What are the major sources and users of energy in the United States? (2024)

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What are the major sources and users of energy in the United States? ›

Fossil fuels have long produced most energy in the US, currently accounting for 79% of total production and 61% of electric generation.

Fossil fuels have long produced most energy in the US, currently accounting for 79% of total production and 61% of electric generation.

Primary energy sources include fossil fuels (petroleum, natural gas, and coal), nuclear energy, and renewable sources of energy. Electricity is a secondary energy source that is generated (produced) from primary energy sources.

In 2021, fossil fuels remained the most common fuel type for electricity production in the U.S. The primary fuel type was natural gas, accounting for about 38.4% of total energy production nationwide. Coal was the second most common fuel type, accounting for 21.9% of electricity production. Nuclear was third at 18.9%.

Globally we get the largest amount of our energy from oil, followed by coal, gas, and hydroelectric power. However, other renewable sources are now growing quickly.

The industrial sector is the greatest energy end-user in the United States, reaching a consumption of some 32.91 quadrillion British thermal units in 2022.

- The Sun generates its own heat and light energy which acts as the fuel to carry majority of processes on Earth.

Primary energy sources take many forms, including nuclear energy, fossil energy -- like oil, coal and natural gas -- and renewable sources like wind, solar, geothermal and hydropower.

Total U.S. electricity consumption in 2022 was about 4.07 trillion kWh, the highest amount recorded and 14 times greater than electricity use in 1950. Total annual U.S. electricity consumption increased in all but 11 years between 1950 and 2022, and 8 of the years with year-over-year decreases occurred after 2007.

What is the cheapest source of electricity? ›

Solar energy has come a long way over the past few decades, and today it has become the cheapest source of electricity in history, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).

More than half of energy use in homes is for heating and air conditioning.

Renewable energy generates over 20% of all U.S. electricity , and that percentage continues to grow. The following graphic breaks down the shares of total electricity production in 2022 among the types of renewable power: In 2022, annual U.S. renewable energy generation surpassed coal for the first time in history.

Energy Sources in the United States

Natural gas: 31.8% Petroleum (crude oil and natural gas plant liquids): 28% Coal: 17.8% Renewable energy: 12.7%

Primary energy consumption by source in the U.S. 2021-2022

Petroleum is the primary source of energy in the United States, with a consumption of 35.85 quadrillion British thermal units in 2022. Closely following, the U.S. had 33.41 quadrillion British thermal units of energy derived from natural gas.

In fact, the top five energy-producing states overall (Texas, Wyoming, Pennsylvania, Louisiana and West Virginia) are also the top five fossil energy-producing states. The combined fossil energy produced by these five states combined accounts for more than 42 percent of the total energy produced in the U.S. each year.

Texas is the largest energy producing state in the United States. In 2021, it accounted for 23.8 percent of the country's total energy production, with the majority originating from crude oil and natural gas.

In short, wind energy offers the most economical, environmental, and logistical benefits of any energy source. Look to Inspire to learn more about the benefits of renewable energy.

Your body breaks down carbohydrates into glucose. Glucose, or blood sugar, is the main source of energy for your body's cells, tissues, and organs. Glucose can be used immediately or stored in the liver and muscles for later use.