Marginal Carbon Intensity
A metric measuring the additional carbon emissions caused by an incremental unit of load on the grid. Unlike average carbon intensity, it reflects the actual fuel mix of marginal generating units and provides a more accurate basis for assessing the carbon emissions of new data center load.
Core Facts
Timeline (last 90 days)
Marginal carbon intensity differs from average carbon intensity: average carbon intensity is total emissions divided by total generation, while marginal carbon intensity is the additional emissions triggered by one additional watt of load.
During periods of surplus renewable energy, increasing electricity consumption may absorb wind or solar power that would otherwise be curtailed, at which point the marginal carbon intensity can approach zero or even be negative.
Marginal carbon intensity reflects the additional emissions triggered by the generating units activated by incremental electricity consumption, and is more instructive for users who wish to reduce emissions by shifting loads.
All Facts (3)
Marginal carbon intensity reflects the additional emissions triggered by the generating units activated by incremental electricity consumption, and is more instructive for users who wish to reduce emissions by shifting loads.
65%UnverifiedMarginal carbon intensity differs from average carbon intensity: average carbon intensity is total emissions divided by total generation, while marginal carbon intensity is the additional emissions triggered by one additional watt of load.
50%UnverifiedDuring periods of surplus renewable energy, increasing electricity consumption may absorb wind or solar power that would otherwise be curtailed, at which point the marginal carbon intensity can approach zero or even be negative.
50%