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World electricity generation since 1900

July 31, 2023

From 1900 to 2022, global electricity generation grew remarkably from 66.4 TWh to 29,165 TWh. Fossil fuels maintained a stable share of around 60% throughout this period, while renewables like wind and solar saw rapid growth from the 2000s. The 1960s saw a rise in oil power plants, but energy price shocks in the 1970s shifted focus to natural gas and nuclear generation, with significant investments in gas power plants from the 2000s onward.

How the price of lighting decreased 12,000-fold in the United Kingdom

July 3, 2023

The transition from traditional lighting methods to modern illumination in the United Kingdom has had significant social, economic, and environmental consequences. Historically, lighting services relied on candles made from animal fat, but the 19th century saw the introduction of new fuels such as town gas, kerosene, and eventually electricity.

Bitcoin’s energy and carbon footprint

May 15, 2023

Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin rely on blockchain technology and crypto mining, which consume massive amounts of electricity and have significant carbon footprints. The lack of transparency and regulation in the industry raises concerns about the economic, social, and environmental costs associated with crypto mines.

What prime movers have generated the most electricity since 1900?

April 10, 2023

Prime movers are devices that convert natural sources of energy into mechanical energy to generate electricity. Historically, hydropower from water turbines and steam turbines played major roles. Gas turbines emerged as a more efficient and cost-effective option. In recent years, solar cells and wind turbines have made significant advancements, providing competitive and environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional energy sources.

United States electricity history in four charts

February 21, 2023

Electricity in the United States has seen remarkable growth, with a significant shift from coal to renewable energy sources. Government policies and technological advancements have played a crucial role in shaping the energy landscape. President Biden’s goal of achieving 100% carbon-free electricity by 2035 highlights the need for continued progress in policy, technology, and public perception.

Where is new wind power in the world being built?

February 6, 2023

The wind energy industry started in the 1980s in Southern California and several European countries. Today, the United States, Europe, and countries like India, Australia, Japan, Canada, China, and Brazil lead in new wind power capacity. Currently, wind power generates around 7% of global electricity, with onshore systems dominating but offshore capacity expected to grow in the future.

Where is new geothermal power in the world being built?

October 26, 2022

Geothermal power has a long history, with Native Americans and ancient civilizations like the Greeks and Romans utilizing its benefits. Today, countries such as the United States, Indonesia, the Philippines, Turkey, and New Zealand are leading the way in building new geothermal power projects to harness clean and sustainable energy from the Earth’s heat.

Where is new solar power in the world being built?

October 26, 2022

ountries worldwide, including Germany, Spain, China, the United States, and others, are rapidly expanding their solar power infrastructure. China has been a particularly prominent player, contributing nearly one-third of new capacity additions.

What types of energy support Boston and the New England Grid?

October 3, 2022

Boston relies on fossil fuels for over 70% of its energy needs, with natural gas and refined oil being the dominant sources. To achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, Boston is increasingly focusing on low-carbon energy sources such as nuclear power, hydropower, wind, and solar energy.

World electricity generation since 1900

July 31, 2023

From 1900 to 2022, global electricity generation grew remarkably from 66.4 TWh to 29,165 TWh. Fossil fuels maintained a stable share of around 60% throughout this period, while renewables like wind and solar saw rapid growth from the 2000s. The 1960s saw a rise in oil power plants, but energy price shocks in the 1970s shifted focus to natural gas and nuclear generation, with significant investments in gas power plants from the 2000s onward.

How the price of lighting decreased 12,000-fold in the United Kingdom

July 3, 2023

The transition from traditional lighting methods to modern illumination in the United Kingdom has had significant social, economic, and environmental consequences. Historically, lighting services relied on candles made from animal fat, but the 19th century saw the introduction of new fuels such as town gas, kerosene, and eventually electricity.

Bitcoin’s energy and carbon footprint

May 15, 2023

Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin rely on blockchain technology and crypto mining, which consume massive amounts of electricity and have significant carbon footprints. The lack of transparency and regulation in the industry raises concerns about the economic, social, and environmental costs associated with crypto mines.

What prime movers have generated the most electricity since 1900?

April 10, 2023

Prime movers are devices that convert natural sources of energy into mechanical energy to generate electricity. Historically, hydropower from water turbines and steam turbines played major roles. Gas turbines emerged as a more efficient and cost-effective option. In recent years, solar cells and wind turbines have made significant advancements, providing competitive and environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional energy sources.

United States electricity history in four charts

February 21, 2023

Electricity in the United States has seen remarkable growth, with a significant shift from coal to renewable energy sources. Government policies and technological advancements have played a crucial role in shaping the energy landscape. President Biden’s goal of achieving 100% carbon-free electricity by 2035 highlights the need for continued progress in policy, technology, and public perception.

Where is new wind power in the world being built?

February 6, 2023

The wind energy industry started in the 1980s in Southern California and several European countries. Today, the United States, Europe, and countries like India, Australia, Japan, Canada, China, and Brazil lead in new wind power capacity. Currently, wind power generates around 7% of global electricity, with onshore systems dominating but offshore capacity expected to grow in the future.

Where is new geothermal power in the world being built?

October 26, 2022

Geothermal power has a long history, with Native Americans and ancient civilizations like the Greeks and Romans utilizing its benefits. Today, countries such as the United States, Indonesia, the Philippines, Turkey, and New Zealand are leading the way in building new geothermal power projects to harness clean and sustainable energy from the Earth’s heat.

Where is new solar power in the world being built?

October 26, 2022

ountries worldwide, including Germany, Spain, China, the United States, and others, are rapidly expanding their solar power infrastructure. China has been a particularly prominent player, contributing nearly one-third of new capacity additions.

What types of energy support Boston and the New England Grid?

October 3, 2022

Boston relies on fossil fuels for over 70% of its energy needs, with natural gas and refined oil being the dominant sources. To achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, Boston is increasingly focusing on low-carbon energy sources such as nuclear power, hydropower, wind, and solar energy.

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A project of the Boston University Institute for Global Sustainability

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License: Unless otherwise noted, all visualizations, data, and stories produced by Visualizing Energy are open access under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). This means that you have permission to copy, transform, and redistribute the material in any medium, provided the source and authors are credited.

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