Why Is Electrical Power So Important?
For example, this is how energy, in all of its forms, is consumed in the United States.
- 12.4% of all the energy consumed in the United States is used for commercial sites while 15.7% is used for residential sites.
- 34.7% is used for such applications as powering appliances, machinery, lighting, computerized systems and security systems at industrial sites.
- 37.2% percent of the energy consumed is for transportation purposes.
Why are these numbers so important?
The numbers are important for several reasons.
First, of the amount that is consumed for transportation, 94% of that energy is sourced from petroleum. For all the economic, environmental and security reasons that have been stated over and over again in the press and in dissertations on the topic, there is a fundamental need to reduce the world's (not just the United States) dependency on fossil fuels.
Reducing the dependency on petroleum fuels is important.
In the United States we are working to shift much of this energy consumption from foreign sourced, petroleum based energy to electrical energy derived from U.S. domestic sources.
How?
The United States has the ability to control, with its own natural resources, the production of electricity. The primary source of this electrical power is from coal, natural gas, nuclear and hydroelectric power. Yes - some of these energy sources have characteristics that are less desirable than pure "renewable" energy sources.
For example:
Coal has not had a history of being clean - but technological advances at coal plants have made it "cleaner" - if not clean.
Nuclear has the challenge of what to do with and where to securely and safely store the spent fuel rods.
It can be argued that natural gas is also a fossil fuel - but unlike imported petroleum products, there is an abundant supply within the borders of the United States.
The challenges stated above can be addressed by any country. Greater control over energy generation can be achieved while at the same time reducing the dependency on petroleum based energy.
Making Progress
Crude oil accounts for the largest share of U.S. energy imports, and the United States remained a net importer of crude oil in 2019. However, in 2019, U.S. crude oil net imports were at the lowest level since the mid-1980s. The United States has always been a net exporter of coal, which reduces net total energy imports.
U.S. a Net Energy Exporter
In 2019, total U.S. energy exports were greater than total energy imports, and the United States became a net total energy exporter for the first time since 1952.
Position Statement
It is the position of Energy Transitions that we all must become smarter with regards to energy generation and consumption, and a shift to electrical energy, especially with regards to transportation, is a major, important step to achieving that goal. Let Energy Transitions help your company understand your energy requirements, your energy usage and to help chart a course to energy independence.