Inevitable Decoding Coal Dispatch with RMI
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Aug 5, 2024 Joe Daniel, a Principal on the Carbon-Free Electricity Team at RMI, dives into the intricate world of coal's impact on the US electric grid. He explains the concept of non-economic dispatch, where coal plants operate despite being less cost-effective, disrupting energy efficiency. The discussion highlights how information asymmetry hinders renewables while Joe introduces tools like RMI's Economic Dispatch Hub aimed at facilitating a fair transition to cleaner energy. Insights on coal's declining role amidst rising renewables make for an engaging and enlightening conversation.
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Coal's Decline
- Coal's share of electricity dropped rapidly starting in 2005 due to several factors.
- These factors included natural gas prices, federal regulations, and advocacy efforts.
Coal Plant Flexibility
- Coal plants can cycle, operating between a minimum and maximum level.
- They can often operate below the assumed 50% minimum, sometimes as low as 20-30%.
Merit Order Explained
- The "merit order" prioritizes electricity resources based on their short-run marginal cost.
- Lower cost resources are used first.