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PJM Reports New Electric Power Carbon Dioxide Emissions Data

A new report from PJM Interconnection can be used to estimate carbon dioxide reductions from demand response, energy efficiency measures and increases in emission-free generation.
            The report shows the average amount of CO2 emitted for marginal units -- generating units that are the last to be brought on-line and set the price for energy for that five-minute increment -- during both peak and off-peak periods. 
            Any reductions in power use or increase in emission-free generation would reduce production and CO2 emissions by marginal generation units.
            The tables and charts illustrating these numbers are available online. The information was presented to the PJM membership this week as part of a general report on the PJM Markets and will be updated annually.
            "Now when our members and others want to evaluate how much CO2 was produced year to year, month to month, peak or off-peak, they have a source that provides the latest actual information, rather than having to draw from several sources to estimate," said Andrew L. Ott, senior vice president, Markets. "We are happy to extend our role as an independent information provider to aggregate regional carbon emissions and provide insight on emission rate trends within our region."  
            As part of PJM's role in assuring the reliability of the regional high voltage transmission system and the integrity of the wholesale power market, Ott said, is providing accurate and transparent information to guide decisions. PJM provides this information as a service to its stakeholders. 
            The report shows PJM's analysis of the CO2 emissions rate information for marginal units for each five minute interval from January 2005 through December 2009. The five-minute marginal data was aggregated into hourly blocks and then sorted into on-peak and off-peak time periods and ultimately averaged for each month. Peak periods are all non-holiday weekdays from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m. and off-peak periods are all other hours. Annual statistics are also provided.
            Marginal units would include any units brought on line to support the real-time demand for electricity not already provided for by existing contracts. Generating units may include units fueled by fossil fuels, natural gas, nuclear and other sources.
            The PJM Emission Report can be used to estimate CO2 reductions as a result of certain efforts within the PJM region such as demand response and energy efficiency measures. The report can also be used to estimate the impact of increases in emission-free generation such as wind farm operations and upgrades to nuclear generation facilities. This report also provides an overview of the general trends of emission rates within the PJM region.
            PJM Interconnection ensures the reliability of the high-voltage electric power system serving 51 million people in all or parts of Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. 
            PJM coordinates and directs the operation of the region's transmission grid, which includes 6,038 substations and 56,350 miles of transmission lines; administers a competitive wholesale electricity market; and plans regional transmission expansion improvements to maintain grid reliability and relieve congestion. 


3/29/2010

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