2019 Standard Scenarios

Forecasts power sector evolution under 36 different potential future scenarios.

December 17, 2019

This report summarizes the results of 36 forward-looking Standard Scenarios of the U.S. power sector simulated using the Regional Energy Deployment System (ReEDS) and Distributed Generation Market Demand Model (dGen). The annual Standard Scenarios, which are now in their fifth year, have been designed to capture a range of possible power system futures considering a variety of factors that impact power sector evolution. The scenarios include cases that incorporate sensitivities such as fuel prices, demand growth, retirements, technology and financing costs, transmission and resource restrictions, and policy considerations, resulting in a wide range of possible generation mixes.

2019 Standard Scenarios Report: A U.S. Electricity Sector Outlook (3.24 MB)

This report summarizes the results of 36 forward-looking 'standard scenarios' of the U.S. power sector simulated by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) using the Regional Energy Deployment System (ReEDS) and Distributed Generation (dGen) capacity expansion models. The annual Standard Scenarios, which are now in their fifth year, have been designed to capture a range of possible power system futures considering a variety of factors that impact power sector evolution.