Genscape Reports January Coal-Fired Power Generation Surges 8.9% Above January 2012 Levels; Launches Generation Fuel Monitor Service

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Feb. 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Genscape, a leader in the research, development, and deployment of patented in-the-field energy infrastructure monitoring systems, today reports that January 2012 coal-fired power generation surged 8.9% above January 2012 levels. 

This increase to 140,080 GWH resulted from higher demand for electricity, higher gas prices, and lower levels of generation from nuclear plants and renewable technologies.

Power demand started out 2013 up 3.2% to 350,554 GWh versus January 2012 levels.  The primary driver of the increase was the late January cold-snap experienced the week of the 21^st.  Overall the weather pattern averaged out to slightly warmer than average for the month, but the cold snap at the end of the month featured temperatures that were as much as 20 degrees colder than average in some areas which helped to drive very strong heating load.

Both coal and gas-fired generation supplied the additional power needed for this increased demand with gas increasing its output by 1.7% over January 2012 levels to 94,396 GWh.  Coal and gas had equal power sector output levels in April of last year.  Coal has since recovered ground and accounted for 40% of power sector output in January while gas captured 27% of the market.  This represented a 2.1 percentage point increase for coal's percentage of overall generation in comparison to January of last year. 

Nuclear output had a down month – decreasing nearly 2% from 2012 – with the Fermi plant in Michigan continuing to run at a de-rate and an unplanned 6 day outage at First Energy's Perry unit in Ohio. 

Higher gas prices are the final factor helping to push up coal's share of the total market.  On a relative price basis Henry Hub gas was up 24% compared to last January while delivered CAPP, CSX, and PRB coal prices were estimated by Genscape to be 5-9% lower than in January 2012.

Over the past decade, Genscape has strategically deployed thousands of patented and proprietary real-time energy monitors throughout the United States.  Utilizing the data from these monitors, Genscape has developed a bottom-up approach that uses hard data – not surveys or estimates – to predict total US fuel consumption in close to real-time, and today announces the launch of its new Generation Fuel Monitor Service.

Genscape's new Generation Fuel Monitor Service delivers estimates with a high degree of accuracy 3 months before the actual data becomes available from the US Energy Information Administration.  "This represents a new era in power generation fuel analytics," says Stephen Maestranzi, director of publications at Genscape. "The level of accuracy and advance notice to EIA data is truly remarkable."

About the Power Generation Fuel Monitor Service

An education webinar entitled Understanding Fuel Switching: Genscape's New Generation Fuel Monitor Service will commence Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at 2:00 PM EST.  To register, please visit: http://info.genscape.com/generation-fuel-monitor-webinar

For those registering for the webinar, you will also receive 3 Free Issues of the Generation Fuel Monitor report.

About Genscape

Genscape is the leading global provider of energy information for commodity and financial markets. Utilizing patented technologies and proprietary algorithms, Genscape provides accurate & timely data on capacities, flow and utilization for all major energy commodities. With thousands of sophisticated energy monitors strategically deployed all over the world, Genscape is unique in its ability to measure and collect energy market fundamentals.  These "measured actuals" are then transmitted to clients in real-time or near real-time.  Genscape clients often gain first-mover advantage and increased market transparency to better optimize their positions.  For more information, please visit:  www.genscape.com

For all inquiries please contact:

David Francoeur
Chief Marketing & Media Relations Officer
Office: +1 617 790 0944
Cell: +1 617 852 8868
[email protected]
 

Jaimie Weiss
Marketing Communications Manager
Office: + 1 617 790 0959
Cell: + 1 401 595 5874
[email protected]

SOURCE Genscape