Higher energy related emissions in 2013

According to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), US energy related carbon dioxide emissions increased by 129 million t in 2013 (2.5%), the largest increase since 2010 and the fourth largest increase since 1990. Emissions trends reflect a combination of economic factors, energy intensity, and carbon intensity.

In the decade prior to 2013, energy intensity decreased on average 2.0%/y; given that it increased by 0.5% in 2013, this meant there was a 2.5% swing compared to trend. Energy intensity changes can reflect weather variations that directly affect energy use for heating and cooling as well as changes in the composition of economic activity. Heating degree days, a measure of heating requirements, increased approximately 19% between 2012 and 2013. As compared to the 2003 – 2012 trend, the increase in energy intensity added approximately 134 million t.

Carbon intensity declined by 0.3% in 2013, but as this decline was less than the previous decade, it led to an increase of approximately 29 million t of emissions as compared to trend. One factor driving carbon intensity lower has been the changing fuel mix in the electric power sector. The share of electricity generated from natural gas and renewables generally increased while the share from coal decreased through 2012, when natural gas prices fell to their lowest level in more than a decade following a mild winter. With higher natural gas prices in 2013, coal’s generation share rose from 39% in 2012 to 40% in 2013, slowing the rate of carbon intensity reduction.

Growth in per capita output in 2013 contributed 38 million t over trend as it was greater than the average rate over the previous decade. Slower population growth (0.7% put slight downward pressure on emissions growth as compared to the previous decade. Without slower population growth, 2013 emissions would have been approximately 8 million t higher.

Adapted from a press release by Emma McAleavey.

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/gas-processing/23102014/higher-energy-related-emissions-1476/