• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Corporate News
  • Generation
  • Oil & Gas
  • Regulation
  • Renewable
    • Climate
    • Solar
    • Wind
  • Storage
  • Tech
  • T & D
Energy News Desk Logo

Energy News Desk

Energy News and Data

EIA's AEO2021 shows U.S. energy-related CO2 emissions rising after the mid-2030s

February 11, 2021 by EIA Gov

February 11, 2021U.S. energy-related co2 emissions


In the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) Annual Energy Outlook 2021 (AEO2021), EIA projects that U.S. energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions will decline for most years through the mid-2030s but then begin to rise slightly from the mid-2030s through 2050. In the AEO2021 Reference case, EIA projects that, by 2050, U.S. energy-related CO2 emissions will be 5% higher than 2020 levels.

EIA projects that decreases in CO2 emissions through the mid-2030s will largely be a result of changes in the carbon intensity (carbon dioxide per British thermal unit) of the fuel mix, especially in the electric power sector. EIA projects the mix of fuels used to generate electricity to continue to transition from relatively carbon-intensive coal to less carbon-intensive sources, such as natural gas, and carbon-free renewable energy.

EIA projects that U.S. energy-related CO2 emissions will increase in the latter years of the projection as a result of increasing economic growth that leads to growing industrial energy requirements. EIA projects energy use in transportation will increase as vehicle fuel efficiency plateaus in the mid-2020s and becomes outweighed by increases in vehicle travel demand.

EIA’s projections of energy-related CO2 emissions are greatly influenced by economic growth assumptions as represented in the AEO2021 side cases. The High Economic Growth case represents the largest projected increase in energy-related CO2 emissions, and the Low Economic Growth case represents the lowest growth in emissions, which results in a 20% difference between the two cases in 2050.

EIA’s assumptions related to domestic oil and natural gas supply also affect emissions projections. U.S. energy-related CO2 emissions increase in the High Oil and Gas Supply Case because natural gas is assumed to be more abundant, less expensive, and therefore more competitive with renewable energy sources. In the Low Oil and Gas Supply case, domestic resources are assumed to be limited, and natural gas is more expensive than and less competitive with renewables.

EIA’s renewable cost assumptions affect emissions projections as well. Emissions increase in the High Renewables Cost case because renewables are relatively less economically competitive with fossil fuels, especially natural gas. In the Low Renewables Cost case, relatively lower renewables costs lead to a larger renewables share of the total electricity generation mix.

Principal contributors: Perry Lindstrom, Kevin Nakolan

Original source: EIA.gov

Filed Under: Breaking

Primary Sidebar

Join The Daily Charge

This week's top 5 stories in your inbox. No spam ever.

Trending

  • Vineyard Wind Appoints Oytan as Deputy CEO
  • Takkion Holdings Adds O&M Solutions Provider to Offerings
  • Emerson Acquires Open Systems Int. Inc.
  • NV Energy Receives PUCN Approval for Solar+Storage Projects
  • Billions Could Live in Extreme Heat Zones Within Decades, Study Finds
  • eia.gov logo Growth in India's LNG imports will depend on completion of connecting pipelines
  • National Grid, TenneT Partner to Explore Interconnectivity of British, Dutch Wind Farms
  • Homeowners associations still a barrier for some would-be solar customers
  • Enel Green Power Starts Construction on Azure Sky Solar Project
  • First Semi-Submersible Floating Wind Farm is Fully Operational

Footer

Trending

  • Vineyard Wind Appoints Oytan as Deputy CEO
  • Takkion Holdings Adds O&M Solutions Provider to Offerings
  • Emerson Acquires Open Systems Int. Inc.
  • NV Energy Receives PUCN Approval for Solar+Storage Projects
  • Billions Could Live in Extreme Heat Zones Within Decades, Study Finds

Recent

  • Quick Tips To A Sustainable Future
  • Stem Provides Smart Energy Storage Solutions to Today’s Power
  • EIA's AEO2021 shows U.S. energy-related CO2 emissions rising after the mid-2030s
  • Homeowners associations still a barrier for some would-be solar customers
  • Commentary: With open standards, U.S. can build EV charging infrastructure faster

Search

Contact Us

Write For Us

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2023 · EnergyNewsDesk.com