Description
fuelCost = coalPrice*fuelUnitsPerMwh; carbonCost = emissionsPerMwh*carbonPrice; cleanDarkSpread = powerPrice-fuelCost-carbonCost-variableCost.
A generation or storage spread compares revenue with specified fuel, carbon, purchase or hedge costs. It is a local margin on a common output-energy basis, rather than complete profit or proof a dispatch or trade is feasible.
fuelCost = coalPrice*fuelUnitsPerMwh; carbonCost = emissionsPerMwh*carbonPrice; cleanDarkSpread = powerPrice-fuelCost-carbonCost-variableCost.
When to use this tool
Use Dark Spread Emission Cost Term when checking one declared generation, storage or hedge-margin contribution.
How to use the tool and how it works
- Enter powerPrice, coalPrice, fuelUnitsPerMwh, emissionsPerMwh, carbonPrice, variableCost. Use the units and conventions below.
- Run the tool. Correct any format, range, or cross-field input error before interpreting the output.
- Read fuelCost, carbonCost, cleanDarkSpread. Use the output convention below.
Require nonnegative fuelUnitsPerMwh and emissionsPerMwh. fuelCost = coalPrice*fuelUnitsPerMwh; carbonCost = emissionsPerMwh*carbonPrice; cleanDarkSpread = powerPrice-fuelCost-carbonCost-variableCost.1
| Input field | Meaning and units | Accepted input |
|---|---|---|
| powerPrice | Power Price | Required. Finite number. |
| coalPrice | Coal Price | Required. Finite number. |
| fuelUnitsPerMwh | Fuel Units Per Mwh | Required. Finite number; minimum 0. |
| emissionsPerMwh | Emissions Per Mwh | Required. Finite number; minimum 0. |
| carbonPrice | Carbon Price | Required. Finite number. |
| variableCost | Variable Cost | Required. Finite number. |
| Output field | Interpretation | Returned shape |
|---|---|---|
| fuelCost | Fuel Cost | Required. Finite number. |
| carbonCost | Carbon Cost | Required. Finite number. |
| cleanDarkSpread | Clean Dark Spread | Required. Finite number. |
{
"input": {
"powerPrice": 120,
"coalPrice": 20,
"fuelUnitsPerMwh": 2,
"emissionsPerMwh": 0.8,
"carbonPrice": 50,
"variableCost": 5
},
"output": {
"fuelCost": 40,
"carbonCost": 40,
"cleanDarkSpread": 35
}
}Limitations and assumptions
- All costs normalize to currency/MWh, with emissions matching the carbon-price mass unit. Negative prices are accepted; fixed, startup and operating constraints are omitted.
- Inputs must satisfy both the field types and the cross-field conditions above. Invalid input causes an error; a successful false flag or documented placeholder is a different result.
- Numeric calculations use binary floating point unless exact decimal-integer arithmetic is explicitly stated. No hidden measurement tolerance or decimal rounding is added; nonfinite or out-of-contract results are rejected. Numeric signed-zero results are exported as zero.
Alternative or Complementary methods
Use complete operating costs, technical constraints and settlement terms to assess a real dispatch, hedge or investment.
References
Similar or alternative tools
- Carbon Cost Pass Through One Mwh
grossCarbonCost = emissionTonnesPerMwh*carbonPricePerTonne; priceIncrement = grossCarbonCost*passThroughFraction.
- Spark Spread Heat Rate One Unit
fuelCost = gasPricePerFuelUnit*heatRate; sparkSpread = powerPrice-fuelCost-variableCost.