Big Stone Ii Power Plant And Transmission Project

America has officially entered the “coal cost crossover” – where existing coal is increasingly more expensive than cleaner alternatives. Today, local wind and solar could replace approximately 74 percent of the U.S. coal fleet at an immediate savings to customers. By 2025, this number grows to 86 percent of the coal fleet. This analysis complements existing research into the costs of clean energy undercutting coal costs, by focusing on which coal plants could be replaced locally (within 35 miles of the existing coal plant) at a saving. It suggests local decision-makers should consider plans for a smooth shut-down of these old plants—assessing their options for reliable replacement of that electricity, as well as financial options for communities dependent on those plants. This report should begin a longer conversation about the most cost-effective replacement for coal, which may include combinations of local or remote wind, solar, transmission, storage, and demand response.

This is a print on demand edition of a hard to find publication. Analyzes the factors that determine the cost of electricity from new power plants. These factors -- including construction costs, fuel expense, environ. regulations, and financing costs -- can all be affected by government, energy, environmental, and economic policies. Contents: (1) Intro. and Org.; (2) Types of Generating Technologies: Electricity Demand and Power Plant Choice and Operation; Utility Scale Generating Technologies; (3) Factors that Drive Power Plant Costs; (4) Fuel Costs. Appendixes: Power Generation Technology Process Diagrams and Images; Estimates of Power Plant Overnight Costs; Estimates of Technology Costs and Efficiency with Carbon Capture; Financial and Operating Assumptions. Charts and tables.