The Emissions & Generation Resource Integrated Database (eGRID) is a comprehensive source of data on the environmental characteristics of almost all
electric power
Electric power is the rate at which electrical energy is transferred by an electric circuit. The SI unit of power is the watt, one joule per second. Standard prefixes apply to watts as with other SI units: thousands, millions and billions o ...
generated in the United States. eGRID is issued by the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is an Independent agencies of the United States government, independent executive agency of the United States federal government tasked with environmental protection matters. President Richard Nixon pro ...
(EPA).
As of January 2022, the available editions of eGRID contain data for years 2020, 2019, 2018, 2016, 2014, 2012, 2010, 2009, 2007, 2005, 2004, and 1996 through 2000. eGRID is unique in that it links air emissions data with
electric generation data for United States power plants.
EPA – Clean Energy – EE Action Plan
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History
* eGRID2020 was released by EPA on January 27, 2022. It contains year 2020 data.
* eGRID2019 was released by EPA on February 23, 2021. It contains year 2019 data.
* eGRID2018 was released by EPA on January 28, 2020 and eGRID2018v2 was released on March 9, 2020. It contains year 2018 data.
* eGRID2016 was released by EPA on February 15, 2018. It contains year 2016 data.
* eGRID2014 was released by EPA on January 13, 2017. It contains year 2014 data.
* eGRID2012 was released by EPA on October 8, 2015. It is the 10th edition and contains year 2012 data.
* eGRID2010 Version 1.0 with year 2010 data was released on February 24, 2014.
* eGRID2009 Version 1.0, with year 2009 data was released on May 10, 2012.
* eGRID2007 Version 1.0 was released on February 23, 2011 and Version 1.1 was released May 20, 2011.
* eGRID2005 Version 1.0 was released in October 2008 and Version 1.1 was released in January 2009.
* eGRID2004 Version 1.0 was released in December 2006; Version 2.0 was released in early April 2007; and Version 2.1, was released in late April 2007 and updated for typos in May 2007.
* eGRID2000 Version 1.0 was released in December 2002; Version 2.0 was released in April 2003; and Version 2.01 was released in May 2003. (eGRID2000 replaced eGRID versions 1996 through 1998).
* eGRID1998 was released in March and September 2001.
* eGRID1997 was released in December 1999.
* eGRID1996 was first released in December 1998.
Data summary
eGRID data include emissions, different types of emission rates, electricity generation
Electricity generation is the process of generating electric power from sources of primary energy. For electric utility, utilities in the electric power industry, it is the stage prior to its Electricity delivery, delivery (Electric power transmi ...
, resource mix, and heat input. eGRID data also include plant
Plants are predominantly photosynthetic eukaryotes of the kingdom Plantae. Historically, the plant kingdom encompassed all living things that were not animals, and included algae and fungi; however, all current definitions of Plantae exclud ...
identification, location, and structural information. The emissions information in eGRID include carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide (chemical formula ) is a chemical compound made up of molecules that each have one carbon atom covalently double bonded to two oxygen atoms. It is found in the gas state at room temperature. In the air, carbon dioxide is transpar ...
(CO2), nitrogen oxides Nitrogen oxide may refer to a binary compound of oxygen and nitrogen, or a mixture of such compounds:
Charge-neutral
*Nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen(II) oxide, or nitrogen monoxide
*Nitrogen dioxide (), nitrogen(IV) oxide
*Nitrogen trioxide (), or ni ...
(NOx), sulfur dioxide
Sulfur dioxide (IUPAC-recommended spelling) or sulphur dioxide (traditional Commonwealth English) is the chemical compound with the formula . It is a toxic gas responsible for the odor of burnt matches. It is released naturally by volcanic activ ...
(SO2), mercury
Mercury commonly refers to:
* Mercury (planet), the nearest planet to the Sun
* Mercury (element), a metallic chemical element with the symbol Hg
* Mercury (mythology), a Roman god
Mercury or The Mercury may also refer to:
Companies
* Merc ...
(Hg), methane
Methane ( , ) is a chemical compound with the chemical formula (one carbon atom bonded to four hydrogen atoms). It is a group-14 hydride, the simplest alkane, and the main constituent of natural gas. The relative abundance of methane on Eart ...
(CH4)
nitrous oxide
(N2O),and carbon dioxide equivalent
Global warming potential (GWP) is the heat absorbed by any greenhouse gas in the atmosphere, as a multiple of the heat that would be absorbed by the same mass of carbon dioxide (). GWP is 1 for . For other gases it depends on the gas and the time ...
(CO2e). CO2, CH4, and N2O are greenhouse gases
A greenhouse gas (GHG or GhG) is a gas that absorbs and emits radiant energy within the thermal infrared range, causing the greenhouse effect. The primary greenhouse gases in Earth's atmosphere are water vapor (), carbon dioxide (), methane ...
(GHG) that contribute to global warming
In common usage, climate change describes global warming—the ongoing increase in global average temperature—and its effects on Earth's climate system. Climate change in a broader sense also includes previous long-term changes to E ...
or climate change
In common usage, climate change describes global warming—the ongoing increase in global average temperature—and its effects on Earth's climate system. Climate change in a broader sense also includes previous long-term changes to E ...
. NOx and SO2 contribute to unhealthy air quality and acid rain
Acid rain is rain or any other form of precipitation that is unusually acidic, meaning that it has elevated levels of hydrogen ions (low pH). Most water, including drinking water, has a neutral pH that exists between 6.5 and 8.5, but acid ...
in many parts of the country. eGRID's resource mix information includes the following fossil fuel
A fossil fuel is a hydrocarbon-containing material formed naturally in the Earth's crust from the remains of dead plants and animals that is extracted and burned as a fuel. The main fossil fuels are coal, oil, and natural gas. Fossil fuels m ...
resources: coal
Coal is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock, formed as rock strata called coal seams. Coal is mostly carbon with variable amounts of other elements, chiefly hydrogen, sulfur, oxygen, and nitrogen.
Coal is formed when dea ...
, oil
An oil is any nonpolar chemical substance that is composed primarily of hydrocarbons and is hydrophobic (does not mix with water) & lipophilic (mixes with other oils). Oils are usually flammable and surface active. Most oils are unsaturated ...
, gas
Gas is one of the four fundamental states of matter (the others being solid, liquid, and plasma).
A pure gas may be made up of individual atoms (e.g. a noble gas like neon), elemental molecules made from one type of atom (e.g. oxygen), or ...
, other fossil; nuclear resources; and the following renewable resources
A renewable resource, also known as a flow resource, is a natural resource which will replenish to replace the portion depleted by usage and consumption, either through natural reproduction or other recurring processes in a finite amount of ti ...
: hydroelectric
Hydroelectricity, or hydroelectric power, is electricity generated from hydropower (water power). Hydropower supplies one sixth of the world's electricity, almost 4500 TWh in 2020, which is more than all other renewable sources combined and ...
(water), biomass
Biomass is plant-based material used as a fuel for heat or electricity production. It can be in the form of wood, wood residues, energy crops, agricultural residues, and waste from industry, farms, and households. Some people use the terms bi ...
(including biogas
Biogas is a mixture of gases, primarily consisting of methane, carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulphide, produced from raw materials such as agricultural waste, manure, municipal waste, plant material, sewage, green waste and food waste. It is a ...
, landfill gas
Landfill gas is a mix of different gases created by the action of microorganisms within a landfill as they decompose organic waste, including for example, food waste and paper waste. Landfill gas is approximately forty to sixty percent methane, ...
and digester gas), wind
Wind is the natural movement of air or other gases relative to a planet's surface. Winds occur on a range of scales, from thunderstorm flows lasting tens of minutes, to local breezes generated by heating of land surfaces and lasting a few hou ...
, solar, and geothermal.
eGRID data is presented as an Excel
ExCeL London (an abbreviation for Exhibition Centre London) is an exhibition centre, international convention centre and former hospital in the Custom House area of Newham, East London. It is situated on a site on the northern quay of the ...
workbook with data worksheets and a table of contents. The eGRID workbook contains data at the unit, generator
Generator may refer to:
* Signal generator, electronic devices that generate repeating or non-repeating electronic signals
* Electric generator, a device that converts mechanical energy to electrical energy.
* Generator (circuit theory), an eleme ...
, and plant
Plants are predominantly photosynthetic eukaryotes of the kingdom Plantae. Historically, the plant kingdom encompassed all living things that were not animals, and included algae and fungi; however, all current definitions of Plantae exclud ...
levels and aggregated data by state, power control area, eGRID subregion, NERC region, and U.S. The workbook also includes a worksheet that displays the grid gross loss (%).
Additional documentation is also provided with each eGRID release such as,
Technical Guide (PDF)
Summary Tables
eGRID subregion map (JPG)
NERC region Map (JPG)
an
release notes (TXT)
These files are available as separate downloadable files or all of them are contained in a ZIP file. Similar files can be downloaded for a given year's eGRID release from EPA'
eGRID website
The primary data sources used for eGRID include data reported by electric generators t
EPA’s Clean Air Markets Division
(pursuant to 40 CFR Part 75) and to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).
Data use
eGRID data are used for carbon footprinting; emission reduction calculations; calculating indirect greenhouse gas emissions
Greenhouse gas emissions from human activities strengthen the greenhouse effect, contributing to climate change. Most is carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels: coal, oil, and natural gas. The largest emitters include coal in China and lar ...
fo
The Climate Registry
the California Climate Action Registry, California's Mandatory GHG emissions reporting program (Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006
The Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, or Assembly Bill (AB) 32, is a California State Law that fights global warming by establishing a comprehensive program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from all sources throughout the state. AB32 was c ...
, AB 32), and other GHG protocols; were used as the starting point for the new international carbon emissions database
CARMA
EPA tools and programs such a
Power Profiler
Portfolio Manager
th
th
th
and th
Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator
use eGRID. Other tools such as labeling/environmental disclosure, Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) and Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) attributes are supported by eGRID data. States also rely on eGRID data for electricity labeling (environmental disclosure programs), emissions inventories, and for policy decisions such as output based standards. eGRID is additionally used by nongovernmental organizations for tools and analysis by the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI), th
Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM)
the Rocky Mountain Institute
RMI (Rocky Mountain Institute) is an organization in the United States co-founded by Amory Lovins dedicated to research, publication, consulting, and lecturing in the field of sustainability, with a focus on profitable innovations for energy an ...
, the National Resource Defense Council (NRDC), th
Ozone Transport Commission (OTC)
Powerscorecard.org
and th
Greenhouse Gas Protocol Initiative
In 2010
Executive Order 13514
was issued, requiring Federal agencies to “measure, report, and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions from direct and indirect activities.”
Th
Federal GHG Accounting and Reporting Guidance
accompanied this order and recommended using eGRID non-baseload emission rates to estimate the Scope 2 (indirect) emission reductions from renewable energy.
See also
*Air pollution
Air pollution is the contamination of air due to the presence of substances in the atmosphere that are harmful to the health of humans and other living beings, or cause damage to the climate or to materials. There are many different types ...
*Combined Heat and Power (CHP)
Cogeneration or combined heat and power (CHP) is the use of a heat engine or power station to generate electricity and useful heat at the same time.
Cogeneration is a more efficient use of fuel or heat, because otherwise- wasted heat from elect ...
*Combined cycle
A combined cycle power plant is an assembly of heat engines that work in tandem from the same source of heat, converting it into mechanical energy. On land, when used to make electricity the most common type is called a combined cycle gas turb ...
*Electric power
Electric power is the rate at which electrical energy is transferred by an electric circuit. The SI unit of power is the watt, one joule per second. Standard prefixes apply to watts as with other SI units: thousands, millions and billions o ...
*Electric utility
An electric utility is a company in the electric power industry (often a public utility) that engages in electricity generation and distribution of electricity for sale generally in a regulated market. The electrical utility industry is a major pr ...
*Electrical power industry
Electricity is the set of physical phenomena associated with the presence and motion of matter that has a property of electric charge. Electricity is related to magnetism, both being part of the phenomenon of electromagnetism, as described by ...
*Electricity generation
Electricity generation is the process of generating electric power from sources of primary energy. For electric utility, utilities in the electric power industry, it is the stage prior to its Electricity delivery, delivery (Electric power transmi ...
*External combustion engine
An external combustion engine (EC engine) is a reciprocating heat engine where a working fluid, contained internally, is heated by combustion in an external source, through the engine wall or a heat exchanger. The fluid then, by expanding and ...
*Gas turbine
A gas turbine, also called a combustion turbine, is a type of continuous flow internal combustion engine. The main parts common to all gas turbine engines form the power-producing part (known as the gas generator or core) and are, in the directi ...
*Power station
A power station, also referred to as a power plant and sometimes generating station or generating plant, is an industrial facility for the generation of electric power. Power stations are generally connected to an electrical grid.
Many p ...
*Renewable energy
Renewable energy is energy that is collected from renewable resources that are naturally replenished on a human timescale. It includes sources such as sunlight, wind, the movement of water, and geothermal heat. Although most renewable energy ...
*Steam turbine
A steam turbine is a machine that extracts thermal energy from pressurized steam and uses it to do mechanical work on a rotating output shaft. Its modern manifestation was invented by Charles Parsons in 1884. Fabrication of a modern steam turbin ...
References
External links
EIA’s Electricity Database Files
EPA’s Clean Air Markets - Data and Maps
EPA’s Clean Energy Homepage
EPA’s Climate Change Homepage
EPA's eGRID paper “How to use eGRID for Carbon Footprinting Electricity Purchases in Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventories”
EPA’s eGRID website (Data years 2018, 2016, 2014, 2012, 2010, 2009, 2007, 2005, and 2004)
EPA's Power Profiler
EPA’s Energy Star Portfolio Manager
EPA's Acid Rain Program
EPA's Combined Heat and Power Partnership Homepage
Executive Order 13514
Federal GHG Accounting and Reporting Guidance
Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator
Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM)
Ozone Transport Commission (OTC)
Personal Greenhouse Gas Emissions Calculator
Powerscorecard.org
World Business Council for Sustainable Development
World Resources Institute Homepage
{{DEFAULTSORT:Emissions and Generation Resource Integrated Database
Government databases in the United States
Electric power
Electric power companies of the United States
Air pollution