Infographic: Power Sources Diversify
Infographic: Power Sources Diversify
The mix of electricity generation sources changed drastically over the past 50 years, both in the U.S. and worldwide.
As of 2023, 60 percent of U.S. power is still produced using fossil fuels, 19 percent with nuclear power, and 21 percent with renewables, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. All told, those sources generated a combined 4.18 trillion kilowatthours (kWh) in 2023, the majority of that by utility-scale facilities (at least 1 megawatt of electricity generation capacity), with another 73.62 billion kWh from small-scale solar photovoltaic systems.
In the renewables mix, solar is leading in new generating capacity, according to a new report from the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and Wood Mackenzie, Power & Renewables U.S. Solar Market Insight Q2 2024. About 55 percent of all new electric capacity in 2023 was solar, and SEIA expects that trend to continue through 2024.
Meanwhile, worldwide electricity production totaled 29,479 terawatthours (TWh) in 2023, reported the International Energy Agency. Similar to the situation in the U.S., about 60 percent was generated by fossil fuels (or 17,718 TWh). Nuclear- generated power only accounted for about 9 percent (or 2,685 TWh), but renewables were responsible for about 30 percent (or 8,911 TWh) of total worldwide electricity generation.
In the renewables mix, solar is leading in new generating capacity, according to a new report from the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and Wood Mackenzie, Power & Renewables U.S. Solar Market Insight Q2 2024. About 55 percent of all new electric capacity in 2023 was solar, and SEIA expects that trend to continue through 2024.
Meanwhile, worldwide electricity production totaled 29,479 terawatthours (TWh) in 2023, reported the International Energy Agency. Similar to the situation in the U.S., about 60 percent was generated by fossil fuels (or 17,718 TWh). Nuclear- generated power only accounted for about 9 percent (or 2,685 TWh), but renewables were responsible for about 30 percent (or 8,911 TWh) of total worldwide electricity generation.
Related Content
Nanopores for Hydrogen Storage Breakthrough
Aug 6, 2024
Researchers in Korea develop new material that adsorbs hydrogen with a density greater than liquid or even solid hydrogen.
Shaking Up Ore to Release Valuable Lithium
Aug 5, 2024
A different approach to lithium extraction promises to shake up how the United States might address supply chain challenges for a critical metal.
Laser Welding Could Improve Solar Module Recyclability
Jul 22, 2024
In a bid to make solar panels more recyclable, researchers use a high-speed laser to seal PV cells in pockets of glass.
Quiz: How Much Do You Know About the Top 2024 Articles?
Jul 19, 2024
Half the year has come and gone. It’s time to look back and test what you know about the most popular articles published on the ASME website since January.