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Renewables surpass coal in US electrical power system

Published by , Editorial Assistant
Energy Global,


Forbes has reported that renewable energy sources have surpassed coal for the first time in the US since the inception of the US electrical power system in the nation’s monthly electricity generation mix.

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported in June that electricity generation from renewable sources overtook coal for the month of April, which reflect several long-term trends and short-term phenomena.

As with recent reports of days in which wind generation supplied almost all of electricity demand in US ‘wind belt’ states, the excess of renewables over coal nationally in April is a indicative of pace at which renewables have grown in recent times.

The electric power sector consistently sees its lowest coal demand in April. Each dip in the chart shown in the US Monthly Generation link above falls during that year’s April, when temperatures are more moderate and demand for heating and air conditioning is lower. Consequently, many natural gas, coal, and nuclear generators schedule routine maintenance for the spring and fall, and many coal plants spent part of April offline for planned, temporary outages.

Wind generation is typically highest in the spring and autumn as changes in the sun’s position cause a layering effect of hot and cool air that make up the thermal forces behind wind. Remember also, that renewables are not just wind and solar, but hydropower too. Spring is a particularly productive time for hydroelectric generators because the melting snow pack feeds rivers and drives increased electricity generation downstream.

Read the article online at: https://www.energyglobal.com/electric-hybrid/08072019/renewables-surpass-coal-in-us-electrical-power-system/

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