Americans are using less energy overall and making more use of renewable energy resources, according to a statement issued by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Estimated U.S. energy use in 2009 declined by approximately 4.5 percent from 2008, LLNL reported. Energy use in the residential, commercial, industrial and transportation sectors all declined by 1.95, 1.06, 9.92 and 3.27 percent, respectively.

“Energy use tends to follow the level of economic activity, and that level declined last year. At the same time, higher efficiency appliances and vehicles reduced energy use even further,” said A.J. Simon, an LLNL energy systems analyst who develops the energy flow charts. “As a result, people and businesses are using less energy in general.”

According to the report, the United States used significantly less coal and petroleum in 2009 than in 2008, and significantly more wind power. Wind power use for primary energy was up 37.25 percent over 2008 levels, and since most of that energy is tied directly to electricity generation, it contributes to declining use of coal for electricity production. There also was a decline in natural gas use and increases in solar, hydro and geothermal power. Nuclear energy use remained relatively flat.

The estimated U.S. energy use in 2009 equaled 94.6 quadrillion BTUs (quads), down from 99.2 quadrillion BTUs in 2008. The average American household uses about 95 million BTU per year.  Of the 94.6 quads consumed, only 39.97 ended up as energy services. Energy services, such as lighting and machinery output, are harder to estimate than fuel consumption.  

The ratio of energy services to the total amount of energy used is a measure of the country’s energy efficiency.

Be Sociable, Share!

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•