Go with the Flow: Analyzing Energy Use and Efficiency in the USA

Abstract

The extraction and use of various forms of energy are at the nexus of many environmental issues. Although we live in an age of diverse energy sources—fossil fuels, nuclear, solar, wind, and geothermal—most developed countries still rely heavily on burning the remains of ancient organisms to fuel their economies. It is difficult to appreciate the scale and scope of energy use at the national level, but this understanding is critical if we are to have informed and productive conversations about our future energy policies and the potential for renewable energy solutions. To initiate those discussions with students, this chapter outlines an exercise that utilizes the visually stunning energy flow chart that is produced every year by the US Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (https://flowcharts.llnl.gov/). The energy flow chart summarizes how much energy by type is used in the different sectors of the economy. By examining the scale and scope of energy use at the national level, students are better informed to discuss where and how alternative energy and improvements in energy efficiency can be integrated at the national level. After completing this activity, students should be able to (1) interpret the energy flow chart, (2) compare and contrast how various sectors of the US economy rely on specific energy sources,(3) calculate and rank energy efficiencies for various sectors of the US economy (electrical production, residential, commercial, industrial, and transportation), and (4) calculate the relative reliance of the US economy on fossil fuels compared to other energy sources.