gCO2kWh

gCO2/kWh is a metric used to estimate the greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) of an electricity generation source over a unit of electrical energy produced. The term is derived from grams of carbon dioxide per kilowatt-hour.

This metric is a useful tool for policy makers, investors, and the general public to quickly compare the environmental impacts of different power generation sources. The gCO2/kWh value is typically calculated based on the type of fuel used, the energy conversion efficiency, and other factors relevant to the power plant or energy source.

For example, natural gas power plants usually have a lower gCO2/kWh value compared to coal-fired power plants, primarily because combustion of natural gas releases fewer GHG emissions. By contrast, nuclear power plants tend to have a higher gCO2/kWh value, primarily due to the carbon footprint associated with uranium mining, transportation, and enrichment processes.

Worldwide, there is a growing trend to use gCO2/kWh and other GHG indicators in transparency initiatives and green energy certifications. The assessments and research in this field generally emphasize the accuracy of methods and origins of information and computing systems due to fluctuations in local and global economy which can impact emissions from production and transportation.

While gCO2/kWh has its limitations as a direct measure of climate change effects, it has become an essential tool for informing sustainable decision-making at the global level. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other international organizations have published user guides that summarize calculation methods for deriving this metric.

As for areas of ongoing development and research, maintaining up-to-date information on emitters and plant capacities will continue to be critical to ensuring accurate assessments and transparent computation of these metrics.