Helena Joyce
Electricity generation is a major contributor to pollution, with over 40% of energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions stemming from the burning of fossil fuels in power plants. In 2021, CO2 accounted for about 80% of greenhouse gas emissions, with more than 90% of those CO2 emissions resulting from the combustion of fossil fuels for energy. The burning of fossil fuels for electricity is one of the primary human activities contributing to greenhouse gas emissions, with carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, and other gases leading to global warming and climate change. While clean electricity is becoming more available, much of our daily energy still comes at a social cost.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions due to burning fossil fuels for electricity generation | 40% |
| Percentage of global electricity that relies on sources emitting carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases (GHGs) | 63.3% |
| Percentage of U.S. electricity generated from natural gas, coal, and other petroleum products in 2021 | 38%, 22%, and 1% |
| Percentage of CO2 emissions from the electric power sector in 2021 that came from burning fossil fuels | 90% |
| Percentage of CO2 emissions from the electric power sector in 2021 that came from coal-fired generation | 60% |
| Percentage of CO2 emissions decline in the electric power sector attributed to the switch from coal to natural gas | 66% |
| Percentage of CO2 emissions decline in the electric power sector attributed to increased generation from renewable sources | 33% |
| Percentage of electricity generated from wind and solar in the renewable sector | 13% |
| CO2 emissions from U.S. electricity generation in 2023 | 1.53 billion metric tons |
| CO2 emissions from U.S. electricity generation in 2023 (in short tons) | 1.69 billion |
| CO2 emissions per kWh of electricity generated in the U.S. in 2023 | 0.81 pounds |
| CO2 emissions from nuclear power per kWh of electricity produced | 12 grams |
| CO2 emissions from nuclear power per kWh of electricity produced (UNECE estimate) | 5.1-6.4 grams |
| Percentage of expected decline in CO2 emissions from the electric power sector by 2032 | 60% |
| Percentage of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions from the commercial and residential sectors that include indirect emissions from electricity end-use | 75% |
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What You'll Learn
Fossil fuels and electricity generation
Fossil fuels are a major source of energy for electricity generation, and this has a significant impact on the environment. In 2022, about 62% of total electricity generation in the United States was produced from fossil fuels, and over 40% of energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are due to the burning of these fuels for electricity generation. Worldwide emissions of CO2 from burning fossil fuels total about 34 billion tonnes per year, with coal being the largest contributor, followed by oil and gas.
The electric power sector is a large source of CO2 emissions, with power plants that burn fossil fuels or materials made from them being the source of about 31% of total US energy-related CO2 emissions in 2022. The combustion of these fuels releases harmful substances such as CO2, SO2, NOx, and PM, which contribute to air pollution and have negative impacts on human health and the environment. SO2 causes acid rain, which is harmful to plants and aquatic life, and worsens respiratory illnesses and heart diseases, especially in children and the elderly. NOx emissions contribute to ground-level ozone, which irritates and damages the lungs, and can make plants more susceptible to disease and harsh weather conditions. PM results in hazy conditions and, together with ozone, contributes to respiratory issues such as asthma and chronic bronchitis.
Mercury is another hazardous pollutant emitted by power plants, affecting the nervous system and brain functions, especially in infants and children. Additionally, ash, the solid residue from burning solid fuels, poses risks to groundwater if not properly disposed of. While nuclear power plants do not produce greenhouse gases or pollutants like SO2 and NOx, they do generate radioactive waste that requires specialized storage and disposal methods.
The transition to cleaner sources of electricity, such as hydropower, nuclear power, and renewable energy sources, is underway in countries like Canada and the US. This transition is expected to bring environmental, climatic, and human health benefits, but it is a challenging process. Efforts to capture and store CO2 emissions from large plants, known as carbon capture and storage (CCS), have faced technical and economic challenges, and the increase in fuel needs and electricity prices must be considered. Nonetheless, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution from electricity generation remains a crucial goal to mitigate climate change and protect public health.
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Nuclear power emissions
Nuclear power has been a key component of global electricity generation for the past 50 years. Nuclear power plants produce no direct greenhouse gas emissions during operation, and nuclear energy has avoided about 55–60 gigatonnes of CO2 emissions over the past five decades. This is nearly equal to two years' worth of global energy-related CO2 emissions.
Nuclear energy has been pivotal in reducing emissions in countries like France, which generates over 70% of its electricity from nuclear power. France's electricity sector emissions are one-sixth of the European average, demonstrating the effectiveness of nuclear energy in mitigating climate change.
However, the entire life cycle of a nuclear power plant, from uranium extraction to nuclear waste storage, must be considered when assessing emissions. Uranium extraction, transport, and processing produce emissions, and the long and complex construction process of nuclear power plants can also release significant CO2. Similarly, the demolition of decommissioned sites and the transportation and storage of nuclear waste contribute to emissions.
Studies that encompass the full life cycle of nuclear power plants are scarce, but some researchers have attempted to quantify their emissions. The Netherlands-based World Information Service on Energy (WISE), an anti-nuclear group, calculated that nuclear plants produce 117 grams of CO2 emissions per kilowatt-hour. Other studies, such as one by Mark Z. Jacobson of Stanford University, estimated a range of 68 to 180 grams of CO2 per kilowatt-hour, depending on the electricity mix used in uranium production and other variables.
While nuclear power does have associated emissions, it is still considered a climate-friendly way to generate electricity. Nuclear power can directly replace fossil fuel plants, avoiding the combustion of fossil fuels and their associated emissions. Nuclear power plants are reliable and can be deployed on a large scale, making them a crucial component of global efforts to combat climate change.
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Carbon capture and storage
The burning of fossil fuels for electricity generation accounts for over 40% of energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. In 2023, utility-scale electric power plants that burned coal, natural gas, or petroleum were the source of about 60% of total annual U.S. utility-scale electricity net generation, but they accounted for 99% of the associated CO2 emissions. In 2022, the U.S. electric power industry accounted for about 33% of total U.S. energy-related CO2 emissions, while the electric power sector accounted for about 31%.
CCS is a three-step process: capturing CO2, transporting it, and storing it. During capture, CO2 is captured at emission sources, such as power plants or industrial plants that make cement, steel, and chemicals. Most current carbon capture projects use a liquid to chemically remove the CO2 before it exits the smokestack. The captured CO2 is then compressed and transported to a storage site, generally through a pipeline. Ship transport is more expensive but is being considered in Europe and Japan.
At the storage site, the CO2 is pumped more than 2,500 feet down wells into geological formations like used-up oil and gas reservoirs, as well as formations that contain salty water. Saline aquifers, such as the proposed Endurance site for the Zero Carbon Humber project in the UK, can store very large amounts of CO2. Mineral storage, where captured CO2 is reacted with naturally occurring iron, magnesium, and calcium minerals, is another option. These minerals are very abundant and stable, preventing the re-release of CO2 into the atmosphere. However, these reactions are very slow under normal conditions, and speeding them up requires more energy.
While CCS has been proven effective, it is difficult and expensive to implement. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates that a power plant with CCS would require 25-40% more fuel, likely doubling electricity prices. Despite these challenges, CCS is an important technology for reducing CO2 emissions and mitigating climate change.
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Renewable energy sources
Electricity generated from renewable sources such as solar, wind, and geothermal energy generally does not contribute to climate change or local air pollution. This is because no fuels are burned in the process of generating electricity from these sources, meaning there are no leftover gases emitted during energy production.
Wind power is the largest producer of renewable electricity in the UK and the US. Onshore and offshore wind farms generate electricity by spinning the blades of wind turbines, which convert the kinetic energy of the spinning blades into electric energy. This electricity is then fed into the national grid. While wind power is an extremely clean energy source, it does have some environmental impacts, including land usage, habitat disruption, and bird deaths. However, the benefits of wind power are thought to outweigh these drawbacks when compared to the environmental impact of fossil fuels.
Solar power is the most abundant energy resource and can be harnessed even in cloudy weather. Solar technologies convert sunlight into electrical energy through photovoltaic panels or mirrors that concentrate solar radiation. The cost of manufacturing solar panels has decreased dramatically in recent years, making solar power one of the cheapest forms of electricity.
Hydropower is the largest source of renewable energy in the electricity sector. It harnesses the energy of water moving from higher to lower elevations in reservoirs and rivers. While hydropower relies on stable rainfall patterns, it can be negatively impacted by climate-induced droughts or changes to ecosystems. The infrastructure needed to create hydropower can also adversely impact ecosystems.
Bioenergy is generated when organic matter, such as plants, timber, or food waste, is burned as fuel. Carbon dioxide is emitted during the creation of bioenergy, but these fuel sources are considered renewable because they can be regrown, and they absorb as much carbon as they emit over their lifespans. However, burning solid waste to generate electricity can create air pollution.
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Greenhouse gas emissions
The electricity sector is a primary source of greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for over 40% of energy-related emissions. In 2018, the electricity and heat sectors emitted 15.59 billion tonnes of CO2, significantly higher than any other sector. The United States, in particular, has high emissions, with utility-scale electric power plants that burned fossil fuels accounting for about 99% of associated CO2 emissions in 2023. In 2022, the U.S. electric power industry contributed about 33% of total energy-related CO2 emissions, while the electric power sector accounted for 31%.
Commercial, residential, and industrial activities also significantly contribute to greenhouse gas emissions when indirect emissions from electricity use are considered. Buildings in the United States consume 75% of the electricity generated, primarily for heating, ventilation, air conditioning, lighting, and appliances. The industrial sector's emissions increase when electricity use for powering machinery is included. Similarly, agricultural activities that rely on electricity for powering buildings and equipment contribute about 5% of direct emissions.
To address these emissions, there is a growing focus on decarbonizing the electricity sector. Nuclear power, for example, emits only a few grams of CO2 equivalent per kWh of electricity produced, similar to wind power and lower than solar. The shift from coal-fired generation to natural gas and the increasing adoption of renewable sources, such as wind and solar, have contributed to a downward trend in emissions. From 2005 to 2022, coal-fired generation declined by 55%, and wind and solar generation increased from less than 1% to nearly 13% of total generation.
Additionally, proposals for carbon capture and storage (CCS) aim to capture CO2 emissions from power stations and inject them underground. However, this technology is currently challenging and expensive to implement. Overall, reducing electricity consumption and transitioning to clean and renewable energy sources are crucial steps in mitigating the environmental and human impacts of greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generation.
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Frequently asked questions
Fossil fuels are the primary source of electricity that produces pollution. In 2022, about 35% of the world's electricity came from burning coal, which is one of the most greenhouse gas-intensive energy sources in the world. Oil and gas are other fossil fuels that produce electricity and contribute to pollution.
The combustion gases produced by burning fossil fuels contain harmful pollutants such as carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and sulphur dioxide (SO2). These gases contribute to the greenhouse effect, acid rain, and ground-level ozone, which have negative impacts on the environment and human health.
Transitioning to renewable and clean energy sources, such as wind, solar, hydropower, and nuclear power, can significantly reduce pollution associated with electricity generation. Additionally, improving the efficiency of power plants, implementing emission control technologies, and investing in new renewable energy sources are also effective ways to reduce pollution from electricity generation.
