title: The North American Electric Grid as an Exchange Network: An Approach for Evaluating Energy Resource Composition and Greenhouse Gas Mitigation.
abstract: Using a complex network framework, the North American electric grid is modeled as a dynamic, equilibrium-based supply chain of more than 100 interconnected power control areas (PCAs) in the contiguous United States, Canada, and Northern Mexico. Monthly generation and yearly inter-PCA exchange data reported by PCAs are used to estimate a directed network topology. Variables including electricity, as well as primary fuels, technologies, and greenhouse gas emissions associated with power generation can be traced through the network, providing energy source composition statistics for power consumers at a given location. Results show opportunities for more precise measurement by consumers of emissions occurring on their behalf at power plants. Specifically, we show a larger range of possible factors (∼0 to 1.3 kgCO2/kWh) as compared to the range provided by the EPA's eGRID analysis (∼0.4 to 1 kgCO2/kWh). We also show that 66-73% of the variance in PCA-level estimated emissions savings is the result of PCA-to-PCA differences that are not captured by the larger eGRID subregions. The increased precision could bolster development of effective greenhouse gas reporting and mitigation policies. This study also highlights the need for improvements in the consistency and spatiotemporal resolution of PCA-level generation and exchange data reporting.
authors.affiliation: risQ, 404 Broadway B, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States.
authors.forename: Evan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kodra
authors.affiliation: Lux Research Inc., 100 Franklin Street, Eighth Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, United States.
authors.forename: Seth
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sheldon
authors.affiliation: Lux Research Inc., 100 Franklin Street, Eighth Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, United States.
authors.forename: Ryan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dolen
authors.affiliation: Lux Research Inc., 100 Franklin Street, Eighth Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, United States.
authors.forename: Ory
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Zik
mesh_terms: D002170:Canada; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000032:analysis; D004560:Electricity; D004736:Energy-Generating Resources; D017752:Greenhouse Effect; D008800:Mexico; D011210:Power Plants; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D002245:Carbon Dioxide