Electricity Energy Sources: Costs, Emissions & Carbon Footprint

Broken in the USA, Environment, Government Issues

I recently researched the most common sources of electric energy sources and was surprised with what I found, especially regarding the “cost” component.

This chart shows the breakdown with coal and gas amounting to almost 2/3rds.

The cost vs emissions is an important factor as is the carbon footprint.

The carbon footprint should include all activities including mining, transportation, plant construction, operation & maintenance.

The cost of operating a coal plant is among the lowest when viewed in the short term at just over 3 cents per KWH. However, the renewable sources of wind and solar are not far behind. These have been decreasing significantly with improvements in technology and increased production volumes:

The cost of operating a coal plant is among the lowest when viewed in the short term at just over 3 cents per KWH. However, the renewable sources of wind and solar are not far behind. These have been decreasing significantly with improvements in technology and increased production volumes:

https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/plugged-in/wind-energy-is-one-of-the-cheapest-sources-of-electricity-and-its-getting-cheaper/

https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/sunshot-2030#:~:text=At%20%240.03%20per%20kilowatt%2Dhour,about%20how%20LCOE%20is%20calculated.

Hydro Power and Nuclear are also relatively inexpensive:

Hydropower remains the lowest-cost source of electricity globally

https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/economic-aspects/economics-of-nuclear-power.aspx

Geothermal (will limited in availability) is also an affordable source of energy:

https://www.irena.org/costs/Power-Generation-Costs/Geothermal-Power

Tidal energy systems have potential, especially along our coastlines where a large percentage of our population reside, but so far, the costs have been onerous:

Making tidal energy more affordable

What concerns me is that it appears that the vast majority of our energy is being produced at a relatively low cost (under $.05 per KWH at wholesale), but the cost to consumers is very high.

https://www.brookings.edu/opinions/the-real-costs-of-u-s-energy/#:~:text=Comparing%20the%20social%20costs%20of,a%20new%20Hamilton%20Project%20paper.

Check out your cost at:

Electricity Rates by State

The longer-term view is having to do with reducing the carbon footprint of our energy sources that produce harmful emissions. The following chart illustrates the problem. Coal, biofuels and natural gas combine to provide fully 2/3rds of our sources of power and they are potential planet killers. We have affordable alternatives.https://impactful.ninja/energy-sources-with-the-lowest-carbon-footprint/