Environment & Energy
Related: About this forumAmericans used less energy in 2015
(Please note, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory copyright concerns are nil.)
https://www.llnl.gov/news/americans-used-less-energy-2015
[font size=5]Americans used less energy in 2015[/font]
[font size=3]Americans used less energy overall in 2015 than the previous year, according to the most recent energy flow charts released by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
Each year, the Laboratory releases energy flow charts that illustrate the nation's consumption and use of energy. Overall, Americans used 0.8 quadrillion BTU, or quads, less in 2015 than in 2014 (a BTU or British Thermal Unit, is a unit of measurement for energy; 3,600 BTU is equivalent to about 1 kilowatt-hour).
Natural gas use increased by 3 percent to 28.3 quads while coal use decreased by 12 percent to 15.7 quads. The drop in coal consumption is almost entirely due to the electricity sector, which continues to use more natural gas, in favor of coal, said A.J. Simon, group leader for LLNLs energy program. "In fact, much of the overall decrease in energy consumption can be traced to the shift from coal to gas, because modern gas-fired plants may use up to 46 percent less energy to produce the same amount of electricity.
The estimate U.S. energy consumption in 2015 was 97.5 quads.
Renewable energy continues to grow, with use of wind energy up 5 percent, geothermal energy up 11 percent and residential solar energy up 11 percent. Utility scale solar energy, which saw the completion of several major projects in recent years, was up 25 percent. Prices for photovoltaic panels have fallen dramatically over the past decade, contributing to solar energy's rapid growth.
Residential natural gas consumption fell by 0.5 quads in 2015 due to a mild winter. Commercial and industrial uses of energy saw much smaller decreases.
Not all the energy consumed is put to use and accounts for the rejected energy, according to the charts. The country wasted 1 percent less energy in 2015, going from 59.4 quadrillion BTU in 2014 down to 59.1 quads in 2015. This decrease is tied to the increase in efficiency of the electricity production sector, such as large solar farms in the desert, according to Simon.
The majority of energy use in 2015 was used for electricity generation (38 quads, down slightly from 2014), followed by transportation, industrial, residential and commercial. The residential, commercial and industrial sectors used less energy in 2015, except for petroleum use, which increased by 2 percent. Petroleum use continues to track with the nation's steady and modest economic growth more people are driving for work and recreation, and more economic activity increases commercial and industrial shipments.[/font][/font]
Wellstone ruled
(34,661 posts)lobbyed State Legislatures to say their collective hind ends. We have seen this in Nevada,Arizona,Utah and Idaho with legislation killing Solar for the common people. Artificial Refined Fuels pricing not reflective of true economic conditions. The true lie about Capitalistic Economic Supply Demand Models.
What we are seeing is a normal trend from a populace that has found energy saving does have a pay back and most are making day to day decisions in their purchases. More efficient Autos as well as Appliances are the fair of the day.
DustyJoe
(849 posts)I saved a bunch last winter. Completed my house with solar water heat and in-floor solar heating along with a smallish photovoltaic system I run (all 5 watt LED) lighting/electronics on and only use utility system for the big appliances. Now the electric utility (city govt owned) is talking surcharge on solar users. I don't grid tie or sell excess to the utility, I use all I generate and remain tied to the utility for the appliances, but they want to penalize me for saving what I can. So much for Govt is all in for energy savings and global warming.
Travis_0004
(5,417 posts)I use 200kwh a month on average, so I pay for it every month on my power bill.
If my neighbor has solar and uses almost nothing, he still wants lines ran to his house, and still wants reliable energy, but is no longer paying for his share. If you want to opt out of energy, I think you should be allowed to disconnect, but as long as you are connected, there are cost associated with it, and your neighbors should not be the one picking up the bill.
cprise
(8,445 posts)The claims of utilities that you're echoing are unsupported.
http://mediamatters.org/research/2015/09/14/myths-and-facts-about-net-metering-for-solar-en/205519
Starting in the early 2000s, California's grid actually experienced significant benefits by encouraging as much rooftop solar as possible. This shifted generation closer to where the power was used and relieved their crisis in transmission line capacity somewhat.
DustyJoe
(849 posts)My entry explains I use the city owned utility for all but minor usage and I DO pay my monthly usage/service connection bill. No neighbor is picking up any costs for me, I am trying to save energy 400 watts at a time, not stupid enough to think I am saving the planet, but doing my part as I can. I guess if solar/wind becomes an all or nothing like you describe then there will be fewer power savers.