Replacing Dirty Peaker Plants with Clean Energy Storage
The United States relies on more than 1,000 natural gas– and oil-fired “peaker” power plants across the country to meet the requirements of infrequent peaks of electricity demand. Peaker plants tend to be expensive and inefficient to run and emit high rates of carbon dioxide and health-harming criteria air pollutants compared to natural gas plants in daily use. These plants are also disproportionately located in disadvantaged communities, where vulnerable populations already experience high levels of health and environmental burdens.
But now, renewable energy and associated energy storage systems are emerging as competitive replacements for this fossil fuel infrastructure. Together with the Clean Energy Group, PSE is analyzing opportunities across eight states to replace peaker power plants with energy storage. PSE’s study will identify locations where energy storage may be the most economically competitive and where power plant replacement may bring about the greatest equity and environmental health benefits. Go to the project page.
We Are Growing!
In recent months, PSE has added three new team members.
