Quantifying avoided fuel use and emissions from solar photovoltaic generation in the Western United States.
The electric power system in the Western United States was simulated to evaluate the potential of solar photovoltaics (PV) in reducing fossil-fuel use and associated emissions. The simulations used a utility production cost model to evaluate a series of PV penetrations where up to 10% of the region's electricity is derived from PV. The analysis focused on California, which uses gas for a large fraction of its generation and Colorado, which derives most of its electricity from coal. PV displaces gas and electricity imports almost exclusively in California, with a displacement rate of about 6000-9000 kJ per kWh of PV energy generated. In Colorado, PV offsets mostly gas at low penetration, with increasing coal displacement during nonsummer months and at higher penetration. Associated reductions in CO2, NOx, and SO2 emissions are also calculated.
Denholm
Paul
P
National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 1617 Cole Blvd, Golden, Colorado 80401, USA. paul_denholm@nrel.gov
Margolis
Robert M
RM
Milford
James M
JM
D002140:California; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000032:analysis; D003120:Colorado; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004736:Energy-Generating Resources; D005579:Fossil Fuels / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015233:Models, Statistical; D012621:Seasons; D013472:Sunlight; D014481:United States
D005579:Fossil Fuels; D002245:Carbon Dioxide