Trystan Casey
The United States has the second largest electricity sector in the world, with 4,178 Terawatt-hours of generation in 2023. The three major categories of energy for electricity generation are fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, and petroleum), nuclear energy, and renewable energy. Natural gas was the top source of U.S. utility-scale electricity generation in 2023, accounting for about 43% of the total. Renewable energy sources are becoming increasingly important, with wind energy and solar power leading the way.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Major Sources | Fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, and petroleum), nuclear energy, and renewable energy |
| Top Source | Natural gas (43% of US utility-scale electricity generation in 2023) |
| Second-Largest Source | Nuclear energy (20% of total electric energy consumption in 2007) |
| Third-Largest Source | Coal (16% of US electricity generation in 2023) |
| Renewable Energy Sources | Wind energy, hydropower, solar photovoltaic, solar thermal power, biomass, geothermal power |
| % of Total US Utility-Scale Electricity Generation from Renewable Sources in 2023 | 21% |
| % of Total US Utility-Scale Electricity Generation from Wind Energy in 2023 | 10% |
| % of Total US Utility-Scale Electricity Generation from Hydropower in 2023 | 6% |
| % of Total US Utility-Scale Electricity Generation from Solar Photovoltaic and Solar Thermal Power in 2023 | 4% |
| % of Total US Utility-Scale Electricity Generation from Biomass in 2023 | 1% |
| % of Total US Utility-Scale Electricity Generation from Geothermal Power in 2023 | <1% |
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What You'll Learn
Fossil fuels
Coal, which has seen a decline since its peak in 2008, was the fourth-highest energy source in 2023, contributing about 16% of US electricity generation. Nearly all coal-fired power plants use steam turbines, although one plant converts coal into gas for use in gas turbines.
Petroleum, on the other hand, contributed a much smaller share of about 0.4% to US electricity generation in 2023. Residual fuel oil and petroleum coke are used in steam turbines, while distillate fuel oil, or diesel, is used in internal combustion engines such as diesel-engine generators.
While renewable energy sources are growing rapidly in the US, fossil fuels continue to dominate the country's energy landscape. In 2018, fossil fuels met about 80% of the nation's energy demand, a slight decrease from 84% a decade earlier.
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Nuclear energy
Nuclear power is generated through the use of sustained nuclear fission to produce heat and electricity. In 2019, 94 commercial reactors in the US produced a total of 809.41 terawatt-hours of electricity, and by 2024, nuclear energy accounted for 18.6% of the nation's total electric energy generation. The United States is the world's largest producer of commercial nuclear power, generating 33% of the world's nuclear electricity in 2013.
Despite these advantages, there has been considerable public and scientific debate about the use of nuclear power in the United States, particularly from the 1960s to the late 1980s, and again since 2001. About sixty anti-nuclear power groups have operated in the country, advocating for safety and raising concerns about the use of nuclear energy.
The US government has recently taken steps to advance the development and deployment of advanced nuclear technologies. Executive orders have been signed to encourage commercial nuclear fuel recycling, streamline reactor testing, and increase the use of nuclear power in military installations. These actions reflect a consistent policy outlook on nuclear energy, aiming to meet the nation's energy supply and environmental needs.
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Renewable energy
Wind energy is the largest contributor to renewable electricity generation in the US, providing about 10% of the country's total electricity in 2023. Wind turbines convert wind energy into electricity, and advancements in technology have helped to improve their efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Hydropower is another significant source of renewable electricity, contributing about 6% of the total US electricity generation in 2023. Hydropower plants use flowing water to spin a turbine connected to a generator. While hydroelectric power was the largest producer of renewable power in the US until 2019, it has since been overtaken by wind power.
Solar energy, including solar photovoltaic (PV) and solar thermal power, provided about 4% of total US electricity generation in 2023. PV systems convert sunlight directly into electricity using photovoltaic cells, while solar-thermal power systems use steam turbines to generate electricity. The US has seen rapid growth in solar capacity in recent years, with solar accounting for 53% of new generating capacity in 2023.
Other renewable energy sources in the US include biomass, geothermal, and biofuels. Biomass, derived from plant materials, accounted for about 1% of total US utility-scale electricity generation in 2023. Geothermal power plants, which use hydrothermal resources to generate electricity, produced less than 1% of total US electricity generation in the same year.
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$10.47
Natural gas
The exploration, production, processing, transportation, storage, and marketing of natural gas and natural gas liquids make up the natural gas industry. Natural gas exploration and production are combined with petroleum exploration and production into a single industry, and many wells produce both oil and gas. Natural gas was typically an unwanted byproduct of oil production in the 1800s and early 1900s. However, it became a sought-after commodity as it was priced cheaply and could undercut the market for town gas.
The states that use the most natural gas for electricity production are Texas, Florida, California, and New York. Consumption of natural gas in the US is strongly seasonal, with higher consumption in the winter than in the summer, depending on the severity of the winter. Underground gas storage facilities have been established to make larger volumes of gas available in the winter.
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Solar power
The United States has long been a leader in solar energy research and development. In the early 1980s, the US accounted for over 85% of the solar market, and the country continues to be among the top producers of electricity generated by the sun. In 2024, utility-scale solar power generated 218.5 terawatt-hours (TWh) in the US, with a total solar generation of 303.2 TWh when including small-scale photovoltaic generation. As of the end of 2024, the US had 239 gigawatts (GW) of installed photovoltaic and concentrated solar power capacity combined, second only to China and the European Union.
The adoption of solar power provides several benefits to the United States. Firstly, it helps to improve air and water quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to the fight against climate change. Additionally, solar power creates household savings, as solar owners can reduce their energy bills over the lifetime of their systems. Solar power also enhances grid reliability and resilience, helping communities maintain power during extreme weather events and disruptions.
The cost of solar energy has decreased over time, making it a more accessible and attractive option for many Americans. This has led to an increase in solar installations, with millions of Americans choosing to power their homes with solar energy. As a result, the solar industry has experienced significant growth, providing economic opportunities and contributing to local economies.
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Frequently asked questions
The three major categories are fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, and petroleum), nuclear energy, and renewable energy.
Renewable energy sources include wind, solar, hydropower, biomass, and geothermal power.
Natural gas was the top source of US utility-scale electricity generation in 2023, accounting for about 43%.
As of 2007, there were 104 commercial nuclear reactors in the US, generating approximately 20% of the nation's total electric energy consumption.
Renewable energy sources accounted for about 21% of total US utility-scale electricity generation in 2023, up from 12% in 1990.
