The major source of electricity in the US is natural gas. But what about nuclear power and wind energy? Which is the best for the US? This article will answer that question and more. It is time to take a closer look at US energy sources and how they are helping our nation’s electric companies to produce energy. Natural gas is a major source of electricity in 19 states and provides 50 percent or more of the country’s electricity.
Natural gas
Natural gas is a vital component of the world’s energy supply. It provides more than half of the energy used by residential customers and almost forty percent of the energy used by U.S. industry. Natural gas is the safest and cleanest energy source in use today, accounting for about half of the country’s total energy consumption. In addition to being the main source of electricity, natural gas is also a viable fuel for automobiles, though the cost is significantly higher than gasoline.
Natural gas is used in an endless variety of ways today. According to the US Department of Energy, it is as much as 68 percent cheaper than electricity. It is used for cooking, heating, and lighting. It also powers many appliances in commercial settings, including clothes dryers, garage heaters, and outdoor lights. It is also extremely efficient for powering appliances. Natural gas is the main source of electricity in the US, and is widely available in all fifty states.
Coal
In the U.S., coal is the largest energy source, providing 23 percent of the country’s total energy consumption. Oil is primarily used for automotive fuel, while the vast majority of coal is used to generate electricity. Because the continental U.S. contains such a large amount of coal, experts have estimated that there is enough coal for the entire nation to run on for at least 200 years. Although coal is an important export for the U.S., it is now facing increased competition from other coal-producing countries.
In the United States, coal has been the main source of electricity for nearly two decades, but it is beginning to fall out of favor as natural gas and renewable energy become more prevalent. By 2025, utilities in this state are required to produce 25 percent of their electricity from renewable sources. In addition, the state has passed laws to make solar and wind energy a mandatory source of electricity in all utilities by 2025. In a bid to meet its strict environmental regulations, utilities must source 25 percent of their electricity from renewable sources.
Nuclear power
While nuclear power is one of the most popular sources of electricity in the US, there are many disadvantages to this energy source. The nuclear energy process uses radioactive material to produce energy. However, this radioactive material is not dangerous to humans. It is only a minor risk in comparison to the carbon dioxide produced by coal-fired power plants. It is also a cleaner energy source than fossil fuels. Nuclear power is also a good alternative for countries where coal is expensive or a major source of electricity.
In Illinois, for example, nuclear power plants have been threatened by a deregulated market. Until 2016, utilities had to purchase low-carbon energy credits to meet requirements under the Illinois Low Carbon Portfolio Standard. The law was in line with the EPA Clean Power Plan. Despite this, Exelon has announced plans to close three nuclear reactors in Illinois and one in Iowa in the near future. However, it is unclear whether the Illinois legislature will pass a more comprehensive energy plan in 2017.
Wind power
Renewable energy is becoming the main source of electricity in the US. A variety of technologies such as wind turbines are being developed in the US. Wind power has been a significant part of European power grids for more than a decade. According to Fabian Ronningen, an analyst at the Norwegian power market research company Rystad, the EU and the UK can produce nearly half of their electricity from wind power by 2020, which is almost twice as high as the US’s capacity. In the US, the administration has more than 100 offshore-wind projects planned. Wind turbines are expected to be deployed in all states by 2025.
Moreover, wind power generates nearly 10% of the country’s electricity. The wind industry in the US employs more than 120,000 people, including nearly 24,000 jobs in wind turbine manufacturing facilities. Furthermore, the job growth of wind turbine technicians in the US is six times higher than that of the overall labor force. Wind power in the US also employs more veterans than the national average, and government requirements for the industry almost guarantee the continued growth of the wind energy industry.
Petroleum coke
The United States is the world’s largest exporter of petroleum coke, a byproduct produced from the combustion of oil. Petcoke has high sulfur content and is used in various industries. However, many policymakers are unaware of this trend. They say that petcoke is a clean and renewable fuel, but critics point out that the United States is exporting its environmental problem. To address this, policymakers are examining the potential impact of the coke on the environment.
While petcoke is relatively stable under normal conditions, it can be explosive and flammable when burned. The emissions from petcoke combustion pose a number of risks to human health and the environment. Inhalation of petcoke dust particles can cause respiratory inflammation. However, such effects are likely to be attributed to the non-specific nature of the dust particles. Inhaling petcoke is a great source of air pollution and can contribute to global warming.
Geothermal energy
Geothermal energy has been used to produce electricity for many decades. Its electrical output peaked in 1987, but has decreased since. New developments in the area have led to hopes that the natural resource will eventually supply 10 percent of the electrical capacity in western U.S. By the end of the century, geothermal energy could account for 10 percent of western U.S. power capacity. The costs of power produced by geothermal power plants are comparable to those of conventional power plants, and the electricity produced by them is as cheap as 4.5 to 7 cents per kilowatt hour. By comparison, new coal-fired plants cost about four cents per kilowatt-hour.
The United States has the largest geothermal energy resources, with geothermal fields covering more than 117 square kilometers in California. The US has the largest geothermal field in the world, “The Geysers,” which consists of 22 geothermal power plants with a combined installed capacity of more than 1.5 GW. Iceland has been using geothermal energy since 1907. The country produces 25 percent of its electricity from geothermal power plants, and has over 600 hot springs and 200 volcanoes.