Energy consumption in the U.S.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, electricity consumption will increase by 51 percent from 2002 to 2025.
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Electricity Facts
Electricity facts and facts about electricity: current, sockets, and the bill at the end of the month.
26 facts on this shelf
What is the amount of electricity generated from various sources?
In 2002, the following amount of electricity, in gigawatt-hours, was generated from the following sources of fuel:
Coal: 1,925,792 GWh
Nuclear: 779,461 GWh
Gas: 695,226 GWh
Hydro: 255,077 GWh
Fuel oil: 91,629 GWh
Biomass: 71,534 GWh
Other (geothermal, non-wood waste, wind and solar): 22,737 GWh
First central power plant
The first central power plant Pearl Street Station in lower Manhattan, built by Thomas Edison began generating electricity on September 4, 1882. Pearl Street had one generator and it produced power for 800 electric light bulbs. Within 14 months, Pearl Street Station had 508 subscribers and 12,732 bulbs.
Facts about the electric utility industry
Since the first power plant (thomas edison's power plant) lit up 800 light bulbs in 1882, the electric utility industry has grown to generate over 2.5 million gigawatt-hours annually, the equivalent of lighting 4.8 billion 60-watt light bulbs for a year
Most consumed energy resource in the U.S
Currently, OIL provides the largest share of U.S. energy consumption -- about 41 percent of the entire market. Natural gas provides about 24 percent, coal 23 percent, hydropower 4 percent and nuclear power 8 percent.
In the United States, natural gas is used for:
Industrial processes = 46%
Residential use = 22%
Generating electricity = 15%
Commercial buildings = 15%
Potential renewable energy resources
Energy crops, like switchgrass or fast-growing trees, could provide more than 5,000 megawatts of electricity annually by the year 2010, supporting more than 170,000 jobs and diversifying local farming operations.
Projected U.S. wind energy usage
The U.S. Department of Energy expects wind power to supply at least five percent of the nation's electricity by 2020.
Why use silicon to make photovoltaic cells?
Silicon from one ton of sand, used in photovoltaic cells, could produce as much electricity as burning 500,000 tons of coal.
Geothermal energy in the u.s.
Geothermal energy currently provides more than 2,700 megawatts of electricity nationwide - the equivalent of three nuclear power plants, or enough to power more than 3.5 million homes.
A geothermal power plant emits no nitrogen oxides, very few sulfur dioxides and 1,000 to 2,000 times less carbon dioxide than a fossil fuel plant.
There is a virus battery!
By manipulating a few genes of a virus, researchers at MIT have been able to get this virus to grow and assemble itself in such a way that it functions as a battery!
What is the power of the eel?
An electric eel can produce a shock of up to 650 volts.
A way to turn crap into current
Thai researchers have succeeded in generating electricity from natural gas made from elephant dung.
What is the world flagpole-sitting record you ask?
In 1992, Frank Perkins of Los Angeles made an attempt on the world flagpole-sitting record. Suffering from the flu he came down eight hours short of the 400 day record, his sponsor had gone bust, his girlfriend had left him and his phone and electricity had been cut off.
What is the world flagpole-sitting record you ask?
In 1992, Frank Perkins of Los Angeles made an attempt on the world flagpole-sitting record. Suffering from the flu he came down eight hours short of the 400 day record, his sponsor had gone bust, his girlfriend had left him and his phone and electricity had been cut off.
The efficiency of converting sunlight to electricity in pv cells
The company SunPower in 2008 announced 22% efficiency converting light to electricity. Current high-performance panels, on average, convert about 20 percent of the light that strikes it into electricity. Conventional silicon solar panels convert about 14 to 17 percent of light.
The theoretical maximum is around 26 to 27 percent, although some have said it could go slightly higher.
Can sharks sense electricity?
Sharks have special organs called ampullae of Lorenzini that detect the tiny electric fields produced by other animals' muscles, which helps them find hidden prey.
Is steam still used to make electricity?
Most of the world's electricity is still made with steam, because coal, nuclear, and many natural gas power plants boil water to spin steam turbines.
What was Edison's Pearl Street Station?
Thomas Edison opened the Pearl Street Station in New York City in 1882, the first commercial central power plant in the US.
What do hydrogen fuel cell cars release?
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles combine hydrogen with oxygen to make electricity, and their only tailpipe emission is water.
What is metallic hydrogen?
Scientists think the intense pressure inside Jupiter squeezes hydrogen into a liquid metal that can conduct electricity.
Which metal conducts electricity best?
Silver conducts electricity and heat better than any other metal.
Why is copper used in electrical wiring?
Copper is used in wiring because it conducts electricity well.
What was the War of the Currents?
Nikola Tesla's alternating current (AC) system competed with Edison's direct current in the "War of the Currents," and AC won.
How many people get power from the Hoover Dam?
The Hoover Dam supplies electricity to about 1.3 million people.
Is steam still used to make electricity today?
Most of the world's electricity is still made by steam turbines, since coal, natural gas, and nuclear plants all work by boiling water to spin a turbine.
What was the first commercial power plant in the US?
Edison's Pearl Street Station opened in Manhattan in 1882 as the first commercial central power plant in the US, lighting buildings in the financial district.