The graph underneath illustrates the distribution of energy usage in the US from 1980, generated in 2008 and complete with predictions to as far as 2030. Overall, an upward trend is present in the graph, with the big three being ‘coal’, ‘natural gas’, and ‘petrol and oil’.
Out of the six energy types present, it can be seen that petrol and oil fuel are the main energy supplies in the US, exceeding other fuel sources by tens of quadrillions of units. In 1980, the US used 35 quadrillion units, which then experiences a series of ups and downs in the following years until the year 1995, where it stabilises into a gradual increase. By 2030, it is projected that the US will use up to 50 quadrillion units of petrol and oil fuel.
In contrast, nuclear, solar/wind, and hydropower-derived fuels do not hold significance is the fuel market. In 1980, less than 5 quadrillion units of each were consumed. Although by 2030 it is forecasted that nuclear and solar/wind consumption will have exceeded that 5 quadrillion mark, hydropower is still predicted to be stagnant at below 5 quadrillion.
In between these two extremeties, there are the coal and natural gas fuels, both of which started at 15 quadrillion units and 20 quadrillion units respectively. It is predicted that coal consumption will permanently exceed natural gas by the year 2015, and that by 2030 the US will use as much as 30 quadrillion units of the former, while only 25 quadrillion units of the latter will be utilised.