1. Energy Consumption

2. 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 EJ or 1 quadrillion British thermal units (Btu)

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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)

6. 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 early 1900’s, coal was dominant
From early 1900’s – 1950, oil and natural gas joined coal
From nuclear energy was dominant, mixing with hydroelectricity
In 1970 coal made a resurgence
Changes were the result of economic, political, and environmental factors

7. 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.

8. 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

9. 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
About 1/4 of North Carolina households use natural gas for home heating.

10. 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