Energy Consumption

Units of Measurement To discuss consumption of energy, we use specific measures: Basic Unit = joule (J) 1 gigajoule (GJ) = 1 billion J, which is equivalent to the amount of energy contained in 8 gallons of gasoline 1 exajoule (EJ) = 1 billion GJ In the USA, we use quads as well, which is equivalent to 1.055 EJ or 1 quadrillion British thermal units (Btu)

Worldwide Patterns of Energy Use Total energy use throughout the world has leveled off and energy use per person has decreased slightly BUT, because the human population has grown so much and we are doing more things that use energy, our overall energy use is actually not decreasing throughout the world

Worldwide Patterns of Energy Use In 2011, total world energy consumption was approximately 550 EJ per year Roughly 75 GJ per person per year Oil, coal, and natural gas were the three largest energy sources Energy use not evenly distributed throughout the world, with developed countries using the largest percentage of energy per year

Distinguishing Energy Sources Commercial Energy Sources Subsistence Energy Sources Those that are bought and sold Coal Oil Natural Gas * Sometimes wood, charcoal, and animal waste are sold commercially Those that are gathered by individuals for their own immediate needs Straw Sticks Animal dung * Used more greatly in the rural, developing world Changes in the demand of energy typically correlate to the level of industrialization in a country or region. Meaning, as energy demands increase the society changes the types of fuels they use (Ex. Automobiles… as more individuals own them, the demand for fuel increases)

Patterns of Energy Use in the United States As noted with global energy trends, the energy needs of our country have changed as we have become more and more developed. Prior to 1875, wood was dominant From 1875- early 1900’s, coal was dominant From early 1900’s – 1950, oil and natural gas joined coal From 1950-1970 nuclear energy was dominant, mixing with hydroelectricity In 1970 coal made a resurgence Changes were the result of economic, political, and environmental factors

Dominant Energy Use in the United States Today The three resources that supply the majority of the energy used in the US are: Oil Natural Gas Coal Consumption varies throughout the regions and according to climate: Northern states consume more oil and natural gas during the winter months to heat their homes Southern states consume more electricity in the summer months to cool their homes.

Patterns of Energy Use in North Carolina Total energy consumption per person in North Carolina is in the bottom third of all states in the nation: Nearly 19 million acres of woodland cover about three-fifths of North Carolina, providing both employment for approximately 67,500 people working in the state's forestry products industry and biomass for energy production Rivers flowing through the mountainous western part of the state and through the Piedmont region provide hydroelectric power to many communities Offshore winds along the coast could provide more energy for electricity generation North Carolina no longer has any fossil fuel production, although assessment of possible shale gas and coalbed methane resources continues In addition to its natural resources, North Carolina is one of the leading nuclear power producing states in the nation. The transportation sector is the largest consumer of energy in the state, in part because of the major interstate transportation corridors and aviation hubs located in North Carolina

How do we stack up? Petroleum Natural Gas NC does not have any crude oil reserves or production but we have drilled more than 100 exploratory oil and natural gas wells without any being sustainable for production NC does not have any petroleum refineries or crude oil pipelines, although we do have two that pass through our state from the Gulf Coast. In addition, we have a pipeline that supplies propane from refineries in TX, LA, and MS. This pipeline ends in Apex Imported petroleum product comes into NC at the Port of Wilmington Most petroleum consumed in North Carolina is used for transportation NC’s gasoline tax is among the highest in the nation, which is said to help counteract the cost of getting it here NC does not have any natural gas reserves or production No commercial quantities of natural gas have been found in NC, but shales and coalbeds in the geologic basins that are located in the center of the state may contain natural gas The NC Mining and Energy Commission has created a regulatory program for the management of oil and natural gas exploration and development in the state, which includes the use of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing The Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf off the coast of NC is also believed to have natural gas resource potential and a proposal has been made to allow for exploration through a federal leasing program from 2017-2022 About 1/4 of North Carolina households use natural gas for home heating.

How do we stack up? Coal The Deep River coalfield in central North Carolina is the only area in the state known to have coal Bituminous coal was produced from this field intermittently from 1854 to 1953 Production in the Deep River area ended because the remaining coal is deeply buried, and the coalbeds are broken by many faults. Because of this, it is believed that less than half of the available coal might ever be mined Fuel-grade peat deposits cover more than a half million acres in coastal NC with total reserves reaching about 500 million tons (NC only uses peat for agricultural products at this time) The electric power sector uses almost all of the coal consumed in NC, with most being shipped to us primarily from WV, KY, and PA. In addition, coal also arrives through the Port of Wilmington