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 primary power source and are anticipated to continue dominating the market in the future. Furthermore, nuclear and renewable energy makes up a tiny yet significant proportion of total power use, and despite forecasted gains, it is expected to continue being a miniscule part.
Initially, petrol and oil started off at 35 quadrillion units and underwent numerous fluctuations until 2000. Then, there was a gradual increase to roughly 40 quadrillion definite quantities in 2008, and the projection indicates further growth to around 50 quadrillion Btu by 2030, signifying their dominance in the power field.
Both natural gas and coal presented a similar pattern – their initial values were based between 15 and 20 quadrillion units of measure, fluctuated slightly, and reached approximately 22 quadrillion units in 2008. However, in the future, the usage of coal is expected to increase rapidly to more than 30 quadrillion definite quantities in 2030, and that of natural gas – to grow to around 25 quadrillion units and later plateaued. Additionally, nuclear, solar/wind and hydropower began at 3 quadrillion units, altered slightly and then levelled off. The one, estimated to be the most utilized among them, is nuclear energy at 7 quadrillion definite quantities in the end, followed by solar and wind at 5 quadrillion units of measure, and hydropower at 3 in 2030.