Emily Holbrook
Duke Energy, in its 13th annual Sustainability Report, states that it’s owned and purchased renewable energy (wind, solar, biomass and hydroelectric power) was equivalent to roughly 9.3% of its generation mix in 2018 – reflecting an 11% increase compared to 2017.
The report also notes how the utility is investing more in energy storage. The company is looking to install more than 400 megawatts (MW) of battery storage over the next 15 years. Today, work is underway at the Bad Creek Hydroelectric Station in South Carolina to increase its pumped storage output by more than 300 MW.
Among the highlights in this year’s report:
- In the six states where Duke Energy has retail electric customers, the company’s electric rates were below the national averages, according to data from the Edison Electric Institute.
- Duke Energy relies on a balanced energy mix that includes carbon-free nuclear, lower-cost natural gas, hydroelectric and coal. In 2018, nearly 38% of the energy produced by the company was carbon-free.
- The company’s use of coal has dropped more than 50% from 2008 to 2018 – from 63 million tons annually to 29 million tons. The use of cleaner-burning and lower-cost natural gas has spurred much of that reduction.
- Duke Energy’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions remained roughly flat in 2018 – despite producing 2% more energy versus the previous year. The company’s carbon intensity, the amount of CO2 produced per kilowatt-hour generated, fell 2% from the previous year. Overall, the company’s carbon emissions have dropped 31% since 2005.
- Duke Energy established new goals in the report. One is to reduce water withdrawals by its generation fleet by 1 trillion gallons by 2030 – compared to its 2016 mark of 5.34 trillion gallons.
The 4th Annual Environmental Leader & Energy Manager Conference takes place May 13 – 15, 2019 in Denver. Learn more here.
