Documentation for 2023 Reference Case

EPA's Power Sector Modeling Platform 2023 Using IPM

April 25, 2024 - EPA is making the latest power sector modeling platform available, including the associated input data and modeling assumptions, outputs, and documentation. For questions or other inquiries regarding EPA’s Power Sector Modeling Platform 2023 using IPM, please contact us using our online form.

To learn more about EPA’s 2023 Reference Case assumptions, updates, changes, and enhancements, see the links below. These files are available as one document  EPA 2023 Reference Case (pdf) (5.52 MB, April, 2024) :  however, this file does not include the additional attachments and tables. Those will still need to be downloaded separately.

• Table of Contents (pdf) (236.14 KB, April, 2024)
• Chapter 1: Introduction (pdf) (460.75 KB, April, 2024)
• Chapter 2: Modeling Framework (pdf) (401.24 KB, April, 2024)
  • Table 2-2 Load Duration Curves Used In EPA 2023 Reference Case (xlsx) (9.01 MB)
• Chapter 3: Power System Operation Assumptions (pdf) (802.88 KB, April, 2024)
  • Attachment 3-1: Incremental Demand Accounting for on-the-books EPA OTAQ GHG Rules (pdf) (903.52 KB, April, 2024)
  • Attachment 3-2: NOx Rate Development in EPA 2023 Reference Case (pdf) (166.56 KB, April, 2023)
  • Table 3-26 Regional Net Internal Demand (xlsx) (162.95 KB)
  • Table 3-27 Annual Transmission Capabilities of U.S. Model Regions in EPA 2023 Reference Case (xlsx) (39.83 KB)
  • Table 3-28 Turndown Assumptions for Coal Steam Units in EPA 2023 Reference Case (xlsx) (578.14 KB)
  • Table 3-29 State Power Regulations included in EPA 2023 Reference Case (pdf) (390.97 KB, April, 2023)
  • Table 3-30 New Source Review (NSR) Settlements in EPA 2023 Reference Case (pdf) (973.97 KB, April, 2023)
  • Table 3‑31 State Settlements in EPA 2023 Reference Case (pdf) (229.49 KB, April, 2023)
  • Table 3-32 Citizen Settlements in EPA 2023 Reference Case (pdf) (117.05 KB, April, 2023)
  • Table 3-33 Availability Assumptions in EPA 2023 Reference Case (xlsx) (1.73 MB)
  • Table 3‑34 BART Regulations included in EPA 2023 Reference Case (xlsx) (25.43 KB)
• Chapter 4: Generating Resources (pdf) (1.06 MB, April, 2024)
  • Attachment 4-1: Nuclear Power Plant Life Extension Cost Development Methodology (pdf) (461.64 KB, April, 2024)
  • Table 4-34 Planned-Committed Units by Model Region in NEEDS for EPA 2023 Reference Case (xlsx) (126.28 KB)
  • Table 4-35 Onshore Average Capacity Factor by Wind Class, Resource Class, and Vintage in EPA 2023 Reference Case (xlsx) (608.92 KB)
  • Table 4-36 Onshore Regional Potential Wind Capacity (MW) by Wind Class, Resource Class and Cost Class in EPA 2023 Reference Case (xlsx) (615.13 KB)
  • Table 4‑37 Wind Generation Profiles in EPA 2023 Reference Case (kWh of Generation per MW of Capacity) (xlsx) (44.83 MB)
  • Table 4-38 Capital Cost Adder for New Onshore Wind Plants by Resource and Cost Class in EPA 2023 Reference Case (xlsx) (617.94 KB)
  • Table 4-39 Solar Photovoltaic Regional Potential Capacity (MW) by Resource and Cost Class in EPA 2023 Reference Case (xlsx) (610.84 KB)
  • Table 4-40 Solar Thermal Regional Potential Capacity (MW) by Resource and Cost Class in EPA 2023 Reference Case (xlsx) (593.2 KB)
  • Table 4‑41 Solar Photovoltaic Generation Profiles in EPA 2023 Reference Case (kWh of Generation per MW of Capacity) (xlsx) (15.85 MB)
  • Table 4-42 Solar Photovoltaic Regional Capital Cost Adder for Potential Units by Resource and Cost Class in EPA 2023 Reference Case (xlsx) (613.28 KB)
  • Table 4-43 Solar Thermal Regional Capital Cost Adder for Potential Units by Resource and Cost Class in EPA 2023 Reference Case (xlsx) (594.09 KB)
  • Table 4-44 Solar Photovoltaic Average Capacity Factor by Resource Class and Vintage in EPA 2023 Reference Case (xlsx) (599.98 KB)
  • Table 4‑45 Solar Thermal Capacity Factor by Resource Class and Season in EPA 2023 Reference Case (xlsx) (791.88 KB)
  • Table 4‑46 Potential Electric Capacity from New Landfill Gas Units in EPA 2023 Reference Case (xlsx) (28.4 KB)
  • Table 4-47 Characteristics of Existing Nuclear Units in EPA 2023 Reference Case (xlsx) (119.62 KB)
• Chapter 5: Emission Control Technologies (pdf) (627.62 KB, April, 2024)
  • Attachment 5-1: Wet FGD Cost Development Methodology (pdf) (99.23 KB, January, 2017)
  • Attachment 5-2: SDA FGD Cost Development Methodology (pdf) (102.36 KB, January, 2017)
  • Attachment 5-3: SCR Cost Methodology for Coal-Fired Boilers (pdf) (671.37 KB, April, 2023)
  • Attachment 5-4: SCR Cost Methodology for Oil-Gas-Fired Boilers (pdf) (684.82 KB, February, 2023)
  • Attachment 5-5: SNCR Cost Methodology for Coal-Fired Boilers (pdf) (855 KB, February, 2023)
  • Attachment 5-6: SNCR Cost Methodology for Oil-Gas-Fired Boilers (pdf) (707.05 KB, February, 2023)
  • Attachment 5-7: DSI Cost Methodology (pdf) (539.99 KB, April, 2017)
  • Attachment 5-8: Hg Control Cost Development Methodology (pdf) (3.07 MB, January, 2017)
  • Attachment 5-8a: Supplemental Hg Control-cost-methodology (pdf) (639.81 KB, March, 2023)
  • Attachment 5-9a: PM Control Cost Development Methodology (pdf) (168.24 KB, April, 2017)
  • Attachment 5-9b: PM Control Cost Development Methodology (pdf) (1.32 MB, April, 2024)
  • Attachment 5-9c: Incremental PM Control Memo (pdf) (523.05 KB, March, 2023)
  • Attachment 5-10: Combustion Turbine NOx Control Technology Memo (pdf) (231.46 KB, January, 2022)
  • Attachment 5-11: Natural Gas Co-Firing Methodology (pdf) (433.18 KB, April, 2024)
  • Table 5-22 Cost of Building Pipelines to Coal Plants in EPA 2023 Reference Case (xlsx) (131.27 KB)
• Chapter 6: Carbon Capture, Transport, and Storage (pdf) (416.7 KB, April, 2024)
  • Attachment 6-1: CO2 Reduction Cost Development Methodology (pdf) (915.27 KB, March, 2023)
  • Table 6-4 CO2 Storage Cost Curves in EPA 2023 Reference Case (xlsx) (812.27 KB)
  • Table 6-5 CO2 Transportation Matrix in EPA 2023 Reference Case (xlsx) (3.24 MB)
• Chapter 7: Coal (pdf) (961.34 KB, April, 2024)
  • Table 7-25 Coal Transportation Matrix in EPA 2023 Reference Case (xlsx) (257.52 KB)
  • Table 7-26 Coal Supply Curves (xlsx) (340.49 KB, April, 2024)
• Chapter 8: Natural Gas (pdf) (743.73 KB, April, 2024)
  • Table 8-7 Natural Gas Basis (xlsx) (52.51 KB)
  • Table 8-8 Natural Gas Supply Curves (xlsx) (34.66 KB, April, 2024)
• Chapter 9: Other Fuels and Fuel Emission Factors (pdf) (242.94 KB, April, 2024)
  • Table 9-4 Biomass Supply Curves (xlsx) (1.12 MB)
• Chapter 10: Financial Assumptions (pdf) (396.65 KB, April, 2024)

If you have any questions, please contact us using our online form.

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