USA Average Levilized cots of energy (LCOE) from US Energy Information System

[chuckChuck]

http://www.eia.gov/outlooks/aeo/pdf/electricity_generation.pdf
USA Average Levilized cots of energy (LCOE) for plants coming on stream in 2022 in USA in 2015 $/Mwh. No subsidies included.

Coal with CCS - $139.5
Natural Gas Conventional Combined cycle - $58.1
Natural Gas Advanced Combined cycle -$57.2
Natural Gas CC with CCS -$84.8
Natural Gas Conventional Combustion Turbine - $110.8
Natural Gas Advanced Combustion Turbine - $94.7

Advanced Nuclear - $102.8
Geothermal -$45
Biomass -$96.1

Wind - $64.5
Wind Offshore - $158.1
Solar PV - $84.7
Solar Thermal -$235.9
Hydroelectric -$67.8
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[AlbertaFarmer5]

http://www.eia.gov/outlooks/aeo/pdf/electricity_generation.pdf
USA Average Levilized cots of energy (LCOE) for plants coming on stream in 2022 in USA in 2015 $/Mwh. No subsidies included.

Coal with CCS - $139.5
Natural Gas Conventional Combined cycle - $58.1
Natural Gas Advanced Combined cycle -$57.2
Natural Gas CC with CCS -$84.8
Natural Gas Conventional Combustion Turbine - $110.8
Natural Gas Advanced Combustion Turbine - $94.7

Advanced Nuclear - $102.8
Geothermal -$45
Biomass -$96.1

Wind - $64.5
Wind Offshore - $158.1
Solar PV - $84.7
Solar Thermal -$235.9
Hydroelectric -$67.8
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Those number should be what is driving renewables and clean energy, not government policy, carbon taxes, paid protesters, activists, first nations objectors etc. It will happen, and IS happening when it makes economic sense. Too bad they don't show a fair price for coal without carbon capture. Thank you for posting something constructive.

[chuckChuck]

Thanks Alberta 5. I couldn't find the costs for existing coal. They are likely to be significantly cheaper than new plants. In Saskatchewan some of the coal generation is nearing its lifespan end, so new or refurbished is the appropriate comparison. This LCOE is just a guideline to show the differences. It is really difficult to come to firm conclusions as the costs vary so much depending on so many factors.

The interesting thing is if there is a switch over to gas the costs of renewables start to look like a good investment as their LCOE is getting close to gas and way cheaper than coal with carbon capture and storage. Renewables cannot cover all the base load requirements but they can provide a lot of capacity. Gas and renewables together work well because gas can be ramped up quickly when wind and solar are in low production.

The take away from the LCOE is the costs of wind and solar are getting very competitive very fast especailly when you look at building or refurbishing new capacity.

[riders2010]

That is good info, and an eyeopener!

[oneoff]

The figures will look even better when there is an additional carbon tax for "dispatchable technologies". And "intermittent resources" such as wind and solar will be seen as still more important than the base load providers (which incidently won't be wind or solar)

With all that made abundantly clear then the focus can be on shutting down the energy sources for residential, commercial and industrial production. Remember who said electricity was too costly for heating. We will also have time to ponder additional EIA "Campaigns". That government organization has agendas as well as providing data. And for those who understand accounting and spinning data and extrapolating conclusions into the future; you'll understand what constitutes a "mild winter in the USA" and how nothing more about the economy needs to be mentioned. (eg moving manufacturing to other countries or dozens of other factors affecting production and holidays and travel and lifestyle habits that come to mind.


And we can then quote EIA data to show that last years energy usage in the USA was the lowest since 1991. Guess what it attributed too. Only a mild winter.

I still say the sort of uncontrolled population explosion is something that is going to catch EIA attention long after it should have been identified as the main source of straining the capability of world resources to sustain it.

But that might strike a nerve in those who want it to be dirty coal and tarsands and Monsanto that have ruined the world environment

And until all the factors are put out for scutiny; I'm in no mood to swallow solutions of selfies and instant experts who see themselves as none of the problem and maybe 100% of the solutions (or vice versa maybe).

[oneoff]

Narrowing down the choices

Categories are created

N/A of course means "Not Available" ie. no grants, gifts subsidies or recognition; but only for a whole class of out of favor conventional and present day essential energy production

N/B means "non to be built" so they are non starters that are not a part of the equation nor worthy of any comment. CSS or I guess "carbon capture" falls in there. Also Nuclear. No further mention needed.

And then you don't mention the insurance (or at least some reserve) established for hailstones and clearing the snow from solar panels. I know this is important because the satellite dish still hasn't recovered from yesterdays snow accumulation. And it would take a fleet of willing workers to clean acres of a "utility grade" solar array.
And yes all those EIA figures are for General Electric and "Vertis" type wind manufacturers, and probably exclude Chines solar panel manufacturers subject to 286% tariffs; and investors who demand 20% plus returns. Also all the guarantees and under table assurances that desperate politicians will agree to to get their name and a place in history on a popular unproven undertaking.

Common sense has partially returned. I detect a recognition of the necessity for natural gas fired duplication of capacity. Nothing like excess capacity that is not even "on demand" and dependable when most needed. That isn't the definition of efficiency; more like duplication and complication of existing infrastructure and distribution networks

Oh soon we forget that a whopping 9% expectation of current electrical production requirement (years down the road)....are only on the books and in the minds of prophets.... and still yet to be constructed and commissioned.

As has been said...there is time for several elections and prospect of sky rocketing heating; fuel and electrical charges that may not be affordable nor popular.

[oneoff]

Still waiting for the coal analysis figures...and one would think that considering it; along with nuclear and actually all fossil fueled energy are the targets to wipe out...one would think that in fairness that information should be front and center.

And the deafening silence of only five responses to this thread is an indication of how tired we are of decisions already made before sober responses are made.