Courtesy: eia.gov
What is renewable energy?
Renewable energy is energy from sources that are naturally replenishing but flow-limited; renewable resources are virtually inexhaustible in duration but limited in the amount of energy that is available per unit of time.
The major types of renewable energy sources are:
DOWNLOAD IMAGE
U.S. primary energy consumption by energy source, 2020total = 92.94 quadrillion British thermal units (Btu)total = 11.59 quadrillion Btu2% – geothermal 11% – solar 26% – wind 4% – biomass waste 17% – biofuels 18% – wood 22% – hydroelectricbiomass 39%renewable energy 12%natural gas 34%petroleum 35%nuclear electric power 9%coal 10%Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Monthly Energy Review, Table 1.3 and 10.1, April 2021, preliminary data Note: Sum of components may not equal 100% because of independent rounding.
What role does renewable energy play in the United States?
Until the mid-1800s, wood was the source of nearly all of the nation’s energy needs for heating, cooking, and lighting. From the late 1800s until today, fossil fuels—coal, petroleum, and natural gas—have been the major sources of energy. Hydropower and wood were the most used renewable energy resources until the 1990s. Since then, the amounts of U.S. energy consumption from biofuels, geothermal energy, solar energy, and wind energy have increased. Total U.S. renewable energy production and consumption reached record highs in 2020.
In 2020, renewable energy provided about 11.59 quadrillion British thermal units (Btu)—1 quadrillion is the number 1 followed by 15 zeros—equal to 12% of total U.S. energy consumption. The electric power sector accounted for about 60% of total U.S. renewable energy consumption in 2020, and about 20% of total U.S. electricity generation was from renewable energy sources.
Shares of total U.S. energy consumption by major sources in selected years (1776-2020)
Bar chart with 7 data series.
An interactive stacked column chart showing shares of total annual U.S. energy consumption by major sources in selected years in 1776 through 2020
The chart has 1 X axis displaying categories.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying values. Range: 0 to 100.
Shares of total U.S. energy consumption by major sources in selected years(1776-2020)woodcoalpetroleumnatural gasnuclearhydroelectricother renewables177618001825185018751900192519501975200020200%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Monthly Energy Review, Appendix D.1, and Tables 1.1 and 10.1, April 2021,preliminary data for 2020Note: Wood includes wood and wood waste; other renewables includes biofuels, geothermal, solar, and wind.
End of interactive chart.
Renewable energy can play an important role in U.S. energy security and in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Using renewable energy can help to reduce energy imports and reduce fossil fuel use, which is the largest source of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions. In the Annual Energy Outlook 2021 Reference case, EIA projects that U.S. renewable energy consumption will continue to increase through 2050. The Reference case generally assumes that current laws and regulations that affect the energy sector, including laws that have end dates, remain unchanged throughout the projection period. The potential effects of proposed legislation, regulations, or standards are not included in the AEO2021.