Learn which resources produce our electricity.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) found that in 2023, the world consumed 591 quadrillion British Thermal Units (BTU) of energy. But where did all of that energy come from? The answer is more varied than you would suspect. While our world continues to rely on traditional fossil fuels, renewable energy sources are diversifying how we produce electricity globally.
Keep reading to learn more about the resources powering our world’s energy.
Traditional energy sources continue to supply much of our world’s power. They are considered non-renewable because they rely on limited resources that do not regenerate on their own. There are three main fossil fuels that our world consumes: coal, oil, and natural gas. While nuclear energy is also a traditional energy source, it is not a fossil fuel. Here’s how these energy sources differ and how much the world uses them.
Oil, also called petroleum, is the largest fossil fuel our world relies on. This non-renewable source contains the remains of plants and animals from millions of years ago (dead organic matter). Time covered them with layers of sand and rocks, and the heat and pressure from these layers create oil. Petroleum requires drilling to obtain because it is held close to the earth’s surface, often in underground pools. In 2023, the world used 201 quadrillion BTU of petroleum.
Coal is a sedimentary rock composed of carbon and hydrocarbons. It forms over millions of years from old plants in swampy regions covered by dirt and water. Layers of heat and pressure over time result in coal. Since it takes so long to form and is consumed faster than it is produced, it is considered non-renewable. However, coal is the second largest global energy source. Approximately 174 quadrillion BTU of coal were consumed worldwide in 2023.
Natural gas is the third most consumed non-renewable energy source. Similar to coal and oil, it is created after millions of years as the remains of marine plants and organisms accumulated on the earth’s surface or ocean floor. Layers of sand, rock, and silt cover the remains over time. Years of intense heat and pressure create a gas that contains multiple compounds, largely methane. Natural gas also requires drilling because it is trapped beneath many layers of sediment. The world consumed around 151 quadrillion BTU of natural gas in 2023.
Nuclear energy is produced by breaking the bonds of an atom, a process called nuclear fission. This process produces energy used to generate electricity. Nuclear power plants typically use uranium atoms, which is why nuclear energy is considered non-renewable. In 2023, the world used around 28 quadrillion BTU of nuclear energy.
Global energy consumption by energy source based on data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) in 2023.
Renewable energy includes resources that naturally replenish, such as sunshine, wind, and power from moving water. Although renewable energy sources do not run out, they depend on availability. For example, in order to harness the sun’s power, there must be adequate sunshine.
Renewable energy is still a much smaller piece of the pie compared to non-renewable energy. This is largely due to availability and the infrastructure needed to convert it to electricity. In 2023, the world consumed just over 39 quadrillion BTU of renewable energy. While that is significantly less than the total amount used from non-renewable resources, it is a 62% increase from 10 years prior in 2013.
The following section highlights a few of the most common types of renewable energy: solar, wind, and hydropower.
Sunlight contains photons that carry energy. Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems transform these photons into electricity. Solar energy’s largest benefit is that is does not produce pollutants like carbon dioxide into the air. Solar energy systems are most effective when solar panels are placed on buildings in direct sunlight. However, solar also has its limitations. Namely, access to adequate sunshine can vary based on location, season, and weather.
Wind power is made possible by wind turbines that harness wind’s kinetic energy. This process works when wind causes the blades of the turbine to spin, and a generator converts the resulting kinetic energy into electricity. Similar to solar energy, wind power does not release carbon emissions and can naturally replenish. But, similarly, its availability and production levels depend on whether there is enough infrastructure.
Hydropower is very similar to wind power in that it uses the forces of moving water to move turbines. Water flows through pipes and pushes the blades of a turbine connected to a generator to create electricity. Hydropower relies on the amount of available water in an ecosystem, which can depend on precipitation levels in a given area. This can vary throughout the year since some seasons have more rainfall than others.
According to the most recent data from the EIA, the world consumed more petroleum than any other energy source in 2023. This is closely followed by coal and natural gas, respectively.
In 2023, the United States was the second-highest energy producer in the world, following behind China.
There is some debate among energy experts, but solar and wind are generally considered to be the cleanest forms of energy. Both come from self-replenishing natural resources and do not release greenhouse gases.
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