Electric power annual, 1986

Technical Report · Thu Sep 17 00:00:00 EDT 1987

OSTI ID:6047035

Sharply lower petroleum prices in 1986 from 1985 led to increased net generation by petroleum-fired plants and less gas-fired generation. Nuclear-powered generation capability increased in 1986, resulting in increased nuclear-powered net generation. These factors also resulted in less coal-fired net generation. While generation by fuel type shifted, total electricity generation and sales increased only slightly from 1985 to 1986. Residential electricity sales exceeded industrial sales for the first time. In 1986, petroleum-fired net generation reached 136,585 gigawatthours, the highest annual level since 1983. Petroleum-fired net generation increased 36% in 1986 from 1985, but still represented only about 5% of total net generation. As a result of increased petroleum-fired net generation, gas-fired net generation and gas consumption decreased in 1986 compared with 1985. Electricity produced from gas was 248,508 gigawatthours in 1986, decreasing 15% from 1985. Coal-fired net generation and coal consumption decreased in 1986 compared with 1985, mainly because nuclear-powered net generation increased. Net generation from coal in 1986 was 1,385,831 gigawatthours, down 1% during the year. Nuclear powered net generation reached 414,038 gigawatthours in 1986, an increase of 8% over the 1985 level. Uranium was the second most important energy source in the generation of electricity, producing 17% of total net generation. New units contributing to shifts in generation shares during 1986 included 5 nuclear-powered units with a net summer capability of 5,803 megawatts and 10 coal-fired units with a net summer capability of 4,868 megawatts. Additionally, 21 petroleum-fired, 8 gas-fired, and 43 hydroelectric units, with a combined net summer capability of 377 megawatts, became operable during 1986. The gas- and petroleum-fired units were combustion turbines and internal combustion engines. One solar unit also became operable in 1986. 10 refs., 20 figs., 48 tabs.

• Research Organization: USDOE Energy Information Administration, Washington, DC. Office of Coal, Nuclear, Electric and Alternate Fuels
• OSTI ID: 6047035
• Report Number(s): DOE/EIA-0348(86); ON: DE88000279
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
ELECTRIC UTILITIES
DATA COMPILATION
COAL
COST
FUEL CONSUMPTION
NATURAL GAS
NUCLEAR ENERGY
PETROLEUM
POWER GENERATION
PRICES
RESIDENTIAL SECTOR
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
DATA
ENERGY
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
ENERGY SOURCES
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
INFORMATION
MATERIALS
PUBLIC UTILITIES
296000* - Energy Planning & Policy- Electric Power