In a recent study published in the peer-reviewed journal Cell Reports Sustainability, the U.S. Department of Energy sheds light on the significant air quality and climate benefits of wind and solar energy. While previous research has outlined these advantages, this study offers a comprehensive update, considering recent changes in the electricity system and incorporating the latest health and climate impact research.
The findings reveal that in 2022, wind and solar generation collectively provided a substantial climate and health benefit, translating to 14.3¢/kWh-of-wind and 10.0¢/kWh-of-solar. Notably, these renewable sources helped prevent 1,200 to 1,600 premature mortalities in the United States in 2022 alone. The total benefits accrued from 2019 to 2022 amounted to an impressive $249 billion, underlining the profound impact of transitioning to cleaner energy sources.
Wind and solar power's contribution to air quality improvement and climate mitigation stems from their displacement of fossil fuel-based electricity generation. By employing a statistical model, the study demonstrates the reduction in natural gas and coal generation attributable to wind and solar, thus estimating the avoided emissions' dollar value. Regional analyses further elucidate how the location of renewable energy installations influences the distribution of benefits, with wind predominantly offsetting coal emissions in the central U.S., while solar focuses on reducing natural gas emissions in the Western U.S. and Texas.
Moreover, the study addresses various factors affecting benefit estimates, including interregional trade, methane emissions reduction, life-cycle emissions, and the potential impact of battery storage integration. Its approach, characterized by straightforward input data, facilitates annual updates and offers insights for broader application across different regions.
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| Figure 2: The proportion of benefits derived from each region, from coal and gas generation avoided, and from CO2, SO2, and NOx avoided differed for wind versus solar. Wind generation was more concentrated in the geographic center of the U.S., and offset slightly more coal than natural gas. Solar generation was concentrated in the Western U.S. and Texas, and offset slightly more natural gas than coal. Image from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. |
This research underscores the pivotal role of wind and solar energy in fostering environmental sustainability and public health improvement, reinforcing the imperative for continued investment in renewable energy infrastructure.
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