U.S. Energy Consumption by Source

1
U.S. Energy Consumption by Source

• Rob Herbertson

2
U.S. Energy Consumption

• As the worlds leader in overall energy
  consumption, where do we USA get our energy?
• How do we manage to use more energy than
  countries with several times our population?
• How sustainable are our energy sources?
• What is the cost of replacing non-renewable
  energy sources with renewable ones?http//www.e
  ia.doe.gov/pub/international/iealf/tablee1c.xls

3
U.S. Energy Sources

• Since the 1950s, our primary energy source has
  been petroleum, mainly for transportation.
• The upward trend in the use of petroleum, natural
  gas, coal, and nuclear energy appears to grow in
  accordance with Kurzweils law of accelerating
  returns.
• Perhaps the next interim energy source will be
  nuclear power once we deplete our petroleum
  reserves.

4
Potential Solutions

• We need more efficient energy sources coupled
  with more efficient utilization of these
  resources.
• Rather than shift demand to other energy sources,
  look for alternatives which could lower the
  demand for energy.
• We have failed to harness, on a large scale, free
  solar energy, even in the face of modern, cheap,
  and efficient photovoltaic cells. Why?