Methane Gas-Fired Electricity Generation Increased During Heat Waves in New England

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Electrical energy era utilizing fossil fuels elevated in New England to fulfill the extra air-conditioning demand throughout warmth waves in June and July. Pure gas-fired electrical energy era made up 56% of New England’s era combine throughout the week of the June 16 warmth wave, peaking at 61% on June 22. Between July 6 and 13, pure gas-fired electrical energy averaged 58% of the era combine. Regardless of the closure of the Mystic Generating Station in Massachusetts, pure gasoline accounted for extra of the era combine throughout each durations in contrast with the five-year (2019–23) common of 48% for the June 16–23 interval and 54% for July 6–13.

On July 10 in New England, 468,403 megawatthours (MWh) of electrical energy was generated, 31% greater than the earlier five-year common, and pure gas-fired era equipped greater than half of all of the electrical energy generated within the area. New England has extra pure gas-fired era capability than it does petroleum- or coal-fired era capability; nevertheless, use of each additionally elevated throughout the warmth waves to fulfill the rise in electrical energy demand.

Pure gasoline

In the course of the June and July warmth waves, extra pure gasoline was consumed in New England’s electrical energy sector than throughout the identical durations in any of the earlier 5 years. In the course of the week of June 16–23, the electrical energy sector in New England consumed a mean of 1.6 billion cubic ft per day (Bcf/d), in keeping with S&P International Commodity Insights. Consumption exceeded 2.0 Bcf/d on June 19 and June 20, placing these days among the many 15 days with probably the most pure gasoline consumed within the electrical energy sector in New England. In contrast with the June warmth wave, pure gasoline consumed for electrical energy era the week of July 6–13 remained comparatively regular, averaging 1.8 Bcf/d.

Petroleum and coal

Use in New England of petroleum and coal to generate electrical energy additionally elevated throughout each durations of sturdy electrical energy demand. Petroleum- and coal-fired era make up small percentages of all of the producing capability in New England and are used when electrical energy demand spikes below extraordinarily scorching or chilly circumstances. On July 11, coal-fired era made up 2% of the era provide combine, or 7,038 MWh, in contrast with a mean of 223 MWh within the first half of 2024.

Different sources of era

Electrical energy imported from Canada and from New York, in addition to use of renewable era, additionally elevated to fulfill rising air-conditioning demand in New England throughout the June and July warmth waves. In the course of the week in June, imports from New York and Canada accounted for 9% of the electrical energy combine; wind, photo voltaic, and hydropower era accounted for 12% of era; and nuclear accounted for 22%. In the course of the July warmth wave, electrical energy imports averaged 12%; wind, photo voltaic, and hydropower accounted for 11% of whole era; and nuclear era averaged 19% for the week.

Principal contributors: Katy Fleury, Scott Jell. Article first revealed on Today in Energy.