Primary energy consumption in the U.S. 1998-2023

Primary energy consumption in the United States has oscillated since 1998, peaking at 97.4 exajoules in 2007. By 2023, figures had decreased to nearly 94.3 exajoules. Primary energy refers to energy harvested directly from natural resources, before being transformed into electricity or other secondary or tertiary energy forms. It includes both fossil fuels and renewable sources. United States' primary energy demand: global contextThe U.S. is the second largest primary energy consumer worldwide, only falling behind China. In 2021, China had a primary energy demand of over 157 exajoules. Rounding out the top three, India ranked third and had a total energy consumption of some 35 exajoules, or roughly 38 percent of the U.S.’s consumption. Energy transition in the U.S.Such high energy demand leads to greater carbon emissions. Consequently, 71 percent of U.S. citizens are in favor of speeding up the transition to clean energy sources, such as wind and solar power. Despite the increase in clean energy investments in the U.S., the country’s main energy sources are still fossil fuels. However, the share of renewables in electricity generation has increased to almost 21 percent as of 2021.

自1998年以来，美国的主要能源消耗经历了波动，于2007年达到峰值，达到97.4艾焦耳。截至2023年，该数值已降至约94.3艾焦耳。所谓主要能源，是指直接从自然资源中采集的能量，在转化为电能或其他次级或三级能源形式之前。这包括化石燃料和可再生能源。美国的主要能源需求：全球视角美国是全球第二大主要能源消费国，仅次于中国。2021年，中国的能源需求量超过157艾焦耳。位居第三的是印度，其总能源消耗约为35艾焦耳，约占美国消费量的38%。美国的能源转型如此高的能源需求导致碳排放量增加。因此，71%的美国公民支持加快向清洁能源（如风能和太阳能）的过渡。尽管美国在清洁能源投资方面有所增加，但该国的主要能源来源仍然是化石燃料。然而，截至2021年，可再生能源在电力生产中的比例已增加至近21%。