A Day in the Life of Carbon Intensity: What 15-Minute Regional Data Can Tell Us?

When it comes to tracking electricity emissions, the devil is in the details. While most companies use annual averages to measure the footprint generated by their electricity consumption, they often miss the significant variations that occur throughout the day. This is where granular data steps in to tell the whole story.

Analyzing Electricity Emissions in Switzerland

Let’s examine electricity emissions in Switzerland on a typical day of December 2024 (28/12/2024). At the national level, Switzerland’s average carbon intensity was reported as 64gCO₂/kWh. This is a static value that represents the electricity footprint of the Swiss nation for the whole day, month, and year… but does it reflect the reality? Not quite.

Let’s zoom in and analyze the data at 15-minute intervals and a regional level. We see clearly that a much more dynamic picture emerges. In Valais, carbon intensity fluctuated between 19 and 69 gCO₂/kWh, while Zurich and Bern showed variations from 32 to 130 gCO₂/kWh.

If we calculate their electricity footprint every 15 minutes, compared to the annual national average commonly used, we can see significant fluctuations both above and below the national average. These discrepancies can reveal an electricity footprint up to 3 times lower for Valais and 2 times higher for Zurich and Bern than the annual average (Figure 1).

The Role of Time in Carbon Tracking

Taking into consideration an average national value to calculate the footprint for Switzerland and its regions doesn't seem to be enough. Electricity grids are dynamic systems, constantly adjusting to meet demand and supply conditions. The temporal granularity allows us to capture these changes in real-time, offering several key benefits, such as:

• Improving Carbon Tracking: Annual averages can miss critical details, leading to under- or over-reporting of emissions while granular data ensures accurate calculations.

• Identifying Emission Peaks: By analyzing 15-minute data at the regional level, companies can clearly see periods of high carbon intensity, enabling better operation scheduling, that leads to cost and emission reduction.

The Role of Location in Carbon Tracking

Beyond time, location plays a significant role in carbon intensity. Different regions often have access to different energy sources, even though both may be located within the same country. 

For instance:

• During the same timeframe in December, Valais appears to rely more heavily on hydropower power, while Zurich and Bern depend more on nuclear (Figure 2). This leads to significant fluctuations in electricity emissions between regions within the same country, since the footprint of hydropower is less than the one coming from nuclear, making it clear that national-level electricity data is not sufficient. 

  
  

Conclusion: The Power of Granularity

Granular data—both spatial and temporal—is transforming the way we understand and manage electricity emissions. It uncovers hidden trends and empowers data-driven decisions.

At Emissium, we’re committed to providing the most detailed and accurate electricity emission data in Europe. By leveraging our electricity signals, companies can move beyond averages and take data-driven actions to reduce their carbon footprint.

Want to see the difference granular data can make for your company? Schedule a demo to discover the full potential of precise electricity emissions tracking.