Energy mix

World energy mix, 1965 to 2020

The energy mix is a group of different primary energy sources from which secondary energy for direct use - such as electricity - is produced.<ref>"About the Energy Mix".</ref> Energy mix refers to all direct uses of energy, such as transportation and housing, and should not be confused with power generation mix, which refers only to generation of electricity,<ref>"What is the Power Generation Mix?". Retrieved 2020-09-16.</ref> as electricity only accounts for 20 % of the world's final energy consumption.<ref>"Electricity - Energy System". IEA. Retrieved 2024-02-16.</ref>

Energy Mixes

World

Primary Energy Consumption, Primary Energy Mix and Power generation Mix in 2022<ref>"Global primary energy consumption by source". Our World in Data. Retrieved 2024-02-16.</ref><ref>"Electricity production by source". Our World in Data. Retrieved 2024-02-16.</ref>

Energy Source	Energy Consumption (TWh)	Primary Energy Mix	Electricity production (TWh)	Power Generation Mix
Oil	52,969	29.6 %	904	3.15 %
Coal	44,854	25.1 %	10,212	35.6 %
Gas	39,413	22.0 %	6,444	22.5 %
Hydropower	11,300	6.32 %	4,289	15.0 %
Traditional biomass and biofuels	12,310	6.89 %	675	2.36 %
Nuclear	6,702	3.75 %	2,632	9.18 %
Wind	5,488	3.07 %	2,098	7.32 %
Solar	3,448	1.93 %	1,310	4.57 %
Other renewables	2,413	1.53 %	96.8	0.34 %
Total	178,897	100 %	28,661	100 %

Overall primary energy consumption in the United States in 2015 relied most on petroleum (35 quadrillion British thermal units (3.7×10¹⁶ kJ)), natural gas (29×10^¹⁵ BTU (3.1×10¹⁶ kJ)) and coal (16×10^¹⁵ BTU (1.7×10¹⁶ kJ)). Renewables contributed 9×10^¹⁵ BTU (9.5×10¹⁵ kJ) and nuclear power 8×10^¹⁵ BTU (8.4×10¹⁵ kJ).<ref>"Changing U.S. energy mix reflects growing use of natural gas, petroleum, and renewables". July 21, 2016. Retrieved 2016-08-15.</ref> In the same year, about 4 million GWh of electricity were generated in the United States, 67% of which was generated from fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, and <1% petroleum), 20% from nuclear power, 6% hydropower and 7% other renewables.<ref>"FAQ: What is U.S. electricity generation by energy source?". U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Retrieved 2016-08-15.</ref>

In 2018, the global primary energy source was about 80% fossil fuels: (33.6% oil, 27.2% coal, 23.9% natural gas), 6.8% hydro, 4.4% nuclear, and 4% other renewables, such as wind, thermal, bioenergies, solar, and waste. Energy consumption worldwide rose 2.9%, which is the largest increase since 2010. Europe used less oil than the global percentage, and more nuclear and renewable resources, with France using less gas and more nuclear. North America had the highest consumption per resident, with Russia in second, and Europe and the Middle East following. While North America used 240 gigajoules per capita, Africa used only 15 gigajoules per capita.<ref>"Primary Energy Consumption in 2018". Retrieved 2020-09-16.</ref><ref name="NatGeo_1" group=""></ref>

Sustainability

As energy consumption rises, attention has turned to more environmentally sustainable practices. 2018 saw the largest increase in worldwide energy consumption since 2010, with 27.2% of that energy coming from coal. The carbon dioxide released when coal is burned to produce energy accounts for 44% of the world's carbon emissions. Petroleum use accounts for nearly 1/3 of the world's carbon emissions. These factors contribute to the global temperature increase.<ref name=NatGeo_1>Nunez, Christina (2019-04-02). "Fossil fuels, explained". National Geographic. Archived from the original on August 27, 2019.</ref>

Many countries, such as Pakistan<ref>"Life cycle sustainability assessment of electricity generation in Pakistan: Policy regime for a sustainable energy mix" (PDF). Retrieved 2020-09-16.</ref> and Malaysia<ref>"Renewable energy for continuous energy sustainability in Malaysia" (PDF). Retrieved 2020-09-16.</ref> have begun developing options for more sustainable energy practices. Some of these options include wind, for small to medium-sized projects; solar power; and biomass, which is energy produced from waste products such as rice husks, animal waste, and crop residue.<ref>"Sustainable energy options for Pakistan". Retrieved 2020-09-16.</ref>

The IEA has developed a plan, called the Sustainable Development Scenario (SDS), which would lead to an 800 Mtoe decrease in global energy consumption by utilizing changes in the sectors of residential and transport energy. Following this scenario, fossil fuel usage would drop significantly, but it would require a dramatic increase of use of renewable resources, particularly in Asia.<ref>"The World's Projected Energy Mix, 2018-2040". 3 February 2020. Retrieved 2020-09-16.</ref>

See also

• World energy supply and consumption
• Energy development
• Energy consumption
• Energy independence
• Efficient energy use
• Energy transition
• Fossil fuel phase-out
• Fossil fuels lobby
• Fuel mix disclosure