Renewables Exceeded 9.5% of U.S. Energy Production in 2013

Econintersect:  The U.S. continues to grow green energy production without much help from solar as yet.  For 2013 the Energy Information Agency estimates that a little more than 9.5% of all U.S. energy needs (electricity plus heat) were provided by renewable energy sources.  The largest sources of power in this category came from hydroelectric, wood biomass and wind.  Energy production (electricity) from wind is expected to grow by 7-8% in each 2014 and 2015.  By 2015 wind is expected to produce 4.6% of all U.S. electricity.  Solar is projected to still be a minor component of U.S. energy by 2015, expected to provide only 0.6% of U.S. electricity.

Some other interesting facts from the 2014 EIA reports:

• Renewables now provide about 12% more energy in the U.S. than nuclear power.

• Though still relatively small, solar power is by far the fastest growing segment of the renewable energy cohort.

• In 2013 U.S. energy imports (24.54 quadrillion btu) were approximately double energy exports (11.80 quadrillion btu).

• Of the four designated uses for energy, in 2013 industrial usage was the largest (32%), followed by transportation (28%), then residential (22%) and lowest was commercial usage (18%).

The following two graphics contain data discussed above.

Click on diagram for large image at eia.gov.

John Lounsbury

Sources:

Annual Energy Review (U.S. EIA)

Short-Term Energy Outlook (U.S. EIA)

Renewables and CO2 Emissions (Short-Term Energy Outlook, U.S. EIA)