Modeling of power generation pollutant emissions based on locational marginal prices for sustainable water delivery

This paper presents the development of a model that links electric power consumption and the resulting pollutant emissions. The model is applied to the particular application of water transmission to a large urban region. The model uses the locational marginal price (LMP) at any bus in the system to determine the generating unit type that is “marginal” at that point at any given time. Emission factors associated with power generator types are then obtained through data from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Thus, the model can be used to estimate changes in emissions associated with incremental changes in power demand. In the present application, the changes in power demand are created due to reduced energy requirements at water transmission facilities. The pilot study has been completed in a large urban center in the Great Lakes region where electric power dispatch is managed by the Midwest Independent System Operator (MISO). Historical energy consumption and emissions data is used to validate the approach.