core_eia860__scd_generators
Return to SearchSlowly changing dimension (SCD) table describing attributes of generators which may vary from year to year. Compiled from across EIA-860 and EIA-923 data.
- Most-recent data:
2026
- Processing:
Data has been cleaned and organized into well-modeled tables that serve as building blocks for downstream wide tables and analyses.
- Source:
EIA Form 860 -- Annual Electric Generator Report
- Primary key:
plant_id_eia, generator_id, report_date
Usage Warnings
Data has been drawn from several EIA sources which are not always consistent with each other, and PUDL chooses the most consistent or relevant value to facilitate cross-referencing even if that means some values will differ from the raw sources. See Harvesting for details, and see Entity Resolution Methodology for a fuller conceptual overview.
Contains information from multiple raw inputs.
Additional Details
This is one of two tables where canonical values for generators are set. It contains values which are expected to vary slowly, while core_eia__entity_generators contains those expected to remain fixed. EIA reports many attributes in many different tables across EIA-860 and EIA-923. In order to compile tidy, well-normalized database tables, PUDL collects all instances of these values and and chooses a canonical value. By default, PUDL chooses the most consistently reported value of a given attribute as long as it is at least 70% of the given instances reported. If an attribute was reported inconsistently across the original EIA tables, then it will show up as a null value. See /methodology/entity_resolution for a conceptual overview of this process. All tables downstream of this one inherit the canonical values established here.
Columns
The unique six-digit facility identification number, also called an ORISPL, assigned by the Energy Information Administration.
Generator ID is usually numeric, but sometimes includes letters. Make sure you treat it as a string!
The EIA Utility Identification number.
Date reported.
The operating status of the asset.
The operating status of the asset. For generators this is based on which tab the generator was listed in in EIA 860.
Identifies the ownership for each generator.
Total installed (nameplate) capacity, in megawatts.
The net summer capacity.
Whether the summer capacity value was an estimate
The net winter capacity.
Whether the winter capacity value was an estimate
Generation capacity in megawatts of direct current that is subject to a net metering agreement. Typically used for behind-the-meter solar PV.
Energy storage capacity in MWh (e.g. for batteries).
Code for the type of prime mover (e.g. CT, CG)
The code representing the most predominant type of energy that fuels the generator.
The code representing the second most predominant type of energy that fuels the generator
The code representing the third most predominant type of energy that fuels the generator
The code representing the fourth most predominant type of energy that fuels the generator
The code representing the fifth most predominant type of energy that fuels the generator
The code representing the sixth most predominant type of energy that fuels the generator
Primary mode of transport for energy source 1.
Secondary mode of transport for energy source 1.
Tertiary mode of transport for energy source 1.
Primary mode of transport for energy source 2.
Secondary mode of transport for energy source 2.
Tertiary mode of transport for energy source 2.
Simplified fuel type code used in PUDL
Whether the generator can burn multiple fuels.
Indicate whether the generator can deliver power to the transmission grid.
Whether the generator is considered distributed generation
Indicates whether standby generators (SB status) can be synchronized to the grid.
Number of wind turbines, or hydrokinetic buoys.
Indicates whether there are any planned capacity uprates/derates, repowering, other modifications, or generator retirements scheduled for the next 5 years.
Increase in summer capacity expected to be realized from the modification to the equipment.
Increase in winter capacity expected to be realized from the uprate modification to the equipment.
Planned effective date that the generator is scheduled to enter operation after the uprate modification.
Decrease in summer capacity expected to be realized from the derate modification to the equipment.
Decrease in winter capacity expected to be realized from the derate modification to the equipment.
Planned effective month that the generator is scheduled to enter operation after the derate modification.
New prime mover for the planned repowered generator.
New energy source code for the planned repowered generator.
Planned effective date that the generator is scheduled to enter operation after the repowering is complete.
Indicates whether there are there other modifications planned for the generator.
Planned effective date that the generator is scheduled to enter commercial operation after any other planned modification is complete.
Planned effective date of the scheduled retirement of the generator.
Indicates whether the generator uses carbon capture technology.
The code representing the first, second, third or fourth start-up and flame stabilization energy source used by the combustion unit(s) associated with this generator.
The code representing the first, second, third or fourth start-up and flame stabilization energy source used by the combustion unit(s) associated with this generator.
The code representing the first, second, third or fourth start-up and flame stabilization energy source used by the combustion unit(s) associated with this generator.
The code representing the first, second, third or fourth start-up and flame stabilization energy source used by the combustion unit(s) associated with this generator.
High level description of the technology used by the generator to produce electricity.
Number of wind turbines, or hydrokinetic buoys.
The minimum amount of time required to bring the unit to full load from shutdown.
The expected new namplate capacity for the generator.
Whether the generator can co-fire fuels.
Whether the generator can switch between oil and natural gas.
The nameplate power factor of the generator.
The minimum load at which the generator can operate at continuosuly.
Was an uprate or derate completed on this generator during the reporting year?
The date when the uprate or derate was completed.
The most recently updated effective date on which the generator is scheduled to start operation
EIA estimated summer capacity (in MWh).
EIA estimated winter capacity (in MWh).
Date of the scheduled or effected retirement of the generator.
Whether any part of generator is owned by a nonutilty
Reactive Power Output (MVAr)
Indicates whether or not a generator is a qualifying FERC cogeneration facility.
Maturity of the source data published by EIA that is reflected in this record. EIA releases data incrementally over time, including monthly updates, annual year-to-date updates, provisional early releases of annual data, and final annual release data that is not expected to change further. Records sourced from multiple upstream EIA datasets may have no well defined data maturity. Records whose values have been inferred within PUDL will also have no data maturity.