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Electricity

The electricity sector is responsible for about one third of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions and 40 percent of total carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. These emissions come from the combustion of fossil fuels, especially coal and natural gas, for electricity generation. Other sources of electricity include nuclear power and renewable sources, such as hydropower, wind, solar, and geothermal. Greenhouse gas emission reductions can be achieved both by changes to the energy supply (switching from a high-carbon to a low- or zero-carbon technology or fuel) and to demand (improving energy efficiency and reducing consumption in sectors where electricity is used).

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Electricity Overview
A snapshot of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, global context, and mitigation opportunities for the electricity sector
Anaerobic Digesters
Biological and mechanical systems to capture greenhouse gases from certain industrial and agricultural operations
Buildings Overview
An introduction to the factors that affect building-related greenhouse gas emissions.
Building Envelope
The interface between the building's interior and the environment, e.g., walls and windows
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)
Technology to capture, transport, and store carbon dioxide emissions
Energy Storage
Introduction to existing and emerging energy storage options for electricity
Enhanced Geothermal Systems
Advanced methods for generating electricity using the earth’s heat.
Geothermal Energy
Focus on conventional methods of generating electricity from the earth's heat
Hydropower
Overview of hydroelectric generation and storage technologies
Nuclear Power
An overview on the use of nuclear power for electricity generation
Solar Power
Technologies include photovoltaics (PV) and concentrated solar power
Wind Power
Small- and large-scale wind turbines can be used to harness the wind's power

Pew Resources: Electricity

The 10-50 Solution: Options for a Low-Carbon Future, 2005

Addressing Emissions from Coal Use in Power Generation, 2008 

Climate Change 101: Technology, 2009 

Climate Data: A Sectoral Perspective, 2005

Coal and Climate Change Facts, 2008 

Coal Initiative Reports White Paper Series 

Developing Countries & Global Climate Change

MAP: State Carbon Cap or Offset Requirement for Power Plants

MAP: State Energy Efficiency Resource Standards

MAP: State Governments Purchasing Green Power

MAP: State Green Pricing Programs 

MAP: State Net Metering Programs

MAP: State Public Benefit Funds

MAP: State Renewable Portfolio Standards

Race to the Top: The Expanding Role of U.S. State Renewable Portfolio Standards, 2006 

Towards a Climate-Friendly Built Environment, 2005 

U.S. Energy Scenarios for the 21st Century, 2003 

The U.S. Electric Power Sector and Climate Change Mitigation, 2005 

Wind and Solar Electricity: Challenges and Opportunities, 2009

Additional Resources

American Physical Society, Energy = Future: Think Efficiency, 2008 

Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), Reports from the Energy Technology Assessment Center

  • Integrated Generation Technology
  • The Power to Reduce CO2 Emissions: the Full Portfolio

InterAcademy Council (IAC), Lighting the Way: Toward a Sustainable Energy Future, 2007

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Climate Change 2007: Mitigation, Contribution of Working Group III to the Fourth Assessment Report, 2007

International Energy Agency (IEA), Energy Technology Perspective 2008: Scenarios and Strategies to 2050, 2008 

Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions and the Center on Global Change, Duke University, A Convenient Guide to Climate Change Policy and Technology, 2007 

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)

U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), Power to Change: A Business Contribution to a Low-Carbon Electricity Future, 2008