e Introduction to Energy

What Is Energy?
Energy does things for us. It moves cars along the road and boats on the
water. It bakes a cake in the oven and keeps ice frozen in the freezer. It
Energy at a Glance, 2016
plays our favorite songs and lights our homes at night. Energy helps our
2015 2016
bodies grow and our minds think. Energy is a changing, doing, moving,
working thing. World Population 7,245,299,845 7,442,136,000

Energy is defined as the ability to produce change or do work, and that U.S. Population 321,418,820 323,127,573
work can be divided into several main tasks we easily recognize: World Energy Production 546.7 Q*
U.S. Energy Production 88.024 Q 84.226 Q
— Energy produces light.
— Renewables 9.466 Q 10.181 Q
— Energy produces heat.
— Nonrenewables 78.558 Q 74.045 Q
— Energy produces motion.
World Energy Consumption 542.49 Q*
— Energy produces sound. U.S. Energy Consumption 97.344 Q 97.410 Q
— Energy produces growth. — Renewables 9.450 Q 10.113 Q
— Energy powers technology. — Nonrenewables 87.667 Q 87.111 Q

Forms of Energy Q = Quad (1015 Btu), see Measuring Energy on page 8.

* 2016 world energy figures not available at time of print.
Data: Energy Information Administration
There are many forms of energy, but they all fall into two categories–
**Totals may not equal sum of parts due to rounding of figures by EIA.
potential or kinetic.

POTENTIAL ENERGY
Potential energy is stored energy and the energy of position, or
gravitational potential energy. There are several forms of potential
Forms of Energy
energy, including:
POTENTIAL KINETIC
ƒ
ƒChemical energy is energy stored in the bonds of atoms and
molecules. It is the energy that holds these particles together. Foods
Chemical Electrical
we eat, biomass, petroleum, natural gas, and propane are examples of
Energy Energy
stored chemical energy.
During photosynthesis, sunlight gives plants the energy they need to
build complex chemical compounds. When these compounds are later Elastic Radiant
broken down, the stored chemical energy is released as heat, light,
Energy Energy
motion, and sound.
ƒ
ƒElastic energy is energy stored in objects by the application of a force.
Compressed springs and stretched rubber bands are examples of elastic Thermal
Nuclear Energy
energy.
Energy
ƒ
ƒNuclear energy is energy stored in the nucleus of an atom—the energy
that binds the nucleus together. The energy can be released when the Motion
nuclei are combined or split apart. Nuclear power plants split the nuclei Energy
of uranium atoms in a process called fission. The sun combines the
Gravitational
nuclei of hydrogen atoms into helium atoms in a process called fusion.
Potential
In both fission and fusion, mass is converted into energy, according to Energy Sound
Einstein’s Theory, E = mc2. Energy
ƒ
ƒGravitational potential energy is the energy of position or place. A
rock resting at the top of a hill contains gravitational potential energy
because of its position. Hydropower, such as water in a reservoir behind
a dam, is an example of gravitational potential energy.

6 ©2018 The NEED Project Secondary Energy Infobook www.NEED.org

 KINETIC ENERGY
Kinetic energy is motion—the motion of waves, electrons, atoms,
Efficiency
molecules, substances, and objects. Energy efficiency is the amount of useful energy you can get out of a
system. In theory, a 100 percent energy efficient machine would change
ƒ
ƒElectrical energy is the movement of electrons. Everything is made of all of the energy put in it into useful work. Converting one form of energy
tiny particles called atoms. Atoms are made of even smaller particles into another form always involves a loss of usable energy, usually in the
called electrons, protons, and neutrons. Applying a force can make form of thermal energy.
some of the electrons move. Electrons moving through a wire are
called electricity. Lightning is another example of electrical energy. In fact, most energy transformations are not very efficient. The human
body is no exception. Your body is like a machine, and the fuel for your
ƒ
ƒRadiant energy is electromagnetic energy that travels in transverse “machine” is food. Food gives us the energy to move, breathe, and think.
waves. Radiant energy includes visible light, x-rays, gamma rays, and Your body is very inefficient at converting food into useful work. Most of
radio waves. Solar energy is an example of radiant energy. the energy in your body is released as thermal energy.
ƒ
ƒThermal energy, which is often described as heat, is the internal A traditional incandescent light bulb isn’t efficient either. This type of
energy in substances—the vibration and movement of atoms and light bulb converts only ten percent of the electrical energy into light and
molecules within substances. The faster molecules and atoms vibrate the rest (90 percent) is converted into thermal energy. That’s why these
and move within a substance, the more energy they possess and the light bulbs are so hot to the touch. Their inefficiency is also why these
hotter they become. Geothermal energy is an example of thermal bulbs are no longer sold for use in homes, and why many consumers use
energy.

Transformations
LEDs and CFLs for lighting.
ƒ
ƒMotion energy or mechanical energy is the movement of objects and Most electric power plants that use steam to spin turbines are about
substances from one place to another. According to Newton’s Laws 35 percent efficient. Thus, it takes three units of fuel to make one unit
of Motion, objects and substances move when an unbalanced force of electricity. Most of the other energy is lost as waste heat. This heat
is applied. Wind is an example of motion energy. dissipates into the environment where we can no longer use it as a
ƒ
ƒSound energy is the movement of energy through substances in practical source of energy.
longitudinal (compression/rarefaction) waves. Sound is produced
when a force causes an object or substance to vibrate. The energy is
transferred through the substance in a wave.
Efficiency of
Efficiency of aa Thermal
Thermal Power
Power Plant
Plant
Motion of Energy
Conservation Chemical Motion
Most thermal power plants are about 35 percent efficient. Of the 100 units of energy
that go into a plant, 65 units are lost as one form of energy is converted to other forms.
Your parents may tell you to conserve energy. “Turn off the lights,” they The remaining 35 units of energy leave the plant to do usable work.
say. But to scientists, conservation of energy means something quite ELECTRICITY
different. The Law of Conservation of Energy says energy is neither THERMAL ENERGY TRANSMISSION
created nor destroyed. FUEL SUPPLY FUEL BURNING
ELECTRICAL
ELECTRICITY GENERATION ENERGY
When we use energy, we do not use it completely—we just change its 3 STEAM LINE
100 units of GENERATOR
form. That’s really what we mean when we say we are using energy. We BOILER
Chemical Electrical
change one form of energy into another. A car engine burns gasoline, Thermal
energy go in
2
TURBINE
4
5
SWITCHYARD
6
converting the chemical energy in the gasoline into motion energy CHEMICAL
that makes the car move. Old-fashioned windmills changed the kinetic ENERGY FEED
WATER CONDENSER 35 units of
energy of the wind into motion energy to grind grain. Solar cells change 1 energy
radiant energy into electrical energy. MOTION ENERGY come out
Energy can change form, but the total quantity of energy in the Fuel Sources
universe remains the same. The only exception to this law is when a
small amount of matter is converted into energy during nuclear fusion
and fission. Petroleum Coal Natural Gas Biomass Uranium
How a Thermal Power Plant Works
Energy Transformations 1. Fuel is fed into a boiler, where it is burned (except for uranium which is fissioned,
not burned) to release thermal energy.
2. Water is piped into the boiler and heated, turning it into steam.
3. The steam travels at high pressure through a steam line.
Chemical Motion Chemical Motion
4. The high pressure steam turns a turbine, which spins a shaft.
5. Inside the generator, the shaft spins a ring of magnets inside coils of copper wire.
This creates an electric field, producing electricity.
Radiant Chemical Electrical Thermal 6. Electricity is sent to a switchyard, where a transformer increases the voltage,
allowing it to travel through the electric grid.

©2018 The NEED Project Secondary Energy Infobook www.NEED.org 7

 e Introduction to Energy

Sources of Energy
Renewable energy sources include biomass, geothermal, hydropower,
People have always used energy to do work for them. Thousands of
solar, and wind. They are called renewable energy sources because their
years ago, early humans burned wood to provide light, heat their living
supplies are replenished in a short time. Day after day, the sun shines,
spaces, and cook their food. Later, people used the wind to move their
the wind blows, and the rivers flow. We use renewable energy sources
boats from place to place. More than one hundred thirty-five years ago,
mainly to make electricity.
people began using falling water to make electricity.
Is electricity a renewable or nonrenewable source of energy? The
Today, people use more energy than ever from a variety of sources for
answer is neither. Electricity is different from the other energy sources
a multitude of tasks and our lives are undoubtedly better for it. Our
because it is a secondary source of energy. That means we have to use
homes are comfortable and full of useful and entertaining electrical
another energy source to make it. In the United States, natural gas is the
devices. We communicate instantaneously in many ways. We live
number one fuel for generating electricity.
longer, healthier lives. We travel the world, or at least see it on television
and the internet.
The ten major energy sources we use today are classified into two broad
groups—nonrenewable and renewable.
Nonrenewable energy sources include coal, petroleum, natural gas,
U.S. Energy Consumption by Source, 2016
propane, and uranium. They are used to generate electricity, to heat
our homes, to move our cars, and to manufacture products from candy NONRENEWABLE, 89.42% RENEWABLE, 10.39%
bars to cell phones.
These energy sources are called nonrenewable because they cannot be
replenished in a short period of time. Petroleum, a fossil fuel, for example,
was formed hundreds of millions of years ago, before dinosaurs existed. Petroleum 36.97% Biomass 4.89%
It was formed from the remains of ancient sea life, so it cannot be made Uses: transportation, Uses: electricity, heating,
manufacturing - Includes Propane transportation
quickly. We could run out of economically recoverable nonrenewable
resources some day.

Measuring Energy Natural Gas 29.20%

Uses: electricity, heating,
Hydropower 2.54%
Uses: electricity
manufacturing - Includes Propane
“You can’t compare apples and oranges,” the old saying
goes. That holds true for energy sources. We buy gasoline in
gallons, wood in cords, and natural gas in cubic feet. How
can we compare them? With British thermal units (Btu),
that’s how. The energy contained in gasoline, wood, or other Coal 14.60% Wind 2.15%
energy sources can be measured by the amount of heat in Uses: electricity, manufacturing Uses: electricity
Btu it can produce.

One Btu is the amount of thermal energy needed to raise the

temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit. A
single Btu is quite small. A wooden kitchen match, if allowed
Uranium 8.65% Solar 0.59%
to burn completely, would give off about one Btu of energy. Uses: electricity Uses: electricity, heating
One ounce of gasoline contains almost 1,000 Btu of energy.
*Propane consumption
Every day the average American uses about 825.352 Btu. We figures are reported as
part of petroleum and
use the term quad (Q) to measure very large quantities of natural gas totals.
energy. A quad is one quadrillion (1,000,000,000,000,000 or
Propane Geothermal 0.22%
1015) Btu. The United States uses about one quad of energy Uses: electricity, heating
Uses: heating, manufacturing
approximately every 3.75 days. In 2007, the U.S. consumed
101.296 quads of energy, an all-time high. Data: Energy Information Administration
**Total does not equal 100% due to independent rounding.

8 ©2018 The NEED Project Secondary Energy Infobook www.NEED.org

 Energy Use Energy Use and Prices
Imagine how much energy you use every day. You wake up to an Several decades ago, in 1973, Americans faced a major oil price shock
electric alarm clock and charge your cell phone. You take a shower with due to an oil embargo. People didn’t know how the country would
water warmed by a hot water heater using electricity or natural gas. react. How would Americans adjust to skyrocketing energy prices?
How would manufacturers and industries respond? We didn’t know
You listen to music on your smart phone as you catch the bus to school.
the answers.
And that’s just some of the energy you use to get you through the first
part of your day! Now we know that Americans tend to use less energy when energy
prices are high. We have the statistics to prove it. When energy prices
Every day, the average American uses about as much energy as is
increased sharply in the early 1970s, energy use dropped, creating
stored in a little more than seven gallons of gasoline. That’s every
a gap between actual energy use and how much the experts had
person, every day. Over a course of one year, the sum of this energy
thought Americans would be using.
is equal to a little more than 2,500 gallons of gasoline per person. This
use of energy is called energy consumption. The same thing happened when energy prices shot up again in 1979,
1980, and more recently in 2008—people used less energy. When

Energy Users prices started to drop, energy use began to increase.

We don’t want to simplify energy demand too much. The price of
The U.S. Department of Energy uses categories to classify energy
energy is not the only factor in the equation. Other factors that
users—residential, commercial, industrial, electric power, and
affect how much energy we use include the public’s concern for the
transportation. These categories are called the sectors of the
environment and new technologies that can improve the efficiency
economy.
and performance of automobiles and appliances.
ƒƒ Residential/Commercial Most reductions in energy consumption in recent years are the result of
Residences are people’s homes. Commercial buildings include office improved technologies in industry, vehicles, and appliances. Without
buildings, hospitals, stores, restaurants, and schools. Residential and these energy conservation and efficiency technologies, we would be
commercial energy use are often lumped together because homes and using much more energy today.
businesses use energy in the same ways—for heating, air conditioning,
In 2016, the United States used 29 percent more energy than it did in
water heating, lighting, and operating appliances.
1973. That might sound like a lot, but the population has increased by
The residential/commercial sector of the economy consumed over 52 percent and the nation’s gross domestic product was 2.77
10.67 percent of the primary energy supply in 2016, with a total of times that of 1973.
10.387 quads. The residential sector consumed 6.045 quads and the
You may wonder why the 1970s are important—it was so long ago.
commercial sector consumed 4.342 quads.
However, the energy crisis during this decade taught us a valuable
lesson. If every person in the United States today consumed energy at
ƒƒ Industrial
the rate we did in the 1970s, we would be using much more energy than
The industrial sector includes manufacturing, construction, mining,
we are—perhaps as much as double the amount. Energy efficiency
farming, fishing, and forestry. This sector consumed 21.478 quads
technologies have made a huge impact on overall consumption since
of energy in 2016, which accounted for 22.05 percent of total
the energy crisis of 1973.
consumption.

ƒƒ Electric Power
The electric power sector includes electricity generation facilities and U.S. Energy Consumption by Sector, 2016
power plants. All of the other sectors consume electricity generated by
the electric power sector. The electric power sector consumed 38.71
TRANSPORTATION RESIDENTIAL 6.21%
percent of the total energy supply in 2016, more than any of the other
28.55% Top Residential Sources:
Top Transportation Sources:  Natural Gas
sectors, with a total of 37.705 quads.  Petroleum  Biomass
 Petroleum
 Biomass

 Natural Gas
ƒƒ Transportation
The transportation sector refers to energy consumption by cars, buses, INDUSTRIAL 22.05% ELECTRIC POWER 38.71%
Top Electric Power Sources:
COMMERCIAL 4.46% Naturals Gas
Top Industrial Sources:
trucks, trains, ships, and airplanes. In 2016, the U.S. consumed 27.809  Natural Gas 

quads of energy for transportation, which accounted for 28.55 percent  Petroleum Top Commercial Sources:  Coal
 Propane
 Natural Gas  Uranium
of total consumption. 92.09 percent of this energy was from petroleum  Petroleum

products such as gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel.  Propane

The residential, commercial, and industrial sectors use electricity. This graph
depicts their energy source consumption outside of electricity.
Data: Energy Information Administration
*Total does not equal 100% due to independent rounding.

©2018 The NEED Project Secondary Energy Infobook www.NEED.org 9