Methodology
GridCO2 builds a detailed model of the electricity grid, runs a power-flow simulation, and applies emission factors to the generation mix to calculate carbon intensity in grams of CO2 per kilowatt-hour (gCO2/kWh).
How it works
-
Grid
We map the physical electricity infrastructure into a graph of nodes and edges.
-
Demand & Supply
We connect demand and generation data to the graph to track where energy is produced and consumed.
-
Weather
Atmospheric forecasts drive our models that predict energy demand and the output of renewable power plants.
-
Power Flow
A power-flow model determines how electricity moves through the grid from generators to consumers.
-
Carbon Intensity
We apply emission factors to the resulting generation mix to calculate the carbon intensity in grams of CO2 per kilowatt-hour.
Carbon intensity
Grams of CO2 per kilowatt-hour (gCO2/kWh) measures the carbon emitted for each unit of electricity consumed. This value is derived from direct operational factors that account for fuel combustion and excludes lifecycle emissions.
Resources
Each resource represents a generation technology. The following are currently included:
- Bioenergy
- Coal
- Gas
- Geothermal
- Hydropower
- Nuclear
- Oil
- Solar
- Wind