The line graph delineates information from Annual Energy Outlook 2008 about the amount of energy consumed in the USA since 1980, with projected use until 2030. Quantity is measured in quadrillion units.
Looking from an overall perspective, fossil fuels have been the chief energy source and are anticipated to continue dominating the market in the future. Additionally, nuclear and renewable energy makes up a small but significant proportion of total energy use, and despite projected gains, it is expected to continue being a miniscule part.
Initially, petrol and oil start off at 35 quadrillion units and undergo some fluctuations until 2000. Then, they begin gradually increasing to roughly 40 quadrillion units in 2008 and are projected to continue rising to reach a peak of around 50 quadrillion units in 2030, thus making them the dominant power origin.
Natural gas and coal both present a similar pattern – their initial values are based between 15 and 20 quadrillion units, fluctuate slightly, and reach approximately 22 quadrillion units in 2008. However, in the future, the usage of coal is expected to increase rapidly to more than 30 quadrillion units in 2030, and that of natural gas – to grow to around 25 quadrillion units and later hit a plateau.
Moreover, nuclear, solar/wind and hydropower begin at 3 quadrillion units, alter slightly and then level off. The one, projected to be the most utilized among them, is nuclear energy at 7 quadrillion units in the end, followed by solar and wind at 5 quadrillion units, and hydropower at 3.