Energy in the United States - Where We Are Going

 

In the previous diagram, we saw the elimination of petroleum in electricity generation and a steep decline of coal use. This diagram shows all of the energy consumed in the U.S. by type and I believe that it is one of the Energy Information Adminstration's (EIA) best. But we will be focusing on the electric power sector specifically.  It has the energy sources on the left in absolute quadrillion BTUs sourced and in perecntage of the total energy produced.  On the right are energy uses by sector in absolute and percentage of total energy consumed.  In between the sources and uses are lines moving left to right, show the percent of energy produced for a sector (left side) and what percent of the consuming sector that energy source is.  For example, of the 36.3 quadrillion BTUs of petroleum produced, 71% of it goes to the transportation sector.  Of the 27.0 quadrillion BTUs of petroleum consumed in the transportation secto, petroleum represents 93% of the total energy consumed by the sector.  The remaining percentage is represented by compressed natural gas at 3% and battery at 4%.  

 

So, if we look at the actions by the Federal Government, there are clear trends towards reducing petroleum use for the auto sector, increasing natural gas use for the residential and commercial sectors, but decreasing hydrofracturing drilling for petroleum and natural gas.  You can't push for higher use in electrical generation, while advocatng reduced supply by cutting hydrofracturing.  Something must give.  Reducing coal production for electric power generation at 46%, means that it must be made up elsewhere.  It can't come from nuclear as that is constrained by politics, economics and environment.  Of the 13% of renewables, 80% of that comes from hydropower, which is constrained for the same above reasons.  That makes a total of 30% of energy consumed by the electric power sector as constrained.  Petroleum is at 1% and is basically meaningless. Therefore, it must all come from renewables, non-hydropower.  This must occur now, as the coal industry is rapidly losing its dominent market share.

 

Since the last update of this page two years ago, the below updated chart shows the progress that the US has made in reducing coal as a fuel source down from 19.7 quadrillion Btus in 2011 to 14.2 quadrillion Btus in 2016, almost a 20% reduction as a fuel source in 5 years.  Coal as a fuel used for electrical power dropped from 46% of the fuel inputs to 34%, a huge change.