US energy facts

Though accounting for only 5 percent of the world's population, Americans consume more than 21.7 percent of the world primary energy (2005). Total world energy consumption is a bit more than 462 quadrillion (10¹⁵) Btu and US consume almost 101 quadrillion (10 15) Btu.

World energy consumption. Click on picture for full size.

The United States was self-sufficient in energy until the late 1950s when energy consumption began to outpace domestic production. At that point, the Nation began to import more energy to fill the gap. In 2007, net imported energy accounted for 29 percent of all energy consumed. U.S. oil consumption is approximately 21 million barrels per day, and domestic production is only 6 million barrels per day. Because of that energy dependence, in response to an energy crisis and hostile Iranian and Soviet Union relations, President Jimmy Carter (1977-1981) announced the Carter Doctrine which declared that any interference with US interests in the Persian Gulf would be considered as an attack on US vital interests. This doctrine was later expanded by his successor, President Ronald Reagan (1981-1989).

United States has and continues to get most of its electrical production from conventional thermal power plants. Most of these are coal; however, the 1990s and 2000s have seen a disproportionate increase in natural gas and other kinds of gas powered plants.

California has some of the strictest environmental laws and building codes in the country, which may contribute to the fact that its per-household energy consumption is lower than all other states except Hawaii.

Biofuels and biomass energy make up the largest portion of U.S. renewable-energy generation, producing 1.88 quadrillion Btu in the first half of 2008, followed by hydropower, which accounted for 1.38 quadrillion Btu. Geothermal power made up 17 trillion Btu and solar made up only 41 million Btu.

According to Residential Energy Consumption Survey from 2001, annual energy bill for a typical US single family home is approximately $2,000. Average price of electricity is 10.6 cents per kilo-watt hour. Average price of natural gas is $12.42 per million Btu.

Average US energy bill structure (2001). Click on picture for full size.

Nuclear energy (nuclear power) accounts for about 19 percent of the total electricity generated in the United States, an amount comparable to all the electricity used in California, Texas and New York together (three most populous states). There are 104 commercial nuclear generating units that are fully licensed by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to operate in the United States. Of these 104 reactors, 69 are categorized a pressurized water reactors (PWRs) totaling 65,100 net megawatts (electric) and 35 units are boiling water reactors (BWR) totaling 32,300 net megawatts (electric).

According to annual energy outlook 2008, total primary energy consumption will grow by 0.7 percent per year from 2006 to 2030 (reference case). Fossil fuels account for 55 percent of the increase. Coal use increases in the electric power sector, where electricity demand growth and current environmental policies favor coal-fired capacity additions. About 54 percent of the projected increase in coal consumption occurs after 2020, when higher natural gas prices make coal the fuel of choice for most new power plants under current laws and regulations, which do not limit greenhouse gas emissions. Increasing demand for natural gas in the buildings and industrial sectors offsets the decline in natural gas use in the electricity sector after 2016, resulting in a net increase of 5 percent from 2006 to 2030.

Biggest wind turbines in UK

Wind energy is one of leading renewable energy sectors with many experts believing in its potential to become one of the leading energy sources in future. There has been very little criticism related to wind energy though some environmentalists believe that wind energy could have negative impact on biodiversity, especially on bird population. But as this latest study showed negative environmental impact from wind energy is really low, negligible compared to dominant energy sources (fossil fuels).

Some countries in Europe, most notably Denmark and Germany have significant share of wind energy in their total energy sector, and by the current looks of it United Kingdom looks to be heading into same direction with its latest plans to built the tallest wind turbines in the country. Their plan should locate 65 turbines on nearly 5,000 acres (2,000ha) of hillside near Llanbrynmair in Powys and each of these turbines would be 137m (449ft) high.


As very important plan of this project nPower is also a major habitat restoration project in the area that is «Npower» funding. As the nPower officials said: “nPower renewables is proud to be pioneering the first habitat restoration proposal of this size in Wales in conjunction with the wind farm, and believes the scheme presents significant benefits for both the local and global environment”. This is really a representative model of how correlation between energy and ecology should work in reality, where energy doesn't has negative impact on environment but on the contrary helps recovery of ecosystems that live in nearby area.

As Mr. Jacob Hain, chief project manager said «the scheme had the potential to greatly contribute to the growing need for renewable energy while at the same time securing the future of the bird population and preventing further deterioration of the peat lands». Really a nice example of sustainable development that could be excellent row model for many other wind energy projects worldwide.

The turbines in this area once operating will have the capability to produce between 130 and 195 megawatts which should be enough to provide the electricity needs of between 63,000 and 94,500 homes annually. This project is not only project as this company is also planning to redevelop a site in Llandinam, Powys, for 42, 122m (400ft) machines in May.

This could really be a turning point in UK's energy policy that so far hasn't been very oriented on renewable energy sources. Future of energy certainly lies in ecologically acceptable renewable energy sources, especially given the current negative impact of fossil fuels, most notable seen in global warming and climate change phenomenon. Projects like this are still not too significant on global scale but are definitely steps in the right direction. Of course it will take a lot of these steps to really make a difference but it is very positive to see more orientation on renewable energy sources from big countries such as United Kingdom.


Many experts believe that wind energy has great potential, and all what wind energy sector really needs is more development and of course more funding, to become as feasible and as ecologically acceptable as possible. But in order to achieve this many countries will have to change its energy policies on a way that will ensure more stimulants for this alternative energy sources. Wind energy sector has potential in many different parts of not only UK but worldwide but it is still negligible on global scale when compared to some other energy sources.

Hopefully once people and most notable governments see advantages of wind energy things will change for better, and who knows in not so far future we could possibly even speak about «wind energy revolution».

Electric vehicles and US car industry

With unpredictable gasoline prices, oil limits, and negative effects standard gasoline powered cars have on environment, there is tendency for new solutions in transport sector, and one of those solutions are electric vehicles. One of the vehicles that got a lot of talk lately was Chevrolet's Volt extended-range electric vehicle that is permanently driven by electricity, but also uses a small petrol engine to charge its lithium-ion batteries as they become depleted. Without this boost from the petrol engine, its range is just over 64 km (about 40 miles).

The best thing about this electric vehicle is that this car can be plugged into a standard power outlet for a full recharge in less than three hours, and according to the General Motors the charging will cost less per year than running an average refrigerator. Talking about low budget vehicles.

2011 Chevrolet Volt Production Show Car.

This vehicle is only a bit larger than for instance Toyota Corolla, and the Chevrolet Volt's electric motor produces 111kW of power (150 HP) and 370Nm of torque, which should be enough to ensure satisfying performance to majority of customers. It is also interesting to mention that the first time that Chevrolet Volt was shown outside the United States is at the Australian National Motor Show in Sydney and is intended to be sold in markets in Australia and New Zealand in 2012.

This electric car should be American answer to popular Toyota's hybrid cars that are lately getting lots of attention finding home to many customers worldwide, so it is really no surprise that Toyota isn't holding back in its continuous development of hybrid cars in the future, that should be much more efficient than the Toyota's hugely successful Prius.

Toyota does not only have Prius at their disposal but also two new names, Supra HV-R, and Camry. Supra HV-R has already made its name in car history by becoming the first hybrid car to win a motor race, but what is even more important is its development process that tends to make hybrid systems significantly lighter, more powerful, and off course more efficient. Knowing the Japanese precision and quality we can expect only improvements in years to come.

2007 Toyota Supra HR-V.

Toyota plans are already big as the company plans to sell a million hybrids a year globally after 2010 and by the 2020s aims to have its Hybrid Synergy Drive technology across all vehicle series. Therefore it is really good to see American answer to this Japanese expansion in hybrid cars market, though Americans will have their hands full competing with the brand that is known for its quality like Toyota.

Generally it is very good thing to see development of these new technologies worldwide that aim to cut down our current dependence on gasoline, and fossil fuels in general. These technologies already have serious advantages over conventional technologies, especially from ecological point of view as the whole world intends to put more effort to curb down emissions in order to fight global warming.

And as these technologies are developing we should really expect more good news, especially once these technologies become cost-competitive with conventional technologies. Regarding cars, and generally entire transport sector this should happen very soon, not only because of serious steps forward to new technologies that make cars more effective, but especially because many experts believe that oil prices will again continue their rise once this financial crisis starts showing signs of recovery. Gasoline definitely doesn't look as the fuel of the future, and hybrid cars are only first step toward what future has in store for us.