The document summarizes the work of Carbon Tracker, a non-profit organization that analyzes the economics of coal plants globally using satellite imagery. Specifically, it used satellite data to model the operating costs and utilization rates of individual coal plants worldwide. This data allowed Carbon Tracker to determine which plants were uneconomic and at risk of being outcompeted by renewable energy. It did this work to provide information to investors and campaigners about stranded coal asset risks from climate policy and market forces.

1. How satellite imagery can shine
a spotlight on uneconomic coal
Bloomberg Philanthropies Satelitte and Climate Convening
New York, August 22, 2019

2. Outline
1. What we did
2. Why we did it
3. Our perspective
04/01/19 | 2

3. What we did
Working hypothesis:
There is correlation between the
plume size and utilisation rate after
accounting for environmental
conditions and plant technology
types.
04/01/19 | 3

4. 04/01/19 | 4

5. What we did (results)
Europe United States
Carbon Tracker (2018). Nowhere to Hide. Carbon Tracker (2018). Nowhere to Hide.
04/01/19 | 5

6. Why we did it (global coverage of economics at asset-level)
04/01/19 | 6
2016 Today
Global coverage at
asset-level
I need global
coverage at
asset-level to
be taken
seriously.
I don’t have
the data to
do this
globally.
In 2016, I decided to model the operating economics of every
coal plant in the world to:
1. Provide an “investment-grade” dataset for mainstream investors.
2. Help campaigners with their project and thematic interventions.
3. Accelerate energy transition in Asia.

7. Why we did it (global coverage of project economics)
04/01/19 | 7
Source: Powering Down Coal, Carbon Tracker (2018)

8. Today 2020 2021 2023 2024 2025 2027 2028 2030
8
India
US
Australia
EU27
Czech
Republic
China Turkey Ukraine Japan Korea Indonesia
South
Africa
Philippines
Vietnam
0
500
1,000
1,500
2,000
Gigawattsofcoal(GW)
Outcompeted Coal GW
Source: Powering Down Coal, Carbon Tracker (2018)
Why we did it (global coverage of relative economics)

9. Why we did it (modelling example)
Asset-level data is vital for influencing investors and asset-level
data is impossible without the utilisation rate
Schematic of variables to calculate viability of coal plant
Carbon Tracker (2019)
9
Revenues
Fuel +
Carbon
Variable
O&M
Fixed
O&M
Viability
Calculating key variables require
utilisation rate data

10. Why we did it (Asian examples on why utilisation data is
urgently needed)
Southeast Asia: Indonesia consumers lose from take-or-pay contracts for new coal; Philippines
investors at risk from carve out clause for new coal; and Vietnam overcapacity as a reason to
scale back newbuild.
China: renewed focus on overcapacity; pushing for accelerated retirements of coal plants in the
14th FYP
India: economic waste from low utilization and excess capacity
South Africa: revealing reasons for blackouts and massive economic waste to push for closure
04/01/19 | 10

11. Our perspective (understanding information grades)
Client Earth collaboration How information grades interact
Carbon Tracker (2018)
04/01/19 | 11
Campaign
proposal
CE approaches CTI
about proposed coal
plant in Poland
Investment-
grade
CTI publishes burning
more money than coal
Regulatory-
grade
CE buys shares in Enea,
sues Enea and wins

12. Our perspective (disruption theory for maximising impact)
Two strategies with limited resources:
04/01/19 | 12
1. Superior sensors and less data
or
2. Inferior sensors and more data
Disruption theory suggests this strategy will win

13. Our perspective (optimise for outcomes)
Sensors are becoming ubiquitous and are changing information flows in ways previously
unimaginable. This trend will change boundaries of governance and disclosure.
To maximise impact (and avoid over-engineering) we need to optimise for outcomes.
04/01/19 | 13
Impact outcome: Theory of change for carbon emissions is a profound challenge (i.e. data
transparency ≠ emission reductions).
Technical outcome: To avoid over-engineering, we need a meta machine learning model to
identify relevant coefficients for the desired outcome.

14. Carbon Tracker is a non-profit company set up to produce new thinking on climate risk. The organisation is funded by a
range of European and American foundations. Carbon Tracker is not an investment adviser, and makes no representation
regarding the advisability of investing in any particular company or investment fund or other vehicle. A decision to invest in
any such investment fund or other entity should not be made in reliance on any of the statements set forth in this
publication. While the organisations have obtained information believed to be reliable, they shall not be liable for any
claims or losses of any nature in connection with information contained in this document, including but not limited to, lost
profits or punitive or consequential damages. The information used to compile this report has been collected from a
number of sources in the public domain and from Carbon Tracker licensors. Some of its content may be proprietary and
belong to Carbon Tracker or its licensors. The information contained in this research report does not constitute an offer to
sell securities or the solicitation of an offer to buy, or recommendation for investment in, any securities within any
jurisdiction. The information is not intended as financial advice. This research report provides general information only.
The information and opinions constitute a judgment as at the date indicated and are subject to change without notice. The
information may therefore not be accurate or current. The information and opinions contained in this report have been
compiled or arrived at from sources believed to be reliable and in good faith, but no representation or warranty, express or
implied, is made by Carbon Tracker as to their accuracy, completeness or correctness and Carbon Tracker does also not
warrant that the information is up-to-date.’
Disclaimer

15. Thanks for listening
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@CarbonBubble
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