2024 Electricity ATB Technologies and Data Overview
The 2024 Electricity Annual Technology Baseline (ATB) provides consistent, freely available, technology-specific cost and performance parameters across a range of R&D advancement scenarios, resource characteristics, and sites for electricity-generating technologies, both at present and with projections through 2050. Two sets of financial assumptions are available: the Market + Policies case includes some effects of the Inflation Reduction Act, and the R&D Only case (shown by default in graphics) does not. The performance parameters in the Electricity ATB include the following:
- Capital expenditures (CAPEX)
- Operation and maintenance (O&M) expenditures
- Capacity factors
- Levelized cost of energy (LCOE), a summary metric for electricity-generating technologies.
Use the charts and table below to explore ranges, projections, and a summary of ATB data. Interact with the chart by selecting parameters, or explore the meaning of the data by selecting the black arrow next to "Click arrow to explore details." You can also download 2024 ATB data.
LCOE is a summary metric with important limitations. See definitions for LCOE, CAPEX, capacity factor, O&M, OCC, CFC, GCC, financial cases, and all other terms used in the ATB.
Cost and performance are summarized by technology for the year specified. For details, see the Representative Technology section of each technology page (e.g., Land-Based Wind: Representative Technology). Monetary values are in 2022$.
The ATB develops original data for renewable technologies, and it relies on AEO2023 (EIA, 2023) for biopower plants, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Nuclear Energy through the Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear for nuclear plants, and the DOE Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management for coal and natural gas plants. Orange bars reflect the representative ATB plant characteristics; blue bars represent the full range in the ATB. See technology detail for additional information.
CC = combined cycle; CCS = carbon capture and storage; CSP = concentrating solar power; CT = combustion turbine; DW = distributed wind; EGS = enhanced geothermal systems; IGCC = integrated gasification combined cycle; NF = near-field; NSD = new stream-reach development; NPD = nonpowered dam; PC = pulverized coal; PV = solar photovoltaics; TES = thermal energy storage
LCOE is a summary metric with important limitations. See definitions for LCOE, CAPEX, capacity factor, O&M, and financial cases.
Cost and performance are summarized by technology for the year specified. For details, see the Representative Technology section of each technology page (e.g., Land-Based Wind: Representative Technology). Monetary values are in 2022$.
The ATB develops original data for renewable technologies, and it relies on AEO2023 (EIA, 2023) for biopower plants, the DOE Office of Nuclear Energy through the Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear for nuclear plants, and the DOE Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management for coal and natural gas plants.
CC = combined cycle; CCS = carbon capture and storage; CSP = concentrating solar power; CT = combustion turbine; EGS = enhanced geothermal systems; IGCC = integrated gasification combined cycle; MWh = megawatt-hour; NF = near-field; NSD = new stream-reach development; NPD = nonpowered dam; PC = pulverized coal; TES = thermal energy storage
LCOE is a summary metric with important limitations. See definitions for LCOE, CAPEX, capacity factor, FCR, O&M, and financial cases.
Here, 2024 ATB cost and performance are summarized by technology for the year specified. For details, see the Representative Technology section of each technology page. Monetary values are in 2020$. The ATB develops original data for renewable technologies, and it relies on AEO2023 (EIA, 2023) for biopower plants, the DOE Office of Nuclear Energy through the Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear for nuclear plants, and the DOE Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management for coal and natural gas plants.
CC = combined cycle; CCS = carbon capture and storage; CSP = concentrating solar power; CT = combustion turbine; EGS = enhanced geothermal systems; IGCC = integrated gasification combined cycle; NF = near-field; NSD = new stream-reach development; MMBtu = million British thermal units; NPD = nonpowered dam; PC = pulverized coal; TES = thermal energy storage
Assumptions
The figures and table illustrate the selected data dimensions, which are developed using the assumptions described briefly here; follow the links provided for additional information.
Representative Technologies and Parameters
The specifics of representative technologies, parameter definitions, historical trends, Base Year estimates, and future projections used in the ATB are described on the respective technology page (e.g., Land-Based Wind). Links to definitions (e.g., LCOE) provide information that applies to all technologies
The levelized cost of energy is a summary metric that combines capital expenditures (CAPEX), operating expenditures (O&M), capacity factor, and projections for "Conservative," "Moderate," and "Advanced" technology advancement scenarios. See levelized cost of energy for information about important limitations of LCOE.
Select a link in the table below to jump to the technology-specific description of each parameter.
Technology Innovation Scenarios
The ATB provides original technology advancement scenarios for renewable electricity-generating technologies. The Conservative, Moderate, and Advanced scenarios that appear in tables and figures refer to a range of assumptions about technology advancement and associated cost and performance.
Financial Assumptions Cases
Financial assumptions impact LCOE by changing the cost of capital to finance electricity generation projects. Two project finance structures are used within the ATB: an R&D Only Financial Assumptions Case (R&D Only case) and a Market + Policies Financial Assumptions Case (Market + Policies Case). Independent power producer financing structure is assumed.
Year
The ATB includes estimates (for the Base Year) and projections (for the projected years) for each technology. Projections are based on trend lines between historical data and long-term (2030 and 2050) estimated costs. For most technologies, the Base Year (2022) is the final year of historical data. Near-term values in the ATB do not reflect every local or near-term market condition, nor are the longer-term ATB projections informed by recent changes.
Cost Recovery Period
The ATB displays three cost recovery period options: 20 years, 30 years, and technical life.
Technology
Each of the technology-specific pages (e.g., Land-Based Wind) describes the assumptions and methodologies used to develop the data for that technology.
Technology Detail
Technology detail indicates resource level and specific technology subcategories.
Methodology
Refer to ATB Approach and Methodology for details about the methods used to develop the cost and performance projections.
Limitations
Refer to the disclaimer agreement and this guide to technical limitations.
References
The following references are specific to this page; for all references in this ATB, see References.