Chapter 21, Problem 1TYC

To determine

The proportion of U.S. energy now comes from renewable sources and most prevalent form of renewable energy used in the United States. Also determine the form of renewable energy used to generate electricity.

Answer to Problem 1TYC

About 9.9% of all U.S energy are provided from renewable resources. Most prevalent form of renewable energy in the U.S is bioenergy, and most electricity of all of the renewable sources are generated from hydropower.

Explanation of Solution

Renewable sources of energy contribute a little to the global population. About 22% of electricity in the United States is generated by the renewable energy.

Renewable source of energy is used in very less percentage in the United States for the following reasons:

(a) Renewable source of energy is used to generate electricity.

(b) Renewable energy is also used to heat air or water.

(c) It also used as a fuel in vehicles.

U.S uses only 9.9% of renewable sources which includes hydropower, bioenergy, geothermal, solar and wind energy. Most of the preventable form of renewable energy consumed by the United State is bioenergy and is the most widely used energy in U.S. It derives from biological materials and sources.

In the United States, electricity is generated by using following form of energies:

1. 1. Geothermal energy (2.3%)
2. 2. Solar energy (5.7%)
3. 3. Wind energy (18.8%)
4. 4. Hydropower (24.7%)

 Energy from hydropower is mostly used in the United Sates to generate electricity whereas geothermal energy is the least renewable energy used for the generation of electricity.