The 2014 Renewable Energy Data Book shows that U.S. renewable electricity grew to 15.5% of total installed capacity and 13.5% of total electricity generation. Published annually by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) on behalf of the Energy Department’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, the Data Book illustrates United States and global energy statistics, including renewable electricity generation, renewable energy development, clean energy investments, and technology-specific data and trends.
“The 2014 Renewable Energy Data Book displays renewable energy trends for the United States and the world,” NREL Energy Analyst Philipp Beiter said. “The Data Book’s findings provide useful insights for policymakers, analysts, and investors.”
Key finding from the data book include:
- The United States’ overall energy consumption grew to 98.3 quadrillion British thermal units (Btu) in 2014, a 1% increase from 2013. Energy consumption from renewables (+3.1%), natural gas (+2.6%), nuclear (+1%), and petroleum (+0.5%) increased compared to 2013, while consumption from coal declined by 0.8%.
- The United States’ electric power sector energy consumption grew to 38.6 quadrillion Btu in 2014, a 0.5% increase from 2013.
- In 2014, U.S. renewable electricity grew to 15.5% of total installed capacity and 13.5% of total electricity generation. Installed renewable electricity capacity exceeded 179 gigawatts (GW) in 2014, generating 554 terawatt-hours (TWh).
- In 2014, U.S. hydropower produced nearly half of total renewable electricity generation, wind produced 33%, biomass produced 12%, solar photovoltaics (PV) and concentrating solar power (CSP) produced 6%, and geothermal produced 3%.
- In 2014, renewable electricity accounted for more than 50% of U.S. electricity capacity additions.
Wind summary
In the United States, wind installed capacity grew 7.8% in 2014 compared to 1.8% in 2013. Nearly 4.8 GW of additional wind capacity was installed in 2014, leading to a total cumulative capacity of nearly 66 GW.
- Some states with the highest cumulative wind installed capacity also experienced the most growth in capacity in 2014, including Texas (1.8 GW), Oklahoma (0.6 GW), and Iowa (0.5 GW).
- In 2014, China continued to lead the world in cumulative installed wind capacity with over 114 GW.
- Global cumulative installed offshore wind capacity reached nearly 8.8 GW in 2014, largely driven by projects in Europe. A total of 21 U.S. offshore wind projects, comprising more than 15.6 GW, are at various stages of development.
Solar and other sources summary
In 2014, solar electricity installed capacity increased by more than 54% (5.5 GW), accounting for more than 48% of U.S. renewable electricity capacity installed in 2014.
- U.S. wind electricity generation increased by 8.3% in 2014. Wind electricity capacity grew by 7.8% (4.8 GW).
- U.S. electricity capacities of biomass, geothermal, and hydropower have remained relatively stable from 2000 to 2014.
- Installed global renewable electricity capacity continued to increase and represents 28.5% of total electricity capacity globally in 2014.
- Worldwide, solar PV and CSP are among the fastest growing renewable electricity technologies—in 2014 alone, combined capacity increased by more than 28% globally. • In 2014, the United States led the world in biodiesel production, followed by Germany, Brazil, Argentina, France, and Indonesia.
- Globally, new investments in renewables in 2014 grew by 16% from 2013 to $310 billion.
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