Energy Data Deep Dive: Electricity, Natural Gas & Power Markets

Why Energy Data Matters

Energy underpins the economy:

• ~8% of consumer spending
• Critical input cost for industry
• Climate policy nexus
• Geopolitical sensitivity
• Inflation component

Electricity Data

EIA Electric Power Monthly

IQ Score: 95

Monthly electricity statistics.

Key metrics:

• Generation by source (GWh)
• Consumption by sector
• Capacity by fuel type
• Average retail prices

Generation Mix

Current US mix (approximate):

FRED Series Examples:

• ELPRGEN: Total generation
• (EIA has detailed breakdowns)

Regional Electricity Data

ISOs/RTOs (Independent System Operators):

• PJM: Mid-Atlantic, Midwest
• ERCOT: Texas
• CAISO: California
• MISO: Central US
• NYISO: New York
• ISO-NE: New England
• SPP: Southwest Power Pool

Each publishes real-time:

• Prices (LMP)
• Load
• Generation mix
• Forecasts

Electricity Prices

Types:

• Day-ahead prices
• Real-time prices
• Capacity prices
• Ancillary services

FRED Series: APU000072610 (average price)

Volatility: Electricity prices extremely volatile

• Can spike 10x or more
• Weather-driven
• No economical storage (mostly)

Natural Gas Data

EIA Natural Gas Weekly

IQ Score: 96

Weekly storage report (Thursdays 10:30 AM ET).

Key data:

• Storage change (Bcf)
• Total storage (Bcf)
• Year-ago comparison
• 5-year average

Market impact: Very high—moves futures

Storage Analysis

Storage levels interpretation:

Seasonal pattern:

• Injection season: April-October
• Withdrawal season: November-March

Natural Gas Prices

Henry Hub:

• Benchmark US price
• FRED Series: DHHNGSP (daily)
• CME futures widely traded

Regional prices:

• Basis differentials from Henry Hub
• Pipeline constraints matter
• LNG export impact

Production and Consumption

Production (FRED: NGMPUSM1):

• ~100 Bcf/day US output
• Shale revolution transformed

Consumption by sector:

• Electric power (~35%)
• Industrial (~30%)
• Residential (~15%)
• Commercial (~10%)
• Other (~10%)

LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas)

LNG Export Data

EIA tracks:

• Export volumes
• Destination countries
• Terminal throughput

Global LNG Prices

• JKM (Japan Korea Marker)
• TTF (European)
• Often disconnect from Henry Hub

LNG Market Impact

US became major exporter—domestic prices now linked to global.

Coal Data

EIA Coal Data

IQ Score: 92

Declining sector but still relevant.

Key metrics:

• Production (weekly, monthly)
• Consumption (power plants)
• Exports
• Prices (regional)

Coal-to-Gas Switching

Economics of fuel switching:

• Relative prices matter
• Impact on both markets

Renewable Energy Data

EIA Renewable Data

IQ Score: 93

Generation by type:

• Wind
• Solar (utility + distributed)
• Hydro
• Geothermal
• Biomass

Capacity Additions

Track new installations:

• Solar growth rapid
• Wind growth strong
• Storage emerging

State-Level Renewable Policies

• Renewable portfolio standards
• Net metering rules
• Tax incentives

Energy Efficiency Metrics

Energy Intensity

Energy consumption / GDP.

FRED Series: Available

Trend: Declining (more efficient)

Sector Efficiency

• Industrial
• Commercial buildings
• Residential
• Transportation

Building an Energy Dashboard

Daily

• Natural gas prices (Henry Hub)

• Electricity prices (key hubs)

• Weather forecasts (demand driver)

Weekly

• EIA natural gas storage (Thursday)

• Power generation data

• Regional price movements

Monthly

• EIA Electric Power Monthly

• Production data

• Consumption by sector

Energy Trading Signals

Weather Sensitivity

• Heating Degree Days (HDD)
• Cooling Degree Days (CDD)
• Extreme weather events

FRED has degree day data: CLVDNNTH (national)

Supply Disruptions

• Pipeline outages
• LNG terminal issues
• Power plant outages
• Storm impacts

Demand Indicators

• Industrial production
• Economic growth
• EV adoption (emerging)

Data Sources Summary

EIA (Primary)

IQ Score: 95

• Short-term energy outlook
• Weekly petroleum status
• Natural gas weekly
• Electric power monthly

ISO/RTO Data

Real-time:

• Prices
• Load
• Generation

NOAA Weather

• Temperature forecasts
• Degree day calculations

CME Group

• Futures prices
• Options implied volatility
• Commitment of traders

Pro Tips

• Weather is destiny: Short-term price driver #1

• Storage reports move markets: Be positioned before Thursday

• Seasonality matters: Know injection/withdrawal patterns

• Regional is the story: National averages hide variation

• Renewables changing game: Structural shift ongoing

• Policy watch: Regulations impact everything

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