The sources of electricity in the United States can be categorized into two main types: renewable and non-renewable sources.
Non-renewable sources of electricity in the US include:
Natural gas: Natural gas is the largest source of electricity in the US, accounting for about 40% of total electricity generation.
Coal: Coal-fired power plants still play a significant role in electricity generation in the US, accounting for about 19% of total electricity generation.
Nuclear: Nuclear power plants generate about 20% of electricity in the US.
Renewable sources of electricity in the US include:
Wind: Wind power is the second-largest source of renewable electricity in the US, accounting for about 8% of total electricity generation.
Hydroelectric: Hydroelectric power generates about 7% of electricity in the US.
Solar: Solar power is the fastest-growing source of renewable electricity in the US, accounting for about 3% of total electricity generation.
Geothermal: Geothermal power generates about 0.4% of electricity in the US.
Other sources of electricity in the US include biomass, which generates about 1.4% of electricity, and petroleum, which generates less than 1% of electricity.
Natural gas: Natural gas is often used in natural gas-fired power plants, where the gas is burned to produce steam that drives turbines to generate electricity. Natural gas is a fossil fuel and emits greenhouse gases when burned, although it is generally considered to be a cleaner source of energy than coal.
Coal: Coal-fired power plants generate electricity by burning coal to produce steam, which drives turbines that generate electricity. Coal is a fossil fuel and is considered to be a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.
Nuclear: Nuclear power plants generate electricity by using nuclear reactions to heat water and produce steam, which drives turbines that generate electricity. Nuclear power does not emit greenhouse gases but produces radioactive waste that must be carefully managed.
Wind: Wind turbines generate electricity by using the wind to turn blades that drive turbines that generate electricity. Wind power is a renewable energy source that does not emit greenhouse gases.
Hydroelectric: Hydroelectric power plants generate electricity by using the flow of water to turn turbines that generate electricity. Hydroelectric power is a renewable energy source that does not emit greenhouse gases.
Solar: Solar power plants generate electricity by using solar panels to convert sunlight into electricity. Solar power is a renewable energy source that does not emit greenhouse gases.
Geothermal: Geothermal power plants generate electricity by using heat from the earth's core to produce steam that drives turbines to generate electricity. Geothermal power is a renewable energy source that does not emit greenhouse gases.
Biomass: Biomass power plants generate electricity by burning organic material such as wood, agricultural waste, and municipal solid waste to produce steam that drives turbines to generate electricity. Biomass is considered to be a renewable energy source, although it does emit greenhouse gases.
Petroleum: Petroleum-fired power plants generate electricity by burning oil to produce steam that drives turbines to generate electricity. Petroleum is a fossil fuel and is considered to be a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. However, petroleum is rarely used to generate electricity in the US.
