Full Title: Public Service Company of Colorado ERP Phase II: Assessment of Clean Energy Alternatives to New Natural Gas Peaker Resources
Author(s): Strategen
Publisher(s): Advanced Energy United
Publication Date: November 22, 2023
Full Text: Download Resource
Description (excerpt):
In this report, Strategen assesses the proposed resource plan set forth by Public Service Company of Colorado (“PSCo”) in Phase II of their 2021 Electric Resource Plan (“ERP”), also known as the 120-Day Report. In this plan, PSCo takes commendable strides towards decarbonization, proposing an 80% reduction in carbon emissions from 2005 levels by 2030 and retiring all coal plants in the process. However, the proposed plan also includes over 600 MW of new natural gas combustion turbine (“CT”) peaker plants in operation by 2027, longterm investments that will restrict PSCo’s ability to eventually achieve a fully decarbonized system.
This report is organized into three sections. The first section provides an overview of the PSCo 120-Day Report and a summary of the clean energy benefits included in the IRA. The second section details the case study, describing the utility’s proposed natural gas peaker plants, the development of the alternative clean energy portfolio, and the economic analysis performed. This section also includes discussion of additional factors that may further impact the planning decision. Finally, the report concludes with recommendations for PSCo and the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (“PUC”).