Shifting electricity consumption to times when the grid has a greater supply from alternative energy sources could help reduce carbon dioxide emissions significantly, according to a new University of Texas at Dallas study. Grids typically first draw from alternative energy sources, which have no carbon emissions, before moving to other sources such as natural gas and coal to meet electricity demands, Zhang said. The researchers found that by aligning electricity use with times when the grid is supplied with higher amounts of alternative energy sources, consumers could use the same amount of electricity without increasing carbon emissions. Regions with abundant renewable energy showed the most potential for reducing carbon emissions. That means if the state cut carbon emissions by 10%, using the model could boost that reduction to more than 13%.