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Wind blows away coal's market share in Iowa
Short story: 2010-2015 Coal's contribution dropped from 70% yo 50% while wind's contribution rose from 17% - 36%.
Wind blows away coal's market share in Iowa
By Charlotte Cox
Last Updated: 8/12/2015
Iowa's reliance on coal for power generation is quickly eroding, and Alliant Energy Corp. subsidiary Interstate Power & Light Co.'s settlement with the U.S. EPA will accelerate the shift in the state's generation portfolio.
Coal fired half of the state's net generation in May, a marked decrease from the 70% it provided during the same month five years earlier. Now, coal-fired generation only surpasses the 3,500 GWh mark during the peak summer months in July and August. Meanwhile, wind's share of the state's net generation has grown immensely, powering 36% in May, up from a 17% share in the same month in 2010.
According to calculations by the EPA, Iowa's CO2 emissions rate in 2012 was 2,195 lbs/MWh. The EPA projects that the state will emit CO2 at a rate of 1,456 lbs/MWh in 2020 without the Clean Power Plan, and the state has a final goal of 1,283 lbs/MWh by 2030 and beyond. Currently, Iowa about 6,300 MW of operating coal capacity, which will decrease with upcoming retirements and conversions. IPL's settlement, announced July 15, will see the utility close several coal plants or convert some of them to natural gas by 2025.
The state also has almost 5,700 MW of operating wind capacity and an additional 700 MW of wind capacity currently in advanced development or under construction. Projects in advanced development are further along the development pipeline and more likely to continue through to completion, and the status indicates that the project has satisfied two of the following five criteria: financing is in place; a power purchase agreement is signed; turbines are secured; required permits are approved; or a contractor has signed on to the project.
Although gas fueled just 3% of Iowa's net generation in May, decreased reliance on coal may lead to an increased reliance on gas....
https://www.snl.com/InteractiveX/Article.aspx?cdid=A-33460897-12072
By Charlotte Cox
Last Updated: 8/12/2015
Iowa's reliance on coal for power generation is quickly eroding, and Alliant Energy Corp. subsidiary Interstate Power & Light Co.'s settlement with the U.S. EPA will accelerate the shift in the state's generation portfolio.
Coal fired half of the state's net generation in May, a marked decrease from the 70% it provided during the same month five years earlier. Now, coal-fired generation only surpasses the 3,500 GWh mark during the peak summer months in July and August. Meanwhile, wind's share of the state's net generation has grown immensely, powering 36% in May, up from a 17% share in the same month in 2010.
According to calculations by the EPA, Iowa's CO2 emissions rate in 2012 was 2,195 lbs/MWh. The EPA projects that the state will emit CO2 at a rate of 1,456 lbs/MWh in 2020 without the Clean Power Plan, and the state has a final goal of 1,283 lbs/MWh by 2030 and beyond. Currently, Iowa about 6,300 MW of operating coal capacity, which will decrease with upcoming retirements and conversions. IPL's settlement, announced July 15, will see the utility close several coal plants or convert some of them to natural gas by 2025.
The state also has almost 5,700 MW of operating wind capacity and an additional 700 MW of wind capacity currently in advanced development or under construction. Projects in advanced development are further along the development pipeline and more likely to continue through to completion, and the status indicates that the project has satisfied two of the following five criteria: financing is in place; a power purchase agreement is signed; turbines are secured; required permits are approved; or a contractor has signed on to the project.
Although gas fueled just 3% of Iowa's net generation in May, decreased reliance on coal may lead to an increased reliance on gas....
