The line graph below demonstrates the consumption of four types of renewable energy in the United States between 1950 and 2008.
In 1950, only two types of renewable energy were utilized: wood and hydroelectric energy, with both reaching around 1.8 quadrillion BTU. Following this, their consumption fluctuated significantly and increased. By the year 2000, the consumption of wood rose to over 2 quadrillion BTU, while hydroelectric energy remained just under 2 quadrillion BTU.
In addition, by 1980, two other renewable energies, wind and biofuels, began to be utilized. After a 20-year period, the consumption of these energies slightly increased. The consumption of wind energy reached just under 1 quadrillion BTU, which represented the lowest point in the chart. Conversely, the consumption of biofuels increased to about 1.8 quadrillion BTU in 2000, reaching figures comparable to wood and hydroelectric energy.
