What are the Eleven Different Types of Energy Sources?

Electricity comes from a variety of sources

Energy, usually generated in the form of electricity, can be drawn from a number of sources. These include different types of finite natural resources drawn from the earth, as well as renewable, or "green," sources.

Types

According to the U.S. Energy Information Agency, the United States draws energy from coal, natural gas, crude oil, nuclear energy, biomass, biogas, solar power, wind power, geothermal, tidal power and various kinds of biofuels, such as biodiesel.

Size

According the U.S. Department of Energy, domestically, most energy--37.1 quadrillion BTU--in 2008 was drawn from burning petroleum, with natural gas and coal each drawing nearly two-thirds that amount.

History

Concerns about energy independence and the spiking price of crude oil have led to calls for a greater use of renewable fuels, such as biodiesel.

Effects

Many of these energy sources, such as petroleum, natural gas and coal, are fossil fuels that exist in finite quantities, and burning them generates pollution. Others, which have recently come into wider use, such as solar and wind power, generate little pollution and are renewable.

Theories/Speculation

Although the U.S. still generates most of its energy from the three traditional fossil fuel sources, there is speculation that many of the other eight will begin to be used with greater frequency as technology improves and the government places limits on carbon emissions.

References

• US DOE: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
• US Energy Information Administration: Annual Energy Review
• Pew Center on Global Climate Change: Energy Production by Fuel Type and Technology in the U.S.