Electricity
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Wind industry installs almost 5,300 MW of capacity in December ›
EIA's latest Short-Term Energy Outlook for electricity ›
EIA's latest monthly electricity analysis ›
EIA projects annual growth in U.S. electricity generation averaging 0.9 % ›
Energy in Brief articles
What is the electric power grid?
The grid of electric power lines has evolved into three large interconnected systems that move electricity around the country. Standards have been developed by the electric power industry to ensure coordination for the linked operations.
How much of our electricity is generated from renewable sources?
U.S. power plants used renewable energy sources — water (hydroelectric), wood, wind, organic waste, geothermal, and sun — to generate about 13% of our electricity in 2011.
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Electricity Explained
Electricity in the United States
Most of the electricity in the United States is produced using steam turbines. Coal is the most common fuel for generating electricity in the United States. In 2011, 42% of the country's nearly 4 trillion kilowatthours of electricity used coal as its source of energy.
Use of electricity
Electricity consumption totaled nearly 3,856 billion Kilowatthours (kWh) in 2011. U.S. electricity use in 2011 was more than 13 times greater than electricity use in 1950.
Features
Short-Term Energy OutlookReleased February 12, 2013 | Next Release: March 12, 2013
EIA's monthly energy projections through 2014 includes projections for electricity generation and prices.
Electric Power Annual 2011Released January 30, 2013
Presents 11 years (2001 - 2011) of National-level data on electricity generating capacity, electricity generation and useful thermal output, fuel receipts, consumption, and emissions.
Electricity Monthly UpdateReleased January 23, 2013
The Electricity Monthly Update is a new EIA product that replaces the Monthly Flash Estimates for Electric Power Data, containing the most recently monthly data.
Electric Power MonthlyReleased January 23, 2013
Provides monthly statistics at the state, Census division, and U.S. levels for net generation, fossil fuel consumption and stocks, quantity and quality of fossil fuels, cost of fossil fuels, electricity sales, revenue, and average revenue per kilowatthour of electricity sold.
What's New in Electricity
Wind industry installs almost 5,300 MW of capacity in December
February 11, 2013
Electricity Wholesale Market Data
February 7, 2013
Stadiums and arenas use efficient, high wattage lamps
February 6, 2013
Survey Forms, Changes & Announcements
How is electricity consumed in U.S. homes? ›
Electricity-Related Maps
