Peak demand power plants, known as peakers, are part of the U.S. energy infrastructure. They generally operate at times during the day when cooling and heating needs are the highest among households. Peakers are used to supplement other types of power plants, such as baseload and intermediate plants Contact online >>
Peak demand power plants, known as peakers, are part of the U.S. energy infrastructure. They generally operate at times during the day when cooling and heating needs are the highest among households. Peakers are used to supplement other types of power plants, such as baseload and intermediate plants that supply a more consistent amount of electricity to meet demand throughout the day.
Note: A plant’s capacity factor is the percent of energy produced of the total energy that could have been produced at continuous full power operation during a certain time frame.
There were 999 peakers in the U.S. in 2021, according to GAO''s analysis of the most recent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) data. Most of these peakers were fueled by natural gas. In 2021, peakers accounted for 3.1 percent of annual net electricity generation and 19 percent of total designed full-load sustained output for all power plants.
Peakers, and other plants, emit multiple pollutants associated with various negative health effects for the people exposed, according to EPA data and GAO''s review of selected studies. For instance, short-term exposure to sulfur dioxide, which peakers emit, can lead to harmful respiratory effects, such as decreased lung function, cough, chest tightness, and throat irritation.
Using a statistical analysis, GAO found that historically disadvantaged communities (i.e., census tracts with higher percentages of historically disadvantaged racial or ethnic populations) are associated with being closer to peakers. For example, based on GAO''s model, a community that is 71 percent historically disadvantaged is expected to be 9 percent closer to the nearest peaker than a community that is 40 percent historically disadvantaged. In addition, the model showed the estimated distance to the nearest peaker varies according to population density. Urban communities have smaller estimated distances to the nearest peaker compared with similar rural or suburban communities.
When operating, peakers emit pollutants like those from other power plants that use fossil fuels, such as nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide. According to EPA data, peakers operate less frequently overall than non-peakers, but when they do operate, they emit more pollution. For example, peakers'' total annual sulfur dioxide emissions were 96.8 percent lower than non-peakers, but the median peaker emitted 1.6 times more sulfur dioxide per unit of electricity generated than the median non-peaker. This increase may occur because peakers may not have effective, if any, emissions control technology.
Available alternatives, such as battery storage systems, could replace fossil-fueled peakers and decrease associated emissions. However, replacing peakers with alternatives has potential challenges including cost, reliability, and location, according to studies and stakeholders GAO interviewed.
Environmental advocacy groups, and some congressional leaders have expressed concerns that peakers may be less efficient than non-peakers, meaning peakers may expend more energy that is not converted into electricity than other types of plants. Further, due to the nature of their operations, peakers may also negatively affect the air quality in communities around the plants, which may be historically disadvantaged or disproportionately low-income.
GAO was asked to examine pollution from peakers across the nation. This report provides information on the number and location of peakers in the U.S., their proximity to historically disadvantaged or disproportionately low-income communities, to what extent they emit pollutants and how these pollutants affect the health of people exposed, and alternatives for replacing them. To perform this work, GAO analyzed data from EPA, the U.S. Department of Energy, and other sources, reviewed relevant literature, and interviewed federal officials and stakeholders from 19 state, industry, and nongovernmental organizations representing a diversity of perspectives about peakers.
Home > Initiatives > Phase Out Peakers > Peaker Plant Maps
Clean Energy Group''s Peaker Plant Mapping Tool allows users to access basic operating and emissions information for the U.S. fleet of fossil-fuel peaker power plants, along with demographic information about populations living near each power plant. Peaker plant demographic information can be viewed in three ways: Low Income Percentile, People of Color Percentile, and Demographic Index Percentile (average of Low Income and People of Color). The data indicates significant racial and economic disparities in the communities that are most burdened by peaker plant emissions.
All information included in the tool is based on data made available by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through the agency''s Power Plants and Neighboring Communities Mapping Tool (2021 operating and emission data).
Basic power plant information includes:
The tool defines a peaker power plant as any electricity generating facility with a capacity factor of less than or equal to 20 percent and a nameplate capacity of greater than or equal to 10 megawatts.
Annual emissions information is included for each power plant. Emissions are listed in both total tons of annual emission and the rate of emissions as measured in pounds per megawatt-hour (lb/MWh). Higher emissions rates may indicate older, less efficient power plants or dirtier fuel sources.
Emissions data includes:
Demographic data includes information about income levels and the racial diversity of people living within a three-mile radius of the power plant. While a three-mile radius can be indicative of populations most directly impacted by power plant emissions, the negative effects of air pollution can harm communities across a broader geographic region.
Demographic information includes:
Demographic information includes both percentages and percentiles for low-income, people of color, and demographic index. Percentiles represent the ranking of how common each percentage is across the country. For example, a population where 50 percent of residents are considered low-income would be in about the top 80th percentile in the U.S., meaning that 80 percent of communities across the country do not have as high a percentage of low-income residents. The higher the percentile, the higher the percentage of low-income and/or people of color relative to the rest of the country.
Clean Energy Group50 State StreetMontpelier, VT 05602
Email: [email protected]Phone: 802-223-2554
🛍️ Black Friday deals are popping! We have you covered with the best sales. 🛍️
Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday.
By signing up you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Akshaya Jha does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
The U.S. is nearing the end of one of its hottest summers on record. Across the nation, heat waves have driven peak electricity demand on some days to levels far exceeding seasonal averages.
About Natural gas peaker plants
As the photovoltaic (PV) industry continues to evolve, advancements in Natural gas peaker plants have become critical to optimizing the utilization of renewable energy sources. From innovative battery technologies to intelligent energy management systems, these solutions are transforming the way we store and distribute solar-generated electricity.
When you're looking for the latest and most efficient Natural gas peaker plants for your PV project, our website offers a comprehensive selection of cutting-edge products designed to meet your specific requirements. Whether you're a renewable energy developer, utility company, or commercial enterprise looking to reduce your carbon footprint, we have the solutions to help you harness the full potential of solar energy.
By interacting with our online customer service, you'll gain a deep understanding of the various Natural gas peaker plants featured in our extensive catalog, such as high-efficiency storage batteries and intelligent energy management systems, and how they work together to provide a stable and reliable power supply for your PV projects.
