The United States Consumed a Record Amount of Renewable Energy in 2020

Published

3 years ago

June 16, 2021

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In 2020, consumption of renewable energy in the United States grew for the fifth year in a row, reaching a record high of 11.6 quadrillion British thermal units (Btu), or 12% of total U.S. energy consumption. Renewable energy was the only source of U.S. energy consumption that increased in 2020 from 2019; fossil fuel and nuclear consumption declined. Our U.S. renewable energy consumption by source and sector chart shows how much renewable energy by source each sector consumes.

We convert sources of energy to common units of heat, called British thermal units (Btu), to compare different types of energy that are usually measured in units that are not directly comparable, such as gallons of biofuels compared with kilowatthours of wind energy.

We use a fossil fuel equivalence to calculate primary energy consumption of noncombustible renewables (wind, hydro, solar, and geothermal), which are not burned to generate electricity and therefore do not have an inherent Btu conversion rate. In this approach, we convert the noncombustible renewables from kilowatthours to Btu using the annual weighted-average Btu conversion rate for all fossil fuels burned to generate electricity in the United States during that year to estimate the amount of fossil energy replaced by these renewable sources.

We use the fossil fuel equivalency approach to report noncombustible renewables’ contribution to total primary energy, in part, because the resulting shares of primary energy are closer to the shares of generated electricity. This calculation also represents the energy that would have been consumed if the electricity from renewable sources had instead been generated by a mix of fossil fuels.

Wind energy, or electricity generated by wind-powered turbines, is almost exclusively consumed in the electric power sector. Wind energy accounted for about 26% of U.S. renewable energy consumption in 2020. Wind surpassed hydroelectricity in 2019 to become the single most-consumed source of renewable energy on an annual basis. In 2020, U.S. wind energy consumption grew 14% from 2019.

Hydroelectric power, or electricity generated by water-powered turbines, is almost exclusively consumed in the electric power sector. It accounted for about 22% of U.S. renewable energy consumption in 2020. U.S. hydropower consumption has remained relatively flat since the 1970s, but it fluctuates with seasonal rainfall and drought conditions.

Wood and waste energy, including wood, wood pellets, and biomass waste from landfills, accounted for about 22% of U.S. renewable energy consumption in 2020. Industrial, commercial, and electric power facilities use wood and waste as a fuel to generate electricity, produce heat, and manufacture goods.

Biofuels, including fuel ethanol, biodiesel, and other renewable fuels, accounted for about 17% of U.S. renewable energy consumption in 2020. U.S. biofuel consumption fell 11% from 2019 as overall transportation sector energy use declined in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Solar energy accounted for about 11% of U.S. renewable energy consumption in 2020. Solar photovoltaic (PV) cells, including rooftop panels, and solar thermal power plants use sunlight to generate electricity. Some residential and commercial buildings use solar heating systems to heat water and the building. Overall, 2020 U.S. solar consumption increased 22% from 2019.

Principal contributor: Mickey Francis

Source:U.S. Energy Information Administration, Monthly Energy Review. Note: Click for full U.S. renewable energy chart.

Courtesy of Today in Energy — U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)

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Environment

JPMorgan’s calls for a reality check on energy transition are sensible, UAE energy minister says

Published

7 hours ago

April 29, 2024

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JPMorgan’s calls for a reality check on energy transition are sensible, UAE energy minister says

UAE energy minister on JPMorgan urging the need for a 'reality check' on the energy transition

JPMorgan’s calls for a “reality check” on the world’s energy transition goals and pathway is a “sensible,” the UAE’s energy minister told CNBC.

“We need always, whenever we put up predictions, especially long term ones, to have a reality check,” Suhail Al Mazrouei told CNBC’s Dan Murphy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum.

In a recent note to client, JPMorgan warned that the world needed a “reality check” on its efforts to move from fossil fuels to renewables, pointing out that it could take “generations” to reach net-zero targets.

Higher interest rates, inflation and the ongoing wars in Ukraine and the Middle East are setting back efforts to reduce the use of fossil fuels like oil, coal and gas, the report said.

“I think it’s a very sensible article,” said Al Mazrouei. The minister, however, highlighted that the circumstances and financial capabilities of each country on undertaking the energy transition goals will vary.

The world is not the same… Some can afford it. They worked on fiscal changes, they adjusted their energy costs. Others have not.

Suhail Al Mazrouei

UAE’s Minister of Energy

“The world is not the same … Some can afford it. They worked on fiscal changes, they adjusted their energy costs. Others have not, [they] cannot afford to do it,” he added.

The world’s governments agreed in the 2015 Paris climate accord to limit global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, and pursue efforts to limit the temperature rise to 1.5°C. To do that, emissions need to be reduced by 45% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050.

A higher interest rate environment is also making it costlier for the world to transition to a net zero global economy, energy consultancy Wood Mackenzie said in a recent note.

Higher interest rates disproportionately affect renewables and nuclear power, said Peter Martin, Wood Mackenzie’s head of economics, adding that high capital intensity and low returns mean future projects will be at risk.

“The higher cost of borrowing negatively affects renewables and nascent technologies, compared to more established oil and gas, and metals and mining sectors, which remain somewhat insulated,” he said.

Just this month, Scotland’s government scrapped its 2030 climate target, with its Net Zero Minister Mairi McAllan saying the goal is “out of reach.”

She added that “severe budgetary restrictions imposed by the UK government” had a part to play in the retreat. The country had pledged to pare back emissions of greenhouse gases by 75% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels.

Major oil companies such as BP and Shell also trimmed back on climate targets this year.

The UAE is one of the countries that signed up to triple the world’s capacity for nuclear energy by the year 2050.

Environment

RIZON class 4 and 5 electric MD trucks arrive in Canada

Published

16 hours ago

April 28, 2024

admin

RIZON class 4 and 5 electric MD trucks arrive in Canada

RIZON Truck Enters Canadian Market with its Groundbreaking Electric Class 4 and 5 Vehicles

Daimler’s new, all-electric truck brand made its Canadian debut this week with the official market launch of its battery electric class 4 and 5 medium duty work trucks.

After making its North American debut at the 2023 ACT Expo in Anaheim, California, Daimler Truck’s RIZON brand has continued on a steady march towards production with initial preorders set to open this June. But it won’t just be Americans who can order a new RIZON electric box truck – Canadians will be able to add them to their fleets at the same time.

“Canada is very advanced regarding green energy and infrastructure and is a natural next step for RIZON’s second market,” explains Andreas Deuschle, the Global Head of RIZON. “We are very happy to bring our zero-emission solution to Canadian customers. They are proven OEM trucks with the latest technology from Daimler Truck.”

Modernism and mandates

RIZON electric truck interior; via Daimler Truck.

Along with California and a handful of other US states, the Canadian government has plans to limit (or outright ban) the use of diesel trucks on its roads. In the case of Canada, the nation has committed to a zero emissions goal by 2050 – but Daimler could have gotten there without launching a new brand.

So, why is Daimler launching a new brand?

RIZON is about reaching new customers with a chassis that’s been designed from the ground-up to be an EV. These customers might be new to Daimler, or looking to replace an aging fleet of Isuzu or (more likely) Mitsubishi Fuso cabovers with something a little more modern.

What they’ll find in a RIZON, then, is a smooth, quiet, and car-like ride that will make the “step up” from something like a Ford E-Transit easier than they might think.

Our own Jameson Dow got to drive a RIZON e18L model at an event hosted by Velocity Truck Centers at Irwindale Speedway last year, and came away impressed with the truck’s smooth acceleration and adjustable regenerative braking.

RIZON will offer four model variants for Canadian customers, the e16L, e16M, e18L, and the e18M, with a range of configurations and options ranging from 7.25 to 8.55 ton GVWRs.

Electrek’s Take

There’s definitely a place in the North American market for an agile, easy-to-drive medium duty truck like the RIZON, and Daimler’s nationwide network of Freightliner and Western Star dealers should give first time MD buyers a bit more peach of mind than they might get from a startup brand.

You can check out the specs on each of the RIZON electric models, below, then let us know what you think of these new cabover EVs in the comments.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Environment

777 hp electric overland concept from Italdesign bows in Beijing [video]

Published

17 hours ago

April 28, 2024

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777 hp electric overland concept from Italdesign bows in Beijing [video]

Italdesign Quintessenza Is A Piece Of Italian Overlanding Art

The all-new, all-electric Italdesign Quintessenza concept is a high-tech Italian take on the Porsche Dakar concept that’s just begging to be put into production.

Making its debut at the Beijing Auto Show, the Italdesign Quintessenza concept embodies both the dynamic prowess of a GT and the versatile adaptability of a pick-up truck. At least, that’s what its makers say. And, if your idea of a pickup truck leans more towards “Subaru Brat” than “Ford F-150 Lightning,” that’s probably right!

The rear section of the Quintessenza converts from a “hatchback” to an open “pickup” bed in true Brat fashion. The rear seats are designed to flip 180-degrees backwards, providing a rear-facing, panoramic “stargazing” mode that promises, “(the) experience and feeling of connection with nature and the outside world.”

Stargazing mode

In its more conventional GT “mode,” the Quintessenza is arguably the best-looking Italdesign concept to come out in years, with vertical lighting elements up front and aggressively-sculpted rear haunches that this writer thinks would be a natural for Audi.

Those design elements aren’t just aesthetic – they’re loaded with electronics. “Two aerodynamic fins that integrate the ADAS systems are present on the upper back of the roof, at the level of the C-pillars,” reads the official release. “They map the surrounding environment when the satellite signal is poor, and offer multifunction lights indicating the car’s driving mode and braking when the hard top is removed.”

Quintessenza vertical elements

So, what kind of vehicle is the Italdesign Quintessenza? Is it a true overland GT, in the style of the Porsche Dakar or 911 SC/RS (the rally car that became the 959)? Is it a high-end spin on the classic Subaru Brat? A futuristic Ute for traversing the Australian outback? Or is it something else entirely?

That’s above our pay grades – but you, dear readers? You guys know what’s up, so check out the official Quintessenza launch video (below), then let us know what you think of Italdesign’s latest in the comments section at the bottom of the page.