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Explore renewable fuels in the United States

March 18, 2024

In the United States, ethanol is mainly produced in the Midwest from corn, with Iowa, Nebraska, and Illinois leading in capacity. Ethanol is used as a fuel additive, with E85 being a high-level ethanol-gasoline blend used in flex-fuel vehicles. Biodiesel, made from vegetable oils and animal fats, is mainly produced in states with these feedstocks. Renewable diesel, chemically identical to petroleum diesel, is primarily used in California to meet emissions regulations.

Where do people have access to clean cooking?

March 11, 2024

The transition to clean energy brings life-changing benefits like clean cooking services. Clean cooking uses gaseous fuels and electricity, reducing harmful emissions. However, 2.3 billion people still use polluting fuels, leading to millions of deaths annually. Access to clean cooking varies by country income and location. While global access has increased, challenges remain in many countries.

What makes a cooking fuel “clean?”

March 11, 2024

The United Nations established 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to address poverty, health, education, inequality, economic growth, climate change, and environmental conservation. SDG 7 focuses on providing affordable, sustainable, and clean energy for all. The World Health Organization sets benchmarks for “clean” cooking, favoring efficient and low-emission technologies while discouraging the use of polluting fuels.

Watch the history of geothermal power in the United States

December 18, 2023

In the United States, geothermal power plants are predominantly located in six western states due to significant tectonic activity. In 2022, California housed 72% of this capacity, generating 6% of its electricity from geothermal power. The Geysers project in northern California is the world’s largest geothermal array.

What is the status of women in the global hydropower sector?

December 4, 2023

Hydropower, the world’s largest source of renewable, low-carbon electricity, faces a significant gender gap. Women hold only a quarter of jobs globally, mainly in non-technical roles. Factors hindering women include a lack of STEM skills, limited awareness, inadequate female role models, and managerial bias. Improved family-friendly policies and female inclusion in policymaking are required for industry advancement.

Natural gas sales in the United States

November 27, 2023

In 2022, the US consumed 32 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, the highest level in 30 years due to increased fracking. Efforts towards carbon-neutral energy may reduce demand, as residential use is gradually being replaced by electrical alternatives. However, industrial demand is anticipated to remain strong in the near term.

Watch the history of nuclear power in the U.S.

October 30, 2023

In 2022, the U.S. had 92 nuclear power plants generating 18% of total electricity. The industry, once a major player, declined due to high costs, long construction timelines, decreased demand, accidents, regulations, and market deregulation. There’s renewed interest in nuclear power to combat climate change, with the first new plant in 30 years, though debates continue on cost, safety, and alternative energy sources.

What countries have the greatest bioenergy power capacity?

October 23, 2023

As of January 2023, 575 utility-scale biopower plants were operational globally, with a total capacity of over 29,000 MW, less than 0.5% of worldwide power generation. An additional 6,000 MW are under construction. China is believed to significantly underreport its true biopower capacity, perhaps as high as 22,000 MW, primarily from agricultural residues and waste-to-energy facilities. Brazil, another major player, relies largely on sugarcane byproducts.

The history of coal production in the United States

September 18, 2023

Coal has played a pivotal role in the United States’ industrial history, fueling steel production, electricity generation, and economic growth in the early 20th century. However, this legacy also comes with significant environmental and health issues, including miner health problems, landscape degradation, abandoned mines, and pollution.

Four million wells and counting: the history of oil and gas drilling in the U.S.

September 4, 2023

Since the first successful oil well in 1859, the U.S. has drilled millions of wells for oil and gas. Drilling surged with demand, technology, and geopolitics, with notable periods like the post-WWII boom and the fracking-driven increase in natural gas wells. This progress has brought economic benefits and energy shifts, yet also raised environmental and social concerns.

Explore renewable fuels in the United States

March 18, 2024

In the United States, ethanol is mainly produced in the Midwest from corn, with Iowa, Nebraska, and Illinois leading in capacity. Ethanol is used as a fuel additive, with E85 being a high-level ethanol-gasoline blend used in flex-fuel vehicles. Biodiesel, made from vegetable oils and animal fats, is mainly produced in states with these feedstocks. Renewable diesel, chemically identical to petroleum diesel, is primarily used in California to meet emissions regulations.

Where do people have access to clean cooking?

March 11, 2024

The transition to clean energy brings life-changing benefits like clean cooking services. Clean cooking uses gaseous fuels and electricity, reducing harmful emissions. However, 2.3 billion people still use polluting fuels, leading to millions of deaths annually. Access to clean cooking varies by country income and location. While global access has increased, challenges remain in many countries.

What makes a cooking fuel “clean?”

March 11, 2024

The United Nations established 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to address poverty, health, education, inequality, economic growth, climate change, and environmental conservation. SDG 7 focuses on providing affordable, sustainable, and clean energy for all. The World Health Organization sets benchmarks for “clean” cooking, favoring efficient and low-emission technologies while discouraging the use of polluting fuels.

Watch the history of geothermal power in the United States

December 18, 2023

In the United States, geothermal power plants are predominantly located in six western states due to significant tectonic activity. In 2022, California housed 72% of this capacity, generating 6% of its electricity from geothermal power. The Geysers project in northern California is the world’s largest geothermal array.

What is the status of women in the global hydropower sector?

December 4, 2023

Hydropower, the world’s largest source of renewable, low-carbon electricity, faces a significant gender gap. Women hold only a quarter of jobs globally, mainly in non-technical roles. Factors hindering women include a lack of STEM skills, limited awareness, inadequate female role models, and managerial bias. Improved family-friendly policies and female inclusion in policymaking are required for industry advancement.

Natural gas sales in the United States

November 27, 2023

In 2022, the US consumed 32 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, the highest level in 30 years due to increased fracking. Efforts towards carbon-neutral energy may reduce demand, as residential use is gradually being replaced by electrical alternatives. However, industrial demand is anticipated to remain strong in the near term.

Watch the history of nuclear power in the U.S.

October 30, 2023

In 2022, the U.S. had 92 nuclear power plants generating 18% of total electricity. The industry, once a major player, declined due to high costs, long construction timelines, decreased demand, accidents, regulations, and market deregulation. There’s renewed interest in nuclear power to combat climate change, with the first new plant in 30 years, though debates continue on cost, safety, and alternative energy sources.

What countries have the greatest bioenergy power capacity?

October 23, 2023

As of January 2023, 575 utility-scale biopower plants were operational globally, with a total capacity of over 29,000 MW, less than 0.5% of worldwide power generation. An additional 6,000 MW are under construction. China is believed to significantly underreport its true biopower capacity, perhaps as high as 22,000 MW, primarily from agricultural residues and waste-to-energy facilities. Brazil, another major player, relies largely on sugarcane byproducts.

The history of coal production in the United States

September 18, 2023

Coal has played a pivotal role in the United States’ industrial history, fueling steel production, electricity generation, and economic growth in the early 20th century. However, this legacy also comes with significant environmental and health issues, including miner health problems, landscape degradation, abandoned mines, and pollution.

Four million wells and counting: the history of oil and gas drilling in the U.S.

September 4, 2023

Since the first successful oil well in 1859, the U.S. has drilled millions of wells for oil and gas. Drilling surged with demand, technology, and geopolitics, with notable periods like the post-WWII boom and the fracking-driven increase in natural gas wells. This progress has brought economic benefits and energy shifts, yet also raised environmental and social concerns.

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