Electric Power Capacity Mapping

The Electric Power Capacity Mapping dashboard is an interactive dashboard for union labor, state agencies, local governments, research institutes, and policy makers seeking to understand states’ electric power and renewable energy assets. The map shows electric power plants (both operating and planned) with nameplate capacity equal to or more than 0.1 megawatts (MW). The dashboard also provides information about states’ overall electric power portfolio and electric power generation mix, including renewable energy, nuclear and fossil fuel power plants and other electric power sources.

View the Dashboard

The dashboard can be used to:

• Understand states’ electric power portfolio and generation mix to track progress towards clean energy goals.
• Identify areas where renewable energy power plants are operational or proposed and where opportunities for better investment exist.
• Understand the status of electric power plants, including when they will be retired or operational.
• Consider the workforce needed for planned renewable energy investments.
• Consider the workforce impacts of planned plant closures.

Dashboard Components

• Top Row. At the top of the dashboard, you can select the state you would like to view and (if desired) a specific county.
• Center Column. At the center of the dashboard is the map with different categories of electric power plants that can be toggled on and off. See the section below for how to navigate the map.
• Left Column. The left column includes the electric power portfolio nameplate capacity (in MW) for specific states (which you can select at the top of the dashboard). We highlight the solar and wind nameplate capacity at the top of the column.
• Right Column. The right column displays a pie chart of states’ 2023 electricity generation mix (MWh), which can be expanded for a better view. The column also includes the number of planned solar and wind projects for the state selected.

The dashboard shows both the nameplate capacity of planned and operational electric power plants as well as states’ electricity generation mix, based on 2023 data.

• Nameplate capacity (MW) is the maximum output of electricity a plant can produce, as determined by the manufacturer. We display nameplate capacity for planned and operating power plants.
• Electricity generation (MWh) is the amount of electricity a plant produces during a specific period of time. Plants that have a high nameplate capacity may generate significantly less electricity for a variety of reasons, such as variability in weather conditions or demand. The generation mix pie chart displays the MWh electricity generated in 2023 for each category (nuclear, natural gas, coal, etc.).

Dashboard Data

Nameplate capacity data is based on data submitted to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA, July 2024). This data consists of a preliminary monthly electric generator inventory, based on EIA Form 860-M. Nameplate capacity data does not include smaller electric power plants, such as residential or commercial solar under 0.1 MW. According to EIA Form 860-M criteria, only proposed new generators scheduled to begin commercial operation within the next 12 months are reported. Therefore, these numbers may differ from the queue lists reported by various Regional Transmission Organizations (RTOs).

Electricity generation data is obtained from the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s Annual Power Plant Operations Report 2023. This generation data does not include generation from smaller electric power plants, such as residential or commercial solar under 0.1 MW. In Illinois, over half of all

How to Navigate the Map

1. Select a state. Select a state to feature on the top center of the dashboard screen. The map will zoom into that state. All the data on the screen will pertain to the selected state. Zoom in using your mouse or the + and – boxes in the lower right corner of the map.
2. Select a county. Users can also select counties of interest on the top right corner next to the state selector on the dashboard screen. The map will zoom into the selected county within the respective state. All data on the screen (except for the state electric power portfolio and pie charts) will be updated to reflect the selected county.
3. Open up map options. On the top right-hand side of the map, you can see two directional arrow marks (chevrons). Click these arrow marks to open the options for viewing layers and toggling the layers on and off.
4. Select which power plants to view. The default map view shows the planned and operational wind and solar power plants. To see other electric power plants, click on the “layers” icon (upper right corner of the map). Click on the “eye” icon next to each layer to toggle the layer on or off. There are 19 possible layers.
5. Learn about the layers. Click on the “legend” icon (bullet list) to view the legend for the various layers that are currently active on the map.
6. View power plant features. To learn more about a specific electric power plant, click on a colored dot on the map. A pop-up will display details about the plant, including company name, status, nameplate capacity, operating year, planned retirement year, and more. Some locations have more than one plant. At the bottom of the pop-up, click the arrows to see information about the other plants at that location.
7. Reset the map.  The “home” icon resets the map area to the original view (the starting view before any state or county selection). Note that it only changes the map view; all other statistics are based on the selected state and county. To reset everything, click the “Reset” option in the “State” selector.

Map Layers

The map displays the following layers (which can be toggled on and off):

Key Terms

When you click on a specific power plant, a pop-up appears with various terms and abbreviations. Here’s a quick guide to the key terms and abbreviations in the pop-up panels.

Sectors

Power plants are classified by sector. Sector classification is based on primary purpose of the power plant (commercial, industrial, etc.), regulatory status, and combined heat and power CHP capability. Sector categories include the following:

• Electric utility: Large projects regulated by public utility companies.
• Combined Heat and Power (CHP): The simultaneous production of electricity, heating, and cooling.
• Commercial: Plants that produce electricity specifically for commercial activities.
• Industrial: Plants that generate energy for industrial purposes, serving facilities and equipment used in manufacturing, mining, construction, and agriculture.
• Independent Power Producer (IPP): Non-utility, private plants.

Status

Power plants’ operating status is listed in the pop-up panel. Status option codes include:

• OP: Operating
• OA: Out of service but expected to return to service in the next calendar year
• SB: Standby/Backup–available for service but not normally used
• V: Under construction and more than 50% complete
• U: Under construction, and less than or equal to 50% complete
• TS: Construction complete, but not yet in commercial operation
• T: Regulatory approvals received, but not under construction yet
• P: Planned for installation, but regulatory approvals have not been initiated
• L: Regulatory approvals are pending, and not under construction

Balancing Authority

Pop-up panels list the balancing authority for power plants. The balancing authority is the entity responsible for managing the electric system within a specified geographic area. One of the tasks of the balancing authority is to ensure that the power supply and demand is balanced. There are over 60 balancing authorities in the United States. Balancing authorities typically fall into the following categories:

• Regional Transmission Authorities (RTOs)
• Independent System Operators (ISOs)
• Power Marketing Administrations (PMAs)
• Utility companies: Serve as balancing authorities in areas where there are no RTOs or ISOs.

Contact us

This dashboard was developed by the Climate Jobs Institute at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The dashboard was last updated on December 13, 2024.

Questions about the map may be directed to climate-jobs@illinois.edu.