Appendix A. Energy Sources Used Within Connecticut and Estimated Future Availability.

Energy Source

Current Use for Electric Generation

Estimated Future Availability

Issues Re: Use/Availability

Coal

2 coal-fired electric generating facilities supply 566 MW -- ~9% of Connecticut's electric generation capacity

current U.S. reserves expected to last 240+ years -- represents one-quarter of world's estimated recoverable coal

relatively high facility installation expense and concern about air emissions; supplied via rail transport; clean-coal technology being researched

Petroleum

46 oil-fired electric generating facilities (some of which can also burn natural gas) supplying 2,706 MW -- 43% of Connecticut's capacity

current U.S. reserves expected to last 70 years, -- represents ~2% of known world reserves; 60% of oil used in the U.S. is imported

volatility of crude oil market discourages reliance as sole fuel source for new generation; vulnerable to market manipulation by foreign nations

Natural Gas

53 natural gas-fired electric generating units (some of which can also burn oil) supplying 724 MW -- 11% of Connecticut's capacity

approved projects could add 2,642 MW, while other projects under discussion total 5,000+ MW

current U.S. reserves expected to last 71 years; large percent of recent capacity increases in New England are from Canada; potential capacity of 11,896 MW in New England for new generation

high efficiency, cleaner emissions, and relatively low capital cost per kWh; less impact on air quality than coal or oil, but there are concerns about future NOx and CO₂ limits; potential for over-dependence and lack of fuel diversity; effects of competition from other uses on supply

Nuclear

2 operational units capable of supplying 2,017 MW -- ~32% of Connecticut's capacity

accounted for 45% of capacity in 1996; estimated to be 1,146 MW or 21% of projected capacity in 2015 (unit providing 840 MW scheduled to retire then)

no new capacity planned in CT, but nuclear power being considered in draft national energy policy

zero-air-emission generation source; costs for scheduled and unscheduled outages; waste storage, transport, and disposal issues; public safety; security; facility costs

Hydroelectric

39 hydroelectric facilities supplying 151 MW -- 2% of Connecticut's capacity

115 MW of capacity undergoing relicensing review

previously viewed as clean, renewable source, but increasing scrutiny by recreational/environmental groups re: effects of dams; relative cost; lack of sites

Distributed generation

can provide energy, cogeneration, and emergency power -- combined heat and power, standby power, peak shaving, grid support, and stand alone generation

current sources include reciprocating engines and small combustion turbines; emerging technologies close to being economically viable include microturbines, fuel cells, wind turbines, and photovoltaics

obstacles include lack of technology maturation, cost associated with economy of scale, and regulatory barriers (e.g., interconnection requirements, permitting and siting, code compliance); advantages include location within load pockets, secured at customer site, and less reliant on transmission infrastructure

CLASS I Renewables

currently 8.3MW

CLASS II Renewables

currently 1,274 MW

MW = megawatts

Source of data: Connecticut Siting Council, Review of the Connecticut Electric Utilities' Twenty-Year Forecasts of Loads and Resources (October 2001).