaldailygenerationnatural gasproduction/supply

The world’s largest nuclear plants differ by age, number of reactors, and utilization

dailygenerationinternationalnuclear

Sulfur dioxide emissions from U.S. power plants have fallen faster than coal generation

SO2coaldailyemissionsenvironmentgeneration

Indian Point, closest nuclear plant to New York City, set to retire by 2021

New Yorkdailygenerationnuclearretirements

Natural gas-fired generating capacity likely to increase over next two years

STEOcoaldailyelectricity generating fuel mixgenerating capacitygenerationnatural gasretirements

Renewable generation capacity expected to account for most 2016 capacity additions

capacitydailyelectric generationrenewablessolarwind

Winter residential electricity consumption expected to increase from last winter

consumption/demanddailyresidentialweather

EIA adds population density layers to U.S. Energy Mapping System

dailynatural gasoil/petroleum

About 30% of distributed solar capacity is owned by third parties

dailygenerationsolarstates

Federal leasing for offshore wind grows as first U.S. offshore wind farm comes online

dailyoffshorerenewableswind

Three turbine manufacturers provide more than 75% of U.S. wind capacity

capacitydailywind

Coal may surpass natural gas as most common electricity generation fuel this winter

coaldailygenerationnatural gasweather

U.S. energy production, consumption has changed significantly since 1908

coalcrude oildailyexports/importsliquid fuelsproduction/supplyrenewables

Fort Calhoun becomes fifth U.S. nuclear plant to retire in past five years

CaliforniaFloridaVermontdailygenerationnuclearretirementsstates

Wind generation share exceeded 10% in 11 states in 2015

dailygenerationhydroelectricrenewablessolarstateswind

Over past decade, Mountain region states have used less coal for electricity generation

capacitycoaldailygenerationnatural gasrenewablessolarstateswind

The world's nine largest operating power plants are hydroelectric facilities

BrazilChinadailygenerationhydroelectricinternational

Hurricane Matthew caused millions of customers to go without power

NRCdailygenerationnuclearoutagesstatesweather

Winter heating bills likely to increase, but still remain below recent winters

HGLSTEOdailyexports/importsforecasts/projectionsheating oilnatural gaspricespropaneweather

Energy-related CO2 emissions for first six months of 2016 are lowest since 1991

CO2coaldailyemissionsgenerationhydroelectricnatural gassolarwind

U.S. residential electricity prices decline for the first time in many years

dailypricesresidential

Office buildings with data centers use significantly more electricity than other offices

buildingscommercialdailyefficiency

California program encourages adoption of zero-emissions vehicles

AEOAEO2016Californiadailystatestransportationvehicles

China expected to account for more than half of world growth in nuclear power through 2040

Chinadailygenerationinternationalnuclear

Wind generation share exceeds 10% in 11 states

IowaKansasNew MexicoRPSSouth DakotaTexasgenerationstateswind

Recent increases in global nuclear capacity led by Asia

ChinaEuropeIndiaRussiadailygenerating capacityinternationalnuclear

Weekly Energy Snapshots provides a weekly recap of EIA data visualizations

dailyinventories/stockspricesspot pricesstorageweather

EIA provides daily summary of Southern California energy conditions

Californiaconsumption/demanddailyinventories/stocksnatural gasrenewablesstatesstorage

Five and a half years after Fukushima, 3 of Japan’s 54 nuclear reactors are operating

Japandailyinternationalnuclear

Japan’s electricity prices rising or stable despite recent fuel cost changes

JapanLNGcoaldailygenerationnatural gasnuclearprices

Natural gas generation and electricity imports used to follow load in California

Californianatural gasnuclearrenewablessolarwind

California is using more renewables and less natural gas in its summer electricity mix

Californiadailygenerationrenewables

U.S. nuclear outages this summer were higher than in summer 2015

dailygenerationmaintenancenuclearoutages

District of Columbia raises renewable portfolio standard target to 50% by 2032

RPSdailyelectricity generating fuel mixrenewables

Monthly U.S. renewable electricity generation in 2016 surpasses previous years

capacitydailygenerationhydroelectricrenewablessolarwind

North Carolina has more PURPA-qualifying solar facilities than any other state

CaliforniaTexascapacitydailygenerating capacitygenerationrenewablessolarstates

Hydroelectric plants account for more than 70% of Brazil's electric generation

Brazildailygenerationhydroelectricrenewables

Renewables share of North America electricity mix expected to rise

AEOAEO2016CanadaIEOMexicoUnited Statesgenerationinternationalnuclearrenewablesstandards

Many industries use combined heat and power to improve energy efficiency

dailyefficiencyindustrial

Operating coal-fired generating capacity has declined 15% since 2011 in response to low natural gas prices and environmental regulatory compliance

EPAcapacitycoalemissionsenvironmentgenerating capacitynatural gasstandards

Several nonpowered dams along the Ohio River to be converted to hydroelectric dams in 2016

dailygenerating capacityhydroelectricrenewables

EIA electricity generator data show power industry response to EPA mercury limits

capacitycoaldailyemissionsgenerationstandards

Clean Power Plan implementation choices by states could affect electricity generation mix

AEOAEO2016CO2coaldailyelectricity generating fuel mixenergy efficiencyforecasts/projectionsnatural gasrenewablessolarwind

Mexico electricity market reforms attempt to reduce costs and develop new capacity

Mexicodailygenerationinternationalpolicypricesrenewableswholesale prices

Fossil fuels still dominate U.S. energy consumption despite recent market share decline

biomasscoaldailyexports/importshydroelectricliquid fuelsnatural gasnuclearoil/petroleumrenewables

Extended policies case shows reduced energy use, emissions, more renewables, efficiency

AEOAEO2016dailyefficiencyemissionsforecasts/projectionssolarstandardswind

The total output over a 12-month period of U.S. electric generators fueled by natural gas surpassed those fueled by coal for first time in January 2016

coalelectric generationgenerationnatural gas

Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative auction prices decline

CO2dailyemissionsgeneration

Clean Power Plan implementation decisions affect CO2 emissions and electricity prices

AEOAEO2016CO2dailygeneration

Clean Power Plan accelerates the growth of renewable generation throughout United States

AEOAEO2016coaldailynatural gasnuclearrenewablessolarwind

Total U.S. electricity sales projected to grow slowly as electricity intensity declines

commercialdailyindustrialresidentialtransportation

First new U.S. nuclear reactor in almost two decades set to begin operating

dailygenerationnuclear

Higher renewable capacity additions in AEO2016 reflect policy changes and cost reductions

capacitydailyforecasts/projectionsgenerationrenewables

Industrial and electric power sectors drive projected growth in U.S. natural gas use

commercialdailyexports/importsforecasts/projectionsindustrialnatural gasresidential

Southern states lead growth in biomass electricity generation

biomassdailygenerationrenewables

Future power sector carbon dioxide emissions depend on status of Clean Power Plan

CO2coaldailyemissions

Carbon dioxide emissions from electricity generation in 2015 were lowest since 1993

CO2coaldailyemissionsgenerationnatural gasrenewables

Power sector coal demand has fallen in nearly every state since 2007

coalconsumption/demanddailygenerationstates

Higher Oregon renewable portfolio standard targets likely to boost wind power

OregonRPSdailygenerating capacityrenewablesstateswind

Nonhydro renewable power generation widened gap over conventional hydroelectricity in 2015

biomasselectric generationgenerationgeothermalrenewablessolarwind

EIA reviews and enhances data and projections for wind and solar electricity

dailyforecasts/projectionsgenerating capacitygenerationrenewablessolarwind

As coal stockpiles at power plants rise, shippers are reducing coal railcar loadings

coaldailygenerationinventories/stocksrail

Natural gas expected to surpass coal in mix of fuel used for U.S. power generation in 2016

coaldailygenerationnatural gas

Coal made up more than 80% of retired electricity generating capacity in 2015

capacitycoaldailygenerationretirementsstates

Crescent Dunes concentrating solar plant begins producing electricity

Californiadailyrenewablessolarstates

Solar, natural gas, wind make up most 2016 generation additions

capacitydailygenerating capacitygenerationhydroelectricnatural gasnuclearrenewablessolarwind

Rail continues to dominate coal shipments to the power sector

coaldailygenerationrailtransportation

California has nearly half of the nation's solar electricity generating capacity

Californiacapacitydailygenerating capacitygenerationrenewablessolarstates

Computer and technology use in education buildings continues to increase

buildingscommercialdailyexports/imports

Electricity generation from renewable sources expected to grow 9% this year

STEObiomassdailygeothermalhydroelectricrenewablessolarwind

Upcoming winter storm may cause problems for East Coast energy infrastructure

dailydisruptionweather

Warmer weather, lower energy prices are reducing home heating expenditures

HGLSTEOdailyheating oilnatural gaspricespropaneweather

Coal production and prices decline in 2015

coaldailygenerationpricesproduction/supply

Recent Data

Key Indicators
Source: Electricity Monthly Update.

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Beta: Hourly Information

Electric System Operating Data: Updated every 15 minutes
Includes actual and forecast demand, net generation, and the power flowing between electric systems

Upcoming Releases

Wholesale Electricity and Natural Gas Market Data: Biweekly on Thursday
Electric Power Monthly: between the 20th and the 25th of the month
Electricity Monthly Update: between the 20th and the 25th of the month

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